2004 X3 Navigation System - which DVD?

trapdoor · #1 07-26-2007, 12:05 PM

Hi,

Am just purchasing a BMW Approved X3 - it's a 2004 year with all the toys and includes TV and Professional Navigation.

I currently have an E46 with the Mk4 DVD nav which uses the 'HIGH' type DVD's - is this the same for the X3? Is there any likelihood that it will be a CD based Mk3 unit?

Thanks all.

Sponsored Links

davidr · #2 07-26-2007, 12:42 PM

Hi Trapdoor

X3 uses exactly the same DVD (High), MK4, iBUS etc as your current car.
I don't think CD-based MKIII's were ever fitted to the X3.

BTW - 2005 model year was a significant improvement on 2004. Early cars suffered a few issues - creaking of door rubber seals and over-firm suspension being the main ones. Check you get a good warranty that covers the flip-up 16:9 screen - these were also prone to failure in early X3's and are £900 to replace.

trapdoor · #3 07-27-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidr

Hi Trapdoor

X3 uses exactly the same DVD (High), MK4, iBUS etc as your current car.
I don't think CD-based MKIII's were ever fitted to the X3.

BTW - 2005 model year was a significant improvement on 2004. Early cars suffered a few issues - creaking of door rubber seals and over-firm suspension being the main ones. Check you get a good warranty that covers the flip-up 16:9 screen - these were also prone to failure in early X3's and are £900 to replace.

Hi David,

Its a BMW 'Used Approved' so will have the BMW warranty on it. Never had an issue with that on my E46 - would never have bought one from anywhere other than a dealer.

This is a 54 plate but I don't know the build date - what date did the 2005MY start from?

Can't afford a 2005+ anyhow as the residuals on my E46 have plummeted since the introduction of the new 3 - thought I'd better bail out now. Used to hard suspension with the 330i Sport - oh, and the Mrs had a SMART coupe which was hard! Hard is preferable to soft I think

What was the issue with the screen? Was it the flip-up bit that went? Assume the screen is pretty much the same as the E46 widescreen electronically?

Mark.

davidr · #4 07-30-2007, 09:45 AM

Hi trapdoor

New model years start with Sep production after August break - so my Sep 2005 2.0D is an early 2006 MY car (I bought it for Christmas 2005).

I think the stepper motors caused problems with early screens leading to sticking mechanism. The screen angle can be adjusted using the up/down stepper switch or by manually pulling the screen. Not sure if the motor can be purchased separately.

I only find the suspension harsh with kids in the back when running normal recommended tyre pressures - mine is a 2.0D Sport with deleted sports suspension. Some improvements were made to the spings and dampers for 06 MY but still harsh at times. Otherwise a great and trouble-free car.

Enjoy it

trapdoor · #5 07-30-2007, 11:41 AM

Hi David,

Well, had a good old blat out in one on Sunday - took it over all sorts of roughish surfaces and 'typical' UK roads and whilst it is on the hard side, it is MUCH preferable to a soft wallowy vehicle.

Understood about the screen - well, it'll be under warranty so there may be a cause for one or two claims should anything not be 100% right

A quick additional question for you re. the Nav... My E46 has the BM54 tuner which means that TMC is always available as the dedicated 2nd tuner is always tuned to Classic-FM. In the latest X3 brochure, there is a note under the Sat Nav option section claiming that TMC will only work if a) the radio is tuned to Classic FM, b) the Radio is switched off or c) the CD is being used.

That seems odd as the E46 runs TMC all the time.I wonder if this is a throw-back to the BM52/3 single tuner? Wonder what your experience is.

Also the TV function is analogue only, so am going to source a hybrid off ebay otherwise come 2009/10 no TV in the car!

Cheers,

Mark.

davidr · #6 07-31-2007, 01:56 PM

As with X5's and BM52/54, there are two versions of the X3/Z4 radio - older ones have single tuner, very recent 07 MY onwards have dual tuners that allow dynamic routing and constant TMC.

The radio is known as the Central Information Display Controller (CID Control) in the X3 and Z4 (same part). BTW the displays (CIDs) differ in physical shape between Z4 and X3.

Later model twin tuner CID controllers are available from Germany ebay sellers for about £330. I've not bothered to upgrade as I don't rely in TMC that much (always re-routes me to more conjested town centres without sensors IMO)

Hybrid TV tuners still don't seem to be standard in X3 but work ok. Again, I've not bothered to retrofit TV since analogue and digital reception is poor near me plus too expensive !

individual-car-consulting at ebay.de has new Hybrids at about £430

trapdoor · #7 08-01-2007, 04:50 AM

Ah, OK. No BM54 or similar seperate tuner module then? Phew, was thinking of bidding on one on Ebay too.

OK, so the CID is the bit that needs swapping?

I have a nasty feeling then that the Bluetooth module may also need upgrading if it's an older version; I had issues with the version in the E46 but it was swapped under warranty. The older ones don't work too well with modern phones.

BMW electronics are a nightmare ....

davidr · #8 08-01-2007, 10:11 AM

Yes, CID controller is the radio / CD unit in dashboard with quadlock connector on the back. No equivalent of boot BM54 in X3

csetag · #9 08-02-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidr

Early cars suffered a few issues - creaking of door rubber seals

Hi, just bought a January 2004 X3 and do experience the creaking of the door rubbers (especially going slowly over high bumps/ramps). Since I have no warrenty do you know if only replacing the rubbers would solve the problem or are there any other items that need to be replaced beside that?

Sponsored Links