Adding navigation

[rwl]

How hard and what all is involved in adding navigation to a 2011 30i that’s never had it? Is it worth the hassle?

[B21]

It’s both very expensive and pretty technical….sadly…

Best to go with an aftermarket android powered unit..IMHO

[nick9one1]

I agree. No point in adding a 10+ year old system to a car. I have Nav and its not great.

Just get an android unit. a lot of peole are replacing the built in navigation to this.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003116351114.html?

[DavesZed]

As above, it's expensive and a lot of work retrofitting full iDrive, I should know as I've done it
Full video here...

And prior to that I fitted one of the Android screens to my existing system...

If I had the time again which way would I go? Well the Android screen was relatively straightforward to fit, and with all the features it comes with was miles better than what I had before. At that time I had the add-on dongle for Apple carPlay/Android Auto (now mostly built-in to the screen on the current versions) and found that that's what I was using all the time, and it was a great piece of kit (absolutely essential to have the specific iDrive controller that comes with the screen, but make sure it includes it!). The only downside, to me anyway, is that the screen is fixed (like most modern BMW's are now anyway).

But I always wanted the OE iDrive, so after doing my research I decided to jump in and take out the Android and fully fit the OE system, but with an MMI box attached for Android Auto/CarPlay. So after taking my time to find the best prices I could I accumulated all the parts and swapped it all over. Now my system is the full media system complete with music streaming (combox install not shown in video).

Which system do I prefer though? Well it's my current version as it has every option I can have on it.
Is it worth it? To me, yes, but to the average person then quite probably not. It's a lot of work, and I mean a lot!! I did it for two reasons, one because it made a good video for my channel and two because I can!!

Unless you really want to go down the OE look then I'd recommend the Android screen

[rwl]

Originally Posted by nick9one1

I agree. No point in adding a 10+ year old system to a car. I have Nav and its not great.

Just get an android unit. a lot of peole are replacing the built in navigation to this.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003116351114.html?

I guess I’ve been living under a rock because I never knew this existed. How hard is the install? I’m guessing there is a YouTube video on it somewhere.

You guys are awesome! Thank you!!!

[rwl]

I watched a few of the videos and a couple mention the white box used for the iPhone interface. Anyone have a part number for it, or is there a better unit for apple products?

Also, the unit linked above to Aliexpress is a direct ship from China. Is there a better or more reliable option out there? I’m thinking warranty issues. Thanks again for any help!

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by rwl

I watched a few of the videos and a couple mention the white box used for the iPhone interface. Anyone have a part number for it, or is there a better unit for apple products?

Originally Posted by DavesZed

..... At that time I had the add-on dongle for Apple carPlay/Android Auto (now mostly built-in to the screen on the current versions) ....

You shouldn't need the add-on box (dongle) as they are built-in now, but check with the seller.

Originally Posted by rwl

Also, the unit linked above to Aliexpress is a direct ship from China. Is there a better or more reliable option out there? I’m thinking warranty issues. Thanks again for any help!

Just do a Google search for "BMW E89 Android" and see what comes up for a US supplier, but it'll be a lot more expensive because they have paid any import duties and will be supplying the warranty.

[rwl]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

You shouldn't need the add-on box (dongle) as they are built-in now, but check with the seller.



Just do a Google search for "BMW E89 Android" and see what comes up for a US supplier, but it'll be a lot more expensive because they have paid any import duties and will be supplying the warranty.

Awesome, thanks for the advice

[rwl]

Ok, I hope it’s not to much of a change of direction, but I purchased a different Z4 today, this one just has the empty storage box. I know I can still put the unit above in it, but I am guessing this would also be a good time to add a backup camera. Is the car already pre wired for the camera meaning I just need to drill the hole and add the camera or is there more to it?

[Weaselbeak]

Is the Z4 you just bought also a 2011? This may help answer your question about whether wiring for a backup camera is in place. I have my doubts on a 2011 but I have no definitive facts one way or the other.

PS-I've also seen wireless backup cameras that bluetooth to your phone but have no direct experience with one.

[DavesZed]

No E89 Z4's had back up cameras, they are only aftermarket ones. So there is no wiring already there.
I'd recommend either a license plate surround camera or one that can fit over the top of the plate so that it is central. I di nit recommend the license plate light replacement type as that hole is off centre and off square.
Hope that helps.

[rwl]

I ordered this one with the aftermarket backup camera. I’ll let you guys know how it works out. Thanks everyone for all of the great advice.
https://www.carnaviplayer.com/bmw-z4...hscreen-p-1234

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by rwl

I ordered this one with the aftermarket backup camera. I’ll let you guys know how it works out. Thanks everyone for all of the great advice.
https://www.carnaviplayer.com/bmw-z4...hscreen-p-1234

Lets hope its a decent camera then

The photo half way down that page (red/black interior looking forward out of the windscreen), is in fact my car! It's also fake as I didn't have the screen at the time so I made it up in photoshop. Nice to see it's still being used without permission!

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

No E89 Z4's had back up cameras

IIRC, in America, in the final years of production, OE backup camera was an option. I remember seeing adverts for those rare 2016 models when I looking for mine. But I’ve never test driven them. So perhaps the advert said yes but not really true.

OP, FWIW, the OE nav is very disappointing. I rarely use mine. Your smartphone has better resolution and it's much easier to upgrade.

[DavesZed]

And if it had been installed from the factory (I can't find any information on an OEM camera anywhere) then this is what it would have shown on the iDrive screen
* EDIT - This is my retrofit camera input to the iDrive screen, how-to video coming soon.

[DavesZed]

Whereas this will be the view on the Android screen

[rwl]

I got everything installed this morning, pretty easy install following your video, only a few minor changes. The rear view camera is just ok, but being that I just wanted to see what is directly behind me, it’ll do.

My only real issue was I had a slight popping noise every 4-5 seconds in the speakers, and my SOS button didn’t work anymore. I checked all my connections, unplugged and replugged them back in with no change. I found a spot on their webpage that mentioned swapping over the fiber optic plug from the factory radio plug to the new harness supplied with the display. This solved all of my problems.

Will see how it hold up, but I’m pretty satisfied with the way it turned out. Thanks everyone for all of the advice and help.

[TimmyBarnes]

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