Looking to upgrade to 16:9 widescreen nav ?

[miylive]

Hi fellow members.. I'm looking to upgrade to the widescreen head unit - 16:9 - mk something its called.. does anyone know of any for sale - ebay has some outrageous pricing - im willing to pay 150-300 depending on condition..please let me know if anyone has one... once the deal is done my 4:3 will be up for sale - its in mint condition with the wood trim and all... thanks.

[blackknight530i]

The widescreen display is independent of what navigation system you're using. The brain in the trunk is what determines mk2, mk3, mk4, etc. The widescreen monitor should work on mk3 and mk4, which since you have a 2001, is probably a mk3. You just need the display unless you want to also upgrade to the mk4 with added features such as split screen, birds eye view, etc. The displays I've seen go for about $250-$350 depending on condition, but the mk4 brain usually goes for about $400+.

[psjr]

The widescreen display is independent of what navigation system you're using. The brain in the trunk is what determines mk2, mk3, mk4, etc. The widescreen monitor should work on mk3 and mk4, which since you have a 2001, is probably a mk3. You just need the display unless you want to also upgrade to the mk4 with added features such as split screen, birds eye view, etc. The displays I've seen go for about $250-$350 depending on condition, but the mk4 brain usually goes for about $400+.

If it was a MKIII it would have come with the widescreen from the factory.

E38 switched to MKIII/widescreen in 09/2000 production, 2001 MY started in 03/2000.

@OP "normal" price for a widescreen monitor is $400-450, but plenty of people have been able to find deals on them for less.

[miylive]

If it was a MKIII it would have come with the widescreen from the factory. E38 switched to MKIII/widescreen in 09/2000 production, 2001 MY started in 03/2000. @OP "normal" price for a widescreen monitor is $400-450, but plenty of people have been able to find deals on them for less.

Thanks bud yes u r right mine should have it if it's a late 2001 but it's probably 2000 some month in the end not sure whih one so it doesn't hope I can source one - tried the yards but no luck guess ill just have to wait this one out

[miylive]

The widescreen display is independent of what navigation system you're using. The brain in the trunk is what determines mk2, mk3, mk4, etc. The widescreen monitor should work on mk3 and mk4, which since you have a 2001, is probably a mk3. You just need the display unless you want to also upgrade to the mk4 with added features such as split screen, birds eye view, etc. The displays I've seen go for about $250-$350 depending on condition, but the mk4 brain usually goes for about $400+.

Thanks for the insight bud much appreciated yes that's the price I was thinking

[daytonatrbo]

Thanks bud yes u r right mine should have it if it's a late 2001 but it's probably 2000 some month in the end not sure whih one so it doesn't hope I can source one - tried the yards but no luck guess ill just have to wait this one out

While you're at the yard, don't forget to look at late model e39's, early X3's, early X5's and late E46's. These would have the correct nav brain, but the display would not necessarily match.

[miylive]

Wow thanks / I didn't think of that ? So would they be plug and play or what ?

[daytonatrbo]

Wow thanks / I didn't think of that ? So would they be plug and play or what ?

If you have the 4:3, you have MK2 nav brain. You can get the Mk3 from a late 01 e38, and 01-02 in the other models, or you might get lucky and find a mk4. The two units look identical except that the Mk4 has a "DVD" logo on the front.

When you switch to either the 3 or 4, the 2 plastic plugs should plug right in, but you will have to disconnect the antenna (co-ax) cord from the separate receiver in your car and plug it into the back of the nav brain. (it plug in direct in the later models)

Once you have a mk3 or mk4, it will work with your 4:3, but it will be ready for the 16:9 when you find one.


For more info on the different generations and how to spot them check out:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...59930103,d.cWc

[miylive]

If you have the 4:3, you have MK2 nav brain. You can get the Mk3 from a late 01 e38, and 01-02 in the other models, or you might get lucky and find a mk4. The two units look identical except that the Mk4 has a "DVD" logo on the front. When you switch to either the 3 or 4, the 2 plastic plugs should plug right in, but you will have to disconnect the antenna (co-ax) cord from the separate receiver in your car and plug it into the back of the nav brain. (it plug in direct in the later models) Once you have a mk3 or mk4, it will work with your 4:3, but it will be ready for the 16:9 when you find one. For more info on the different generations and how to spot them check out: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...59930103,d.cWc

Thanks so much Daytona / I'm well schooled now and will keep a keen look out for any that come my way

[miylive]

Will An e 39 head unit fit in my car - the seller says he took it from his e39 5 series and it was working when he pulled it ! Says it's buyers responsibility to check compatibility guy is 2 hrs away from my current location / and it's minus 25 and I have no garage to work on my car / I need to know if it will fit please chime in guys

[miylive]

It's from e39 5 series 2002

[sealbeach740]

By headunit, do you mean the monitor in the interior? Then yeah, a 16x9 from a e39 will fit & work in your 7.
By headunit, do you mean the Nav unit in the trunk? Then yeah, a MKIV (I'm assuming that is what came stock in a 2002 e39) will work in your 7.
Either way, both will work fine in your 7 (as long as the unit itself is good).

[miylive]

By headunit, do you mean the monitor in the interior? Then yeah, a 16x9 from a e39 will fit & work in your 7.
By headunit, do you mean the Nav unit in the trunk? Then yeah, a MKIV (I'm assuming that is what came stock in a 2002 e39) will work in your 7.
Either way, both will work fine in your 7 (as long as the unit itself is good).

hey sealbeach ben a while bud - sorry about my terminology - am pretty rusty lol :p ... yes by head unit i mean the one in the cabin .. the 4:3 half screen one thats been bugging me to become full screen since i bought the car !!

now to test this one I want to buy - can i open up mine and stick that other one in just like that or do i need to battery nap it or something like that to save it from frying the internals?

thanks... the guy is selling as is for a decent price but says it was working when he pulled it from his 2002 5 series.......

btw good to know it will fit - so worst case scenario if i cant test it at his place in my car... ill be gambling a few hundreds at a shot of a maybe working unit! hes selling the mk3 for 100 bucks but i really dont care - i dont even use the system for navigation as most map locations dont work on the one i have so i cant be bothered - just want the larger screen!

