Normal
Unfortunately no. the BMW I-BUS (where all the electrical stuff of the BMW is connected to and allows everything to "talk" to each other) is rather complicated and unless the 3rd party screen or player has this I-BUS compatibility it will not work with each other. Yes, you can have a individual player for example but it won't be able to be controlled by the steering wheel. It won't be able to dim when you on the lights. it won't be able to automatically adjust the volume when you speed up. It won't show you the OBC info etc... All these are controlled by the I-BUS. There are a few companies making stuff to connect to the BMW I-BUS and if you stick to these then all is well. The Clarion CD changers for example, Dice/Intravee units to support Ipods. But I have never come across a I-BUS compatible screen for the E39. Nearest was when one of our forumers Yoke found such a unit but it turned out to be still in testing stage so no one knows if it will work yet. And if you go and purchase one of those retrofitted steering wheel controllers that uses the player's remote control function, it specifically says it won't work for BMW's because it is not wired like normal cars. Phew. That was long winded.
Unfortunately no. the BMW I-BUS (where all the electrical stuff of the BMW is connected to and allows everything to "talk" to each other) is rather complicated and unless the 3rd party screen or player has this I-BUS compatibility it will not work with each other. Yes, you can have a individual player for example but it won't be able to be controlled by the steering wheel. It won't be able to dim when you on the lights. it won't be able to automatically adjust the volume when you speed up. It won't show you the OBC info etc... All these are controlled by the I-BUS.
There are a few companies making stuff to connect to the BMW I-BUS and if you stick to these then all is well. The Clarion CD changers for example, Dice/Intravee units to support Ipods. But I have never come across a I-BUS compatible screen for the E39. Nearest was when one of our forumers Yoke found such a unit but it turned out to be still in testing stage so no one knows if it will work yet.
And if you go and purchase one of those retrofitted steering wheel controllers that uses the player's remote control function, it specifically says it won't work for BMW's because it is not wired like normal cars.
Phew. That was long winded.
