Where does the sat nav disc go? - Answered by a verified BMW Mechanic. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. I bought a used BMW 645ci and I put the navigation dvd into the dvd drive but the navigation does not come up. Installation is easy, simply remove the old disc and insert the new one. If your map disc is in your dash, you would need the Professional version.
In this article, we will discuss in-depth the steps required to upgrade your BMW’s navigation computer, display, software, and maps. The information in this article is only applicable to BMWs that speak the same electronics ‘language’. All of the following models speak this same language, utilize the same connectors, and make use of the same hardware/software interface:.
E38 7-series (1994-2001). E46 3-series (1999-2006).
E39 5-series (1996-2003). E53 X5 (2000-2006). E83 X3 (2004-2010).It is important to note that in order to upgrade your navigation system, you must first have a navigation system from factory. Retrofitting navigation to a car that did not originally come with it, while not impossible, is exceedingly challenging, time consuming, and expensive. This article does not cover nor support such an endeavor at this time.I will also note that BMWs produced for the Japanese market are not supported in this article. They used completely different wiring harnesses and electronic components for some reason, and they do not speak the same ‘language’ as the rest of the cars.
Please read this article and watch these videos in full before commenting with questions. I have gone out of my way to make this article very thorough and comprehensive. I purchased my 2000 BMW E39 M5 in July of 2010. Per the VIN sticker on the inside B-pillar of the driver’s door, my car was produced 2/00 (February, 2000). This makes it a pre-facelift E39 with navigation. More specifically, it had BMW’s MKII navigation computer, and the 4:3 (small, square) display in the dashboard.
Upgrading to the latest available components is actually a very simple process. Very few modifications are required. At the bottom of this article, you will find four embedded videos that detail the upgrade procedure for an E39 5-series. Other models will be essentially the same process. The first video demonstrates upgrading from a MKII computer to a MKIV, and the 4:3 to 16:9 display.
The second video shows the software update process. For select MKIII computers, you will need to reference the third video, which shows how to create and use a Key-CD.
The final video clearly demonstrates how to make your own MKIV V32 software update disc. We will now move on to identifying the hardware. NAVIGATION COMPUTERS MKI The MKI computer starts this generation of BMW navigation systems. The MKI first appeared in 1994 in the E38 7-series, and was moved into the E39 in 1995. The MKI is the slowest system out of the four. It did the job, but was excruciatingly slow, and lacked a lot of functionality, as well as graphical features when compared to the later models.
MKI computers used only CD-ROM maps, had an external compass, and required a trimble module in-between the computer and GPS antenna. The MKI and MKII look mostly identical, and are identifiable by their square eject button. To upgrade from a MKI to anything later, you will need adapter cables as the connections on the MKI are different compared to any succeeding system.
MKII MKII computers took over for the 1998 model year, and now had the compass built in the still required trimble. Hardware specifications improved, making the system slightly faster. A female voice now replaced the MKI’s male voice, and CD-ROMs were still used for maps.
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Connections will now be universal moving forward. (Above) MKII front.
MKI looks identical. (Above) MKII Rear. MKI has slightly different rear connectors. MKIII The MKIII arrived for the 2001 model year in E38 and E39 models. Note that 9/00 production marked the beginning of the 2001 model year. The trimble is now built into the MKIII, meaning that the antenna simply plugs into the back of the computer now. The system is again faster, making the entire experience much smoother.
MKIII systems can run a vastly improved software version as well, which is a huge cosmetic improvement over the MKI and MKII’s software. MKIII computers are the first to handle split-screen mode and significantly better GPS-Navigation function and directions. CD-ROMs are still the only accepted media for maps. The MKIII has a rounded eject button. MKIV BMW’s MKIV computer is the best available for this generation of cars. The setup is the same as the MKIII, but the MKIV is faster yet, and now supports DVDs for maps in addition to CDs, which means that the entire United States and Canada can fit on two DVDs, instead of eight CDs. Note that as of 2012, there are two DVDs (Eastern US and Western US, both include Canada) due to the amount of detail, and POIs (Points of Interest).
The MKIV has a rounded eject button, and has the “DVD” stamp printed in white on the front, below the disc-loading slot. (Above) MKIV computer. MKIII looks the same, minus the DVD logo in the center.