- - - Updated - - -

Wow thanks / I didn't think of that ? So would they be plug and play or what ?

will the 16:9 widescreen work with my old mk2 ?

- - - Updated - - -

If you have the 4:3, you have MK2 nav brain. You can get the Mk3 from a late 01 e38, and 01-02 in the other models, or you might get lucky and find a mk4. The two units look identical except that the Mk4 has a "DVD" logo on the front.

When you switch to either the 3 or 4, the 2 plastic plugs should plug right in, but you will have to disconnect the antenna (co-ax) cord from the separate receiver in your car and plug it into the back of the nav brain. (it plug in direct in the later models)

Once you have a mk3 or mk4, it will work with your 4:3, but it will be ready for the 16:9 when you find one.


For more info on the different generations and how to spot them check out:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...59930103,d.cWc

will the 16:9 work with my old mk2 ?

[timtoohype]

No. You will need the MK3 or MK4.

[timtoohype]

Quick way to check what you have, is, in the trunk, where the CD or DVD goes in:

The MK2 has a "CD-IN LED" on the face.
The MK3 just has a "POWER" LED on the face.
The MK4 says "DVD" on the face.

[79howard]

No. You will need the MK3 or MK4.

Disagree. My mk2 worked fine with my upgrade widescreen. I ran it that way for a few month tell I got the mk4. However the features of the mk4 are worth it IMO.

[miylive]

Quick way to check what you have, is, in the trunk, where the CD or DVD goes in: The MK2 has a "CD-IN LED" on the face. The MK3 just has a "POWER" LED on the face. The MK4 says "DVD" on the face.

K thanks - I'm pretty sure mine says DVD but let's see when I check tomooro

[miylive]

Disagree. My mk2 worked fine with my upgrade widescreen. I ran it that way for a few month tell I got the mk4. However the features of the mk4 are worth it IMO.

Awesome - do u know anything about mk3 ? The guy is selling mk3 for 100 bucks

[daytonatrbo]

Awesome - do u know anything about mk3 ? The guy is selling mk3 for 100 bucks

Thats really not a bad price for an Mk3.

The MK3 is what the e38 widescreen came with. If you upgrade the software, it has almost all of the same features as the MK4, but its not as quick on its feet for routings and searching for addresses. The MK4 offers the "split screen" navigation feature that shows you the map and your next turn more clearly. Some people have set up their mk3 to do this with firmware changes.

The main advantage of the Mk4 is that is has more memory and faster processing for navigation duties. Also, if you are driving across a large section of the country, you won't have to change CD's as you move from one region to another. The MK4 DVDs hold the maps for the whole country.

[miylive]

Thats really not a bad price for an Mk3. The MK3 is what the e38 widescreen came with. If you upgrade the software, it has almost all of the same features as the MK4, but its not as quick on its feet for routings and searching for addresses. The MK4 offers the "split screen" navigation feature that shows you the map and your next turn more clearly. Some people have set up their mk3 to do this with firmware changes. The main advantage of the Mk4 is that is has more memory and faster processing for navigation duties. Also, if you are driving across a large section of the country, you won't have to change CD's as you move from one region to another. The MK4 DVDs hold the maps for the whole country.

Ok got it thanks - so mk4 is like the last released version of software for the widescreen nav thanks il see if I can strike a deal on both !

And to change them out I just need to replace the nav DVD unit I have in the trunk wih the one I buy ? No opening internals right ?

[daytonatrbo]

Ok got it thanks - so mk4 is like the last released version of software for the widescreen nav thanks il see if I can strike a deal on both !

And to change them out I just need to replace the nav DVD unit I have in the trunk wih the one I buy ? No opening internals right ?

MK4 is a hardware revision, not just software. The MK3 can't read DVD's and is slower with less memory.

Once you buy the correct unit, you just remove the old one and swap it out. Its a lot like changing head units on a "normal" car, except its in the trunk. You'll need similar tools, or to make some from a coat hanger.

[miylive]

MK4 is a hardware revision, not just software. The MK3 can't read DVD's and is slower with less memory. Once you buy the correct unit, you just remove the old one and swap it out. Its a lot like changing head units on a "normal" car, except its in the trunk. You'll need similar tools, or to make some from a coat hanger.

Hmmm!!! Is that so!?! I may just have an mk4 then because I pretty sure there's a DVD in there running the nav maps and I've taken the hint out before because I wired a sub and amp in the back using the factory set up which I didn't want to change at any cost!! Had to take the unit out to get to the amp wires below to run the remote on wire - it was quite a pita and I Rememeber I ended up putting one less screw in to hold the unit lol

[miylive]

U know what - I was supposed to check what mk number I have but it's been so cold and the car has a cover on it and the cover is loaded with snow lol but u know what I'm real curious now so I'm going to check if it has DVD written on it :p

[miylive]

U know what - I was supposed to check what mk number I have but it's been so cold and the car has a cover on it and the cover is loaded with snow lol but u know what I'm real curious now so I'm going to check if it has DVD written on it :p

That's the unit I have - looks like I supposed wrong about the DVD written on it -

And that's the amount of snow sitting on the car lol

[timtoohype]

That's a MK2. It takes CD's.