NEW iDrive Pictures

[LANDLORD]

The display looks to be a nice upgrade. This really makes the decision to pull the trigger harder. Upgrades should be available at the beginning of the model year.

[yashBMW]

REPOST!

[Elevated]

So all 09's of the new model year will have this?

[shenard]

Originally Posted by Elevated

So all 09's of the new model year will have this?

No. From what has been posted several times, the X6 will not incorporate this until Mar-09 production. I believe the new 7 series will be the first to debut this new technology.

[yyzx6]

Is it a replacement of the existing system? Or is it an upgrade option?

[Elevated]

The only posts i've seen about the new idrive have been from a blog stating unconfirmed reports with lots of could be, should be, might be theories. Just wondering if there have been any official BMW releases on the matter. I'm sure they are being quiet because they want to sell as many 08's as they can.

Seems odd they would release a complete new advanced system mid year of production.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by yyzx6

Is it a replacement of the existing system? Or is it an upgrade option?

Replacement with hard drive. No DVD nav system.

Unfortunately you get to pay for map updates ($200) and for the dealer to load them on the hard drive now.

I doubt they will let you upload anything other than music files.

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by yyzx6

Is it a replacement of the existing system? Or is it an upgrade option?

This is the NEW iDrive system that will replace the current iDrive system. It is HDD based compared to the current DVD based system. The new iDrive systems HDD will also have (although very limited) MP3 storage capability.

The system will first appear in the brand new 7 series. Rumors are going around that the X6 will get this new system sometime in March of 2009.

It would be nice IF this is something they would also offer as an upgrade to existing iDrive users. This would mean that the controller in the center console needs to be changed (from the looks of it, they were smart enough to design the new controller to fit the opening of the current iDrive controller). Other things that obviously need to change are the Display unit (new one has higher resolution) and the processor unit (faster and FINALLY has a HDD!!!!). Well, this is wishful thinking until they can confirm that this will be available as an upgrade for the older iDrive systems....

[KLATT819]

Hi Everyone, I Am New To The Forum. I Just Bought A Used X5m And Need To Change The Idrive Controller Out. Bmw Claims You Have To Disassemble The Whole Center Console. The Part Is About $250 And The Dealership Wants About $500 For Labor To Change It Out. Is It Really Necessary To Have Them Change It Out Or Do You Guys Think I Can Do It Myself? Thanks For The Help

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by KLATT819

Hi Everyone, I Am New To The Forum. I Just Bought A Used X5m And Need To Change The Idrive Controller Out. Bmw Claims You Have To Disassemble The Whole Center Console. The Part Is About $250 And The Dealership Wants About $500 For Labor To Change It Out. Is It Really Necessary To Have Them Change It Out Or Do You Guys Think I Can Do It Myself? Thanks For The Help

Wow, you've resurrected a very old post here. You probably would have being better to simply start a new thread.

In any case, replacing the controller is very simple. Take about 5 minutes. In order to do it though, you should invest in some trim removal tools .. otherwise you'll screw up the trim. I'm sure thats the last thing you want to do on youre new X5M.

Try these. http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too...ving-Fastener-
Molding/dp/B000LNBLTK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1316459901&sr=8-4

Once you've got them, simply insert one of the trim tools in the red area I've indicated in the diagram, and start to push up. It will snap out. Then work you're way around. Once you have some leverage, you can just use your hands. The pic shows the 5 areas where the trim is secured to the lower piece.

Once you've got the trim out, disconnect the controller. Then release the controller from the trim. Stick the new controller into the trim piece, reconnect the cable .. and push back into the console area. You're done.

[KLATT819]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Wow, you've resurrected a very old post here. You probably would have being better to simply start a new thread.

In any case, replacing the controller is very simple. Take about 5 minutes. In order to do it though, you should invest in some trim removal tools .. otherwise you'll screw up the trim. I'm sure thats the last thing you want to do on youre new X5M.

Try these. http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too...ving-Fastener-
Molding/dp/B000LNBLTK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1316459901&sr=8-4

Once you've got them, simply insert one of the trim tools in the red area I've indicated in the diagram, and start to push up. It will snap out. Then work you're way around. Once you have some leverage, you can just use your hands. The pic shows the 5 areas where the trim is secured to the lower piece.

Once you've got the trim out, disconnect the controller. Then release the controller from the trim. Stick the new controller into the trim piece, reconnect the cable .. and push back into the console area. You're done.

Wow, thanks for the help! I've never been a part of a forum and I guess I should have joined sooner. I will definitely do it myself thanks to you. I believe I asked the same question to you tonight before I read my responses. Sorry about that. Thanks again!

[apw2607]

No prob. You've got the other photos too so you should be able to figure it out now.

It's very straightforward. Don't pay the dealer 500 bucks ...