Will replacing my radio break my dashboard functions?
 

I just bought a used 2004 X5 w/ Nav and DSP. I'm dying to replace the nav/radio with a new Pioneer unit that has bluetooth, a backup camera, etc.

I read somewhere that replacing the radio with a non-BMW unit will make the dashboard functions stop working.

Is this true? Any advice?

You will loose the ability to set the clock, reset fuel consumption figures and trip distances etc.

But nothing major will stop working.

Some people have cleverly reroute the box that sits under the cd slot (the screen and buttons) and re-homed it either in the glove box or the rear trunk if you want to keep these functions.

There are a ton of tutorials out there and I will see if I have a relevant one saved somewhere for you.

The box is called a MID (Multi Information Display). ;)

In the case of the OP there is no MID unit, as the Nav display replaces it. However, as you point out, Lamby, a MID unit can be added (often in the rear compartment) to replace the missing functionality. MID units can often be found on eBay etc.

Sorry Wpoll, yes you are correct, the OP has old Nav so no MID, damn, its Tuesday and I have already had one client meeting that I forgot every technical word or label... its embarrassing as an IT professional to just say, "yeap, we can fix the thingymajig"

Box - Mid
thingymajig - Pretty much everything (look for hand gestures for sizing and shape)

;)

I will be ordering my aftermarket stereo the last week in this month. When it gets here and I get it installed I will start the android interface project for controlling the functions in the e53 x5. I already have this in my 323i.

I will be doing a write up showing how I'm doing all of this.

Basically with this setup you can control anything that you can cause to happen on the bus. It has a snoop function that allows you see what happens when you push a button or choose a function like the mpg reset etc. Then you enter those sequences into a button in the android program I wrote which acts like a macro basically sending the sequence out when you choose it in the program.

So you can control your a/c functions, reset stuff that the mid normally is needed for etc. At least it SHOULD be able to. I cant see any reason why it wouldn't work since I do the same thing in my e46 with it and its just bus traffic.

Time will tell.

The Dynavin unit will allow you to retain all of your OBD steering wheel controls.

All of the aftermarket factory looking radios (eonon, dynavin, etc) will work with the steering wheel controls. But the mid functions are what non of them do.

You could replace it with NBT. ;) That will retain OBC. But it is $$$$$.

And nope, no aftermarket solutions for retaining OBC function yet out of the box. Shoot, only Dynavin even supports DSP out of the box. Interested in what you do though Crowz.

Crowz, You have my full dedicated interest in this, I am aware that Android have a universal listener that looks for function signal and then you can assign response to that. I.E press a button, it finds the button on Android then you can set it a simple command - 'Turn light off' - 'Reset to 0', etc...

If you can get this to work with the OBC just like the MID functions with the dash, I will be purchasing a Android ICE asap.

Of course any info on how to do it is very much appreciated. :D

I will post updates as I get it going. Should be fun.

I plan on doing the full sq level setup in my x5 this time around so I will have to install stand alone amps, focal speakers, etc but before I go down that road I'm going to tackle the mid replacement part since its the only part I lose by removing the factory nav over the aftermarket unit.

I want to do the head unit install first covering all of that and how it works since most will stop at that point. That way they can see what's involved just installing the radio itself to replace the factory stuff.

Then the mid/factory nav ability to control stuff.

Then the jl audio sub install and its amp. Going with the stealth box. I want nothing showing when all of this is done.

Then the focal speaker swap out.

Then the amps and aftermarket dsp.

That way people can "get off the boat" so to speak anywhere along the way depending on their needs/wants/budget.


I will try to itemize it as I go cost wise so again people can choose what level they want to go for.

My other bmw's I just installed the head unit and called it a day. My vette is the last thing I did a sq setup in. But to be honest my old 1985 trans am to this day had the best sounding system I have ever owned. Its all about cabin shape for sound quality in my opinion. That car won quite a few events back in the day.

Fun part will be balancing the amps power needs with the bmw's weak electrical system. I refuse to go all crazy on that part so I will have to research low power consumption sq level amps. No room for addition large batteries. Fun fun.

this all sounds greek to me as far as the android snooping but I'm subbing as I want to replace my dying factory system but I'm spoiled and I like to retain all factory features.

This Android app works on the E39. I've been considering purchasing it to see how much functionality also works with the E53. The platforms are so similar, I suspect many of the functions will work. With this app, plus the USB ibus adapter and an android head unit, we should have similar functionality to the factory BC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ks-4iAntI

Very interesting. There may be hope for my E39 after all.

You have my attention

Wow. Will check on this tonight.

I may go with the one I found following those youtube vids since the one they are using allows you to code the car on the fly in place of just shortcuts like my method does. At least it sure looks like it in some of the vids. I'll try it out when my radio gets here.

Following with interest. Can't t wait.

BMW IBUS App

Maybe it works on e53. Some fuctions must be same

Delivery service called just now. Radio is supposed to be here Wednesday. They picked it up in hong kong sunday. Cant believe 3 days from hong kong. That's a first for me on anything I have ever ordered from that area.

HK is not far anymore. My Eonon HU took 3 days deliver after order. There are plenty of cargo planes available nowadays with well oiled logistic systems in place



Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06