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

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