New I drive controller unit

mdrobc13 · 10-06-2013, 07:16 PM

Just wondering if anyone has been able to change out their I-drive controller unit for the new ones on the 2014 facelifted LCI 5 series versions. Am specifically wondering about the new controller with the touch pad on top of the Idrive knob. Remember how the new Idrive controller swap out was one of the best retrofits for my 2008 e92 M3 when the new Idrive's came out and one of the 1st mods I did.

So was curious as to what others are doing in this area. Anyone done it or looked into it yet?

tmehanna · 10-18-2013, 08:55 PM

There is a touch control unit too, not just the controller. In short, if you have the NBT head unit, maybe doable, but if you have CIC you'll need a new head unit and display on top.

ErnestHouse · 11-15-2013, 07:33 AM

I've been using the iTouch controller for a few weeks and finally turned it off. It easily mixes case when spelling so your address book gets to looking goofy. Also, I found it easily mistook normal handling of the controller in spelling mode as gestures. This caused them to be recognized as hyphens and apostrophes that were inserted into why I was spelling. I expect it's a help in picture centric languages but IMHO, a pain to use. Not worth upgrading for sure. YMMV

Patrys@BimmerTech · 12-24-2013, 02:23 PM

We are offering the iDrive Touch controller retrofit for the NBT iDrive. It works great!
We can also retrofit it for the CIC iDrive but the touch feature won't work.

gorban · 12-26-2013, 05:14 PM

I absolutely love the touch controller. I use it to enter destinations but most often to search for artists and albums in the Deezer app. It's great to be able to enter letters without taking my eyes off the road. For searches, upper or lower case is not important but I do realize that entering emails etc could be a pain.

wrickem · 12-26-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorban

I absolutely love the touch controller. I use it to enter destinations but most often to search for artists and albums in the Deezer app. It's great to be able to enter letters without taking my eyes off the road. For searches, upper or lower case is not important but I do realize that entering emails etc could be a pain.

+1. I prefer this over spinning the wheel too. And it recognizes pretty bad handwriting, I never take my eyes off of the road.

nyranger74 · 12-31-2013, 03:10 PM

Patryk just retrofitted this in my 2013 M5 and it works flawlessly. Installation was done by an associate of his who is an absolute professional. The NBT was updated to the latest firmware now I have all the new features (except for Sirius channel logos).

pillpusher84 · 12-31-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyranger74

Patryk just retrofitted this in my 2013 M5 and it works flawlessly. Installation was done by an associate of his who is an absolute professional. The NBT was updated to the latest firmware now I have all the new features (except for Sirius channel logos).

What was the cost?

nyranger74 · 01-01-2014, 06:13 AM

Around $650 USD

mdrobc13 · 01-02-2014, 02:17 PM

So question is will this work in a 2012 BMW 550i? If so a retrofit may be in order.

Anybody know? PM me or reply to post. Thanks

Piers · 01-02-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrickem

+1. I prefer this over spinning the wheel too. And it recognizes pretty bad handwriting, I never take my eyes off of the road.

Agree, it is brilliant for sat nav entry etc.

Do people really write emails on it?

nyranger74 · 01-03-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

So question is will this work in a 2012 BMW 550i? If so a retrofit may be in order.

Anybody know? PM me or reply to post. Thanks

Will only work with the NBT head unit, not old CIC.

Patrys@BimmerTech · 01-26-2014, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyranger74

Will only work with the NBT head unit, not old CIC.

Technically speaking the iDrive Touch controller will work even in the E-series and F-series with the CIC but the touch functionality won't...

Jasper505 · 02-27-2014, 11:03 AM

I have a Nov 2013 535i. Can someone here give me a link to the company that can upgrade my idrive controller?

Thanks,

bcarte3 · 03-06-2014, 10:13 PM

http://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop

Goranot · 11-05-2015, 11:41 AM

Have a 2012 F10 M5 which is CIC unit

Can I do a straight swap to the new LCI controller if I don't want to use the gesture functionality ..I personally just prefer the bigger controller.

Will be grateful if some one can confirm 100% as am getting conflicting information as several members on forum have done it successfully for aesthetics but Tech guys are saying it's not possible and won't work

Thanks

winkyyee · 11-14-2015, 09:15 PM

I just purchased the iDrive Touch Controller Retrofit from BimmerTech and I am very satisfied. These folks are the real deal, professional and highly recommended.

BimmerTech shipped the kit within 2 days from Poland to NY via DHL Express. The controller installation was simple and quick. The technician did the coding to enable the Touch Controller within 20 mins.

The Kid · 11-15-2015, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkyyee

I just purchased the iDrive Touch Controller Retrofit from BimmerTech and I am very satisfied. These folks are the real deal, professional and highly recommended.

BimmerTech shipped the kit within 2 days from Poland to NY via DHL Express. The controller installation was simple and quick. The technician did the coding to enable the Touch Controller within 20 mins.

what car do you have?

winkyyee · 11-15-2015, 08:48 PM

2013 535i xDrive F10 with NBT

daders · 02-24-2016, 09:18 AM

Reviving this thread....

