[Mrwhite79]

2012 328i - USA - WBA3A5C56CFJ89718 - Feb.2012 build date.

Trying to figure out what headunit/display I have and what upgrade paths may exist. I'm new to BMW terminology/equipment/options, so having a hard time figuring out what to search for. Seen mentions of CIC, NBT, etc not sure what exists where to begin looking for my options.

Current unit is 6.5" display, I have bluetooth phone, but not audio. There's a usb port that'll read tracks in the console, as well as an aux port. Does have HD radio with RDS, but no artwork or anything in FM or USB.

Here's the back of the display -

View post on imgur.com

Thanks.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

2012 328i - USA - WBA3A5C56CFJ89718 - Feb.2012 build date.

Trying to figure out what headunit/display I have and what upgrade paths may exist. I'm new to BMW terminology/equipment/options, so having a hard time figuring out what to search for. Seen mentions of CIC, NBT, etc not sure what exists where to begin looking for my options.

Current unit is 6.5" display, I have bluetooth phone, but not audio. There's a usb port that'll read tracks in the console, as well as an aux port. Does have HD radio with RDS, but no artwork or anything in FM or USB.

Here's the back of the display -

View post on imgur.com

Thanks.

All F3x cars built in 2012 have CIC, not NBT units.

You can retrofit to NBT or up to the very latest NBT EVO Touchscreen technology, but it all comes at a price.

You will not have some some features available to you though, such as connected drive.

And, based on your post, it’s something that you probably need someone else to retrofit.

Suggest you contact someone like steve@codemybimmer

As you also posted in the Avin section, suggest you read all the threads very carefully about people’s experiences thus far.

[Mrwhite79]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

And, based on your post, it’s something that you probably need someone else to retrofit.

Thanks, but you don't have to be condescending - I'm just looking for the name of the unit so I can narrow my reading/searching.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

Thanks, but you don't have to be condescending - I'm just looking for the name of the unit so I can narrow my reading/searching.

I'm sure it wasn't intentional. We've just seen a lot of people run into issues and come post it here, just to find out it could've been avoided had they searched the forums or let a professional do the install. Nothing against you!

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

Thanks, but you don't have to be condescending - I'm just looking for the name of the unit so I can narrow my reading/searching.

With all due respect, this isn’t like slapping a new unit in the holes and move the plugs.

And you will need extensive information on various critical parts of the car that 1 wrong code can cause a catastrophic failure.

The bus control for the current idrive controllers is on a different bus than the pre-2014 units meaning that if you reused the wiring in place for the controller, even though it would plug in, it wouldn’t work. Complete rewiring into the FEM is a must. And that’s just one of many gotchas.

You might think it’s condescending, but I consider it a well deserved warning.

It might not be brain surgery, but it’s closer to brain surgery than it is to a first aid kit.

[Mrwhite79]

Sure, I get it - however - there's 6 years worth of posts to search through and I just wanted to be sure about the name so I could avoid going down the wrong search path. I was pretty sure it was CIC, however I contacted BimmerRetrofit and they called it entry nav, which sent me looking in other directions.

I'm well aware of the risks and that nothing is plug and play. Not my first rodeo.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

Sure, I get it - however - there's 6 years worth of posts to search through and I just wanted to be sure about the name so I could avoid going down the wrong search path. I was pretty sure it was CIC, however I contacted BimmerRetrofit and they called it entry nav, which sent me looking in other directions.

I'm well aware of the risks and that nothing is plug and play. Not my first rodeo.

It is an entry nav.

It is also a CIC.

2 different things.

[Mrwhite79]

Fair enough. Thank you.

[IK6SPEED]

It’s considered an entry nav as it has the base “entry” features.

Base HiFi

No upgraded HK System

No Satellite Radio

No connected drive

No NAV or GPS

Small Screen

Your combox is outdated and dead weight

Etc

It’s still CIC Technology, not NBT or NBT EVO.

[BunkerJ]

He wrapped it up well. For us pre-2014 guys, it's a huge job to undertake. Not that it can't be done, but be ready for the frustration to follow. Only reason I haven't gone through with it (Aside from me having BT audio).

[Mrwhite79]

Yea, seems to be an expensive hassle. Kinda regret getting a 2012 now, but when looking for a manual trans car, some sacrifices have to be made. Got most of everything else I wanted at least.

