Hello Everyone-

I'm actually doing some research for my old man who didn't want to spend 2g's to get the "nav system" from the dealership. I am a fellow german car driver, but unfortunately haven't been lucky enough to step up into a bimmer...yet...

Anyways, i'm trying to find out if it is possible to "enable" the onboard Nav in his car. It's a 2006 530i. I am very tech savvy, he however is not, hence why i am doing the research to find this out.

Is there a software upgrade or installation proceedure via CD, etc... that can happen to get Nav to work.

Thanks for any help or advice.
Thanks!

 

If you're talking about professional navigation, the only way to get it now is to retrofit the entire system. It's way more than just software -- there's a bunch of hardware, etc. that needs to be there. Pretty much the entire iDrive system (main computer, display screen, etc.) is different on nav equipped cars.

If you're talking about business navigation (without maps) it might be possible to upgrade but someone else will have to chime in since I'm not too familiar with it. It's still likely to have additional hardware but the cost may not be too prohibitive...

 

Isn't simpler and cheaper to purchase a GPS for 400-600 USD? I think only purists would go for retrofit options...

 

WElcome, enjoy the forum but fill in the "From" field .

 

Enabling isn't possible.

It is hardware that needs to be installed.



I'd say, buy a TomTom.

 

You know I remember a couple of years ago when we were looking to buy an e60 and the dealer tried to trick us and say that he thought you could just contact BMW to activate the nav, some may still use this tactic???

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. Nice to know its an active place.

So the day after I posted this question for him, my dad called me and told me he bought a TomTom and not to worry about it!
Go figure.

Thanks agian.

 

Where are you located?