How to Identify Your BMW's iDrive System Version: A Comprehensive Guide
02.16.2023 | Ugode | FAQ

Upgrading Your BMW iDrive System to an Android Screen: How to Confirm Your iDrive Version and Why Upgrade?

iDrive is an in-car information and entertainment system used in BMW vehicles, which can control multiple functions of the vehicle, including audio, navigation, and telephone. With the development of technology, more and more car owners are considering upgrading their iDrive system to a more intelligent Android screen. But how can you confirm the version of your iDrive system, and why should you upgrade to an Android screen? Let's explore in detail.

 

Methods for Identifying Your iDrive System Version

There are several methods to confirm the version of the iDrive system. You can determine your iDrive version based on the production year of your car, the pin of the LVDS interface, the radio interface, and the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Determining iDrive Version by Production Year.

The first method is to determine your iDrive version based on the production year, which applies to CCC, CIC, NBT, and NBT Evo iDrive systems. However, as the production month may vary in different countries/regions, this method is not entirely accurate.

iDrive Series/Model Timeframes
CCC(Car Communication Computer)
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 06/2004 – 09/2008
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 03/2005 – 09/2008
5-Series E60/E61 12/2003 – 11/2008
6-Series E63/E64 12/2003 – 11/2008
X5 Series E70 03/2007 – 10/2009
X6 E72 05/2008 – 10/2009
CIC (Car Information Computer)
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 09/2008 – 03/2014
1-Series F20/F21 09/2011 – 03/2013
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 09/2008 – 10/2013
3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 02/2012 – 11/2012
5-Series E60/E61 11/2008 – 05/2010
5-Series F07 10/2009 – 07/2012
5-Series F10 03/2010 – 09/2012
5-Series F11 09/2010 – 09/2012
6-Series E63/E64 11/2008 – 07/2010
6-Series F06 03/2012 – 03/2013
6-Series F12/F13 12/2010 – 03/2013
7-Series F01/F02/F03 11/2008 – 07/2013
7-Series F04 11/2008 – 06/2015
X1 E84 10/2009 – 06/2015
X3 F25 10/2010 – 04/2013
X5 E70 10/2009 – 06/2013
X6 E71 10/2009 – 08/2014
Z4 E89 04/2009 – present
NBT
(CIC-HIGH, also called the Next Big Thing – NBT)
1-Series F20/F21 03/2013 – 03/2015
2-Series F22 11/2013 – 03/2015
3-Series F30/F31 11/2012 – 07/2015
3-Series F34 03/2013 – 07/2015
3-Series F80 03/2014 – 07/2015
4-Series F32 07/2013 – 07/2015
4-Series F33 11/2013 – 07/2015
4-Series F36 03/2014 – 07/2015
5-Series F07 07/2012 – present
5-Series F10/F11/F18 09/2012 – present
6-Series F06/F12/F13 03/2013 – present
7-Series F01/F02/F03 07/2012 – 06/2015
X3 F25 04/2013 – 03/2016
X4 F26 04/2014 – 03/2016
X5 F15 08/2014 – 07/2016
X5 F85 12/2014 – 07/2016
X6 F16 08/2014 – 07/2016
X6 F86 12/2014 – 07/2016
i3 09/2013 – present
i8 04/2014 – present
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID4
1-Series F20/F21 03/2015 – 06/2016
2-Series F22 03/2015 – 06/2016
2-Series F23 11/2014 – 06/2016
3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 07/2015 – 06/2016
4-Series F32/F33/F36 07/2015 – 06/2016
6-Series F06/F12/F13 03/2013 – 06/2016
7-Series G11/G12/G13 07/2015 – 06/2016
X3 F25 03/2016 – 06/2016
X4 F26 03/2016 – 06/2016
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID5/ID6
1-Series F20/F21 07/2016 – 2019
2-Series F22 07/2016 – 2021
3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 07/2016 – 2018
4-Series F32/F33/F36 07/2016 – 2019
5-Series G30/G31/G38 10/2016 – 2019
6-Series F06/F12/F13 07/2016 – 2018
6-Series G32 07/2017 – 2018
7-Series G11/G12/G13 07/2016 – 2019
X1 F48 2015 – 2022
X2 F39 2018 – present
X3 F25 07/2016 – 2017
X3 G01 11/2017 – present
X4 F26 07/2016 – 2018
X5 F15/F85 07/2016 – 2018
X6 F16/F86 07/2016 – 2018
i8 09/2018- 2020
i3 09/2018–present
MGU18 (iDrive 7.0)
(Media Graphic Unit)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3-Series G20 09/2018 – present
4 Series G22 06/2020 – present
5 Series G30 2020 – present
6 Series G32 2019 – present
7 Series G11 01/2019 – present
8-Series G14/G15 09/2018 - present
M8 G16 2019 – present
i3 I01 2019 – present
i8 I12 / I15 2019 – 2020
X3 G01 2019 – present
X4 G02 2019 – present
X5 G05 09/2018 - present
X6 G06 2019 – present
X7 G07 2018 – present
Z4 G29 09/2018 - present
 
MGU21 (iDrive 8.0)
(Media Graphic Unit)
 
 
3 Series G20 2022 – present
iX1 2022 – present
i4 2021 – present
iX 2021 – present

 

Methods to Confirm Your iDrive Version: Checking LVDS Pin and Radio Interface

The second method to determine the iDrive version is by checking the pins of the LVDS interface and the radio main interface. CCC has a 10-pin interface, CIC has a 4-pin interface, and NBT and Evo have a 6-pin interface. Additionally, different iDrive system versions have slightly different radio main interfaces.

Using VIN Decoder to Determine iDrive Version

The last method is to check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and use an online VIN decoder to determine the iDrive version.

Upgrading to an Android screen has several benefits.

Firstly, the display effect of the Android screen is superior, with higher resolution and clearer viewing. Secondly, the Android screen supports more applications and software, which can meet a variety of daily life and entertainment needs. For example, you can watch online videos, use mobile applications, or even interact with the voice assistant integrated into the in-car system, providing a more convenient driving experience.

 In addition, upgrading to an Android screen can support built-in wireless/wired Carplay and Android Auto functions, allowing your phone to wirelessly connect to the in-car system, providing a more intelligent in-car entertainment experience. Furthermore, the update speed of the Android screen is faster, providing you with better software support and more features, bringing more convenient driving experience.

Finally, upgrading to an Android screen does not require reprogramming or cutting cables, and installation is non-destructive, ensuring the integrity and safety of the vehicle.

When upgrading the iDrive system, it is important to choose high-quality equipment and seek professional installation services. This can ensure that your iDrive system is more stable after the upgrade, while avoiding potential security risks. In addition, upgrading the iDrive system requires certain technical knowledge and experience, so it is best to seek professional technical support if you do not have relevant experience.

In summary, confirming the iDrive system version and upgrading to an Android screen can bring more convenience to your driving. It is important to choose high-quality equipment and seek professional installation services to ensure the stability and safety of the vehicle after the upgrade.