Perhaps understanding what the monitor (or the MID in non-Nav set ups) is...will help you in your decision. You mention getting a "head unit"...and I'm not sure what you mean because neither the monitor or MID (multi-informational display) is a "head unit".

The monitor/screen (or MID) is an input device. All of the information/data that is visible on the screen comes from other components...and the monitor (or MID) just allows you to control that info/data that is sent to it.

The monitor (or MID) is the display for the OBC/Clock/Phone/DSP/Audio/Navigation. The navigation data comes from the separate navigation computer, the radio tuner is a separate component that is located in the cargo area (or it's incorporated into the in-dash cassette or CD player if you have the MID), the clock & OBC info comes from the IKE (instrument cluster electronics), the PHONE & BT info comes from those components that are also located in the cargo area, and the DSP (if optioned) is in the amp...which is also in the rear cargo area.

If you have onBoard navigation and were to disconnect the Nav unit...the screen would still function for all the other functions that are non Nav related. As long as the wiring harness is attached to the back of the monitor is connected to the other components that send info/data to the monitor...they will still function.

The only exception I can think of is the cassette tape player. With the MID set-up...the in-dash cassette (or CD player) is a separate unit...with the monitor...the cassette player is integrated into the monitor set-up. But again, all other components are independent of the monitor and only send their info/data to the monitor as it's their display device.

I believe in other BMW markets...you can have the monitor without navigation...it is used when they have the TV option.

If you're changing from a MID set-up to a nav/monitor set-up...then you'll also need to change the data cable that runs from the dash back to the all the components that are located in the rear cargo area...you can't use the same cable you have now. One of the reasons is...the radio is up front in the MID set-up...but it's in the rear with the nav/monitor.

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