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UPGRADING NAVIGATION COMPUTERS Note that all navigation computers are compatible with both the 4:3 and 16:9 display. Any mix and match will be compatible, though the graphics may be stretched or compressed to fit the different ratio displays. Removing the existing computer involves depressing four metal clips (two on each side of the computer) and wiggling the unit out of it’s metal housing bracket.
No tools are needed for this. When pulled out far enough, you’ll be able to disconnect the blue and purple harnesses. MKI to MKII Required adapter cable part number MKI to MKIII / MKIV Required E38 adapter cable part number or E39 adapter cable part number MKII to MKIII / MKIV For this upgrade, you will be required to bypass the trimble. The trimble is a module that works in-between the GPS antenna wire and the navigation computer.
The MKIII and MKIV computers have this technology built into the computer itself, so the Trimble is no longer needed. We must pull the antenna cable from the trimble, and connect it directly to the MKIII or MKIV. The trimble is located on the back of the amplifier, which will need to be removed so we can access the cable, and remove the trimble altogether if desired. You can also just unplug the antenna lead and leave the Trimble installed. This job is simple, but takes some time to un-screw everything, and disconnect anything in the way (with the car’s battery disconnected).
Simply pull the thin GPS antenna and power supply from the trimble, leave the power supply wire hanging, and connect the antenna wire to the rear of the MKIII or MKIV instead of the Trimble. The blue and purple connectors will be plug and play. MKIII to MKIV Completely plug and play, no modifications required. Blue to blue, purple to purple, antenna to antenna. Touring E39 On a touring E39, you’ll need a GPS antenna extension cable to bypass the trimble when upgrading to MKIII or MKIV computer. This part number is NAVIGATION DISPLAYS BMW used two displays: the 4:3, and the 16:9. The smaller screen was used from 1994-2000 (up to 8/00 production).
For the 2001 model year, 9/00 production and later, the 16:9 display took over. The tape deck moved behind the fold-out display, and the buttons now flanked the wider display on either side. Upgrading From 4:3 to 16:9 (Above) 4:3 display. (Above) 16:9 display. Note that all navigation computers are compatible with both the 4:3 and 16:9 display. Any mix and match will be compatible, though the graphics may be stretched or compressed to fit the different ratio displays. Upgrading from the 4:3 to the 16:9 unit is plug and play, as shown in the video embedded below.
To break that down a bit, there are several steps you must complete to remove the 4:3 display:. Remove the dashboard trim immediately to the right and left of the display. It simply pulls out, it is held by push rivets to the dashboard. Get a grip on one side of it, and pull.
Be careful to support all of it as it starts to come out to avoid bending or cracking the trim. With the two trim pieces removed, there are two phillips screws that hold the 4:3 trim to the screen. Remove these screws.
Looking on the sides of the 4:3 display, there are metal levers that must be pushed up to allow the old trim to pull away from the monitor. Unscrew the four screws that hold the 4:3 unit into the car, one top-left, one top-right, one bottom-left, and one bottom-center. The display should now pull out of the car, held in by BMW’s navigation wiring. There are two large connectors, one white, and one blue. One of these supplies power, while the other supplies data from the trunk-mounted navigation computer. Disconnect the cables.
Installation is reverse for the 16:9 display. The display bezel just pushes on and clips into place.
The 16:9 display bezel is part number NAVIGATION SOFTWARE The software is installed on the navigation computer in the trunk. The term ‘head-unit’ is not really applicable with these BMWs. The computer in the trunk controls the display in the dashboard. The in-dash display is mostly just that, a display. It has some control buttons, and a tape player, but no software logic. Some software revisions fix little bugs, while some vastly improve performance, graphics, features, etc.
If you select “Settings” from the main menu on your current system, you will see in the top right a group of numbers in the format: S/W (software) X-1/YY where ‘X’ is your computer model, 1, 2, 3, or 4, and ‘YY’ is your revision number. Languages: The navigation software does not affect the language options that you currently have. Therefor, installing any of the software versions that we host will leave you with the same language options that you started with. We have been unsuccessful in finding out exactly how to install different language options. Here are the latest versions for each computer: MKI: SW 1-1/80 (V24.1) (not sure where to obtain, around or check ) MKII: SW 2-1/81 (V21) (not sure where to obtain, around or check ) MKIII: and (if needed).
More information below.