Which iDrive system do I have? (CCC, CIC, NBT)
Which iDrive system do I have? (CCC, CIC, NBT)
BMW is working all the time on iDrive interface changes, as well as introducing newer, more advanced hardware and faster processors to support new features. The iDrive system (or the head unit, which is its main element) in each BMW defines not only the availability or absence of these very features and also its price.
There are some key distinctions between the iDrive versions that will really make a difference for a driver who likes to stream music from various devices, play films on the BMW display or use their favorite smartphone apps through the car’s system.
There are aftermarket solutions to upgrade the iDrive for a reasonable price. But to know how to retrofit it and what you will get with the new system, first you need to find out what you have and what features are available in your existing iDrive. So, how do you check the iDrive version in your BMW?
Which iDrive do I have?
So, there are 3 ways to determine which iDrive system you have:
1. By the year of production
Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to determine your iDrive version with 100% accuracy, because in some countries the production month can be different. But at least you’ll have some understanding which head unit can be in your BMW.
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 | 06/2004 – 09/2008 | |
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 | 03/2005 – 09/2008 | |
CCC(Car Communication Computer) | 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 |
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
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 | |
CIC(Car Information Computer) | 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 |
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
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 | |
NBT (CIC-HIGH, also called the Next Big Thing – NBT) |
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 |
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
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 | |
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID4 | 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 |
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
1-Series F20/F21 | 07/2016 – present | |
2-Series F22 | 07/2016 – present | |
3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 | 07/2016 – present | |
4-Series F32/F33/F36 | 07/2016 – present | |
5-Series G30/G31/G38 | 10/2016 – present | |
6-Series F06/F12/F13 | 07/2016 – present | |
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID5/ID6 | 6-Series G32 | 07/2017 – present |
7-Series G11/G12/G13 | 07/2016 – present | |
X3 F25 | 07/2016 – present | |
X3 G01 | 11/2017 – present | |
X4 F26 | 07/2016 – present | |
X5 F15/F85 | 07/2016 – present | |
X6 F16/F86 | 07/2016 – present |
iDrive | Series/Model | Timeframes |
3-Series G20 | 09/2018 - present | |
MGU (Media Graphic Unit) |
8-Series G14/G15 | 09/2018 - present |
X5 G05 | 09/2018 - present | |
Z4 G29 | 09/2018 - present |
2. By the interface
All of the iDrive systems have specific interfaces, so it’s also worth checking out the look of the menu in comparison with other head units to identify the iDrive version.
CCC
CIC
NBT / NBT Evo ID 4
NBT Evo ID5
NBT Evo ID6
MGU ID7
BMW Navigation Update
If you want to replace your current iDrive system with a new one, it will certainly be a hardware upgrade. It’s important not to mix it with the BMW software update which doesn’t require any part replacement, only coding.
So, jumping from NBT to NBT Evo with the help of a BMW update is not possible because the underlying hardware is completely different. Also, the kit contents and price will depend on your existing car’s configurations – it may happen that you only need to install a new screen & head unit leaving your native controller and trim. However, in some cases, the iDrive upgrade may require all of the above mentioned together with additional cables, connectors and modules. For some cars the list of iDrive auto parts might be pretty long and installation – quite expensive.
How to Remove BMW Head Unit?
Be it a CIC or NBT head unit, in order to take it out you would need to:
- disconnect the negative battery terminal in your trunk
- remove the top and bottom pieces of the trim taking into account all the connections behind them (it’s always better to use professional trim tools not to break any clips or leave scratches)
- remove the faceplate (secured by screws)
- unscrew the T20s that hold the head unit and gently pull it out
- carefully remove all the connections in the back of the head unit
What are the main differences between CIC and NBT Evo
- music streams wirelessly from the phone through Apple Carplay
- plays videos from a USB stick with Enhanced Bluetooth activated
- higher screen resolution and contrast
- 3D maps available
- iDrive Touch Controller
These are the main differences between head units in cars with BMW Navigation System Professional. From all of this information you can choose the iDrive system that will be a real value for money upgrade.
We offer Carplay modules for every BMW head unit, you can find our collection HERE