[ultimate-tester]

Hi all,

I’m on the market looking for the appropriate head unit to upgrade my NBT to NBT EVO. I thought I had all information regarding software and hardware figured out, but now stumbled across a confusing item for sale.

Seller claims to have HW4.1 (photo of sticker confirms) but that the software is ID4. That combination I didn’t think existed. Could someone shed some light on this? Even if it could be an ID4, would it still have 4gb of Ram so an upgrade to ID6 is possible?

Glad to hear what you think so I can make this purchase or should steer clear from it.

[dangerus_car]

Afaik

Hw 2.1 id 4
Hw 3 id 5
Hw 4 id6

He is just trying to scam you with pictures. Remember, pictures are just pictures.

[YASBBYM3]

Originally Posted by ultimate-tester

Hi all,

I’m on the market looking for the appropriate head unit to upgrade my NBT to NBT EVO. I thought I had all information regarding software and hardware figured out, but now stumbled across a confusing item for sale.

Seller claims to have HW4.1 (photo of sticker confirms) but that the software is ID4. That combination I didn’t think existed. Could someone shed some light on this? Even if it could be an ID4, would it still have 4gb of Ram so an upgrade to ID6 is possible?

Glad to hear what you think so I can make this purchase or should steer clear from it.

It can probably be set in coding to ID4, but why would you? A HW 4.1 should run ID6 natively.

If sticker says HW4.1, why do you or the seller think it is running ID4?

Also make sure it is a USA not ECE unit, unless you are not in USA. No reason to upgrade and be missing 2 features in the USA (or Canada).

[Zheez]

Is the top of the unit black or silver? Hw3 and hw4 units have a black top and hw2 units have a silver top.

Either way it doesn’t seem right to me so I would avoid.

[dangerus_car]

Originally Posted by Zheez

Is the top of the unit black or silver? Hw3 and hw4 units have a black top and hw2 units have a silver top.

Either way it doesn’t seem right to me so I would avoid.

Appearance can be altered. Just like how the seller claims to have sticker of hw4.1 with id4.

Like yasbbym3 said, there is small chance the unit is flashed with id4 sw, but why go though the hassle when hw4 comes with latest sw from factory? Nobody can actually verify the hw spec unless with the right tool. Most likely seller is using a busted hw 4.1 shell then replace it onto a working unit id4 (most likely hw 2.x) then trying to sell it to uneducated buyer (but not you)

Scam, avoid at all cost.

[YASBBYM3]

If unsure about the other, I can assure you this one is legit

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1877667

[YASBBYM3]

Originally Posted by Zheez

Is the top of the unit black or silver? Hw3 and hw4 units have a black top and hw2 units have a silver top.

Either way it doesn’t seem right to me so I would avoid.

Great info. I’m embarrassed to say with the members I’ve personally assisted upgrading, I never noticed this difference. Then again, I’ve never held a HW 2.x or HW 3.x in my Hand as I figured if you are going to go through the trouble, you ought to do it right.

Again, GREAT tip

[ultimate-tester]

Many thanks for all the information so far. I should have informed you all that I’m from the Netherlands and purchasing straight from Germany. I have since learned that the donor car is a USA M6 from 2017. The seller told me it is running ID4, I haven’t asked further questions as I wanted to check my resources here first.

Having said that: the top metal is silver, but the plastic that extends from the dvd insert is black and it extends all the way over the top.

The GPS connector is absent which would lead again to HW4.1.

All in all, I see a lot of red flags here and I’ll avoid but would still like to share the pics.



EDIT: after confronting the seller he says he made a mistake and it is indeed ID6… what do y’all think?

[Zheez]

Well it does look like a correct ID6 unit. I'd personally want a Euro unit though because I do use DAB and you won't have DAB with that. Depends whether or not that bothers you.

[ultimate-tester]

Originally Posted by Zheez

Well it does look like a correct ID6 unit. I'd personally want a Euro unit though because I do use DAB and you won't have DAB with that. Depends whether or not that bothers you.

This would be important for me as well - but I assumed that the pink connector labeled "DAB" would be the correct one for use within Europe? Does DAB differ between the USA and Europe? Or is this base DAB and not DAB+ for example? I have absolutely no knowledge about this technology in particular.

[Zheez]

Fair point about it being labelled DAB, but a Euro head unit with DAB should have two antenna connections, curry and green coloured, like this:



Single pink connector is normally on US head units and is for SiriusXM satellite radio.

[ultimate-tester]

Gotcha. Many thanks for all the answers!

[YASBBYM3]

Another great example of people not checking for USA vs ECE on the label and screwing up in the process.

And don’t think these high priced retrofit companies won’t sell you the wrong HU.

Knowledge in the hands of the consumer is power. Don’t give up your power.

Do your homework