Navigation- Swap Cassette for CD/DVD?
 

Hi Everyone,
I have the MKIV Navigation system with a cassette behind the 16:9 screen. Two questions; How can I upgrade the cassette to CD or DVD and how do I tell what version of the firmware I have?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

To get a CD player, simply swap for a CD version of your headunit. You cannot have a DVD version.

To check the version number, enter the SET menu, the version number is in the top right of the screen, eg 4-100.

Not sure if the x5 has a cd option does it?? only the e46.

A CD player (ord DVD player) will not fit in the 16:9 display module. You are pretty much stuck with the cassette unless you want to totally rebuild the housing.

That blows. :(

Thanks for the info!

If youre looking to do a 16:9 with a cd slot behind it then youre going to have to swap out the c43 radio tuner in the trunk. You can plug the 16:9 unit in with the c43 but it will still "think" its a cassette player and the monitor will open and close continuously. You would have to upgrade the radio tuner from a c43 to a BM53 tuner. In addition you will need a retrofit adapter that will convert the plug for the c43 into a plug for a BM53 as the two units use a round connector and a square connector. You can purchase this adapter from European Auto Source for $125.

I tried doing this in my E46 and it didnt work. The monitor wouldnt stop opening and closing. Also the cd just kept ejecting.

I hope this makes sense. Others tend to get confused as there is very little info on the different radio tuners out there.

I thought all MKIV NAV cars had BM53. Is that not the case? Can you point me in the right direction with someplace that sells the head units?
Thanks

Yes, all MKIV nav cars have BM53. My car came with a MKIII with a c43 radio tuner and a 4:3 cassette. I purchased a 16:9 monitor with a cassete and swapped out the smaller screen monitor.

Gregorio whats your location? Are you in the USA? Are you looking for one with a cassette or a cd player behind ?

I'm in Northern California and looking for a CD player to put behind my NAV screen

Ok. Ill keep you in mind because my cousin has a good connect when it comes to BMW nav components. Ill have him keep his eyes open on a 16:9 Monitor for an X5 for ya. You may need a radio tuner and an adapter. Which tuner you running now? It wasnt worth me upgrading the tuner. I just added an Alpine MP3 cd changer which is better in my opinion.

AFAIK, Not possible with the x5, the cd headunit is ONLY for the e46.

^This man would know :cool:
Add on an Alpine CD changer. I may be selling mine if youre interested. It comes with the blitzsafe adapter and it displays all the text on the monitor. Pretty cool option. When compared to the oem changer, this one doesnt skip. In addition it plays MP3's and you still maintain your steering wheel controls.

I have the alpine mp3 cd changer and it does work well.

HOW MUCH R YOU SELLING it for?....

Is it only alpine mp3 cd changer that works with BMW system or do others also work, if Its only alpine brand that work, is it then all models or one model of mp3 cd changer that only works

E53 OEM CD Changers are manufactured by Alpine. However, it would probably be more convenient to get a CD changer emulator that will play USB stick media.

Regarding the discussion above, there is no part to keep an eye on. There was no CD deck 16:9 for the E53, the only way to have a CD deck in your dashboard was the MID. Furthermore, the E46 CD deck 16:9 does not fit the E53 dashboard and has quite different viewing angle on the LCD.

The E46 one will fit, as in it will bolt up. However it wont ever look right, and the buttons are configured differently.