Saturday, October 29, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions on BMW retrofits



1) Can I upgrade my screen to 8.8 inch without changing the BMW head unit or iDrive?

Yes, you can upgrade your screen to 8,8 inch with a much higher resolution of 1280 x 480. However, if you do not have navigation in your head unit, it may not be that useful. Original 6.5 inch has a resolution of 800 x 600.


2) What are the differences between Navigation, Navigation Plus and Navigation Professional package sold by BMW for F45/F46?


Business Navigation System package: 6.5 inch screen , Navigation Head Unit (EntryNav), standard iDrive controller and 32GB flash memory (VO code: 6UN)

Business Navigation Plus System package: 8.8 inch screen, Navigation Head Unit (EntryNav) , touch iDrive controller and 32GB flash memory (VO code: 6UP)

Navigation Professional: 8.8 inch screen, Navigation Head Unit with DVD player and 200 GB Hard disk (VO code: 609)

3) Can I upgrade my basic media unit (without Navigation) to EntryNav (Navigation Head unit) on my car?

Yes, you can do it. This will involves updating your MAP(which is based on ROUTE maps) with new FSC code to activate the map and installing the GPS antenna. I am doing some further research on it and will update my result in future postings.

41 comments:

  1. Hello. Thanks for usefull guides.
    Do you know if it is possible to upgrade standard PDC with rear sensors by adding front PDC sensors for f45?

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  2. Check this link: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=869735

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  3. Thanks a lot. Can You tell me where is ICM module and REM module in our F45? conection branch to PIN i REM will be the same? I check in BMW, they dont have official retrofit front PDC kit. Anyway, the REM moduleand his pinout is the same in f30 and f45?

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  4. Hi,
    Are you interested to retrofit the Factory Alarm Option 302?
    I am trying to explore for this retrofit but I suppose we do not have the wiring assembly pre-installed in our car which could be quite troublesome if we were to do such retrofit. Furthermore, I am also wondering how to retrofit our car remote to have the Panic button function. Couldnt figure out how to open up the car remote yet.
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I definitely keen to explore Factory Alarm Option 302. I did some research and found that there are no pre-wirings available in our car. It looks like you need to change the key fob to support the panic button. No easy hack here.

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  5. Hello, I have HU_ENTRYNAV (ECU) head unit on my new F48 (X1) but without navigation (option 6UN in my VO). Now I know I can retrofit navi via "BMW integrated navigation" but I would like to know how far is your research on enabling navi on HU_ENTRYNAV head unit (with FSC map coding + adding GPS antenna). Thanks in advance for your reply. Best regards, Elvis.

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    Replies
    1. 6UN is Navigation package. Are you sure yours is 6UN? To install navigation, you need to download the ROUTE map for your region. To generate the FSC code, you need to find someone that can help you generate the FSC code by following the instruction below but note that the Application ID is "DF" for HU_ENTRYNAV.

      http://www.bmwesys.com/guides/How%20To%20Generate%20Navi%20Maps%20Update%20FSC%20Code%20with%20ESYS%20and%20Navi%20Toolkit.pdf

      There is no FSC code generator for ENTRYNAV online but I believe you can still find someone to help you generate it for you for a small fee once you had generated your .FSC file. Adding GPS antenna requires hiding the wires inside the car and it connects directly to your head unit. You should try to take out your head unit to have a peep on what's connected. There are only two torx screw attached to it.

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    2. Hello, I don`t have 6UN or any other kind of navigation option in my VO. Is HU_ENTRYNAV head unit capable of having navigation at all (using the procedure described above which includes FSC code for navigation option + VO coding option 6UN + adding GPS antenna + replacing existing Idrive controller with the one with navi button) or do I need NBT head unit for my X1 (F48) in order to have navigation? Also, there is an option of retrofitting integrated navigation to my car which is basically additional unit that uses only the Idrive display screen + you need to replace Idrive controller with the one that has navi button as well (for 1000$)... In the end I am just wondering why is there the name of the head unit "HU_ENTRYNAV" if it actually has nothing to do with the navigation whatsoever.. Or am I mistaking... Thank you in advance for your reply. Best regards, E. P.S. Maybe you can forward this question to Shawn and see what he thinks...

