Retrofitting CIC iDrive into a BMW E89 Z4 Sat-Nav

[@tunterschutz]

The awaited video! I’ve got to find the time to view this a couple hundred times and see if I have the nerve now to replace the Android just installed! Thanks for making these!

[@kevinmarchant642]

Excellent video, vital information here if you are contemplating this installation. With Dave's help and advise I completed a retrofit iDrive installation on my Z4 six months ago and it's worked perfectly from the word go. It looks daunting, but everything you need to know is here. I found the most difficult bit to be swopping the mounting cage over, but it just requires care and patience. I puchased all of the parts & cables with the exception of the emulator from a car breaker in Lithuania. They came from the same car, so I had confidence it would all integrate. Thank you Dave a great video.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Glad you like the video and thank you for the kind words. I think this adds so much to the car, especially in keeping it "almost OEM" (sorry, stole that from Goonzquad 🤣), loving mine even more so now I have the combox (future video!).

[@anthonyjerrard6675]

could you provide details of the supplier in Lithuania? Did you have to pay import taxes or other charges? and if i could be so rude as to ask the approx cost? many thanks

[@thorstenwestheiderphotogra7722]

Great video, I enjoyed watching it even though my E89 already got the CIC iDrive when I bought it. Figuring out how to do it without having a complete walkthrough on video (like the one you did here) is a great accomplishment in itself. Bravo!

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Thank you, I'm really glad you liked the video. I enjoyed doing the install, it was a lot of fun and it's a great bit of kit to use.

[@absolom2]

Nice to see you again active. I hope more videos to be released soon

[@PeterGunn-d2g]

Thank you once again It was Bimmertech saying it can’t be done Excellent video and I am checking out your others Cheers

[@BMWZ4Mods]

There are a few reasons as to why they'd say that, and I'd imagine that's possibly because its not plug-n-play (ie; easy!!) and not items just off the shelf (the headunit cage). Some companies simply want to sell you something that is straightforward and not something where they are going to get loads of questions. Either way, this is why I make videos...... and saying that I really must get some more finished and uploaded 👍

[@MegaDami3n]

@@BMWZ4Mods how did you get the 'headunit Cage', it'll be helpful to know. was it from a scrap yard? or did you purchase from a supplier?

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@MegaDami3n I managed to get it from a breaker in Lithuania. Remember, they are handed, so make sure you get the correct one.

[@alicheikhlahlou7200]

THANK YOU! I have waited for this video a long long time!! I hope that I will succeed on doing this... If not, I will bring my e89 in Great Britain and meet you haha. Again many thanks, I will try first to gather all the parts, and then start the job! Cheers, Ali

[@PixelRatedGames]

This is fantastic! I'd love this mod on my '59 plate E89 but I have nowhere near the required skills or knowledge to do so. I'm looking up prices to get somebody to carry the work out while watching and typing this, and source the parts for me, but it's already looking likely to cost nearly as much as the car itself! (I think it's only worth about £5k now). I did have iDrive on a Mini Cooper I had from new, that was an '11 plate - I really enjoyed that system, it's all so intuitive. Anyway, thanks again for the upload!

[@jasonharley8230]

Wonderful video, well done !

[@volkerammann1696]

Thanks Dave - I`ve done all right then. I must have a faulty headunit as all stays dark and I get a lot of errors on my instrument panel … :-( . I will have to get it checked.

[@PeterGunn-d2g]

Thank you , I was told by Bimmertech that this was not possible

[@goronnie69]

Absolutely incredible. Fantastic video. When I bought my Z4 I asked the dealer if the I-Drive could be retrofitted. He said impossible. How the hell did you research how to do it? How long do you think it took you?

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Hi Ron, firstly thank you and glad you liked the video. Anything is possible to be retrofitted, it's purely down to cost! And that's the main point. There are loads of posts on the Internet of 3 & 1 series cars being retrofitted with iDrive but very little fir the e89, now I'm sure its been done before but it us basically the same as a E90 in everything you have to do. So all my info came from thec3 series owners groups combined with the wiring diagrams fir the e89. The physical install took about 3 hours give or take, so not a quick one.

