does anyone have aftermarket nav?
 

i was so disspoited that i didn't get the
navigation when i bought x3 in 2005.
so i am thinking about getting a
navigation system for my x3 3.0.
do you guys have any suggestion for
what kind of brand should I buy?
how much does it cost? and is it possible
to get factory navigation at dealer?

GPS on a PDA or laptop
 

We use Microsoft Streets & Trips with a GPS receiver (BU-303) on our laptop
Works ok for trips wouldn’t want to use it for everyday driving, no voice commands etc.

From searching here and other forums looks like an OEM NAV is theoretically possible for about 6K $’s

Try here for more info/options

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=24

or here if you have a PDA

http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/PDA.htm

I think the BMW version is factory installed only...not a dealer option.

That said, don't be disappointed since you're saving several thou's of $$ by simply buying an aftermarket hand-held unit by either magellan or garmin. They will update things more often for less money and allow transfer between vehicles.

Actually, BMW does have an X3 nav retrofit kit. See http://www.x3world.com/showarticle-249.html

Hmm, so I stand corrected. Anyone know the price of the kit??

parts + labor = ?
 

Try this formula

parts $1151.71 (from http://www.x3world.com/showarticle-249.html) + these parts
CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY SCHWARZ 1 10/2004 65503417417
-- CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY GRAU 1 10/2004 65503417418

I’m guessing another $1000. for these part = $2151.71 + 2151.71 (labor ) = $4303.42 + tax

looking for a better guestimante :dunno:

IMO I would not spend that amount of money when an after market GPS would cost a fraction of this price and would do the same job if not better. I personally installed a Garmin I5 on my X5 with no visible wire and the GPS automatically starts and stops with the ignition. This GPS does its job very well. In addition, since this unit works also on battery and includes a hard disk with all US and Canada, I can port it to another vehicle or to my bike in a matter of seconds. You can go for a more elaborate unit like the Garmin Nuvi 350 and still pay only a 4th of the BMW retrofit kit.
The following thread shows some pics of my installation. Look 4 or 5 posts down. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...elp-radio.html

I have a Garmin C330 and love it. It is very user friendly, and amazingly accurate. It is very different than my hiking GPS, as it does not give latitude/longitude. It has detailed maps, accurate directions, and easy very easy to upgrade maps via USB.

--Larry

I've just installed a Garmin Streetpilot 2610 in my '04 X3. It's far more user-friendly and offers many more features than the BMW factory nav. that I had in my 1999 740i. After using the 2610 for a month now, I definitely prefer it over a unit that is built into the car. The fact that I'm not locked into aging hardware that may become obsolete in a few years (as did my '99 740i nav. system), and the portability of a system that you can easily take with you when travelling in other vehicles are what sold me. But to each their own.

As far as the Garmin 2610 goes, it's a solid performing unit. By using a CF memory card instead of a hard drive it should prove to be reliable as well. The 2610 is recommended for use on motorcycles due to their added vibration (not good for a hard drive based unit).

To see some reviews of portable units there are a number of sites out there but one that's been reviewing GPS units for quite a while is www.gpsinformation.net .

Tom Tom Go Sat Nav
 

I have fitted a Tom Tom Go unit within the dash top storage bin, were the BMW factory unit would sit.

The unit is hard wired in witha small hole under the rubber matting and the unit lays flat with the lid closed when not needed. It is a very tight fit, but the lid does close OK if the unit is laid flat. The lid keeps the sun of the screen and also provides security when the unit is flat and closed inside.

I was a bit worried that the signal would not get through the storage bin cover when open, but it works very well and I usually have 100% strength. In and around the centre of London i do loose a bit of signal strength, but i guess this would happen anyway.

Tom Tom in UK at the moment are about £250, so this has worked out much cheeper than the BMW own unit, and suits my needs fine