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    3. You can ignore that "HU_ENTRYNAV" module name. Basically, you need to swap your physical head unit with the model enabled with navigation. Yours should come with "Basic Media" part number for your head unit. Coding will not help as there are additional connectors behind the head unit for those head unit with navigation model. I opened up one basic media unit to check the difference and found that it requires one more wire connection which looks like an additional power supply required on the navigation model.

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    4. Thank you so much for your prompt reply, Robot Lover. It is all clear to me now... Best regards, E.

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    5. Hi, thank you, I've used some of your blog ideas to update settings in my F46, and have confirmed it has HU_ENTRYNAV. To activate CarPlay do I require Navigation Professional VO code 609? Do you recommend any solutions to enable CarPlay? Do they require a cable connection, as my car has wireless charging so wireless connection would be preferable.

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  6. puede saber el concesionario si he echo alguna modificación

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    1. La mayoría del distribuidor no será molestado por tal codificación. Se le pedirá que revertir la codificación si se encuentra que afecta el coche. Mi experiencia me dice que no se molestan y algunos no tienen las habilidades para incluso utilizar el software E-Sys para comprobar la codificación.

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  7. Hi,
    Do you know what are the parts we need to upgrade to Navigation Professional for USB video playback? A new head unit?

    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. What type of head unit do you have? And which vehicle? If you have navi capable HU (HU_NTB), than all you need to do is some FDL coding, othervise you need to replace the HU...

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    2. You will need Navigation Professional. VO code 609) to play back USB video. Frankly speaking, I think the installation of mirrorlink (screen mirroring) via your HP is a much better solution that to upgrade Navigation Professional which is much more expensive.

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    3. hi how to install mirrorlink for android or apple? still need to code after installing the hardware ?

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    4. BMW itself did not release a mirrorlink feature for F45/46. The Mirrorlink solution available in the market are third party solutions which potentially will void your car's warranty. I will suppose that it requires video interface box and a mirrorlink box plus some connectors.

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  8. You can buy from http://www.schmiedmann.com. They are reliable seller.

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  9. Hello,
    Where can I buy the 8.8 inch display to replace my 6.5? Is there a part number I should look for?
    Thanks

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  10. Hi! I have been reading your blog awhile and very appreciate your sharing about F46! I did follow some of your post and I've retrofitted my 6.5 screen to 8.8 screen.
    Recently, I am planning to retrofit the head unit to have the navigation function. I am having a Entrynav but without navigation. I just wonder if I just need to plug-in the GPS antenna, download the map update and then activate it with the FSC code? Is there anything I've missed? Please kindly provide your opinion!

    Thanks!
    Gary

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    Replies
    1. Good to hear that you had successfully retrofitted your screen to 8.8 inch! Upgrading to navigation unit is something that I have not tried so I can't comment much. If you want to test it, I do have a navigation head unit for F46 for you to test. I believe you will need to use "Detect CAF for SWE" buttonif you did not see the head unit module in your E-Sys.

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    2. Thanks so much for your quick reply! :) And thank you so much for offering the nav unit. However, I am from HK and it will be too trouble for you to send the unit. Actually, I am thinking if my own Entrynav can be retrofitted. If possible, I can also share it to my friends in the car group with this low cost method. Hope to learn more from you in the future!

      Best regards,
      Gary

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    3. Hi, Anonymous, as you see from my previous posts there is no way you can make HU_ENTRYNAV HU to have navigation since it is a basic media head unit and has no hardware to support navigation - no GPS connector etc... So if you want navi function in your wehicle, you have 3 options: 1. you can get official BMW "integrated navigation" solution which is basically adding additional navigation module (in the glove box) + you get new idrive controller with navgation button. Cost: 1000 EUR. Then you update the maps online via PC... 2. you can replace existing HU_ENTRYNAV head unit with used navi-capable NBT head unit + replace idrive controller. Problem here are compatibility issues, which can be resolved via coding, donor VIN, filter harnesses etc). 3. You can install video (multimedia) mirroring device and use your smart phone for navigation - I used this option since I retrofitted backup camera as well. It is the cheapest option (app. 500 EUR) and works great. Hope this will be of any help to you.
      Best regards, E.

