Jap Spec E60 - do's and don't

[AhTu]

Bro desbimmer,
I beg to differ I have actually taken away my CD changer and put the DVD player there!! been listening to MP3 and watching Barney (my daughter actually) all these while for 2 years... and *touch wood* my iDrive still in perfect condition :top:

Bro Thule,
It is a good idea to change the CD to DVD player. Do you cut a hole for the DVD player to be installed? Any picture that can share?

 

[thule]

Bro Thule,
It is a good idea to change the CD to DVD player. Do you cut a hole for the DVD player to be installed? Any picture that can share?

Why do you need to cut a hole or something? Take out the CD changer in your glove compartment and utilise the vacant space :top: u r lucky coz I'm driving my E60 today coz normally I drive Hilux to work. Anyway, will show you the picture on where I install the DVD/MP3, CD player (it's Kenwood btw)
From the outside when I open my compartment


Close up - this is where the original CD changer supposed to be! notice the USB device there?? Loads and loads of my fav songs inside! Save the hassle of changing CD as the area is quite hard to reach when driving!


Playlist shown in my iDrive's screen


Movie in my iDrive's screen


This is Garmin gvn53 module unit which was installed underneath (not inside) the compartment on the passenger side


Malsingmap direct on the iDrive's screen


I have also installed Reverse Camera & here is what the iDrive screen show when I put my gear on Reverse


Alternatively, if your CD changer is still working but you want to install DVD player, you can opt to install it here! I have seen one or two car installed it this way! That is, if you are OK for them to cut a hole here

 

[thule]

Get the clearer picture?? Hope this helps! Now I have to get back to work

 

[hakim_radzuan]

bro Thule, that is really racun..:rock:

btw, let say i get the dvd player..do i still need to reprogram the ccc to get local station? i mean, can we use fm radio from dvd player? just play from it..

 

[alxy]

bro hakim,

I changed my CCC so I get the "natural" local radio stations, but when I was doing my "research", was offered DVD player with local radio functions, so yes, it is possible. You have to compare the price to see which one more worth it. If RM1000 just to reprogram, then best you seek those player + FM combos.

 

[AhTu]

Why do you need to cut a hole or something? Take out the CD changer in your glove compartment and utilise the vacant space :top: u r lucky coz I'm driving my E60 today coz normally I drive Hilux to work. Anyway, will show you the picture on where I install the DVD/MP3, CD player (it's Kenwood btw)
From the outside when I open my compartment

Bro Thule,

What a wonderful idea and setup!!! Thank you for your time to take those photos.

For your DVD play list on the iDrive screen, will you able to use iDrive to select the song or you have to do it via player's remote control? I just came back from an accessory shop. The boss quoted me RM3320 for front+rear camera, multimedia interface and radio booster. Included labour. I was not so keen to install radio booster cause I know the sound quality is not good (my e39 has it). I also ask whether it can support iPhone/Ipod input and he said if I have the RCA cable for it then it can plug to one of the AUX. So far, not yet decided to let him do it.

What is your comment?

 

[thule]

bro Thule, that is really racun..:rock:

btw, let say i get the dvd player..do i still need to reprogram the ccc to get local station? i mean, can we use fm radio from dvd player? just play from it..

Unfortunately yes!! You still have to reprogram in order to get the radio frequency. The reception is even worse using the DVD player to listen to radio.. Even FM booster can give better sound quality compared to when u listen to radio using the DVD player.

bro hakim,

I changed my CCC so I get the "natural" local radio stations, but when I was doing my "research", was offered DVD player with local radio functions, so yes, it is possible. You have to compare the price to see which one more worth it. If RM1000 just to reprogram, then best you seek those player + FM combos.

Dear alxy,
Even if it's possible to listen to radio using the DVD player, it sucks big time!! I'm a living example coz I'm having high end kenwood player and still not able to listen to radio. And i have not program the frequency yet!!

 

[desbimmer]

After reading all of your collective experiences, I have just installed a normal beeping reverse sensor (4 sensors for RM480 inclusive labour - cause I figured at the end of the day the reverse function is like 5 seconds so why make it so complex), fixed my Disc changer in my glove compartment (RM580 for new PBC control or something like that...) and purchased a iPad car mount for my gal to watch her movies and sing along vids (RM85 original Capdase special discount). I will introduce to her earphones later on long drives and this way my wife and I can still listen to our music and not have to sacrifice on 'this old man' and 'yankee doodle' songs anymore....buahahaha....

Pic is not in my car but you get the idea la...

 

[thule]

Bro Thule,

What a wonderful idea and setup!!! Thank you for your time to take those photos.

