OK so my latest project is to retrofit OEM iDrive into my Z4 - Why? Because I can (hopefully)
History;
There are a few options for the sound system on an e89. When I bought mine it had the most basic version installed, base stereo without USB or Bluetooh and only 6 speakers. I've never heard anything so dire, it truly is an injustice for BMW to sell a quality car with such a weak sound system in it, but I digress…. anyway not long after I bought him (the car was named Bryan by it's previous owner and I saw no reason to change it! ) I found out I could change the headunit for something that was OEM but also had Bluetooth and USB control, as I had an iPod then this was ideal. Long story short, I learnt how to code it in, got all of the components and installed it. Upside was that not only did I now have the added Bluetooh and USB control but the sound quality was massively improved as well. I also installed a pair of tweeters in the door pods to bring it up to an 8 speaker package. But at the end of the day I always fancied an iDrive system, but was told it would be expensive and complicated to code in, in fact some parts of the coding were exspensive due to an item of equipment called an ICOM.
About 2 years ago I learnt of the Android system for other models of the BMW range just as the version for the non-iDrive e90 3series had come out. So I started thinking if it could be installed in our E89's. I contacted the company and started talking to them about it. A year late the E89 version was released and I arranged to have one shipped to the UK so I could install it and test it out. Long story short (again) I love it, does what I want it to do, it's well built and works (even though some sceptics said it wouldn't last 3 months!!).
But I'd still like an OEM iDrive, so I've been thinking, and this is what I've come up with following a lot of research....
Install iDrive headunit
Fit LVDS cable to Android screen
Install OEM iDrive controller in place of Android copy controller
Install MULF2 unit for Bluetooth (+ Bluetooth antenna), AUX & USB inputs (not bothered about a Combox as I don't need multimedia or Bluetooth streaming options, this would also require an ICOM to code it in)
Emulator adaptor loom
GPS antenna
DAB antenna
Glovebox USB socket and cable
OK so I've got all of those parts now plus some wiring to go with it, then I discovered that the headunit mounting cage for the iDrive unit is different from the normal headunit, now I needed to find one of those.... part number search = nothing listed, it's part of a full dash assembly. Looking at used dash assemblies for sale showed that none of them had this bit included, so I've contacted a few breakers around and have located one in Lithuania which I should now have in a couple of weeks time.
I managed to get hold of a CIC MID headunit which isn't the one for the E89 as it only does the 6.5" screen and doesn't have the HDD, not a problem and considering how little it cost me it was worth a punt!
I also got hold of the iDrive controller from a later NBT vehicle so it didn't work (I was lead to believe that it was a CIC version!), but I've now managed to get hold of a proper one for the CIC (I have noticed though that the quality has dropped in later production, the feel was nowhere near as good as the CIC older one!)
So I've installed the MULF and Bluetooth antenna above the glovebox rather than having the MULF in the boot as it's easier and there is room to mount it there. The iDrive controller is mounted where it should be and has had the proper wiring plug fitted for it. MOST fibre optic cables have been installed along with the wiring into the MULF.
So I've done some coding to remove the old headunit code and add in the new CIC one and I've done a test installation (can't fully install it as I don't have the cage yet) which was very good. Headunit integrates with the Android screen as it should (although only 2/3 of the screen to the left are used for the CIC, which is not a major problem) and I have full control of both the iDrive and Android screens with the iDrive controller and steering wheel buttons. Radio works, DAB works, NAV works (once I'd been out for a drive round), AUX and USB works (which means the MOST is picking up from the MULF) but what doesn't work (at the moment at least) is the Bluetooth. It's coded in, I've change the VIN in the MULF to match the car and that is now showing up, so my software is able to see and talk to it, but I just can't get the Bluetooth to actually work
I'll add to this thread as I go along with the rest of the installation and the Bluetooth issues.
This is the 2/3 screen view
And the OEM iDrive controller
And cutting the plug into the Android controller loom
And making it look OEM
OK, and an update (as I originally posted this on the UK forum a few days ago).....
So the project is getting there, slowly but it's getting there
So the damaged Z4 is now in Lithuania and I'm now just waiting on info about the headunit cage. ** 08/07/20 ** Cage now posted to the UK!
The OEM iDrive controller..... Alas I missed out on the last e89 controller on eBay the other week so I got hold of an e90 version instead. The only difference between them is the bracket that it's screwed to the centre console with, and that comes off, so I ordered the proper e89 bracket and it finally arrived yesterday. Now it looks perfect in it's proper place The bracket cost me £18 delivered and the e90 controller cost £75 so not too bad considering the average price of the e89 version is £100.
And I've managed to get hold of the e89 flip-up screen, for FREE
Alas, so far it's not displaying anything, it glows, but doesn't flip up or show anything on it, so something to investigate. If I get it to work then I may take this project in a slightly different direction
Still no joy with the bluetooth working though, so that is also still under investigation.
Next thing is I'm going to list the current (wrong) headunit on eBay and then get hold of the proper one for the e89, might as well have the correct headunit, especially if I do go with the flip-up screen.
That's it for now, hopefully some more progress soon
