[DavidSTryk]

Hi everyone,

So here's another question from my end..

The iDrive controllers come in two different layouts depending on which year it made as far as I can tell. My question however is whether the function is determined by the button or how the headunit interprets it ?

I have an NBT unit which means the iDrive controller I have is the first image below.

If I were to buy an iDrive controller like the one pictured in image two, would I still get the same function from pressing the upper right button (tel vs map) when using it with my current headunit as it would just be interpreted as a press on the upper right button button or would the module from the iDrive controller try to send a signal telling the headunit to show "map" ?

[Neverlast]

Hi,

I have the same question as you, did you manage to find
out the button layout differences?


Thanks!

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by Neverlast

Hi,

I have the same question as you, did you manage to find
out the button layout differences?


Thanks!

No unfortunately not. No response, so I'm flying blind here ... haven't bought the nbt evo headunit yet so I'll be fine for now but would not want to switch out my ceramic iDrive controller if I can use it for the nbt evo unit as well.

[Neverlast]

Thanks for coming back, if by any chance you find something
out please let me know, I will do the same if I manage to
decipher the buttons!

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by Neverlast

Thanks for coming back, if by any chance you find something
out please let me know, I will do the same if I manage to
decipher the buttons!

@Neverlast


Found something .... Someone retrofitted id6 with an older iDrive controller which has the same layout as the ones we have. One of the things he found out is that the button for telephone no longer corresponds with the button mapping for id6 meaning his telephone button now opens up the navigation ...

So unfortunately this means that the ceramic controller I have with the telephone button will not be working as intended - well it's a minor issue but still that might become a lot more annoying down the road ... we'll see...

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

@Neverlast


Found something .... Someone retrofitted id6 with an older iDrive controller which has the same layout as the ones we have. One of the things he found out is that the button for telephone no longer corresponds with the button mapping for id6 meaning his telephone button now opens up the navigation ...

So unfortunately this means that the ceramic controller I have with the telephone button will not be working as intended - well it's a minor issue but still that might become a lot more annoying down the road ... we'll see...

You found it.

I remembered there was another thread sometime ago where someone attempted a controller swap.....and it was unsuccessful.

There are ceramic controllers for the new layout, fwiw.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

You found it.

I remembered there was another thread sometime ago where someone attempted a controller swap.....and it was unsuccessful.

There are ceramic controllers for the new layout, fwiw.

Yeah I know. Unfortunately I already bought the one with the old layout.

Do you happen to know if it's possible to just switch the buttons on an iDrive controller ?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

Yeah I know. Unfortunately I already bought the one with the old layout.

Do you happen to know if it's possible to just switch the buttons on an iDrive controller ?

Never tried it but doubt it.

The shape of the buttons are different.

Here's a list of the newer part numbers.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=65829459632

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Never tried it but doubt it.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=65829459632

I remember finding a listing on eBay for just the buttons - the module below was missing and the knob was missing to - so thinking it might be possible to just switch out the middle portion - the buttons -

I might try it out if I can find a listing for a broken controller, sold for parts...

[Neverlast]

That is interesing, so the new system he installed maps functions as per the newer controler. If his telephone calls up maps, what does nav do?
Also wonder what com does?

Judging from this info my system (I think its ID4) would keep the layout of
older controller? (map would call up phone, com would call up radio)

I hope I managed to express my thoughts coherently.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by Neverlast

That is interesing, so the new system he installed maps functions as per the newer controler. If his telephone calls up maps, what does nav do?
Also wonder what com does?

Judging from this info my system (I think its ID4) would keep the layout of
older controller? (map would call up phone, com would call up radio)

I hope I managed to express my thoughts coherently.

Well as far as I can tell the buttons on the iDrive itself doesn't mean anything really. Judging by the thread I referred to it seems the headunit is mapped out to define what each button do.

So telephone on our current iDrive controllers might be button no. 4 and the headunit just interprets the button press as button 4 which is mapped to navigation or whatever. So the way I see it's easier to swap out the buttons on the iDrive controller rather than replacing the entire controller.

If you're able to find replacement buttons that is ...

[Neverlast]

Much obliged!

One more question if you happen to know anything on the case...
I understand once touch controller is installed all its functions should work besides the touch function. Is the touch feature only a matter of the
touch ECU being plugged or does it require coding?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Neverlast

Much obliged!

One more question if you happen to know anything on the case...
I understand once touch controller is installed all its functions should work besides the touch function. Is the touch feature only a matter of the
touch ECU being plugged or does it require coding?

Both

I was looking through my extra parts over the weekend and found a touch ECU. Let me know if interested in buying.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Both

I was looking through my extra parts over the weekend and found a touch ECU. Let me know if interested in buying.

Do you happen to know what needs to be coded ? Should receive my touch ecu module tomorrow as well as an y splitter cable, but didn't know it needed coding.

[Neverlast]

Im also wondering if coding is a must, and if so can bimmercode be used.
Where did you source the cable?

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by Neverlast

Im also wondering if coding is a must, and if so can bimmercode be used.
Where did you source the cable?

Bought it from emtronika on eBay.. but honestly just search for Y-cable splitter for bmw ..

[BWbimmer]

I was playing around with different software versions of the same kind of Idrive and they are not compatible either. In the end I was swapping the elektroniks from inside. Not sure if this would work between you 2 different HW versions. Did you open the idrive?

[fredde85]

So if i understand it right. If you install the new idrive controller in an older so if i press the map button it will open telefon?

[BWbimmer]

Originally Posted by fredde85

So if i understand it right. If you install the new idrive controller in an older so if i press the map button it will open telefon?

I don't know. What I did is trying the replace my normal LCI IDrive with the Ceramic one, same shape, MAP and NAV on the left. I thought this should be easy. But the I drive was not recognized at all. Then I opened both of them and swapped the elektroniks. All good. I noticed that the sticker on the back did show different HW and SW numbers. So it's not just related the the layout. Even with the same layout it doesn't work.

Not sure what you are after, if it's the look or if it's the funktionality of the map button

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by BWbimmer

I don't know. What I did is trying the replace my normal LCI IDrive with the Ceramic one, same shape, MAP and NAV on the left. I thought this should be easy. But the I drive was not recognized at all. Then I opened both of them and swapped the elektroniks. All good. I noticed that the sticker on the back did show different HW and SW numbers. So it's not just related the the layout. Even with the same layout it doesn't work.

Not sure what you are after, if it's the look or if it's the funktionality of the map button

What month/year was your car built?

[fredde85]

Originally Posted by BWbimmer

I don't know. What I did is trying the replace my normal LCI IDrive with the Ceramic one, same shape, MAP and NAV on the left. I thought this should be easy. But the I drive was not recognized at all. Then I opened both of them and swapped the elektroniks. All good. I noticed that the sticker on the back did show different HW and SW numbers. So it's not just related the the layout. Even with the same layout it doesn't work.

Not sure what you are after, if it's the look or if it's the funktionality of the map button

I am doing it for the look

[BWbimmer]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

What month/year was your car built?

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/bp...=view&id=25815

Should have taken more care of this when I bought the ceramic one...