Nav system components question
 

Can someone tell me how many components there are to the BMW nav system (non idrive)? Is the Nav "computer" the same thing as the actual Nav DVD player(ie. MK IV)?

main components are the screen and nav computer (mk4). Others are the gps antenna and wiring harness. There are retrofit articles on the home page with a full parts list.

So let me get this straight. The screen is just for display purposes and doesn't actually contain any navigation related hardware, right? It's the nav computer/DVD trunk unit that houses the actual hardware and software that run the nav system, right?

Correct. In the front of the car you have a screen and keyboard.

The Euro version of the nav system uses the following components, of which not all are fitted to all cars:

On-board monitor (screen, keyboard & tapedeck)
Multi-function steering wheel (optional)
Rear audio system controller (Rear Multi-Info Display, optional)
Rear screen (optional, for TV/video only)
Navigation computer (the actual CD or DVD drive)
GPS receiver (if you have a Mk1 or Mk2, with Mk3 or Mk4 this is built into the nav drive)
Video module (TV tuner, optional)
Reverse camera (optional)
DVD video player or Video tape deck (optional)
Radio module (radio tuner)
CD changer (either MP3 or standard)
Telephone (optional)
Amplifier (either DSP or standard)

In Japan, they have an extra VICS traffic info receiver module

As you can see, there are lots of options!
Someone highlight anything I've missed :-)

Jochen has everything covered, for the absolute minimum you need

Nav computer (mk3 or mk4, this is for the navigation option only)
Radio module (this is to provide the radio AND all the audio amplification for the system)
Screen (4:3 or 19:9)
GPS antenna
SatNav Loom

Great info. Thanks again guys. One more question, if a Nav computer (the DVD drive) is replaced in a car with a newer unit, will the operating system version be of the old unit or the new unit?

The OS is installed in the nav computer, so taking it out of the car means taking out the OS as well. Each Mk4 unit has an OS version installed (could be v.27, 28, 29, 30, etc.)

Gotcha. Great info. Thanks guys.

Technically, V27, V28, etc is NOT the version of the OS. It is the version of the OS *CD*, which contains around 7 different OS versions for 7 different nav computers.

I always like to be pedantic :-)

i agree, just made it simple. The accurate info is actually on the right top hand side. We as fanatics, and check the OS link on homepage, it shows there the version info. I appreciate your contribution though. Its good to be pedantic.