I have a friend who purchased a 07 335i BMW. It does not have the navigation unit. Is there a way to take the console apart and replace it with a navigation unit? He recieved a amazing deal on his car, but now wants to install navigation. We'd appreciate any help thankyou. The car is a manual if it makes any diff...

Idrive? No. But there is a new aftermarket system BMW is selling which is a Garmin Nuvi, and it comes with a way to mount it hardwired and to the dash instead of a suction cup.

Get get a Garmin or TomTom. I doubt retrofitting an OEM unit is practically feasible.

+1
Get get a Garmin or TomTom. I doubt retrofitting an OEM unit is practically feasible.

Yeah I'm sure when all said and done you're looking at about $5000 or more to retrofit I-Drive. You should be able to go to a good stereo shop and get an aftermarket Navi installed for way less than that...although I'd just get a portable at this point...and realistically....most people don't need Navi. I found my way to work this morning without it!

I highly doubt that I-drive is even retrofittable.

Get a Garmin Nuvi. My dad got me one for Christmas, and it's 100% plug and play.

If there is a way to get a double DIN adapter plate for the E93 panel, you might be able to replace the radio and it's panel with a built-in GPS Nav and complete AM/FM/Sattilite radio with touch screen and lots of additional features. I looked at one made by Pioneer (do a google on Pioneer GPS) and it cost about $2000 but it was better than I-drive and it was packed with features. One of the better features of a built-in is that the good ones also come with a simple solid-state inertial unit that keeps the GPS position and speeds when you temporarily loose the GPS signal (under trees, tunnels and inside buildings and other such) and seems to make the accuracy better than any hand-held I've ever experienced.

If you want GPS nav on the cheap though, the hand-held models are the way to go. I've got both and there is no comparison on ease of use or features but the cost of those features does double the price too.

The built-in GPS on the BMW apparently changes everything, even the glare shield (dash) so I wouldn't even attempt to install one of those as a change-out, even if someone gave me one at no cost.

I don't think I'd even want BMW's I-drive, if I didn't have to have it to get factory installed GPS.

They have plenty of single DIN Navigation units. There is no real room for D-DIN or even to fabricate (within reasonable costs). I wish they just did what every other company did and put the screen in the dash and not have another ugly bump in the dash.

They have plenty of single DIN Navigation units. There is no real room for D-DIN or even to fabricate (within reasonable costs). I wish they just did what every other company did and put the screen in the dash and not have another ugly bump in the dash.

Yeah, me too. The GPS in the X-Type looks a little more integrated than the one for the 328 but it might be a little better to have the display a little higher than it is in the Jag.

Of course, the downside to that is that there is more glare on the display when it's up high and it's harder to work the touch screen.

Of course, with the BMW, there isn't a touch screen. I really don't know why not. The touch screen not only works great, it don't require that goofy knob taking up space on the center console.

I'm just glad they didn't make it one of those pop-up type LCD displays like most Japanese cars have. I like it with the buttons around the edge fo the display. Looks much cleaner.

I don't like touch screens, they get too dirty. I love my iPhone but it looks like I work in a grease plant.

I don't like touch screens, they get too dirty. I love my iPhone but it looks like I work in a grease plant.

Go to your local pilot shop and get a spray can of Plexus plastic windshield cleaner and polish.

It's a 'glass' cleaner designed for plastic aircraft windshields and it not only makes them transparent, it has an ingrediant that makes the plastic less likely to show finger prints and smudges as well as keeping it from crazing from uv rays and such. It's great stuff and a common use item around aviation,

We use it on the screens of the flight management systems in bizjets and other such stuff and I use it on the touch screen (and the whole dash) of my Jag and all my other vehicles.

Repels dust too.


Of course, if your hands are really dirty, it won't help much.

For those, I suggest Lava soap. :stickoutt

isnt' that the same stuff to use on clear bras? I'll try it out to see.

isnt' that the same stuff to use on clear bras? I'll try it out to see.

I've never seen a clear bra, I guess, so I don't know.

Plexus looks like conventional glass cleaner but it's specificly made for optical plastic like windshields and displays.

It would probably work on a clear bra but you would have to polish it after you spray it on since when you do it leaves a slight coating on the plastic. That is why it works so good.

Don't ever use regular glass cleaner (designed for glass) on plastic. The ammonia that makes it so effective on glass absorbes the oils and such out of the plastic and will eventually result in craised plastic that is unrepairable. Lots of small airplane windshields have shorter than necessary lives because of unsuspecting line boys or owners cleaning the bugs off with windex or other brands like that.