[bad karma]

Upgrading from CIC to NBT is a fucking nightmare with not a whole lot gained. You might consider going aftermarket with something like the Avin unit:

https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-3-seri...on-system.html

Those have their own issues, but it'd be a lot more feature-rich than NBT.

[Mrwhite79]

Yea, I'm looking into those as well, and likely that's the route I'll take. I had a similar unit in my last car and was pretty happy with it. I just wish when you're in the idrive interface that it wouldnt do that useless split screen and that they had better hardware/software.

The newer android units for other cars have better processors and memory, and a lot are starting to ship with at least android 6 or have more user support on XDA. The F30 ones are using first gen hardware for these types of headunits.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

Yea, I'm looking into those as well, and likely that's the route I'll take. I had a similar unit in my last car and was pretty happy with it. I just wish when you're in the idrive interface that it wouldnt do that useless split screen and that they had better hardware/software.

The newer android units for other cars have better processors and memory, and a lot are starting to ship with at least android 6 or have more user support on XDA. The F30 ones are using first gen hardware for these types of headunits.

I bought my 2013 with no options (I was new to BMW and didn't know), so I'm paying for it by having to retrofit. This is my last retrofit and I decided for now not to, since I can play music via BT.

[Mrwhite79]

You know, BMW's got some nerve charging $48k for a car that has halogen headlights, no backup camera and a stereo straight out of 2004 - but unfortunately not a lot of choices for a luxury/premium product with a manual transmission, much less one that's rear wheel drive and has respectable performance. However, depreciation is a bitch on these and I didnt have to pay that much.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

You know, BMW's got some nerve charging $48k for a car that has halogen headlights, no backup camera and a stereo straight out of 2004 - but unfortunately not a lot of choices for a luxury/premium product with a manual transmission, much less one that's rear wheel drive and has respectable performance. However, depreciation is a bitch on these and I didnt have to pay that much.

Exactly. I was upset, but not too mad due to the price I paid for a three-year-old car. Best, but also the worst, part about these things.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

You know, BMW's got some nerve charging $48k for a car that has halogen headlights, no backup camera and a stereo straight out of 2004 - but unfortunately not a lot of choices for a luxury/premium product with a manual transmission, much less one that's rear wheel drive and has respectable performance. However, depreciation is a bitch on these and I didnt have to pay that much.

IMO, BMW Elecronics is 1-2 Car generations behind other manufacturers.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1459902

[Nelson@BimmerTech]

It's actually an Entry not Entrynav system.

[Bosniacu]

Originally Posted by Mrwhite79

2012 328i - USA - WBA3A5C56CFJ89718 - Feb.2012 build date.

Trying to figure out what headunit/display I have and what upgrade paths may exist. I'm new to BMW terminology/equipment/options, so having a hard time figuring out what to search for. Seen mentions of CIC, NBT, etc not sure what exists where to begin looking for my options.

Current unit is 6.5" display, I have bluetooth phone, but not audio. There's a usb port that'll read tracks in the console, as well as an aux port. Does have HD radio with RDS, but no artwork or anything in FM or USB.

Here's the back of the display -

View post on imgur.com

Thanks.

A picture of the display would have helped better.

[CReilly12]

Just bought a 2014 320i back in October 17', yesterday the NBT control display got stuck on the BMW loading screen and is still stuck on that screen now. It keepsrebooting itself every 5 minutes or so. I dont have nav/back-up camera/or a bluetooth music hook up, its pretty standard.

Has anyone had this problem and how did was this fixed/cost to fix (any specific details would help). If it is costly to fix the existing one would you recommend an upgrade for one with a nav system/ bluetooth music player/back-up cam. Any info is much appreciated.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by CReilly12

Just bought a 2014 320i back in October 17', yesterday the NBT control display got stuck on the BMW loading screen and is still stuck on that screen now. It keepsrebooting itself every 5 minutes or so. I dont have nav/back-up camera/or a bluetooth music hook up, its pretty standard.

Has anyone had this problem and how did was this fixed/cost to fix (any specific details would help). If it is costly to fix the existing one would you recommend an upgrade for one with a nav system/ bluetooth music player/back-up cam. Any info is much appreciated.

How many miles?

Isn’t a 2014 still under 4 year warranty if you purchased in Oct?

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

How many miles?

Isn’t a 2014 still under 4 year warranty if you purchased in Oct?

It will depend on original purchase date--if it was purchased by first owner in Feb. 2014 then manufacturer warranty is done. The 4 year warranty starts when the car is purchased from BMW.