[DavidSTryk]

Hi guys,

Can anyone explain the differences between the iDrive controllers ? I mean besides the obvious being the size of the wheel ? I currently have the one with the small wheel and was contemplating going for the bigger one ... however seeing as the one I have sports five buttons at the top; media, radio, menu, telephone and navigation; wouldn't I just be better off replacing the small wheel with a bigger one ? If possible ? Or what am I missing ? Obviously I'm comparing two identical setups other than the size of the wheel .. so no touch or ceramic or anything - just 1:1 ...

Hope it makes sense ?

Btw... disregard the cd button on the image below .. just find a picture online to visualise what I'm babbling about ..

So is worth spending 120$ on a new iDrive controller or can exchange the wheel itself on my current ?

[obert]

The bottom one you can use the top of the button to write stuff on the screen but you need an adapter to make that part work.

So you would just be getting the different look. If you can find a ceramic one that looks much nicer.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

Hi guys,

Can anyone explain the differences between the iDrive controllers ? I mean besides the obvious being the size of the wheel ? I currently have the one with the small wheel and was contemplating going for the bigger one ... however seeing as the one I have sports five buttons at the top; media, radio, menu, telephone and navigation; wouldn't I just be better off replacing the small wheel with a bigger one ? If possible ? Or what am I missing ? Obviously I'm comparing two identical setups other than the size of the wheel .. so no touch or ceramic or anything - just 1:1 ...

Hope it makes sense ?

Btw... disregard the cd button on the image below .. just find a picture online to visualise what I'm babbling about ..

So is worth spending 120$ on a new iDrive controller or can exchange the wheel itself on my current ?

What model and year is your car?

Navigation or not?

Is it a CIC or early NBT unit?

I fully expect you have a CIC or early NBT unit which works on KCAN and the larger iDrive Controllers work on KCAN2, a different bus.

This means you would have to do some rewiring in the car.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

What model and year is your car?

Navigation or not?

Is it a CIC or early NBT unit?

I fully expect you have a CIC or early NBT unit which works on KCAN and the larger iDrive Controllers work on KCAN2, a different bus.

This means you would have to do some rewiring in the car.

I have a 316D F31 LCI Model. 2016 ... I have business navigation and NBT...

[DavidSTryk]

[QUOTE=DavidSTryk;25018632]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

What model and year is your car?

Navigation or not?

Is it a CIC or early NBT unit?

I fully expect you have a CIC or early NBT unit which works on KCAN and the larger iDrive Controllers work on KCAN2, a different bus.

This means you would have to do some rewiring in the car.

I have a 316D F31 LCI Model. 2016 ... I have business navigation and NBT...

Maybe I actually have NBT EVO??

[IK6SPEED]

[QUOTE=DavidSTryk;25018676]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

I have a 316D F31 LCI Model. 2016 ... I have business navigation and NBT...

Maybe I actually have NBT EVO??

Then you do not need to rewire.

Simple swap.

Surprised you do not have a touch controller already.

[DavidSTryk]

I think it's different in Germany (where the car was bought by the first owner) and from what I can see in Denmark, where I live, most cars have the small iDrive wheel except for cars with navigation pro...

But to get back to my original question - is it possible to just swap the wheel itself if that's the only difference between the two since I don't care about the touch part ?

[x-m4n]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

But to get back to my original question - is it possible to just swap the wheel itself if that's the only difference between the two since I don't care about the touch part ?

Yes, it's possible - the wheel can be found on eBay or amazon. Here a video I found with instructions:

[CarFan]

Is it possible to switch the larger knob for the smaller one? For some reason when I have a front seat passenger they end up resting their arm against the side of the knob causing the center screen to change -- map, music etc. I've only had the vehicle a month and never had this problem with my e92 but it seems that any trip longer than 25 mins or so it happens.

[emulajavi]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

I have a 316D F31 LCI Model. 2016 ... I have business navigation and NBT...

Maybe I actually have NBT EVO??

Hi. How did you get the info (current I-level state vs factory, etc) of the first of your pictures?

Thanks

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

I think it's different in Germany (where the car was bought by the first owner) and from what I can see in Denmark, where I live, most cars have the small iDrive wheel except for cars with navigation pro...

But to get back to my original question - is it possible to just swap the wheel itself if that's the only difference between the two since I don't care about the touch part ?

Just swap the controllers.

Simple operation. Swapping the knobs would be trickier.

[DavidSTryk]

[QUOTE=emulajavi;25047147]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

Hi. How did you get the info (current I-level state vs factory, etc) of the first of your pictures? T

Patrys@BimmerTech sent me the info ... you can insert your vin on bimmerTech's website and they will send back full specification as well as which options are available through their offerings on the Webshop.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Just swap the controllers.

Simple operation. Swapping the knobs would be trickier.

I ended up buying a ceramic touch controller ... just wished retrospectively that I had bought the newer version as I'm contemplating switch to NBT evo ...

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

I ended up buying a ceramic touch controller ... just wished retrospectively that I had bought the newer version as I'm contemplating switch to NBT evo ...

You can always sell the older unit.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

You can always sell the older unit.

You're right ... it would just be easier just to switch out the buttons rather than having to sell one unit and buying another

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by DavidSTryk

You're right ... it would just be easier just to switch out the buttons rather than having to sell one unit and buying another

No it wouldn't.

You need to look closer at the 2 devices.

The solution is to sell the older and purchase the newer.

[DavidSTryk]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

No it wouldn't.

You need to look closer at the 2 devices.

The solution is to sell the older and purchase the newer.

I think I'll stick to my own plan and let experience dictate what's easier or not instead of relying on your presumption... I don't think you understand what it is I mean/want to do.

Anyway - thanks for your input.