Nav in a '04 330cic

[Greeps]

I've ordered an 04 330ci convertible w/o nav. I have a '97 540 now with nav so know the BMW nav system, or the way it was in 97. I've even got the TV working.

Anyway is there a way to hook up a Lexus touchscreen NAV system to a BMW? It seems far superior to the BMW.... :?:

[david]

what tv? how did you get a tv working????

[garycck]

If Im you I'll just put those aftermarket NaVi in the car.
Alpine and Pioneer made good ones...

[Greeps]

There was a method posted on the Internet in about '98 or '99. I remember holding a button down, turning on the ignition for a set number of seconds, then off again. It has worked ever since. You can scan for TV signals and it stores all the strong signals it finds. The steering controls don't control the TV (you cannot channel up with a steering wheel button), you must use the knobs to change the station. Also there's a narrow strip near the top of the display with a message so it isn't a totally clear screen. The antenna sucks and stations fade in and out while driving if you enable it while driving... I don't. It's ok to watch a football game while parked, though.


The technique enables the TV to work all the time. The 97 had the male voice and I believe it will only work with the NAV with the male voice. Anyway, if you actually have one, leave me a message and I'll try to find the technique for you.

[david]

i have an 02 330i with the nav system from the factory!!!! if you can find that for me i'd be eccstatic!
how the fuck do you spell that?

[Greeps]

OK, for those that asked:
This comes from
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t102953.html

This tip came from BMWWorld.com

Watch TV / Videotext during driving

This works on all 5/7 Series with the Mk. I Navigation System (the one with the male voice). On Mk II (the newer version with the female voice) you have to use "brightness" instead of contrast for TV and "color" instead of brightness for videotext to get the trick to work. I know that the trick works on latest 99 7series models as well. But I heard also that some cars sold into the US do not have any TV equipment on board. You will notice this as they do not have any TV option in the main menu. Also latest BMWs sold in Europe (2000 onward, 3/5/7 series) have the trick disabled! The only chance to get the TV running is somewhere hidden in the menu of the BMW Sevice Tester DIS. But up to now I can't thell you where. If I ever find it out, I'll post it here!

As far as I know the software update for latest navigation CD Roms does not affect or disable this trick.

Set ignition to pos. II
enter TV mode
enter "settings"
enter "contrast"
when the green contrast bar is visible, push the knob and keep it pressed
turn ignition off (keep button pressed!)
wait 8-10 seconds (timing must be accurate!)
release the knob
turn on ignition again
Now you can watch TV during driving (but always keep at least one eye on the road - that said)
To watch videotext use the same procesure as above, but chose"brightness" instead of "contrast" (thanks to my friend Herbert Posner, who discovered this secret).

Have fun