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    4. Hi Elvis,
      Thank you so much for your advice, too! I have a look at the connectors behind the head unit last night and found out that the GPS connector is missing. So I wonder if I can add the GPS connector onto the PCB. Seems too risky to do so and may end-up damage the PCB with my very poor skill.

      Actually, the 8.8" screen I have retrofitted is integrated with the Android system which simulates the EVO interface. There is already a GPS nav function. So even if it is not possible to retrofit the entrynav, it is still ok for me. Most likely, I will give up on retrofitting the entrynav unit... :P

      Best regards,
      Gary

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  11. And yes, I also successfully retrofitted 8.8 inch display screen as well.. And it looks and works great BTW. (;-)

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  12. Hello .
    I have the basic ENTRYNAV without navigation on my F48.
    I would like to replace my idrive controller , which is the basic one without NAVI button , with the 6804694 controller that has NAVI button .
    Are the other buttons (TEL , MEDIA, RADIO , MENU ) going to be functional or coding is going to be required ?
    Thanks in advance.

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    Replies
    1. You will need to change your head unit. Yours is based on Basic Media version and need to change to navigation head unit as well. You will need to get the FSC code for your map as well which you will need to pay some one to get it.

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    2. No , sorry if i was not clear.
      I don't want NAVI , I just want for some reason to change the Idrive controller with the 6804694 part.
      If I make the exchange will the buttons of the new controller such as the MENU or TEL button be active or they won't be recognised at all ?
      Thank you very much for your time.

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    3. Do you know about it , please ?
      Thank you in advance .

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    4. I have finally installed the IDrive controller with the extended button layout replacing the basic iDrive controller that didn' have the NAVI or RADIO button .
      I'm glad to inform you that all the buttons are functional and no coding is required ! Pure plug n'play !
      Even the "NAVI" button launches the navigation app that I have installed (I have an Android headunit with 10.25" screen) .

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    5. Are you satisfied with the android headhunt 10.25'' screen?

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  13. Is an upgrade from 6UP to 609 documented anywhere?

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  14. Thank for providing good information for site,Thanks for your sharing.

    หนังใหม่

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  15. hi there,
    If i get the whole package below from a scraped F46,
    Business Navigation System package: 6.5 inch screen , Navigation Head Unit (EntryNav), standard iDrive controller and 32GB flash memory (VO code: 6UN)
    IS it plug and play for my NON NAVI F45?
    Also when PML perform software update will it cause problem ?

    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. need to know if buy whole set from scraped car, must i purchase activcation FSC code to get these working in my car ?

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    2. It's not plug n play. You need FSC code generated from your VIN. So your car still need FSC code to activate. It cost a few hundred bucks to get this FSC code from your dealer.

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  16. I have a US spec 2018 X1 xDrive28i with a production date of 11/17. I would like to retrofit the rear PDC and the LED fog lights for a F25 X3. Do you know if these are possible? I have the bimmercode app but neither are an option to code.

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  17. Hi all, Just boght active tourer with básic navy.
    What can i do to have Apple car?
    Bmw Said that imposible.
    Tnx

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  18. I have BMW X1 F48, produced 02/2018, and equipped with 06UN Navigation (latest map revision 04/2018).

    Looking for CarPlay upgrade. Pls advice the software / hardware possibilities.

    Mauro

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  19. They all appeared great, you did not know which one to select. Nevertheless, have you ever examined the BMW X5? Do this, walk into a BMW dealership near you and ask to see the BMW X5.
    used car dealerships near me

    ReplyDelete