[@giuseppefer-u6o]

buonasera, potrebbe indicarmi i codici esatti di tutti i cavi che servono, antenna gps in piu' anche il suo alloggiamento dove si inserisce il navigatore, poi volevo sapere se si puo' codificare con biemmercode

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Ciao. Non sono sicuro di cosa intendi con "codici esatti di tutti i cavi", ogni filo l'ho dovuto inventare da zero. Ho incluso i numeri di parte delle spine nel video, devi inventare i telai dei cavi e saldarli di conseguenza al telaio originale dell'auto. L'antenna GPS originale si adatta sopra l'unità di illuminazione interna. Poiché la tua auto probabilmente non ne avrà una, come la mia, dovrai acquistare la clip con l'antenna GPS. Sfortunatamente, non puoi acquistare la clip di fissaggio per la E89, quindi ne ho acquistata una per una BMW Serie 4, che è il numero di parte 9281067. Questa viene fornita con la clip di plastica che deve essere attaccata all'interno del parabrezza, quindi l'antenna GPS e quindi un pezzo di metallo che tiene l'antenna alla clip di plastica. Ho tagliato il pezzo di metallo per adattarla meglio. L'antenna effettiva è identica alla versione E89, solo un numero di parte diverso. Per quanto riguarda Bimmercode, non lo uso perché uso solo la suite BMW Tools Package, quindi non posso dirlo con certezza. Spero che questo aiuti, Dave

[@giuseppefer-u6o]

@@BMWZ4Mods sono in attesa di tutti i pezzi che mi servono, l'unico pezzo che non riesco a trovare e il supporto navigatore, non riesco a trovarlo neanche in bmw, mi dicono che bmw vende il cruscotto completo, dove hai trovato il pezzo che si vede nel video al minuto 22, per capirci del pezzo che cerco

[@giuseppefer-u6o]

@@BMWZ4Mods al minuto 3.40

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@giuseppefer-u6o Per la gabbia dell'unità principale, come ti ha detto BMW, non sono disponibili separatamente. Devi trovare qualcuno che sta rompendo una E89. Di norma, quando qualcuno vende un cruscotto, di solito non include la gabbia dell'unità principale, quindi vale la pena chiedere in giro a qualche demolitore, questo è quello che ho fatto. ATTENZIONE: devi assicurarti che sia per il veicolo corretto, sono maneggevoli, quindi sono con guida a destra o a sinistra. Spero che questo aiuti, Dave

[@giuseppefer-u6o]

@@BMWZ4Mods per il momento, in ITALIA introvabile, ho chiesto ad uno zio in GERMANIA, se no ultima speranza e' quello di modificare il mio, sperando di riuscire ad adattarlo,GRAZIE

[@wellybobs4403]

Wow.. I had no idea this was such a huge job. I am too chicken to tackle this myself.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

It would be worse if you had a 3 series as you'd need to replace the whole dashboard!. Yes it's a big job and I'm sure it's got limited appeal within the Z4 community, but I wanted to do it partly just because I can but also because I like a challenge. I will be doing a video on the Combox (bluetooth calls and music) install soon as well.

[@mrkevinlui]

I have 2011 Z4 with i-Drive, I actually wonder if the dating i-Drive can be removed along with the outdated screen. I would just want basic storage boxes. For Audio, the best is always the latest iPhone / Android along with Bluetooth. All cars built in with "latest" digital screens and tech will rapidly look dated in 5 years, because phones and digital evolve so rapidly.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

I've also got an mmi box attached to the iDrive system to give me Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so best of all worlds 👍, I have a few videos on those as well, as well as the Android Touchscreen which can work with either the iDrive system or standard headunit. Oh, and you don't get much in the cubbyhole that's on the top of the dash, maybe a pair of sunglasses.

[@volkerammann1696]

I have searched for weeks now to find the (square) cage for the iDrive unit but cannot find one - any idea or tip??

