fsuparker

Question I am in the market for an 04 545i and for some reason most of the ones i can find in my price range are the wrong color, like blue and gold, there is a silver one in town locally with the right miles and price but no navigation

Is it possible to add navigation so it can read on the i-drive system or do I have to go with something aftermarket and have the dash modified to make it work?

Thanks

kscarrol

Only very early '04 models came pre-wired for Nav. When E60 was first introduced, the Navigation system was not ready so BMW built early cars wired for a Nav retrofit. Can't recall the cut off date but I think it was something like Jan or Feb '04, so that a car built late '03 to this date came pre-wired. If this car is not pre-wired, you'll have to go after market. Do a search here as the BMW system is pretty good but many use the after market system and think they are better. Lots of discussion on placement of the after market systems as well.

fsuparker

Thank ks for the advice, its also interesting that you mention most prefer aftermarket over the factory navigation

pharding

I have used both. The Nav that comes with 5 er is fine, but not cutting edge. Being built into the car is a huge advantage. However retrofitting a BMW Nav system will likely be goofy expensive. If you buy an aftermarket Nav, the Garmin Nuvi is small and works well. It has great reviews. It mounts to the windshield.

aybeesea

The big advantage is of the integrated nav is that it uses dead reckoning as well as satellite signals which means that in areas of potential signal loss (eg tunnel), navigation is maintained, even if not travelling in a straight line.

ABC

bimmerman5

Nav is the only thing missing on my 545i also. I would love to have the built in BMW version as sticking shit on my window doesn't sit well with me. Anybody know where I can get some form of retrofit as I am sure there is tons of 545i that would luv to add?????