So to you it sounds like a legitimate iDrive problem? To me, it sounds like I have a good battery and charging system. Looking inline, CCC units run about $1000. Then, if I am not mistaken, the CCC unit would have to be coded to the car.

Sucks that it isn't something less expensive, like a battery.

Would a CIC be a better alternative? If I'm shelling out 4 figures to get iDrive to work, is an upgrade a worthy investment?

-edit- Do you have a part number for the CIC unit and any other corresponding parts that would need to be upgraded simultaneously?

I'm considering doing the CIC upgrade as well and I think if you're spending money it would be insane NOT to go to CIC or even NBT.

If you don't care about HD Radio then you can go with a unit from outside the US. If you do then I'd recommend looking at salvage yards and NOT on eBay.

NBT Retrofit: >>> Bimmer Retrofit: NBT Retrofit in E70/E71 <<<

CIC Retrofit: BMW E70 X5 CIC Navigation Retrofit - Done !

Part of me thinks the NBT makes more sense since the combox is built in and it has more features for about the same $$.

Yeah, I don't care about HD Radio, my wife is all in on Sirius. Since it's her car, that's the primary concern.

Do you happen to have a part number for a non-US CCC, by chance?

CCC or CIC??

Either. From a cost standpoint, it looks like just replacing the CCC is better, seeing how I would only have to replace the CCC itself. With CIC, I'd be upgrading the CCC, display screen, some cables, the iDrive controller, and replacing the center console gearshift and iDrive controller surround.

CCC should?? be a direct swap, not sure about programming/coding.

Might wan to research how any memory works in the CCC unit,

You should be able to be able to get a used CCC unit, not sure if there are differences between models?

Also I believe the part you need is not the display but the unit with the memory presets?

Check BMW Parts Catalog and do some searching. The start with ebay, but you might find a local Craigslist part out as well.

Good luck.

^^^Correct, I just need the main CCC unit, not the display screen, unless I were to go into a CIC upgrade, which needs the high definition screen to display.

About the least expensive CCC I have found us far runs about $800, and as you said, I have no information thus far on coding.

I am pretty sure many of the modules in the newer cars need to be coded by VIN, but not 100% sure with the CCC.