How should I start this project???
 

I have a 2006 e53, This weekend I am finishing my project of installing a BT system.

Next Navigation system, due to the crunch of the economy I am not able to purchase the whole system at once, I am gonna have to get it in pieces. So I have a few questions for you all...

1.) will the navi screen, antenna, and tuner work without a MK4? I was thinking of getting the hardware down and at least able to listen to radio. is this possible?

2.) how would you do this? I guess there is also an option of saving some money and getting this all at once, but hey... i am only human and can't wait. hahaha

Thank you in advance

1) No, the nav computer is the brains of the entire system and controls the screen and radio.

2) There is really no level of irreduceable complexity below the nav, screen, radio, and wiring harness.

The challenge is that the nav computer, radio, and display are all co-dependent. You can not use the old radio with any of the new parts, and the new parts will not function unless all are in place. (Well, the nav and screen will work fine without the radio, but the car would be quiet.)

Thanks Brian this really helps... @car will be quiet... don't like that not at all. I guess I will wait to do it all at once:thumbup:

No, however, you can use the TV module to drive the screen.

So you need Screen, radio module loom and tv **or** nav unit.

Buy the OEM retrofit loom, then get the modules one by one.

I'd skip OEM and look at the Dynavin D99.

Soulspaz im going the same route as you.
So far I got the screen, and the mk4 and the disc. total $700 usd
Now heres where I need help. Does an 06 bmw X5 need a separate gps antenna module. I have the bmw assistance button for my bluetoth. I seen some posts where people say yes and some say no.
Im going to buy an oem harness not the retrofit because im adding dsp to the x5 as well.
So next question How do you tell which bm53 radio I need.
I currently have aux input and BMW OEM DVD headrests. So I will have to reorder the aux connector I think. good bye old MID and cd player..

The GPS receiver module (also called the "Trimble Module") is a factor of which navigation computer you choose. The MKIII and MKIV both have internal GPS receiver modules. The MKI and MKII have external GPS receiver modules. You got a MKIV, so that has the internal GPS receiver module.

You will need to get the GPS antenna and GPS antenna cable. I am pretty sure that those two parts are not pre-wired in an X5 without navigation, no matter which model year you have.

Here is a post that gives a breakdown of BM53 radio modules by part number and features. There is no easy way to confirm the features of a BM53 radio module

thansk brian looking at that article now. interesting enough isnt the gps antenna a standard antenna with standard cable using the standard coax.. i think it called sma or mcx connector.. so really any antenna would work right. I have a old magnet mount one from and a triband one from my carputer days.

Yes, the GPS antenna and cable are compatible with a generic $20 alternative. I think the plug type is an "SMG," but I can't remember for sure.

Might be SMB or MCX. I can't remember either. Still would go straight to Dynavin for a non OEM nav equipped car. I bet it's cheaper when you add in all the sundries like nav harness, brackets, trim clips, antennas etc.