I wanted a integrated bluetooth phone system in the car as well as GPS so opted for the Parrot CK3500 which does both. This has a small LCD screen which can be installed anywhere on the dash. The control unit sits behind the dash and has inputs for the GPS antenna, microphone and speaker outputs (mine go through the factory stereo).
To use the GPS I have TomTom installed on my PocketPC phone (Orange SPV M2000 or XDAII as they are more commonly known).
When I get in the car and turn it on, the Parrot automatically pairs with my phone and I can make or receive calls using the LCD screen (a company called Connects2 do an interface to make it work with the BMW steering wheel controls). If I want to use GPS, I have a cradle for the PocketPC on the dashboard, it also uses bluetooth for the GPS connection and I can use the phone at the same time.
Overall it works really well apart from the PocketPC which crashes occasionally (good old Windows :tsk:). What I like is the ability to jump in the car leaving the phone in my pocket and it pairs automatically so I can make or receive calls without fumbling about.
The Parrot kit costs about £160/$280 (ebay) and I already had the SPV phone so for me it was a no-brainer against retrofitting the factory NAV.

I use my nav all the time. I was not looking for a X5 with nav but just happened to find one with it. Mine had the small screen and the Old cd base computer. Ucrew and Drex helped me switch both of them out for the wide screen and dvd computer, we also added the tv on nav to it. I bought a 328 for my daughter without the nav and looked into adding it and it was way to much to add the factory nav to it. I am going to buy a hand held GPS that I can take from car to car. Good luck with your decision.

Im in a debate w. myself if I should go w. an aftermarket or go for the retrofit,....are there any installers here from socal??

I am trying to install NAV in my 04 X5, 1st choice is orginal NAV from BMW but you know how crazy they get selling parts. You mentioned "roveractive" as a source for the parts, who are they and how do I contact them...

X5strap

I found an installer in Mission Viejo, may use him not sure, trying to see what the whole thing will cost. If it works out I'll let you know..

X5strap

I never use my nav. I used to have a couple of aftermarket navs in my previous bimmer, and really loved them. BMW nav is really retarded compared to some high-end aftermarket nav systems like Alpine, Garmin, or Magellan.

Mission Viejo is not far from me..let me know! Thanks

:iagree: The pioneer unit breyton has is nice but honestly does not quite blend into the BMW interior.

i can't seem to find jpuma's writeup on his navi retrofit..can someone direct me to it?

Agreed. My coworker brought his TomTom with him on a recent business trip to Boston. Worked like a champ and it's definitely a cheaper alternative to bat. If we're talking about the Lexus or Acura NAV, I would say it is worth it but definitely not the BMW oem one.