F10 NBT Retrofit

[vjx]

Finally, I'm done with NBT retrofit to my Pre LCI F10. The same as F30.
As the previous post gone, I'm writing again but no pictures.
Lots of study from overseas forum. Thanks for people sharing.
Also thanks Steve from CodemyBimmer in Canada for coding.

My car, made in 2013, equipped with 6.5" small screen with HU_Champ, base stereo. No need to change or upgrade ZGW module.

Here is what I found:
Hardware:
NBT screen
NBT HU
APIX cable for NBT HU and screen
GPS antenna and cable
iDrive Controller. I don't get bothered by hand writing function. If like, then additional module needs to be in place along with iDrive controller.
if you have Combox in the boot, extras:
USB cable, BT antenna cable, microphone cable, Aux cable.
Software:
ENET cable
Esys with Launcher Pro (Only if you want to code yourself)
FSC code and Southern Africa 2019-1 NEXT map.

1. Take out original screen, HU. Then put new one in. Replace old APIX cable between HU and screen. (30 min)
2. Open trim around gear lever. There's one screw holding. Replace new iDrvie controller. If you have Combox, it's a good time to reach USB port. Pop it out from under and take out the existing USB cable and Aux cable. Put new cable in as the old one route to Combox in boot. If you want to reuse the old cable, it's huge work to take out trim. (I did it and for nothing.) Route the USB and Aux cable through gear lever area towards HU. (30 min)
3. If you have Combox, go to boot, take out trim on the left side where Combox stays. disconnect BT, USB, GPS connector, leave others as it was. (30 min)
4. If you have Combox, take out mic out from roof liner. Reroute the wire towards HU through A pillar towards HU. Insert pin to quadlock. I haven't done it, but it's not difficult. (1.5 hours)
5. As RADIO ON not supported by NBT, bridge +12V power line to RADIO ON port on Pin 13. This will power Diversity Antenna Module in the shark fin. Otherwise FM signal too weak. This is not done yet as I'm waiting for Mic cable coming. Disconnect battery before doing it and insulate properly afterwards. (20 min)
6. Put new BT antenna cable, USB cable, FM cable, main quadlock cable, APIX cable, GPS antenna cable into NBT HU. I route my GPS antenna to the central speaker area. It has great signal. Reassemble everything.
7. Connect ENET cable to OBD port for programming. If you want to DIY, add 609 in ECU and Kombi. If you have Combox, disable BT, USB functions, allows Kombi to other module signal get combined box Combox and send to NBT HU. It's too difficult to get Launcher Pro, so I asked help from Steve in Canada.
8. Obtain FSC code and Map data. Put into a 8GB FAT32 USB memory stick. Load it into NBT.
Then everything is done. You can enjoy the new system.

 

[Pirate Pete]

Thanks for the detailed instructions. I am sure they will come in very handy when I try this.

 

[SubLoaded]

This will definetly aid me when I decide to do mine.

You should add the pics, from the other thread, here so that it's all consolidated in one thread.

:ty:

 

[vjx]

If anyone looking for NBT retrofit, I'm glad to help.
BMW moves towards NBT Evo in the past years, NBT Evo retrofit will get more and more popular. I must say BMW iDrive is the best OEM system I've used in past years.

---

A few photos:

 

[Danny2]

Awesome work and great DIY you posted.

Well done

 

[TurboLlew]

Awesome stuff

:smilebounce: :smilebounce: :smilebounce:

I agree - iDrive is alot more intuitive, especially in its latest forms.

 

[zaheer]

Wow! Excellent work there!
What does the complete kit cost?
Desperately need an upgrade to the base system in my F25.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[vjx]

NBT HU, 10.2 inch screen, iDrive controller, USB cable, video cable between HU and screen, coding, 2019 NEXT map. Around R14k, DIY. Better to source parts from local scrap yard if you can. Avoid buying CIC as the system is too old.
If you have 2013 and forward model, retrofit is easier. Otherwise ZGW module might need to change.
Also be careful of some old NBT, as time goes, 200GB harddrive might start failing. It's a fully encrypt HD and automotive grade Toshiba drive. Not easy to repair.

NBT evo is around R23k. Hence it's good to buy the feature together with car.

 

[costel]

Hello,

I now it`s an old thread, but I have a 2013 LCI F10 and I`m planning doing the exact same retrofit, meaning I want to keep the COMBOX in order to have access to the remote services ( e.g. find car location, lock/unlock, ventilation, turn on headlights and SOS). I don`t really care about the online services, as they are pretty much useless, except RTTI which I can live without.

So, my questions are:

1. Did I understood correctly that you can code the COMBOX to disable the bluetooth part? VO coding or FDL coding?
2. Do you still need to close the MOST (optical fiber) or I can leave it plugged in the COMBOX?
3. For the AUX connection I plan to buy a new cable and route it to the armrest. Before connecting it to the quadlock, I need to remove the AUX pins that are currently connected to the COMBOX, right?
4. For FM reception, I should by an FM FAKRA Y cable, right?
5. For the MIC1 and MIC2 functions, I can leave MIC1 as it is now plugged to the COMBOX for SOS calls, and install MIC2 and route it to the quadlock. Is this correct?
6. For FSC code I should buy a NBT FSC retrofit pack?
7. A separate bluetooth antenna is needed, right?
8. I can use a FAKRA extension cable to extend the cable that is currently connecting the shark fin GPS antenna to COMBOX and route it to the back of the NBT HU, right?

 

[costel]

@vjx

 

[vjx]

@costel

Hello, hello, sorry being late to reply.
1,2 I did ask a guy from overseas forums to code the NBT so I don't need to redo the cable (MOST) and combox.
3,4,5 Correct
6, I bought the kit fully coded at the back end.
7, Correct
8, I didnt route the GPS cable to the shark fin as too much work. I placed it on the central dash speaker location. It receives the signal well. The GPS cable will come straight from the HU.

I wish you can come right with the retrofit.

 

[costel]

Hello, thank you for your reply!

I`m still waiting for parts to arrive and I hope I will return here with good news!

I`m also planning to buy a new diversity antenna and route the second FM cable needed for NBT, if the FM Y splitter does not do the trick. I read on about this that some people had to merge pin 13 with pin 15 in order to power on the diversity antenna, but we`ll see. Do you have good FM reception only with the Y cable?

 

[costel]

I return with good news. I have managed to retrofit the NBT unit and also keep the COMBOX in place. I had to change the diversity antenna module, otherwise no sound or FM signal (this is mandatory if you have the HiFi sound system). Joining pins 13 and 15, as I read online is not a satisfactory solution as you’ll always get pops in speakers whenever you unlock the car.