Screen retrofit: business to professional

[Dan98]

Hi

A friend of mine has a 07 X5 E70 3.0si. It's an US model that was imported to Romania, however, his car does not have a navigation system mounted, only a tiny screen where it shows radio information and so on.

I've found a professional 8,8" monitor on eBay Germany and the question is: can he change the small display with the professional large one and still be functional ?

Thank you.

[KiwiJochen]

It's a huge amount of work

He must change screen + CCC, and add rest of navigation system - so he needs to retrofit entire navigation system

Then he must reprogram car - not easy.

[Dan98]

Oh, no mate, he only wants to add that screen, he does NOT need navigation, so basically it's not a navigation retrofit, just a screen retrofit.

[KiwiJochen]

The screen is driven by the nav system

Fitting a screen by itself is pointless as nothing will happen.

[Dan98]

So, no info at all will be displayed ? No radio or climate controls ? Nothing ?

[KiwiJochen]

Hmmm... was a BMW with just a large screen and NO nav or TV ever provided as an option?

I don't think so, but I'm not 100% sure. Consult the BMW car configurator or other documentation to be sure.

[KiwiJochen]

Here we go:

START QUOTE
Car with CID:
The Central Information Display (CID) is the indicating instrument of the head unit; it does not generate its own screen contents. The CID is switched on and off using the head unit and is supplied via the following connections:

•Earth connection
•Terminal 30g
•K-CAN connection (logical control)
•LVDS data line (picture signals from the head unit)

CHAMP (only US version)
In the US version of the X5, the Central Head Unit and Multimedia Platform (CHAMP) are offered for the first time. CHAMP is a multimedia platform in the vehicle. CHAMP is standard equipment (optional extra 663: BMW Professional radio).

In the EURO version, the next generation of the Multi Audio System controller (M-ASK) is deployed.

In contrast to the M-ASK, the CHAMP has no navigation system.
END QUOTE

So to change the E70 from US-Champ system to Euro-M-ASK system, you must replace the CHAMP radio system with the Euro M-ASK system - and alter the wiring, fit the CID display, and reprogram the vehicle.

As I said, a lot of work... and no guarantee of success

[Dan98]

Alright, I'll go to the local dealer then. Usually if you don't come with your own instructions/ideas they are not very helpful

[KiwiJochen]

Good luck, helpful dealers are hard to find ... and what you are requesting is not common or standard...

[Dan98]

It's not that hard to try it , if I would have had that large display in my hand I'd do that myself to try it out, but I have to buy it first from eBay then risk and it's not what I want