Retrofitting Sat Nav

[Seeker_UK]

Hi all,

I've just found an incredibly good 4.4i X5 for sale (2001, FBMWSH <50K miles) and at the price, it won't cost any more than a similar condition 3.0d to own / run.

Only thing is, it doesn't have sat nav fitted. How easy / tricky a job is it to replace the existing CD head with a sat nav unit and install the drive / brain in the rear?

Thanks in advance

[paulbryson75]

I bought my car a year ago - again with no Sat nav - and had one retrofitted.
In order to do the job a cut needs to be made in the dashboard and a piece removed- as such i entrusted my car to a local ice specialist who did the job. They also sourced and fitted the surround fascia peice which i think looks very good - does not look retrofit in my opinion.
I had a Kenwood unit fitted - Sat Nav, CD player, iphone ready, bluetooth etc etc - with controls avail via wheel multifunction buttons - it is also a DVD palyer so got a screen fitted in the rear so kids can watch dvd's.
You do loose some 'computer function' such as ability to change clock time, etc etc as you will loose your current cd player and the radio/computer control head unit.
Can't remember exact pricings but to get head unit, fascia piece (which was over a hundred quid), rear dvd roof mounted screen, bluetooth and steering wheel wiring all came in at a grand with all work and fitting.
Very happy with it.

[Seeker_UK]

Thanks Paul,

did you go for an aftermarket kit for price reasons or is it impossible to fit the BMW unit?

[paulbryson75]

Price really - and according to the guy at the ICE dealership I had more functions available on this unit - at less than half the price of doing with genuine parts - even if using a 2nd hand screen.
Have seen on other forums, and on ebay now a 'copy' of the OEM unit - with loads of functions - iphone etc, well priced and looks good - though very much 'made in china'

[petert]

That looks like a nice job, I have to say, very professional. There used to be an outfit that advertised on eBay to fit the BMW system as a retrofit. IIRC the all in cost was under 2 grand. Not cheap but they did all the fiddly stuff with the wiring looms etc. Just looked on eBay and don't see them advertising there at the moment though. Seem to remember they were based in the Midlands, Birmingham/Walsall way but stand to be corrected on that.

Peter T

[Pete]

I don't want to sound negative but is it really worth spending a fortune on a BMW SatNav? It won't add any real value to a 2001 4.4 and to be honest it's a substandard system to a Tomtom etc.

The head unit on the pictures looks very nice though and if it's a lot cheaper that looks a good alternative but if it's just occasional Satnav your after, i'd pop a removable one in.

[petert]

Just offering options - some prefer OEM look, some aren't bothered. I think your point about the value on a 2001 car is well made - I'd be tempted to go with a Tom-Tom but each to their own!

Peter T

[paulbryson75]

Part of the reason i went for my set up was - wanted bluetooth phone option - was about £200 to get fitted. My BMW Business set up was also badly pixelated, was going to cost approx 130 to put right - still would not have had sat nav, never mind the other functions I now have and would have spent over 300 quid - so it was a no brainer really for me.

Check out this - have seen advertised here in UK also -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ETO-Car-Stereo-DVD- ... 998wt_1003