retro fitting sat nav

[rodg98133]

I have a 2001 x5 with the rubbish tape/cd changer combo. How hard is it to retro fit a sat nav unit? Or alternatively there are dedicated units on ebay that say there made for the x5 for £250. These any good? Will these still allow me to use the on board computer?

[X5Sport]

Retrofitting the OEM system is a major job requiring new wiring harnesses, a computer in the boot, new head unit etc.  Assuming new parts are available from BMW the cost will probably be enough to put you off!!  You may be able to get all the bits off ebay etc.

Have a look one here for people fitting Hualingen or Andrive systems.

Richard

[rodg98133]

Has anyone bought any of the cheap ones off eBay for £250? Any reviews? Will I still be able to use my computer as you use the radio to reset the trip etc?

[X5Sport]

Example?

Anything that removes the MID means you will lose that capability.  The only way to keep the functions is to re-install the MID in the glovebox.

Richard

[rodg98133]

cant post an example atm as ebay seems to be down? The MID being the screen that's part of the stereo? So will I loose all my mpg and range etc?

[chrisn7]

I have done quite a bit of retro fit work on my E38 750 (which really is a complex beast). Fitting the monitor and nav modules is easy in themselves. Acquiring a second hand harness may be possible and definitely a cheaper way forward than the dealer. Running the harness is another matter. BMW tend to run harnesses down both sills, and under the centre console so whatever the route there will be a reasonable amount of dismantling / getting to know your car intimately. Sad to say though modern stand alone satnavs are better

[X5Sport]

[quote="chrisn7"]
Sad to say though modern stand alone satnavs are better
[/quote]

Certainly are.  I have a Garmin 3598 unit for use in non Nav cars/vans, and that has touch screen, bluetooth, DAB Traffic, free European map and OS updates etc for less than just one update to my X6!  Never has trouble with 7-digit postcodes either.

Richard

[chrisn7]

A further thought: The MID has the radio module within it, the widescreen module does not. So you'll have to stump up for a radio module as well - now its getting expensive...

[X5Sport]

And a video module.........kerching!

Richard

[Steamyrotter]

I looked into this and gave up.

If you know (of) me then you will realise it just isn't worth it....

[chrisn7]

[quote="X5Sport"]
And a video module.........kerching!

Richard
[/quote] Video is provided by the nav unit, and only defaults to the TV module if the nav is disconnected. Hence so many blank screens when the nav goes AWOL. Also digital TV OEM type units are very expensive as you say!

[Moments]

I've not needed to do the nav retro on the E53, but have done it on my E46 using the BMW kit. It's pretty much the same process based on my reading of the E53 nav retro documentation.
It probably took me the best part of a winter day to do the full job, which included removing the passenger seat in order to get the harness under the floor.
The BMW kit is very good for the E46, to save money get the parts individually if you want to do this sort of change. Or better still get a cheap Android phone like the Moto G and use the Here Beta app which lets you store map data offline, and costs nothing. The Here "Drive" function is the best out there IMHO, it even lets you configure the speed limit warning

[andym3]

I've seen this one on ebay - eBay item number:121444721853

Not sure if its any good, has anyone else bought one?