[@BMWZ4Mods]

No, alas, it's not an easy item to find. I found a breaker who was awaiting one in, so I explained what I wanted and he was happy to remove it. Most sellers sell the full dash panel but without the cage, whereas BMW sell it with it (hence mot separate part number), so it's always worth asking breakers.

[@londoncinemastudio3073]

Great video. Just wondering what's the approximate cost of all the parts? Are there any reliable websites online that sell these as packages?

[@BMWZ4Mods]

As a rule I just use eBay to search for my parts. You could be lucky and come across a full kit from one seller (I have seen these a number of times), I've recently seen a full kit for £900, but you can be paying up to £2000. But whichever way you do it, make sure if it doesn't show the cage then at least ask the seller, as the majority of sellers simply don't know it's different. Due to the rarity of the E89 there are not very many places that do this kind of stuff, and certainly not off the shelf.

[@awonhaterz]

Excellent video. I do have a bunch of questions as i have also seen your post on bimmerpost detailing this journey. My z4 currently has Bluetooth for calling, Do i still need a combobox for bluetooth streaming? If no, can you explain how to go from that bluetooth into the head unit? Does it automatically add Bluetooth streaming because i now have a cic idrive head unit? Also, finding a cic head unit cage is proving the hardest. In your experience, is there a way to machine the old cage to accommodate the cic head unit? Finally, the end goal is to have the retrofitted mmi box streaming to the flip up screen. Do i still need the whole i drive or can i bypass using the cic idrive head unit. I look forward to your response.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Bluetooth-depends if your current one is a separate MULF in the boot or a combined headunit that has it built-in. Only way to check is to remove the headunit and see if it says Bluetooth on the label, if it does then its built-in so you'll need the combox, if not then you have the MULF so you're OK 👍 Someone else has converted his existing cage to fit, but he said it wasn't perfect. So it's best to find the proper one. No you need the iDrive headunit and full system for the mmi to work. On the subject of the mmi, I have a new video coming very soon (just finishing it) on a better mmi box using the fibre optic network, so you get a digital signal instead of using the analogue AUX socket. Hope that helps 👍

[@awonhaterz]

@@BMWZ4Mods do you know the part number for the cage?

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@awonhaterz there isn't a part number, it only comes with the full dashboard, but most breakers sell used dashboards without the cage so you should start with a breaker and ask them 👍

[@awonhaterz]

@@BMWZ4Mods can you please send me the link to the mmi box you mentioned. I have all the components ready for the full retrofit

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@awonhaterz here you go, there are two versions this is the one I've got, the other (blue box) has a built-in DSP ... www.mr12volt.com/collections/bmw/products/carplay-interface-bmw-cic New video on its installation is come in the next couple of days 👍

[@Alex-kz1rw]

Hello again 👋🏻 great Video you did💪🏼 Do you know how i can use my own custom Boot screen? I just have one Connected Drive boot logo in the system settings to use and cannot switch to another one or upload another one.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Alas I do not know how to change the boot screen within the OEM system. Saying that I did read somewabout being able to change the NBT screen, so not sure if anyone has done it on the CIC system. I do know how to do it on the MMI box though.

[@Alex-kz1rw]

@@BMWZ4Mods How do you organize your Music that is installed on the Android screen? I did import some music into the device with the UDisk and I can play the titles or albums but its not organized in the Music media player. Do I have to import the music again in the Order I want it or what do you do to organize this music files?

[@Alex-kz1rw]

just made some folders for example : Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock... and under that folders for the Artists names. but the android screen seems to be don't organize them automatically

[@sammiah4448]

Hey can you let me know where you got the bracket from?

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Here you go, from lllparts.co.uk. Direct link.... www.lllparts.co.uk/product/bmw-frame-51169154065/mpn/51169154065

[@sammiah4448]

Sorry I was asking for bracket for the headunit in dash not the idrive controller

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@sammiah4448 arr I see. Unfortunately these are not available as a single item from BMW, you'd need to find a breaker to get hold of it that way. From the factory it is part the fill dash, but breakers always seem to disconnect it and not sell it with used dashboards so that should be a possibility, that's where I got mine from.