An expensive mistake. Makes a BMW sound like a bargain.

I'm pretty sure it's common to use on the 3M / AD plastic you put on a car.

I'm pretty sure it's common to use on the 3M / AD plastic you put on a car.

Oh, your talking about those 'stick-on' things that are there to protect the paint?

When you said bra, I though you meant something that went on the nose that was 'removable' when you wanted to see the car.

I've never really needed or wanted one of those.

I put them in the same catagory as plastic slip covers on furniture and lapshades that were around back in the fifties.

When I buy something, I want to see it and use it. Not cover it up.

If using it scratches or dings it, that's life. Nothing lasts forever.

Oh, your talking about those 'stick-on' things that are there to protect the paint?

When you said bra, I though you meant something that went on the nose that was 'removable' when you wanted to see the car.

I've never really needed or wanted one of those.

I put them in the same catagory as plastic slip covers on furniture and lapshades that were around back in the fifties.

When I buy something, I want to see it and use it. Not cover it up.

If using it scratches or dings it, that's life. Nothing lasts forever.

Can you see my clear bra? I honestly said the same thing when I got my 350Z but learned that out here at least the freeway destroys your paint. This car has it on...can you see it? Over time it might get a little less shiny, but far less than sand blasted and I can remove it if required.

Can you see my clear bra? I honestly said the same thing when I got my 350Z but learned that out here at least the freeway destroys your paint. This car has it on...can you see it? Over time it might get a little less shiny, but far less than sand blasted and I can remove it if required.
Silly question, but why do you care, aren't you leasing? I'm not saying one shouldn't take care of a leased car (I take care of mine as if I owned it and let's not start bashing leases here, I am not), but scratches aren't that bad in the first couple of years and then you end up in a new car. I had many after a few years on my 10 year old e36, but you get used to them.

Cause I still technically own the car. It would be similar to saying why wash it. I am still liable, and it's just like owning.

Did you vacuum your rental apartment? I think that for the $250 it cost me not having a beat up bumper was worth it. I owned my Z (in the loose sense that I financed it for 5 years) and in 3,000 miles it looked horrible.

Leasing doesn't mean you don't have pride or take care of things.

They have plenty of single DIN Navigation units. There is no real room for D-DIN or even to fabricate (within reasonable costs). I wish they just did what every other company did and put the screen in the dash and not have another ugly bump in the dash.

I think I'm in the minority but I like where BMW placed the NAV screen and the fact that it's not touch screen. I am also fond of the extra dash bump. I think the cars without it look too "plain". The screen is higher up and set further back than most dash units so IMO it's much easier to glance at while driving without taking your eyes off the road as much. My wife has an '07 CR-V with the much hyped Honda/Acura NAVI and it is in the dash and not "inset" so I find it harder to look at. Plus it is touch screen and gets covered in fingerprints in a hurry.

To the OP's question though, I wouldn't go through a retrofit as I'm sure it will be really costly because of all the new dash components needed in addition to the NAV unit itself, wiring, re-program, etc. As others have said, just get a nice Garmin and remember this decision for the next car purchase!

Cause I still technically own the car. It would be similar to saying why wash it. I am still liable, and it's just like owning.

Did you vacuum your rental apartment? I think that for the $250 it cost me not having a beat up bumper was worth it. I owned my Z (in the loose sense that I financed it for 5 years) and in 3,000 miles it looked horrible.

Leasing doesn't mean you don't have pride or take care of things.
You got my point wrong again. I am not saying don't care for it because it is a lease, I am saying that since it is a lease it will not be your car anymore in a couple of years and as per my personal experience, the bumper conditions doesn't deteriorate that much in such a time even with the salt and sand sprayed in winter here. But maybe where you drive is much worse. 3000 miles does seem crazy for the bumper to look bad, I would have expected at least 30K.

I think I'm in the minority but I like where BMW placed the NAV screen and the fact that it's not touch screen. I am also fond of the extra dash bump. I think the cars without it look too "plain". The screen is higher up and set further back than most dash units so IMO it's much easier to glance at while driving without taking your eyes off the road as much. My wife has an '07 CR-V with the much hyped Honda/Acura NAVI and it is in the dash and not "inset" so I find it harder to look at. Plus it is touch screen and gets covered in fingerprints in a hurry.

