2009 X5 CIC Retrofit from Bimmer Tech / Patryk

[apw2607]

Hi Everyone,

I promised to share my recent experiences with upgrading my CCC based iDrive system, to the latest 2012 CIC iDrive.

The retrofit was provided by Patryk @ Bimmer Tech ([email protected]), who was an absolute pleasure to work with. Patryk provided all the necessary parts to do this upgrade, instructions on what needs doing and then of course all the coding necessary for it to properly work with my car. The fact that Patryk is based in Europe, should not put folks off. He normally works around your schedule, and was always at hand to answer any questions or queries; so I highly recommend his service!

My parts consisted of:
USA CIC
High resolution CIC screen (MID)
Video Cable CIC>Screen
USB Port and Cable
New Controller
Trim pieces for controller and dash
Glovebox Trim piece (to hold new USB port)
Power connector for screen
Backup camera and PDC interface module > This is a 3rd party module that allows your older 2007-2009 PDC and backup camera to work with new CIC iDrive
2011 Navigation maps pre-loaded
All necessary coding

I won't talk about pricing, search my other posts where I've given a ball park figure for pricing. Couple of folks have suggested that instead of going down this retrofit, I simply buy a new X5! Well, I did investigate this, but the dealer gave me a dreadful trade-in and not great discount on the new car. I was also reluctant to buy a new X5 at this stage in its life. We only have a few more years before the next generation arrives. Perhaps if BMW had introduced the 40d with the 8sp I may have being interested, but since I wanted another diesel, they are not bringing anything new to the table. On top of that I turned around a 2008 M3 within a year, and lost of boat load of money in a crappy car market .. so all in all, that wasn't a option.

I missed out on the new style iDrive twice .. once on the 2008 M3, and then again on the 2009 X5 .. so I decided enough was enough, and I would do the update.

I can't emphasize how easy this upgrade is. The only thing you need to change is take 4 pins out the older power connector for the screen and stick them in the new connector. That will take you at most 5 minutes of your time. The rest is simply plug-and-play. There is no cutting anything ... and you can simply put the old CCC back in the car if you either sell the car on, or if the dealer needs to reprogram your car (unlikely now in older cars).

I did have to do one other small change so that my DVD changer video would work correctly with the CIC, but again its very minimum (involves just two wires).

So with the new CIC, everything works as it did before. Satellite radio (using the receiver in the truck), HD radio, iPod, USB, iPhone music cradle, BMW assist services (including BMW google search using my existing Telematics unit), and all other systems .. Headup display, climate, etc.

The backup camera looks better than before, since the display is twice the resolution of the older system. It switches on much quicker as well !

Anyway, I've taken lots of photos, and heres just a few of them ... I'll be happy to answer any questions or queries ... but if you are on the fence about doing this upgrade .. I highly recommend it, along with using Patryk @ bimmer-tech !

I will post this on a few of the X5 forums (only the good ones though) :-)