[@volkerammann1696]

Sorry one question I can`t figure this: The controller cable (1 4-pin to controller) leads directly to screen (2nd 4-pin-connector) - but what happens to the 4-pin connector you connect to the cord lock connector? Or do both (screen and controller) lead into the cord lock connector? - As fas as I see, the 4 connections you use are the same as 4 cables of the emulator …? - Sorry - hope my question is not too stupid.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

I wired both 4 pin connectors to the headunit quadlock for ease. Both are identical as they both have a positive and negative supply, and both have the canbus high and low signal connections for control. As the quadlock also has these exact same connections, it works well to feed them from there. I hope that helps.

[@thachapoompk7510]

I have a problem for pop up and down after i have changed screen How can i do it to normal popup and down.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

The Up & Down of the E89 screen is controlled via the CanBus system from a signal from the headunit. This is not replicable as far as I know, so you're stuck with finding out why it's not working. Saying that, why have you changed screens? And assuming the replacement is a used one, could it be that it just doesn't work?! There is one thing that may help, with it in the closed position lock the car up overnight and then the next morning see if it'll work correctly. If these screens go out of sync they can stop working, but after a shut-down of all systems they normally work properly again.

[@thachapoompk7510]

@@BMWZ4Mods Can I calibrate it with tool for bmw in a shop Maintenance.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@thachapoompk7510 a reset (SG_CODERIEN coding) with NCSExpert may work, or a reading with ISTA may also help. But leaving it overnight is free and hassle-free. I'd certainly do that first.

[@thachapoompk7510]

@@BMWZ4Mods Thank you for your advised.

[@PeterGunn-d2g]

So I can check if this is compatible with my z4 would you be kind enough to provide your VIN Cheers Peter

[@BMWZ4Mods]

Absolutely no need for anyone to provide their VIN to check compatibility. If you don't curhave iDrive, then a VIN check will say it's not compatible, but that's the point of this video, as I'm showing how to do the retrofit. Every dealer will say you can't do it, but you obviously can because I've shown you how, and quite a few have also done it.

[@lolzidletv]

Hey, why did you add $6VA? What does it do? I couldn't find any relevant information about it on google.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

VO code 6VA is CIC-ZUSTEUERUNG (which is CIC-Control), this us the additional coding required for the cars systems to know it's installed. Hope that helps.

[@bmva8263]

The Bluetooth isn’t working on mine

[@BMWZ4Mods]

In what way? Did it before? Was the original a MULF or Combox, or was it built into the headunit? Have you coded the CIC and MULF/Combox?

[@bmva8263]

@@BMWZ4Mods it came with the car from factory everything is original. My Bluetooth syncs with the phone but it doesn’t produce sound and the speaker behind the passenger toward the window stoped working. It just happened out if the blue.

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@@bmva8263 arrr I see, so you've not done the retrofit. OK, so assuming it's the same phone as before it stopped working, then unless your phone has had an update it could be just bad luck and your module has failed in some way. Would be a good idea to check for any fault codes and work from there.

[@Aenaus86]

Hello, can you please advise what is the part number of the idrive controller you use? Is it a modified version of a part compatible with Z4 e89 or is it a newer version compatible with other models and you knew it would also work in Z4? Thank you in advance

[@BMWZ4Mods]

All of the E series CIC controllers have a removable surround so will all work with each other with the correct fitting. So basically there are two versions, one with CD on the top left button and one with MEDIA but they all work the same. ** They MUST be from an E series, for CIC , have a 4 screw mount and a 4 pin conbector. I've had both the CD and MEDIA versions and they work exactly the same just the wording is different. Part numbers are specific to the model the surround mount is for, but, as I put on the video, you can buy the correct E89 surround separately.

[@Aenaus86]

@@BMWZ4Mods thank you so much for the direct correspondence and for being so helpful and clear about it! Cheers, John

[@WhalesOfWallStreet]

can you do mine for me please lol

[@BMWZ4Mods]

@WhalesOfWallStreet I can, depends on a few factors, but I can 😎👍