To the OP's question though, I wouldn't go through a retrofit as I'm sure it will be really costly because of all the new dash components needed in addition to the NAV unit itself, wiring, re-program, etc. As others have said, just get a nice Garmin and remember this decision for the next car purchase!
I am indifferent to the look of the dash with iDrive, but agree that the BMW solution (and other similar ones) are better than touchscreen or dash mounted buttons. Yeah you are not supposed to use iDrive or Navi while driving, but let's admit it, everyone does, so the BMW solution is more ergonomic and doesn't require you to lean forward to reach, plus they have shortcuts and voice commands to even lessen the distraction. My only gripe with the option is the cost. For me, that is too much money for the amount of time I'd practically use it. Maybe that will change soon.

Can you see my clear bra? I honestly said the same thing when I got my 350Z but learned that out here at least the freeway destroys your paint. This car has it on...can you see it? Over time it might get a little less shiny, but far less than sand blasted and I can remove it if required.

If it is visible, I can' see it in that photo.

We get lots of dust and grit here but not all that much sand blasting.

My X-Type (70,000 miles has very few stone specs and I'm happy enough with it the way it is.

I'm more picky about airplanes than I am with cars, I guess.

I am indifferent to the look of the dash with iDrive, but agree that the BMW solution (and other similar ones) are better than touchscreen or dash mounted buttons. Yeah you are not supposed to use iDrive or Navi while driving, but let's admit it, everyone does, so the BMW solution is more ergonomic and doesn't require you to lean forward to reach, plus they have shortcuts and voice commands to even lessen the distraction. My only gripe with the option is the cost. For me, that is too much money for the amount of time I'd practically use it. Maybe that will change soon.

I only bought the GPS in the Jag because it was already in there. At the time, you couldn't have sold me something like that for two grand, even though I am very familure with picturial navigation in aviation. I too always said "I can buy plenty of road maps for $2,000." Well, once I had it, I realized how much 'enjoyment' or 'pleasant diversion' an intellegent and fairly accurate moving map display is. I might not need one, but I will always want one, especially in a car that I make long distance road trips in. Maybe not needed in a sportscar but, a car like a Jaguar or BMW sedan is no longer complete without one.


But, the touch screen type don't require nearly the rigamarole that I'drive does. The newer version is apparently a vast improvment but the touch screen type require no learning curve at all.

Thankyou all for your response

I have a friend who purchased a 07 335i BMW. It does not have the navigation unit. Is there a way to take the console apart and replace it with a navigation unit? He recieved a amazing deal on his car, but now wants to install navigation. We'd appreciate any help thankyou. The car is a manual if it makes any diff...


Sure, and you can put lips on chickens with enough money.

That dash alone is almost $600. That's w/o any trim at all. Figure another $2500 in parts to setup a decent aftermarket navi in the trunk w/ an aftermarket display in the factory navi dash.

Numbers are pretty accurate, I was looking into it. I gave up. :D

No nav? How about just getting a map? Or better yet, you could probably order some common sense and actually think about options you want on the car before purchasing one.

As relatively rare as factory GPS navs still are, it is difficult to find a (used) car that has all the options you want, especially if you want the NAV.

Perhaps in the distant future, you will find lots of cars for sale that have them. At the moment, they are perhaps 1 in 10 or so at best, I'd wager.

Perhaps in the distant future, you will find lots of cars for sale that have them. At the moment, they are perhaps 1 in 10 or so at best, I'd wager.
With the way NAV interfaces and options are advancing year to year, getting a 3/4 year old unit may not be the best money spent anyway. I suspect until he factory units drop way down in price to be on par with portable units, many people will not get them just because they won't realize any benefit at resale and they can get a cheaper aftermarket alternative that they can easily upgrade or replace less expensively.

With the way NAV interfaces and options are advancing year to year, getting a 3/4 year old unit may not be the best money spent anyway. I suspect until he factory units drop way down in price to be on par with portable units, many people will not get them just because they won't realize any benefit at resale and they can get a cheaper aftermarket alternative that they can easily upgrade or replace less expensively.

While I agree that both portable and built-in units get better every year, I think what we often forget (myself included) is that the average buyer, and yes even the average BMW buyer, is only looking for the navigation unit to get them to a destination. And even a 3/4 year old unit (with the proper updated dvd maps) will do this just fine.

Granted it's a very small sample, but most of the people I know that have GPS do not use it for any of the advanced features at all.

No nav? How about just getting a map? Or better yet, you could probably order some common sense and actually think about options you want on the car before purchasing one.


