BMW Mark IV Navigation Question
 

Anyone know for certain what company actually manufactures the unit and what model number it might be?

It is a VDO Dayton unit. It is customized for BMW (and related/formerly-related brands like Mini and Rover). Examples of the customization include the hardware i-bus interface as well as the operating system which understands i-bus signalling.

I don't know the model the MK IV is based on offhand, but the MK III was based on the MS5000.

Indeed, reading the manual for the MS5000 is quite informative, as it contains more information than the BMW manuals. It details for example expected accuracy, and circumstances that can influence GPS positioning.

The nav was originally designed and built by Philips, but they sold the nav division to VDO Dayton. It was since passed on to VDO-Siemens and is now part of Continental.

The ex-VDO repair facility in Wetzlar Germany can repair all BMW nav systems.

Yes I agree the manual makes very interesting reading. Do you think it is fair to say that the Mark IV is based on the MS5700 unit?

It's also interesting that the units seem to all be made in France now.