BMW Sat Nav versions Mk3 and mk4

[Motor84]

Chaps, I have sold my X5, but now have a 330i touring with Sat Nav. Its a 2002 car with the Mk3 system. My X5, had the Mk4 system. Whats the main difference between Mk3 and Mk4 apart from CD and DVD? I'm asking because I'm sure its the same in the X5 as the 3 series. I can't see much difference to be honest.

Also, my X5 had bluetooth, a great system, the 330 has the motorola V50 system. Does anyone know if its expensive to get a OEM bluetooth module/kit installed in my 2002 car?

Cheers
BWG

[Chompers]

Hi again BWG, have to say I thought that an 2002 e46 would have had the MK4 system even more so as your 330 is a '52' plate car. Does it have the 16:9 wide screen monitor? As for adding an OEM BT system, I'm sure it could be done but at some expence. Surely a Parrot system or such other would be cheaper and easier to do

To add: Just looked over on the 'land' and it looks like the Mk4 came out for the 2003 model year / sept 02 onwards. Good news is that it looks like its a straight plug 'n' play to change from a Mk3 to a Mk4.

[Motor84]

Hi Chompers, I thought it would be Mk4 too, its deffo 3 though. Its the 16:9 screen. Its got a CD drive in the back instead of DVD as well. Pic of settings page:

I have looked at the Parrot kit, I'm a stickler for having original BMW though. But I think cost will tell me not to be so precious! I think I'll invest in a Parrot kit.

[lezmtaylor]

My 2002 X5 had MK3 until I changed it to MK4.
Lez

[Motor84]

Hi Lez, what did you find was the main difference between the 2? Is 4 faster than 3? I notice the maps can take a bit longer to render in 3.

[Sanj]

Hi BWG,

The MK4 is faster to render than the MK3 and the recalculation is quicker too. 3D perspective and camera database is also possible - I think the same disc also will have the European Maps rather than just UK.

Straight swap is possible but the MK4 is quite dear. Worth having though.

As fo rthe bluetooth - it's a PITA to go for OEM! It's out-of-date to a certain degree. The newest phones suffer from being able to display the caller ID, SMS, or even connectivity. The Parrot is a good option.

[Turks]

I had the Mark 3 in my 52 Plate 535i... it was slower and also less reliable than the Mark 4 that I now have in the X5. There was a couple of occasions where the Mark 3 crashed and took time to reset itself.

I got a price from the dealers to install the Bluetooth and it was about £700 - the OEM system means you have to take off the back bumper and allsorts. I love having the OEM Bluetooth now and wouldn't have a car without it from now on. If I was in your shoes though (as I was with the 52 plate 535i) I would go for the Parrot as the others have said. There are a few discreet versions and they aren't too difficult to fit.


Turks.

[Motor84]

Thanks for the top info Sanj and Turks.

Just some background to my question. I had to sell my X5 as the recession bit me! Bought the 52 plate 330 because it was £10,000 cheaper than the X!

I may stick with the Mk3 for a bit purely because the wife will go mental if I spend any more money on our 'cheaper' car. But you know what its like, once you've something better (in my old X5 I had 4), you can never quite live with 2nd best. I think I'll end up getting a Mk4 system. Looking on Ebay it seems to be about 3-400 quid. I am guessing most scappies will be wise to the value and will have stripped the unit out of any 03/04/05 plate Beemers that come in.

And a Parrot kit will be on order, I just can't live without bluetooth! Do ICE companies fir them for a decent price? Is it a big DIY job?

Many thanks guys
BWG

[Sanj]

Hi BWG,

If you get a MK4 unit you should be able to get most of your money back on it. Keep the MK3 unit and put it back in the cheaper car when you come to sell it. Helps justify that expense with the boss.

As for bluetooth, it is possible to DIY the unit. Again, great if you can do it as you'll be able to take it out if you sell. This unit should also be possible to buy second hand on eBay. That option would mean DIY, new means they can fit it, not sure on price though.

[lezmtaylor]

Hi BWG,
Sanj as usual has answered all you questions.
I sold the Mk3 on ebay for about £200 and the Mk4 cost me about £350 from ebay.
Lez

[Motor84]

Cheers guys, good plan! If I can get one for £350 then I'll deffo do it. Theres one (brand new) for £600!

So its just the DVD unit in the back I need to change? And its plug and play? The head unit in the front stays the same?

[Chompers]

[quote=""bwg""]Cheers guys, good plan! If I can get one for £350 then I'll deffo do it. Theres one (brand new) for £600!

So its just the DVD unit in the back I need to change? And its plug and play? The head unit in the front stays the same?[/quote]

Yep, exactly that very easy to do and plug 'n' play as you say. To get 3D perspective, post code search and speed camara locations you will need V32 firmware (You may have this from the old 'X') some Mk4 for sale state that they come with this which will save a few quid + 2010 mapping disc would be helpful, this will also cover all of Europe which is nice. Might be worth looking on other sites too like the "land" as they to come up there from time to time

[Motor84]

Thanks Chompers, I am now convinced! Now to find a decently priced unit!

[Motor84]

Chaps, just reviving this post to ask a quick question. I have bought the mk4 player on Ebay. Is there anything I should do when doing the swop over? Disconnect battery? or anything special?

[pvr]

Not really, I have taken the units out and back again without disconnecting the battery.