No need to be an asshole. Maybe someone just needed a car quick, wanted a bimmer, walked onto the lot and bought the only 6MT in a 5 state area?

With the way NAV interfaces and options are advancing year to year, getting a 3/4 year old unit may not be the best money spent anyway. I suspect until he factory units drop way down in price to be on par with portable units, many people will not get them just because they won't realize any benefit at resale and they can get a cheaper aftermarket alternative that they can easily upgrade or replace less expensively.

I can't argue that the built-in's are as 'cost effective' as a hand-held (portable) unit.

But, I can say that they are almost always much better at what they do (and how they do it) than those lower cost units and, perhaps this is thier best feature, you never have to worry about losing one, since it is extremely unlikely anyone would (or could) steal it without taking the whole car.

Just a a BMW isn't the most cost effective way to get from point A to point B while driving on the ground but, some of us are willing to pay extra for what it does offer in other ways, so it goes with the built-in GPS nav systems.

Just as how a BMW compares with the new Chevy Malibu... Both offer a reasonably comfortable seat for four (and five in a pinch), the built-ins and the hang-ons both offer present position and trip guidance, some more than others. But, just as the BMW (probably) offers better handling, braking and (maybe) more straight-line performance, those niceties come at a significant price. Not everyone is willing to anti-up the extra denaro, but, for those that appreciate the difference, the extra features and convenience is worth the extra cost.

Most manufacturers current built-in units are more than capable of competing with the current hang-on models,even those from Garmin. Even the six-year-old unit in my X-Type has had firmware inhancements over the years that keep its features current with the new ones. My data base was upgraded in late '07 and I doubt the hang-ons have a newer one that that.

Could anyone post any pictures of aftermarket NAV units like the pioneer's and such that they have fit into a 335. I've tried to find some cars on cardomain and google with after market units but have had no luck. One of my friends suggested a flip out monitor for the navigation but in my opinion that would not be a good look for the 335.

The BMW Nav is not that good and it is just not worth it. I would like it only because it comes with and is the only way to get the iDrive which allows you to more easily change vehicle settings.

A portable is much better and cheaper. I just use my PDA/cellphones (a Treo and an HTC Apache) with a Bluetooth GPS. These give voice turn by turn directions. The programs, maps and POI databases can be more easily and cheaply updated. With a cellphone data plan and Google Maps, you can get real time maps that visually show traffic congestion (roads turn green, yellow, or red) in most metropolitan areas.

Could anyone post any pictures of aftermarket NAV units like the pioneer's and such that they have fit into a 335. I've tried to find some cars on cardomain and google with after market units but have had no luck. One of my friends suggested a flip out monitor for the navigation but in my opinion that would not be a good look for the 335.
Check this thread out:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=851973&highlight=bmw+navigation

With the way NAV interfaces and options are advancing year to year, getting a 3/4 year old unit may not be the best money spent anyway. I suspect until he factory units drop way down in price to be on par with portable units, many people will not get them just because they won't realize any benefit at resale and they can get a cheaper aftermarket alternative that they can easily upgrade or replace less expensively.

I actually used an aftermarket unit in my last car and was looking forwards to purchasing the BMW factory unit when I bought my ride.

While you are correct that the newer ones keep getting better, my observation was, "does that matter?". The new ones are concentrating on 3D graphics and interfaces (I hate those) and many have horrible ergonomics (buttons and info all over the screen... see the Japanese units).

When it comes down to it, the new ones and old ones have all the same core features (navigation, poi list, traffice updates, voice prompts). Unless a newer system drives the car for me, I can't really see anything being added that I care about.

My main reasons for buying factory over my existing 3rd party system is 1) convenience, 2) looks, 3) usability.

1) Convenience. I almost never had my 3rd party unit on me when I needed it. I always had to remember to bring it along ahead of time. And I hated the vent clip which I had to leave attached because mounting was a pain. I didn't like hooking it up and disconnecting it each time I used it... or parked. And I didn't like wires dangling everywhere. On top of that, they're becoming popular items to get stolen these days. With the factory unit, it's always there and it looks nice and no one can take it so they don't bother (unless they take the whole car with it).

2) As mentioned it looks nice. I like the way the factory system, with the second hump looks... the dash seems a little bare to me without it.

3) Usability. In the case of BMW, getting iDrive means more settings you can play with. I can also do more stuff with it... The iPod iterface looks and works well over the iDrive and the radio controls are awesome... makes looking for stations very easy.