near me some is breaking the same car as me so i took out the cd changer and since my car is in for repairs i ask to have the cd changer fitted but the guy told me cannot be done even though my car is pre wired with all the connections, he tell me cd changer can only be used once when its new after that you cannot take it out and put it in another car because idrve will not accpt it because each changer when new is programmed to car which its frist installed in and cannot be changed.
is that true or does he just wants me to buy new one from him.
thanks

 

you can put it in, but the car just needs to get a program update to recognize the changer

 

The first reply is not quite true.
I did exactly the same thing, I bought a second hand CD Changer off flea bay, from an 05 E60.

fitted it to my 07 E60, i then found that I had to take it to the main dealer to get it retro programmed into the I drive system.
the next day and ?250+ later was told that it wont retro programme, to be fair to the dealer, they said they would contact BMW and get advice and reprogramme FOC next time.
I have received a call from them today stating that the serial number of the CD changer is from a diffrent,incompatible year.
the cd changer will not work in my year of car, even though they are both E60's.

so in essence only bother with this if the cd changer is from a car of the same year as the car you intend to fit it in!!

(apparently this is quite a common practice of BMW)

Also if the cd changer is bought new from BMW and retrofitted, it is only garunteed for 2 years as opposed to 3 years if fitted from new.

the word "Monopoly" and p*** take spring to mind

Rgds Andy

 

thanks for the replies guys info is helpfull does that mean mine will fit because i took the cd changer out of a car which is same year and model as mine.
thanks

 

If it's from the same year E60 as yours then its 99% sure to work.
but you will still have to take the car to your BMW dealer to get them to progamme into the I Drive system at a cost of @?200.
its worth calling them first to ask for a quote.
Andy