Replace nav DVD laser?
 

Alright guys I got a 2007 e70 x5 4.8.
Since I've gotten the car I've always had an intermittent issue with the dvd not reading and sometimes long boot up times. Mostly I get the DVD error or the insert dvd message.
Now, my dvd is a burnt copy. When I first burnt it the drive read it fine no problems and it updated as well. Just lately I've been having issues with it almost not reading all the time.
many people experiencing the same issue suggested replacing the drive or the laser. I'm looking for the best cost efficient way.
I took the dvd drive out today completely and I cleaned the lens. It did help but still needs to be replaced. Any ideas where I can get either the lens or the dvd drive?

I know you fan find replacement optical pick ups on ebay for ther BMW drives, not sure if they have them for the NAV disc in the E70.

They are usually around $40 or so and not so hard to replace if you have the skills to do that kind of work. Most of these pick ups have a solder ball that needs to be removed that is like anti static protection for the pickup. I also suspect you can find places on line that repair/replace the pickups as well if you cannot find parts or do not want to tackle the project.

Sometimes burned discs are harder to read than original disc. You might try to copy and reburn a new disc or just purchased some update map disc on ebay and see what happens.

I work with cellphones for living. I do very tiny soldering jobs so soldering is not a big deal to me. It's just sourcing the parts needed for the repair that I have no idea what/where to get. I don't want to order a laser then realize it's the wrong one or non compatible one.

ebay is where you will likely find the best selection. I am not sure this is specifically for your model, but the E60 is very close to the E70 with iDrive and so forth.

New Optical Laser Lens Pickup for BMW E60 E61 M Ask 2 Navigation Unit | eBay

Another example, again you will need to verify fitment - New Laser Optical Lens Pick Up for BMW MK4 Navigation DVD M3 5 | eBay

I have had to replace laser in BMW rear seat DVD entertainment systems and found that there were no good listings on ebay, but found numbers and did research and found it was pretty much the same laser that is in many of the DVD Nav drives.

Often you can find some reference numbers on the current laser, find DIY's with info and do your own comparison using BMW Parts Catalog for the main module part numbers.

Often the ebay descriptions are more generalized because there are SO many different BMW models these days. Also keep in mind there have been a number of CCC iDrive changes, but many may not have impacted the Nav laser.

I will suggest just replace the whole player, it cost around 200 plus core return, did mine on my previous 4.8, not that hard. Good luck