XSeries-forum

Hello again folks, getting closer to my spring time purchase of an x5, thought before I'd probably search for a model with widescreen NAV but it's not essential as the iPhone nav is pretty useable.

I know the onboard computer stuff such as petrol consumption etc is on the screen in those models but what about the cars with the narrow radio cassette player with no screen? Do they have an onboard computer - is consumption etc displayed on the dash?

Just wondered that's all as I sometimes see an x5 with the right colour combination but no nav

Personally, I like the Nav screen,
as even if you use a dedicated Sat-Nag or a fone, the navigation screen can be set to Just show your location, at varied close-up resolutions, and is useful to see an overall view of the area, not just your route on a Nav screen,
Additionally, it will show you other data & information - re music, discs in the changer, and other vehicle info...
Radio channels etc etc.

Even tho it only has a cassette player behind it, from Maplins, you van buy a cassette adapter that plugs into a fone to play your fone's music via the cassette input.

Without the Nav screen, it looks like "something" is missing !

[quote="sleepyfolk"]
Hello again folks, getting closer to my spring time purchase of an x5, thought before I'd probably search for a model with widescreen NAV but it's not essential as the iPhone nav is pretty useable.

I know the onboard computer stuff such as petrol consumption etc is on the screen in those models but what about the cars with the narrow radio cassette player with no screen? Do they have an onboard computer - is consumption etc displayed on the dash?

Just wondered that's all as I sometimes see an x5 with the right colour combination but no nav
[/quote]
I bought an E53 3.0 D Sport on a 55 plate without Nav. They have either a tape player or a single slot CD on the dash above the MID unit ( multi info display ) this incorperates the radio module and the resets for the computer, also the binnacle displays all the computer readout as well . I replaced my CD and MID for an aftermarket satnav/ DVD/ Btooth tooch screen unit , but moved the mid to the glovebox so I could reset the computer MPG, time etc on the binnacle display. Some non nav cars also have cd changers too.
I looked at a load of X5's and couldn't find a tidy one at the right money that had nav, so ended up with a tidy non nav one. I've since sold it and gone over to the dark side
If you have the budget, deffo go for a facelift car, better engine and gearbox

And to... Facelift-definitely and if it isn't fitted with Sat Nav i'd suggest to look for alternatives at fleebay and such like that offer lot more than std nav screen (e.g. Streaming, working Bluetooth etc). 


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Cheers for that, I'd prefer the nav but you know how it is if the right exterior colour, upholstery colour, and interior trim colour comes up I'd think about missing the nav.

As you say can always upgrade to an aftermarket one, quite like things to look stock really but there's some nice screens around with Apple CarPlay now to consider.

I doubt it will be a facelift unless it's higher mileage, seems 02/03 is most likely but I'm still saving until the lease car goes back so you never know!

I Have the Business Cassette in mine with 6cd changer in boot.
All OBC stuff is on the MID (the bit that controls the radio)

did think about upgrading but use my Ipod with TomTom on it for nav..

Works OK for me (Apart from losing the obligatory pixels occasionally.
Have fitted after market amps and line convertors to oomph it up a bit....

And of course it depends upon how much retro support for things like CarPlay will exist in reality.  As so often happens, it will be cars built after a certain date and/or that have certain pre-existing options that will be able to use it. 

With BMW even existing cars in the same model but built a mere week apart can either use or not use certain functions, and those that can't usually cannot be retrofitted because of some key required module that is not then made available for sale.

I was in this position when looking for an E53, and finished up buying a low mileage 2006 with somewhat different colour combo ffrom most - but no Nav. Now I also have my e38 with widescreen, nav, tv, and although I like the widescreen display all the useful info is still available on the MID. Truthfully the BMW nav is not a patch on standalone types, even if these do lack an integrated look.

I can tell you that retrofitting stuff is always possible, and relevant modules are always available if you are persistent, but the job usually involves a lot of dismantling to run new harnesses and the like, plus coding may or may not be required.

If the car does not come with these items, it is not really worth the considerable cost and effort of retroing them

agree... apart from nice to have/aesthetics and residual value [easier to sell on etc] I haven't used one much and in all honesty it is very dated compared to today's standards. However on the flip side two functions that are very important to me in any vehicle is music streaming and sat nav... and that is very it could be handy to have one... or use aftermarket products to achieve that functionality.

FYI... I use Jabra Freeway for voice calling (via BT) and have bought/installed iPod 25pin cable and connected to AUX input for streaming.


Hope that helps...

I went thru the same scenario, I knew I wanted a later model(2005 face lift) as possible,I wanted a black one with black leather,side steps,sat nav etc etc.

After weeks and weeks of searching and finding loads for at least 8.5k plus, I happened on one that didnt have all the wizz and bangs,it is gunmetal grey with grey leather but it did have the nav unit and full bmwsh and ended up paying 6.5k for it with 8 new tyres, there are loads out there for sale and it takes time to find exactly which one suits you,take your time etc and the right one will turn up !........defo get one with the nav.....good bit of kit and finishes the dash off nicely 

Still got a few months to go and none of them are selling quickly so hopefully the right one will turn up, no need to panic until July when the car goes back!

Just out of interest do all the widescreen sat nav models have the TV or was it an extra?

My other thing lately has been dab radio, I see the car phonics people do a dab upgrade but it says only for facelift model, not sure if I can stretch to a facelift, is 2004 the facelift year or are there late 2003 models as well

The facelift models were launched in Sep/Oct 2003 as the 2004MY cars, although initially this was the 3.0D, 3.0i and 4.4 V8.  My 4.6iS was built in Nov 2003 as a pre-facelift, as the 4.8iS wasn't launched until 2004.  It does seem that a few of the facelift parts found themselves onto mine, as it has the Mk4 Nav Computer and later loadcover.

Thanks Dave

just fit an aftermarket unit, the oem sat nav is shite and tv wont work on half of them now analogue has gone