Ok I bit the bullet and re-coded my X3's mk4 using Roland's ibus interface and Jochen's NaviCoder 1.1 using the CD changer ibus port in arm rest.

Good news is that everything I expected to change did change and nothing was lost ! Flip-up screen and VR all continue to work as before

UK default langauges are DE, GB and FR - I changed this to GB, US, ES all female. This worked as expected and did not introduce US warning messages. I reloaded new language files from my modified v28 cd.

Also used the main Mk4 coding message to turn on auto-emergency and BMW assist - both now available but new Assist menu option just tells me it's not configured and to check the phone (I have only a standard v6 bluetooth unit).

One other observation : Dynamic Routing did not appear (I was hoping it might) and I'm now convinced this missing feature is due to old electronics in the X3's radio rather than incorrect module coding. Facelifted X3's get Dynamic Routing - my Sep 2005 does not support this.

I recommend using IbusAnalyser 1.0.011 (Franck Touanen) to send a test message to the screen to check everything is working as expected. This is a great way of viewing messages on the bus as keys are pressed.

Thanks to Roland and Jochen for further eductaing me about this car