Your MKII is probably gone, so there is no point in messing with that anymore. So, let's focus on the MKIII that you have.

First thing, be extra cautious about disconnecting the MKIII while it is still powered up, because that can fry the computer. Search on "MKIII dead" or "MKIII battery" here and on the Bimmerboard, and you will see several examples of folks who have killed their MKIII computers. The key is to wait until the red light on the nav computer turns off before you remove power.

Now, I would try to upgrade the nav computer with the earliest OS version that you can download. Try either the V17 or V18 disk, if you can track one down. The challenge is that not many of the early OS images are still out there, and everything from V22 and up is the same for the MKIII. Try reinstalling the MKIII and then put the OS disk in the computer; if it does not immediately upgrade, try driving around with the OS update disk in for a few days. If that does not work, then the MKIII may have departed as well.

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SOLD
2000 E38 750iL Highline Edition, Upgraded with the lastest 2006 X5 Electronics
MKIV Navigation, 16:9 Display, Bluetooth, TV/Video with Backup Camera, Sirius, and Aux Input