bmw tft display retrofit factory

That said with the issues that guys seem to be having, although a software update is supposed to be helping that issue, it does not interest me in the least Just as I could do without keyless start, I can do without the TFT.

I bet the BMW head up display (HUD) shows up within seconds of processing that question – even more so if the other day you were scrolling through the browser in search of anything remotely high-end for your car.

Praised by many car manufacturers and drivers, there’s no doubt this safety feature should be a standard option on all of the latest BMWs, yet with the current semiconductor shortage it’s far from happening in the near future.

We’ll try to dispel these and more doubts in the following article, so that perhaps this evening you won’t have to immerse yourself in your tenth discussion on a BMW forum ;)

NOTE: BimmerTech doesn’t offer BMW head up display retrofit as of yet. This article was prepared purely for educational purposes. To check our retrofits and coding options, go to our shop.

BMW head-up display is a transparent screen displayed on the windshield, which projects driver-relevant data straight into the driver’s line of sight. Made with the aim of helping drivers maintain their focus on the road, it actually reduces the time required to absorb information by more than half compared to glancing at the cockpit or the central BMW iDrive screen. Anyone who drives pedal to the metal especially treasures that feature at high speeds.

If your car is additionally equipped with BMW Night Vision, you can also leverage your BMW head-up display to alert you about approaching pedestrians.

And how does that technology work exactly? By the magic of coordinating 3 components: a projector, a projection surface and an optical module. LEDs act here as a light source, the TFT (thin-film transistor) screen as an imaging unit and windshield as a surface for projection.

So how it works is the image you choose to display is rotated and mirrored by the system’s optical modules to be then shown on the windscreen covered with a wafer-thin coating – used to avoid double images and adapt to the brightness of the ambient light. The driver can at that point see all relevant information and warnings in real time about two meters away in the line of sight and easily process them no matter the time of the day or night.

If your BMW was produced between 2004-2018 you’ll most likely be able to do that by a push of the HUD button placed next to or beneath the headlight control, and can adjust its settings in the iDrive menu.

If viewing issues occur, or you simply want to adjust the parameters or type of information displayed on your HUD, you can do it all in your BMW iDrive settings.

To adjust the HUD settings check the setting you want to modify and with the use of your BMW iDrive Controller set up the brightness, height and rotation.

Much to the delight of Apple fans, BMW head-up display can be also used with certain functions of Apple CarPlay. If only your BMW software is up-to-date (or 07/2020 version at least) and you’re equipped with BMW iDrive 7.0, you can display your Apple Maps and the current music track from Apple Music on the screen, and have it running in the background while scrolling through other radio stations.

As innovative as it may seem, BMW head-up displays are not new to the automotive industry, or the tech industry in general. The first such screens were made for military purposes back in the 1940s where they appeared in World War II jet fighters to improve pilots’ ability to simultaneously process the instrument and environmental data.

Skipping 60 years forward, BMW introduced its own HUD version in 2004 5 Series E60 as an integral part of BMW ConnectedDrive, which initially could only display speed information in a monochrome orange color. Almost 10 years later, in 2013, the first BMW full-color head-up display appeared, boasting 50% growth compared to its predecessor and ensuring much better readability and projection quality.

Don’t get too excited though ;) Unfortunately not every BMW you see on the lineup has a head-up display on them. You’ve got to be equipped with either the Technology Package, Innovation Package or Premium Package to find it on your option list, but at times even that doesn’t guarantee its presence – especially if you’re based in Europe.

Since the semiconductor crisis has escalated in 2021, some countries such as Germany have withdrawn BMW head-up displays from a number of vehicles with the Innovation package. That includes:

MINI drivers are also not left out of enjoying the comfort of the head-up display. Although, we must say it’s even less common on the British make than on BMW vehicles.

So let’s say you lack it on your option list. Can you add a head-up display to a BMW? Absolutely! You can either go for a more time-consuming solution, which is changing up your entire windscreen to install the OEM HUD, or simply add a BMW head-up display retrofit. Although, the latter won’t be a HUD per se – more of a HUS (head up screen) ;) – that acts almost like the BMW OEM head-up display with the difference of projecting the data onto a standalone transparent OLED screen instead of your windshield.