For your DVD play list on the iDrive screen, will you able to use iDrive to select the song or you have to do it via player's remote control? I just came back from an accessory shop. The boss quoted me RM3320 for front+rear camera, multimedia interface and radio booster. Included labour. I was not so keen to install radio booster cause I know the sound quality is not good (my e39 has it). I also ask whether it can support iPhone/Ipod input and he said if I have the RCA cable for it then it can plug to one of the AUX. So far, not yet decided to let him do it.

What is your comment?

My suggestion??? Look for second opinion always get a few quotations before deciding on which one to go.
Do not use radio booster (it's useless anyway) and yes, I'm using remote control to select songs & folders. One thing that I need to point out though, u will need an extra sensor as when u install the player in the compartment, the remote can't sense it... Cost about rm300++
anyway u have peter's contact? Price-wise might not be the cheapest ard but they get their work done nicely.

 

[hakim_radzuan]

bro thule, how do you used garmin? can select the menu by using i drive knob or got extra remote? theres one shop i survey they give something like mouse..but that one is china made gps la..

 

[thule]

bro thule, how do you used garmin? can select the menu by using i drive knob or got extra remote? theres one shop i survey they give something like mouse..but that one is china made gps la..

My Garmin gvn53 module came with remote control... U can't select the menu using idrive knob one thing is that the remote banyak makan bateri so everytime I didn't use it, I just took the batteries out.

 

[alxy]

Dear alxy,
Even if it's possible to listen to radio using the DVD player, it sucks big time!! I'm a living example coz I'm having high end kenwood player and still not able to listen to radio. And i have not program the frequency yet!!

Guess it depends on whether the DVD player can connect to the external antenna on the shark fin. If just from its own internal antenna, then quality definitely would be bad. Then again, also depends on your ear. I am not so fussy just need to listen to music. Even MP3s on FM transmitter is OK with me

 

[thule]

Guess it depends on whether the DVD player can connect to the external antenna on the shark fin. If just from its own internal antenna, then quality definitely would be bad. Then again, also depends on your ear. I am not so fussy just need to listen to music. Even MP3s on FM transmitter is OK with me

I'm quite fussy when it comes to listening to music... never like unnecessary interruption I have been using FM transmitter to listen to my MP3s for a few months before going for the interface + DVD player! Sound quality is OK but still lack the oomph but the radio is another story... they had tried to connect the DVD player to the shark fin but to no avail... guess another 1k has to go in order to get the radio function working again

 

[affan66]

thule, do you get any interference/airplane sound when using the interface? I get this when I'm using my iPod connected using the iPod AV cable and the iPod connected to the cig lighter charger. Never had this issue when I used the cig lighter charger and connected the iPod using an Audio cable to the Aux in.

 

[thule]

thule, do you get any interference/airplane sound when using the interface? I get this when I'm using my iPod connected using the iPod AV cable and the iPod connected to the cig lighter charger. Never had this issue when I used the cig lighter charger and connected the iPod using an Audio cable to the Aux in.

Bro Affan,
Can't answer you this coz I have never used iPod in my E60 before so far no problem with the interference/airplane sound *touch wood* LOL~~ you can check with Peter on this... he gives free advice too!

 

[hakim_radzuan]

Bro Affan,
Can't answer you this coz I have never used iPod in my E60 before so far no problem with the interference/airplane sound *touch wood* LOL~~ you can check with Peter on this... he gives free advice too!

this peter from CV right?

 

[thule]

:top: Yes bro

 

[alxy]

Woohoo! Got my CCC done up finally! So now all functions are back to normal, can hear DVD and get local radio again! Lucky didn't spend on temporary solutions.

 

[AhTu]

Bro Alxy, how much did you pay for the CCC and installation cost?

 

[alxy]

I actually did mine back in 2008. If you read my recent previous posts, my problem started about a month ago when the said CCC conked. So nothing new for me, just that I got it done up. Back in 2008, cost me RM10K+ to get the entire thing done. This includes CCC, 8-disc DVD changer, media interface + installation/labour.

Pros: you get to see things the way BMW intended for you to see, e.g. local radio channels, SatNav via iDrive, CD drive (which supports MP3 - most important to me! ) in place of the Jap-spec MD player
Cons: stupid BMW SatNav CD is woefully outdated, even though I am using the 2010 latest version. Lots of places still not included. Also cost of doing up the whole thing

By the way, if you just want a new local CCC, it should cost around RM4K+ only now. But it's not just simple plug-and-play, you also have to get someone to do the proper programming to ensure you get all the features working properly with your car (according to Freddie Obermaier). Freddie also says the LCI version CCC (i.e. with the shortcut buttons) is also compatible with the pre-FL versions.

So assuming your car is already specced up properly (i.e. with SatNav, even though Jap-spec - meaning you already have the GPS antenna, iDrive screen compatibility and SatNav interfaces), it will cost you about that much to get local radio + SatNav going. No need DVD changer and media interface.