NBT/CIC/CCC retrofit in E39/E38/E53

[740il97g]

............

That's slick. I like!

[Chief Rocka]

Looking good MJ! Nice to be out on Bail...hahaha just wondering how you ended up locked up in the first place.

[MJ DOOM]

Thanks fellas. Prolly installed this Sunday. Chief sent you a pm.

[kahlilj]

............

now THERE'S an idea! I like that placement in the phone tray,...although it does limit your elbow/forearm rest space

[purplecty]

Actually is perfect IMO!

[kahlilj]

Actually is perfect IMO!

Maybe so assuming 2 things:
1) you still have that arm rest & not replaced with a euro armrest
2) that you don't have need for more arm space than the slim rest pad.

#2 is one of the reasons I did #1 with my first car and planning the same with this one. Don't get me wrong I love this location for the controller as everyone else has said. It's a much more practical spot to me than besides the gear shifter., but... as with anything there are tradeoffs right? I think the tradeoffs on this are much less than the other spot

[MJ DOOM]

I never really used the center armest. I drive with my right hand and my body is leaned in on the B pillar and left door.

But the old phone cradle is still the best spot for the controller imo.

- - - Updated - - -

One more thing. I would recommend a screen protector for the Idrive screen. The anti glare coating scratches real easy. Like really too easy. Got some light scratches in mines already. The F chassis owners complain alot about this issue. BMW cheapen out with this.

http://www.photodon.com/p/2963-01.html

[kahlilj]

I never really used the center armest. I drive with my right hand and my body is leaned in on the B pillar and left door.

But the old phone cradle is still the best spot for the controller imo.

- - - Updated - - -

Ahhh see. I'm a lefty in a majority right hander's world at that. lol! So for me I use that arm rest almost as much as when I drive (with my left hand). So my lean is to the right. I do however drive with two hands on the wheel sometimes

So with the controller in that location how does it feel versus having the controller near the gear shifter?

[MJ DOOM]

Update. NBT installed. Main two issue is sounds cut off after a min or two. And screen shows these random interference lines. Working with BMWPLANETDUDE to figure it out.

FM/AM radio works with RDS support using factory radio amp.

Steering wheel controls work with voice control.

PDC info shows accurately on display and rearview camera works.

OBC works, info shows on cluster and is
accurate. No song or phone book info tho.

Bluetooth phone works with oem mic and wiring.

Nav works fines with factory gps antenna.

Have some other small issues. Seems like coding problems tho.

[shanecarmaster1]

We need a vid!!!

[purplecty]

Almost there!

[MJ DOOM]

We need a vid!!!

Soon once I get everything working.

[chiodeguate]

Soon once I get everything working.

A teaser pic would work sir.

[MJ DOOM]

A teaser pic would work sir.

Interior still apart. Best i got.

ForumRunner_20150329_233110.png

[kahlilj]

Update. NBT installed. ......

KOOL!!!

Interior still apart. Best i got.

ForumRunner_20150329_233110.png

SWEET! very promising get er done dude!

[board57796]

Very nice. Interested in seeing the end product. Great job figuring it out.

[chiodeguate]

Interior still apart. Best i got.

ForumRunner_20150329_233110.png

Thats impressive. Im ready to ditch the tablet setup for this!

[shanecarmaster1]

I hate to admit that I actually like that a lot... as long as the bezel looks OEM. I like how big the screen is

[memyselfundich]

I´m really looking forward to doing this project the next few weeks. Does your Aux Heating (if you have it..) still work?

[KMarcm]

Interior still apart. Best i got.

ForumRunner_20150329_233110.png

How deep are you financially into this thing, If you don't mind me asking..
For some it doesn't matter, but I'm weighing this against an aftermarket
nav or tablet setup or mk4 retrofit. Just weighing my options. Also what
retrofit harnesses did you use? BimmerRetroFit.com?

[xboss]

I'm interested. Which one works best for E38? It seems like there are many variations called a retrofit kit on ebay. What if you want to install this in a car with no navigation? Will the car be missing wiring besides a gps antenna which I actually have lol.

[MJ DOOM]

Thanks fellas. Aux heating, doesn't work I believe. I never used it with the oem system.

Figured out the sound cutting off issue, amp needs to be recoded. Video cable issue, still working on that.

Only two companies make the IBUS NBT adapters. BimmerRetrofit.com and Carsystems.com.ua

I used the Carsystems adapter, bought it from forum member BMWplanetdude. BimmerRetrofit's adapter seems to have some extra features. Like setting service intervals.

Prices on installs will vary. I say about $1500-$2500. If you can make your screen/idrive controller frames/bezels and source a NBT unit cheap off ebay you will be on that lower end.

[memyselfundich]

could one also use a external amp? I already ripped out the pos stereo, and replaced it with better amps.

[blackknight530i]

could one also use a external amp? I already ripped out the pos stereo, and replaced it with better amps.

Yes, you can code it to not use the Top Hi-Fi amp and it will output low level on the speaker wires just like the stock e38 head unit does when DSP is not connected.

[Wintonicus750]

BimmerRetrofit released their ibus nbt adapter. $460

http://www.bimmerretrofit.com/store/...product_id=113

Doesn't say that it woks with E38s though.... only E39s