BMW sat nav upgrade to aftermarket research

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:59 pm

Hi guys,
Just brought an X5 with sat nav from factory, buts it's very dated and I want to upgrade, been heavily into my audio in the past so would like to find out more information on the X5's.

If I upgrade to aftermarket, I loose the option of resetting the mpg etc, is there 100% no way to retain this? No one makes a radio or module which can control the reset option?

My drivers front speaker doesn't work (nor tweeter) and drivers side rear speaker pops occasionally and makes strange sounds as if the cars haunted... Are these problems likely related to the speaker or what I presume is the factory fitted amplifier?

If I upgrade the radio, do I have to retain the BMW amplifier, or is it possible to upgrade this (don't know what connections it uses but I doubt RCA's)?

Think that should be it for now, done some searching but you get mixed results and not always for OEM nav fitted units.
Greatly appreciated chaps!

Horizon · Post by **Horizon** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 5:09 pm

Radio/ speaker problems sound like a faulty BM54 radio unit in the boot, in the spare wheel well. Baris at Carphonics can work wonders with these units, updating and iPod / Bluetooth streeming etc
Aftermarket satnav ( Chinese units ) are often pants when it comes to sound.
Kenwood and Alpine do double din units with better sound. ( fitting kits available but not the OEM look.. The factory DSP amp is I believe not compatable with most aftermarket head units.
Sanj is the man for info on Audio. Everything is possible
Original OEM conversions, you will loose the reset function on the binnacle computer display.
And finally, Hi and welcome to the forum

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 5:16 pm

The only previous way to retain the reset capability was with a MID unit moved from the dash to the glovebox. Not the most elegant solution. You don't have MID as you seem to have the Mark 4 Nav Computer and head unit,

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 5:24 pm

Thanks for the replies and welcome.

Is the radio unit you mention (BM54), required for a new radio (after market) or is this basically a radio module which sends the signal to, in theory just a monitor up front (I'm a ford mechanic and the new range of fords are like this).

Yes I wasn't keen on the Chinese units, I have a kenwood top of the range unit which I'm keen to use from previous vehicles I've had.

What is DSP, is it required or can I bypass it? How would I find if my vehicle is fitted with this?

I've read about a mid kit, but I presume I'm not going to have wiring for a mid due to having OE sat nav fitted, I'm also not massively keen on having a massive unit sliding around the glove box (which I find too small as it is?!)

I'm amazed no companies have designed a 'mini midi' screen/button unit just for this purpose which can sit somewhere hidden (lower dash below light controls or in the large door pockets)
Thanks again,
Adam

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:24 pm

Hi and welcome , i had ghosts in the speakers pops and strange sounds , battery going flat screen going blank or flickering , got all took out got an Alpine INE-W997D , +4 speakers an amp brilliant ! but still have MPG in the binnacal computer display but no reset , the only way is to disconnect the battery , but its no problem because i know it runs from a low 32mpg to a high 33mpg on a normal weeks driving ..

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:27 pm

So basically by-passed all original equipment, correct? That's something i'd probably be doing, but in stages, although I do have a perfect 8" JL sub ive been holding onto for years

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:58 pm

Although im from an electrical security background and know my way around a PC theres no way i would touch a vehicle electrics so took mine to a proper ice installer , but yes i think he started from scratch right back to the battery which i seen yesterday also cables installer put in had ( streetwires ) stamped on them ? as thick as your thumb

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:05 pm

That would be for the amp I would imagine.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:20 pm

are you going to do you own install ?

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:22 pm

[quote="COLIN"]
are you going to do you own install ?
[/quote]
Yes I'd be doing the work myself, mechanic by trade (for ford) and have fitted several systems before, just got to learn and understand bmw's system they use before poking and pulling bits!

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:33 pm

had a look around the boot when putting battery in and the amount of cables and the size of the wireing looms etc is enough to give you nightmares , Ford , the brother and most of my cousins are ford men , MK 2 rally cars and daily drivers im the black sheep as never owned a ford lol

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:01 pm

Started doing research into wiring adaptors for the head unit itself and I can't find any for the OE nav unit, even messaged connects2 and they said they don't supply any kits for these.. How can this be that complicated?

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:49 pm

Look up Audio Advice , N Ireland , a guy called Philip may give you the help or advice you need , he did my work ..

grumpywurzel · Post by **grumpywurzel** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:52 am

Plymouth Car Sound did my upgrade, and I am 99.9% sure they mentioned wiring adaptors. Thinking on yes they did as I wanted to be able to remove my head unit in case I ever sell this car on (over my dead body) and they said it wouldn't be a problem to retro fit the old unit back in as no wires were going to be spliced.

Maybe give them a ring if Colin's contact cant help

adambeevers · Post by **adambeevers** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 9:56 pm

The saga continues. Spoke to a chap from a reputable Audio company, he basically explained the wiring has to be extended from the boot to the front, this kit 'supposedly' bypasses the cars amplifiers as well. Anyone more certain with this bit of information?

Anyway, for anyone is the same situation, here's the kit

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/bmw-x5- ... g-kit.html

I'm getting pretty desperate to replace the audio as within a week of owning the car I'm down to 1 speaker working, the screen has gone widescreen to square (lower resolution) and occasionally the screen has a 'brown filter' over it!

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