e39 M5 – Sat nav upgraded from Mk2 to Mk4
Comments(13) The M5′s native navigation system is incredibly slow and ugly. All the graphics for the computer and radio functions look rather 90s.
I had acquired a widescreen unit for the front of the car, but this didn’t really improve the on-screen graphics, and the navigation was still so very slow.
The navigation computer is a MkII CD based device in the boot.
I acquired a MkIV DVD based system on eBay, so pulled the fuse for the nav system, hauled out the out unit. They are both the same physical size, but the new MkIV unit has an additional connection (see below in red).
It turns out that this is for the GPS aerial. In standard form the car has a “Trimble” GPS module to which the GPS aerial connects. This information then passes to the nav computer along the main wiring. The MkIV computer has its own on-board GPS module, so I needed to locate the Trimble unit, and move the GPS aerial connection. This connection can be seen in the centre of the photo below. I tried to highlight this in red, but perhaps a different colour would have made matters clearer!
This done, it was time to get the new computer in place.
I popped the nav system fuse back in, switched on the ignition and waited. Immediately I got the nice ~BMW~ logo on screen that I am familiar with in the 330d. Next the interface came to life looking significantly improved. The only issue seemed to be that the car thought it was somewhere up north.
The GPS service menu (accessed by going to ‘SET’, moving the cursor down, then holding down ‘MENU’ for about 6 seconds) told me that there was satelite inteference. I wasn’t sure what to do at this point – I knew I had connected the GPS cable correctly, and there’s not much else that can go wrong! I nipped back to the laptop to do some research, returned a couple of minutes later none the wiser, but did find that the car had found a couple of satelites. It still thought it was up north though! Still, about five minutes later I was greeted with this display:
Bonus! Lo and behold, the map system is now nice and spangly, with the added bonus of it even knowing where I am!
Nice and smart in the boot too. Overall – *so* much better than before. It is really quick too – maybe I need to do the same in the tractor!
Hi, Brilliant idea and brilliant article. I own a 2001 e39 se would it be possible to fit the same system as you? If so what parts would I require? And how do you remove existing unit, in my case it will be radio/cassette player and six stack cd player. Yours Ged hill.
I’m afraid that if you don’t already have a TV display of any sort in the car, the operation is rather more complex. As I understand it, you need to fit an additional loom to carry the picture signal to the front of the car. This isn’t impossible, just requires a lot more labour.
Then you need the screen, TV tuner, separate radio module and the GPS receiver – and of course the TV and radio aerials. I’ve never done the whole job myself, but there’s a fair bit about it on various BMW forums.
Good luck!
Hi, I own a 2001 e39 se would it be possible to fit the same system as you? If so what parts would I require? And how do you remove existing unit, my car with sceen 16:9 & MKIII….how can built this drive (dvd Mk4)? same time can play Mp3 cd in this nav. (dvd)
& thanks
Hello,
I’m afraid you can’t play MP3 CDs in the DVD drive – that drive is only for navigation information disks. If you’ve already got MkIII nav and a 16:9 screen, you should only need a MkIV DVD drive, and it should be plug and play. Hopefully you’ll be able to realise some value in your old MkIII drive on eBay too!
hi. just read your up grade looks good i would like to do same. but at 70 year old i’m a bit slower. so could you email full instructions for changing over also when you found the airial conection what did you do did you run wire from trimble to the exra fitting to arial in red hope this all makes sense thaks for your time dennis
Hi Dennis. To give full instructions I’d have to dismantle it and refit it as I can’t remember the details, and I’m afraid I can’t say when I’ll have the time to do that! I guess going slow is probably the key here, so just take your time and refer to my photos above. Good luck!
hello neil. thanks for your reply i will give it a try. thanks dennis
Hi Gents, I too have3 had probs with my nav, I have my mk 4 used on CD but has developed fault.it is telling me to put map disk in. even when disk is in it tells me to put it in. i have no nav display at all. dont know where to go for updates or new computor mk 4. not sure about buying sec hand.anyway i have system plugs adrift doing checks. anyway gents any ideas.
pat uk
Hi Pat. I guess the first thing you need to do is ascertain whether it is the DVD disc or the computer drive itself that is at fault. Do you know anyone else with a disc you could temporarily swap with? There are of course ‘backup’ discs available on eBay.
If it turns out that that drive itself is at fault, swapping in a replacement should be easy enough; although I appreciate the cost of sourcing that replacement won’t be very pleasant.
Hi, ive done everything you said , however do i need a GPS aerial, for the little gold nipple you highlighted? i ask because i cant get any satelites at all??
Hi Paul,
I’m afraid I did this such a long time ago I can only really refer you to the article. If you had a MkII system previously, you should have a Trimble GPS receiver tucked away. I have circled this in the 5th photo on this page. You need to disconnect the GPS aerial from there and plug it into the new MkIV unit.
I hope this helps!
I am wondering if you can help me connect a mk4 BMW sat nav which I got on ebay to my 730d 2003 BMW…it came without cables..no suprise..but can I get a connection cable? one that will plug into the two scokets of the navigation system an then to the v flat plugs in the boot side..
Hi Shaun,
Did your 730d have MkIII nav before? If so, it should just be plug and play. If not, the situation gets rather more complicated. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the plug arrangement in the boot of the 7 series, so I’m afraid I’m not confident I can help at all. Sorry!