BMW manufacturers introduced the BMW head-up screen retrofit in 2014, so that no driver would have to compromise his or her safety in an older date vehicle. Just like the BMW OEM head-up display, this original accessory,allows you to see nav instructions and real time vehicle information in your field of view, and can be mounted on top of the cockpit in many BMW models. The list includes cars with navigation system (option 606/609) and instrument cluster with extended content (option 6WA):

As for the range of functions, the BMW head-up display retrofit shows the fuel gauge, car speed, power, temperature drop warning, traffic jam warning, output, torque, cruise control, speed limit, the altitude above sea level and more – all of which you’ll easily read even in direct sunlight. Should you feel like adding a few adjustments to the brightness or type of info displayed, you can do it via the BMW head-up screen app for Android and iOS devices. Your HUS will receive its navigation data through WiFi and modify the info accordingly.

Again, depending on the type of upgrade you choose the price will differ. While replacing the entire windshield with a BMW OEM head-up display may cost even up to $2K, the BMW heads up screen price can oscillate around $450 – the final charge is as always contingent upon your region.

There are a few drivers who would deny that. The BMW head-up display may be considered only a military gadget straight from an F-22 Raptor, yet those who’ve used it will tell you the complete opposite. Once you experience the comfort and safety of not taking your eyes off the road while controlling core functions of your iDrive, you’ll loathe going back to your previous setup… at least that’s how many drivers feel after the first month of cruises.

So BMW head-up display – you’re much appreciated ;) Even if only for giving that slight thrill of feeling like Tom Cruise in Top Gun for just a few more minutes.

Determining the iDrive version installed in your BMW is vital if you are intending to upgrade your iDrive with on of our genuine retrofit kits or if you intend to install a Retrofit CarPlay/Android Auto Kit such as the IMI-1000 from Integrated Automotive. After reading this article you will be able to determine your iDrive version and also have thorough background knowledge of the history of iDrive.

The IMI-1000 is a mini-computer which is installed behind your head unit. It adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Range Rover, Mini and Porsche vehicles.

For us to configure your retrofit system correctly with a genuine BMW NBT-EVO iD6 retrofit it one of our compatible IMI-1000 interfaces (including a plug-and-play wiring loom) for your car, we will need to know what version of iDrive you have installed in your vehicle. Using the simple steps outlined in this article, you will be able to destrrmine your iDrive version.

There are three generations of iDrive system which are compatible with the IMI-1000 Retrofit CarPlay multimedia interface. These are the CCC, CiC and NBT iDrive systems. These systems are fitted to BMW vehicles manufactured between the years 2004 to the present day (2019). After 2016/2017 most BMW models migrated over to the “EVO” iDrive System. The EVO system does not require the IMI-1000 to activate CarPlay/Android Mirroring, Integrated Automotive can offer an alternative upgrade path which “activates” CarPlay/Android Mirroring for NBT-EVO equipped vehicles, contact us for more information regarding NBT-EVO Apple Carplay activation. Please note that BMW do not support android auto so if you want android auto in your BMW you will require the IMI-1000 for that.

CCC, CiC and NBT iDrive Systems were not originally equipped with the electronics required run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A software update alone is not enough to “enable” Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The IMI-1000 Retrofit Kit adds the necessary hardware to your vehicle in order to process information streamed to and from your phone. It will also interpret the CAN messages to and from the in-car iDrive user controls. Examples of such CAN messages are those sent from the rotary control on the central console as well as the steering wheel user controls. The messages are read, processed, interpreted and relayed in order to control the CarPlay/Android Auto interface.

Vehicles equipped with NBT-EVO iDrive will  already have the necessary hardware to provide Apple CarPlay and Android Mirroring functionality (BMW do not support and auto), these vehicles simply require “software activation” to enable Apple CarPlay/Android Mirroring. For clarification, NBT-EVO vehicles (mostly manufactured after 2017) do not require additional electronic hardware such as the IMI-1000 for CarPlay if you have iD6 pro navigation, ENAVEVO systems (6.5 in display) usually do not support native CarPlay.

CCC iDrive was introduced to production vehicles during 2003 on the 5 Series E60/E61. It was then later rolled out to other BMW models up until 2009 with the X5 and X6. CCC iDrive benefited from two updates during its time on the market, in 2007 and 2008.  Some BMW’s manufactured in 2009 were fitted with the new CiC controller (installed on the centre console) but still had the CCC head unit. These cars are essentially still CCC iDrive vehicles and were considered  “Hybrid” CCC/CiC iDrive systems. The CCC iDrive system features an 8.8in 640×240 pixel display.

