clarkk41

Hey Guys, so I found out that I can't get a factory Nav retro fit in my car 09 528i. I have been looking into some of the other options like Garmin, Tom Tom ect. My problem is that I am super picky with having a clean look. I don't like the idea of wires or a big suction cup mount on the dash with the unit on it. I want to make it look as stock as possible. I was wondering what some of you have done that have GPS units and if you could provide some pics of how you integrated it into your ride. Thanks!

Sanj

How come you can't have the factory nav retro fitted?I had mine done using bit's sourced from ebay and had a BMW independent code it in and I went from no nav to full pro-nav with no problem's at all,maybe your car is too new to have it retro fitted?

clarkk41

Yeah they basically told me that because its an 09' it cant be done. The nav screen is bigger then the screen that comes with my ride. Spoke to two different dealers and each said it can't happen

Jello

Well you can hardwire it in. Depending on where you want to place your GPS, you can tap into different power sources. I just recently read a thread where some folks hardwired their radar detectors by tapping into the map light housing. You can also very easily tap into any cigarette lighter. They provide 12V.

Sanj

Sorry mate but you need to go to someone who know's more than the dealer's as this can be retrofitted but will cost a small fortune ,around ?3500/$5500 from main dealer's!The screen in your car is smaller as it's part of the standard i-drive system and the wider/bigger one is from the pro-nav,my local independent fitted and coded my car including a full cip upgrade and charged me ?400 for all the work that was required,part's were bought from ebay and the whole thing cost me under ?1000 fully fitted,such a shame and it seem's many people in the U.S don't seem to have many BMW specialist's other than the main dealer as we hear in the UK have plenty too choose from!

Krozi

Here is my DIY on how to semi-hardwire a Garmin GPS. Hope it helps

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=67846

D33ZNUT5

Im ghetto. I plug my iphone 3GS into my belkin dock and use the Mobile Maps turn based software. Works surprisngly well!

skelevirus

cant search right now but recently there was a thread on here, and someone had a nice gps placed in the passenger sun visor, it was sweet

monsterj34

if you want you can hard wire like what jello said

i got my radar detector hard wired where my rearview mirrors are... its illegal in va but cops cant tell where it is...
also i got my sirius radio hooked up straight to the fuse box.
so even though you want to look like factory, there isnt that many choice but get suction cup to the windshield unless you get the whole navi kit.

I looked at it and it is crazy to install and i decided myself not to do it...

just get garmin and mount it on the windshield and run wire to the fuse box.

clarkk41

Thanks for the info guys and for the diy Kroz. I think I will just skip out on the nav I'm seriously picky when it comes to the interior. If anything ill get a gps and keep it in the glovey until it's needed lol. Then ill use one of those cup holder mounts when its needed and stick it back in the glove lol