Upgrade idrive controller
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: KY
My Ride: 02/2006 525i Titanium Silver Metallic
Manual 6-Speed
You are saying it wont work for pre-lci's, correct? Is the plug different, or is that it would require coding or something for the buttons to work? This is why I thought that you would have to do the entire CIC retrofit to simply have the newer iDrive knob controller.
Thanks
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 3
From: London, UK
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
This works on any car, I have done it and have done it for others as well. Besides the idrive itself you need the latest software on your car or be able to reprogram the MOST Gateway on your car yourself. Either way its possible and your car can be from any year.
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 772
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
My Ride: 2007 Black Sapphire 535i
As Bruce suggests this is something that can be done on your car. If you are interested in the mechanics of the install check out this thread starting at post #362. There is also a change in wiring for Pre-LCI knobs. No big deal really. Attached is a pic of my completed install.
https://5series.net/forums/topic/994.../page__st__360
https://5series.net/forums/topic/994.../page__st__360
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 772
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
My Ride: 2007 Black Sapphire 535i
stecom90,
You may want to spend the time to read that entire thread. Believe me, it will be worth your while.
To take to center console apart in order to get to the old iDrive controller, follow steps illustrated by member pclausen starting at #225 in the same thread.
https://5series.net/forums/topic/994.../page__st__210
Pinout changes to the connector are as follows:
Old - New - Function
1 ---- 1 ---- 12V
2 ---- 2 ---- GND
4 ---- 3 ---- CAN_H
5 ---- 4 ---- CAN_L
The iDrive mounting bezel was taken from an E63 car and is BMW part # 51169169999. Realoem.com lists this for $34.40.
Cheers.
You may want to spend the time to read that entire thread. Believe me, it will be worth your while.
Can you tell me how to disassemble the old controller ?
https://5series.net/forums/topic/994.../page__st__210
What are the changes in the connector ?
Old - New - Function
1 ---- 1 ---- 12V
2 ---- 2 ---- GND
4 ---- 3 ---- CAN_H
5 ---- 4 ---- CAN_L
I have no top cover, which is the reference ? (see picture)
Cheers.