There is another system called Mask II which shared the same main menu format as the CCC Pro Nav system but has a smaller 6.5in display. If you have Mask II our CCC IMI-1000 retrofit CarPlay and android auto kit will enable you to retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto to your BMW

CiC iDrive Systems feature a higher resolution display in comparison to CCC systems, moving from a 640×240 pixel display on the CCC iDrive to a 1280×480 pixel display on the CiC iDrive, this offers a sharper and more attractive look to the display.

The primary reason BMW upgraded to the 2-wire LVDS line was the increased resolution and performance achievable in comparison to the 8-wire LVDS protocol.

CiC iDrive Systems have an 80Gb 2.5in hard drive (HDD) which stores the maps for the BMW satellite navigation system. The HDD can also store 8Gb of music files which can be uploaded via a USB port. This makes upgrading of maps arguably a more complicated task.

After 2009 LCI, DVD playback was also available when in the park position. CiC Systems were phased out on various vehicles during 2012 for the NBT (Next Big Thing) iDrive System. CiC was eventually completely replaced by NBT over the following couple of years. By 2014, all BMW models were equipped with NBT iDrive in-car entertainment.

2. User interface :The user interface is distinguishable from CCC and NBT interfaces as it features a noticeable red border around the selected menu option (see below), however to confuse things, the display below will have an NBT style 6 pin LVDS connector, whereas the widescreen Pro Nav option 609 vehicles will have a 4 pin LVDS.

As can be seen in the image above, the 2011 BMW 1 series (F20) features a single CD/DVD slot and red border on all 4 sides when a menu item is selected. But this system is not a purely CIC system, it is known as HU_ENTRY and is also available in F3x vehicles without navigation. These systems have 6 pin LVDS displays.

*Note:It is worth mentioning that there were some “Hybrid” models that were equipped with the 2-wire higher resolution LVDS display yet they still used the CiC menu system, these are known as HU_ENTRY and HU_ENTRYNAV iDrive. These systems can sometimes be confused with the standard CiC system, if you have a 2012 BMW F3x you should be aware that you may not have a standard CiC System (if you are unsure which system you have, please contact us).

NBT iDrive Systems are configured with 6.5in, 8.8in and 10.25in displays, this means you cannot use display size as an indicator of having NBT iDrive. It is always best to use either the date of manufacture or the visual appearance of the user interface (or both) as your method of determining if you have NBT iDrive.

Starting in 2014 with the 2 series F23,l and over the following 24 months, around half of the BMW model range were upgraded to the NBT-EVO iDrive System. The 5 series, X1, X5 and X6 did not benefit from the NBT-EVO iDrive System until around 2016. The 6 series (G32) and X3 (G01) did not receive NBT-EVO until 2017.

If you have iD4 iDRIVE the best solution to obtain CarPlay is to retrofit an iD6 head unit into the vehicle. We can offer the iD4->iD6 retrofit, here is the product page: https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/bmw-id4-to-id6-retrofit-with-carplay-activation/

The retrofit started at about 12:00 noon on a Saturday. After grabbing breakfast with Mike and talking everything out he started disassembling my car like a watchmaker would do to a watch, slow and meticulous. As a testament to his meticulousness Mike had rejected a screen from a supplier which he saw a scratch on. I saw the same screen later and could barely even see it but from it I understood that Mike tries to do what’s best for his clients. Parts started coming off first the vents, AC controller and trim went, second my center console trim with controller and all, third the CCC screen, and fourth the CCC unit itself.

My only complaints are that the trim and mounting bracket for the e39 4:3 are near impossible to locate. I do somewhat miss my 4:3 display. I thought it was a very sharp and very crisp display, mine was also in mint condition, very clean, scratch free and bright, no dead spots in the display, overall a very positive experience, my only complaint was that it was a touch small. Although I must admit I loved having all the buttons that close to me.

I upgraded to a 16:9, it was from a Lithuanian 530d, it is scratched up, the display is very dim, other than that it’s in good shape and everything is fully operational. I should mention that I have prescription glasses, for my nearsightedness, so my sunglasses are always polarized, it’s impossible to see the 16:9 and the road/cluster at the same time wearing sunglasses. I had no such issues with my 4:3. Regardless, I’m not a fan of reaching all the way to the other side of the radio for the other set of buttons, the screen looks like it’s been poorly descaled to fit the wrong aspect ratio, text looks soft and smooshed in some areas. Far from the sharpness seen on my 4:3, but the extra screen space is very much appreciated.

That was my aftermarket experience, maybe I just had poor luck, maybe I got a bad batch, beats me, I’m over it, I’m so glad I went through with this retrofit.