I recently finished swapping out our standard knobs to ceramics (and now have authorization from the wife to make the iDrive match, IOW complete the job). We also prefer the larger knob size of the iDrive touch controller, but we have rear entertainment and I wanted to make sure I obtain the correct part to avoid losing rear entertainment control functionality. I've noticed there are different part numbers and descriptions so I'm assuming there are differences in the electronics. Does anyone definitively know if this is true?

Thanks!

10-06-2013, 07:16 PM	#1
mdrobc13 Colonel 338 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	New I drive controller unit Just wondering if anyone has been able to change out their I-drive controller unit for the new ones on the 2014 facelifted LCI 5 series versions. Am specifically wondering about the new controller with the touch pad on top of the Idrive knob. Remember how the new Idrive controller swap out was one of the best retrofits for my 2008 e92 M3 when the new Idrive's came out and one of the 1st mods I did. So was curious as to what others are doing in this area. Anyone done it or looked into it yet? __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
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10-18-2013, 08:55 PM	#2
tmehanna Private 30 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 528i f10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Egypt iTrader: (0)	There is a touch control unit too, not just the controller. In short, if you have the NBT head unit, maybe doable, but if you have CIC you'll need a new head unit and display on top.
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11-15-2013, 07:33 AM	#3
ErnestHouse First Lieutenant 29 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 2014 535i GT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	I've been using the iTouch controller for a few weeks and finally turned it off. It easily mixes case when spelling so your address book gets to looking goofy. Also, I found it easily mistook normal handling of the controller in spelling mode as gestures. This caused them to be recognized as hyphens and apostrophes that were inserted into why I was spelling. I expect it's a help in picture centric languages but IMHO, a pain to use. Not worth upgrading for sure. YMMV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-24-2013, 02:23 PM	#4
Patrys@BimmerTech Banned 617 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Warsaw/Poland iTrader: (7)	We are offering the iDrive Touch controller retrofit for the NBT iDrive. It works great! We can also retrofit it for the CIC iDrive but the touch feature won't work.
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12-26-2013, 05:14 PM	#5
gorban Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 229 Posts Drives: F11 520xdAT, E87 120dM Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden iTrader: (0)	I absolutely love the touch controller. I use it to enter destinations but most often to search for artists and albums in the Deezer app. It's great to be able to enter letters without taking my eyes off the road. For searches, upper or lower case is not important but I do realize that entering emails etc could be a pain. __________________ Current: 2014 F11 lci 520xd Touring, Imperial Blue
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12-31-2013, 03:10 PM	#7
nyranger74 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2016 750i Sapphire Black Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Patryk just retrofitted this in my 2013 M5 and it works flawlessly. Installation was done by an associate of his who is an absolute professional. The NBT was updated to the latest firmware now I have all the new features (except for Sirius channel logos).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2014, 06:13 AM	#9
nyranger74 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2016 750i Sapphire Black Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Around $650 USD
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01-02-2014, 02:17 PM	#10
mdrobc13 Colonel 338 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	So question is will this work in a 2012 BMW 550i? If so a retrofit may be in order. Anybody know? PM me or reply to post. Thanks __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2014, 11:03 AM	#14
Jasper505 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 535i Msport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I have a Nov 2013 535i. Can someone here give me a link to the company that can upgrade my idrive controller? Thanks, __________________ __________________ 2013 F10 BMW 535i Dark Graphite II / Oyster Black Dakota Leather Anthracite Wood Trim / Sport Transmission / M Sport Package / Luxury Seating Package / Premium Package / Technology Package / Rear-view camera / Premium Sound / Park Distance Control
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03-06-2014, 10:13 PM	#15
bcarte3 New Member 9 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 535i - Jet Black M-Sport Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pearland, TX iTrader: (0)	http://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop
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11-05-2015, 11:41 AM	#16
Goranot First Lieutenant 37 Rep 325 Posts Drives: Bmw m5 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	Have a 2012 F10 M5 which is CIC unit Can I do a straight swap to the new LCI controller if I don't want to use the gesture functionality ..I personally just prefer the bigger controller. Will be grateful if some one can confirm 100% as am getting conflicting information as several members on forum have done it successfully for aesthetics but Tech guys are saying it's not possible and won't work Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2015, 09:15 PM	#17
winkyyee New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: X3 and 535i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	iDrive Touch Controller Retrofit on 2013 535i with NBT I just purchased the iDrive Touch Controller Retrofit from BimmerTech and I am very satisfied. These folks are the real deal, professional and highly recommended. BimmerTech shipped the kit within 2 days from Poland to NY via DHL Express. The controller installation was simple and quick. The technician did the coding to enable the Touch Controller within 20 mins.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

11-15-2015, 08:48 PM	#19
winkyyee New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: X3 and 535i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	2013 535i xDrive F10 with NBT
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02-24-2016, 09:18 AM	#20
daders New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: F07 N63 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Reviving this thread.... I recently finished swapping out our standard knobs to ceramics (and now have authorization from the wife to make the iDrive match, IOW complete the job). We also prefer the larger knob size of the iDrive touch controller, but we have rear entertainment and I wanted to make sure I obtain the correct part to avoid losing rear entertainment control functionality. I've noticed there are different part numbers and descriptions so I'm assuming there are differences in the electronics. Does anyone definitively know if this is true? Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote