[gameson]

I am curious to know, what are the differences in HW spec (CPU, RAM, HDD) between NBT and NBT EVO and different HW version?

[ragenitro6]

Pretty certain the main difference is the RAM
NBT -> 2GB
NBT Evo -> 4GB

I'm sure there are other differences w/CPU, etc - I think I recall seeing NBT had 200GB HDD (CIC had 80GB) for music storage? NBT Evo has 400GB HDD and supports higher resolution display as well as double amount of RAM

Hope that helps some at least

[atzebmw]

NBT Evo ID4 (07/2015-07/2016) = 2GB
NBT Evo ID5/ID6 (from 07/2016) = 4GB

[gameson]

Originally Posted by atzebmw

NBT Evo ID4 (07/2015-07/2016) = 2GB
NBT Evo ID5/ID6 (from 07/2016) = 4GB

CPU is the same? Can the RAM be upgraded? I saw other day that the HDD is a standard 3.5 or 2.5 inch HDD that can be swap for SSD

[ragenitro6]

Originally Posted by gameson

CPU is the same? Can the RAM be upgraded? I saw other day that the HDD is a standard 3.5 or 2.5 inch HDD that can be swap for SSD

All threads I've seen about it seem to state can't upgrade RAM
I read an older thread earlier today about not being able to get an SSD drive working on NBT (but seamlessly works on NBT Evo according to several on thread) - they had tried a whole lot of SSD drives - seems NBT needs a lot of the SMART SSD options on it like 194 drive temperature or something along those lines

[atzebmw]

Originally Posted by gameson

CPU is the same? Can the RAM be upgraded? I saw other day that the HDD is a standard 3.5 or 2.5 inch HDD that can be swap for SSD

CPU is the same.
It is also possible to install the software from ID5/ID6 on a ID4 headunit.
But it runs a bit unstable because of the less RAM.

[gameson]

just a RAM difference? if CPU is the same, i hope the RAM is upgradable like using SO-DIMM laptop slot.

what do you mean when you said unstable? reboot by itself once in a while?

[ragenitro6]

Originally Posted by gameson

just a RAM difference? if CPU is the same, i hope the RAM is upgradable like using SO-DIMM laptop slot.

what do you mean when you said unstable? reboot by itself once in a while?

Freezes often and is laggy/sluggish and reboots itself etc

Obviously you'd have to open the HU to see about the RAM, but every thread I've seen about it states it's not upgradeable - even if you can get the RAM installed, I think you'd have to get into the bootloader to manipulate it and increase RAM

There is a pretty good thread here where guys have talked about updating HDD to SSD and other things pertaining to how security in bootloader is handled on NBT

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/u...ts-hdd.787230/

Not sure if RAM is more easily 'manipulated' than the HDD attempted upgrade/replacement

[gameson]

what would be the minimum HW version required to run iDrive 6 smoothly as I want to upgrade my NBT to NBT Evo? I have seen NBT Evo v 2.3 that runs iDrive 4, would 2.3 able to run iDrive 6 smoothly? My NBT iDrive 4 have Nav GPS feature, so I think i have a 8.8 inch non touch screen LCD?

I have seen HW ver 3.1, 3.2, 4.1? Is 4.1 the latest version?

Also if I am upgrading from NBT to EVO, do I need to buy new display or my 8.8" NBT display can do? I understand the newer display is touchscreen, but I m trying to reduce the upgrade cost (or buying piece by piece overtime).

What do I need to buy to upgrade while suppressing the cost as much as possible in order to make it work?

Thanks

[TheShadow]

Most people with issues have the first generation NBT EVO units as designated as Hardware 2.x units (HW 2.x on the front white label under the disc slot where x = a number).

Why do the big resellers/retrofitters love them?

⁃ Oldest NBT EVO units so more supply. BMW build dates from 2015 > July~Oct 2016.
⁃ Most users have never read or been told to check the HW version.
⁃ Units were transition from NBT so they have the GPS input on the rear of the HU. Resellers can buy a $10 GPS antenna off Amazon and send that with kit. HW 3.x and higher need an ATM connection for the GPS signal or a $350+ unit in its place. That runs up the cost considerably and you still have no Connected Drive/SOS features unless you already have ATM OEM or retrofitted one.


Why should end users hate them?

⁃ 2GB of RAM so units lockup and crash a lot
⁃ Slow
⁃ Older tech
⁃ Cannot transmit lock, location, gas or any other Connected Drive feature through an ATM. Must have your smartphone installed and paired in car for data connection, even if you have an ATM
⁃ Unable to provide higher USB current output for newer/larger Smartphones

Why anyone would spend the big money to do an OEM retrofit with anything less than a NBT EVO HW 4.1 unit is beyond me.

As a side note, there is a run on ALL used NBT EVO units at this time, primarily due to the semiconductor shortage affecting most Industries. As to why this is affecting the used parts market, I’ve heard several theories which all seem probable. Regardless, units on all used car parts sites and sites like eBay (and even Bimmerpost Classifieds) have literally disappeared. The few available have asking prices 2x-3x what they were selling for 12-18 months ago. And the selection of HW version is non-existent. So right now, not a lot of choices.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by TheShadow

Most people with issues have the first generation NBT EVO units as designated as Hardware 2.x units (HW 2.x on the front white label under the disc slot where x = a number).

Why do the big resellers/retrofitters love them?

⁃ Oldest NBT EVO units so more supply. BMW build dates from 2015 > July~Oct 2016.
⁃ Most users have never read or been told to check the HW version.
⁃ Units were transition from NBT so they have the GPS input on the rear of the HU. Resellers can buy a $10 GPS antenna off Amazon and send that with kit. HW 3.x and higher need an ATM connection for the GPS signal or a $350+ unit in its place. That runs up the cost considerably and you still have no Connected Drive/SOS features unless you already have ATM OEM or retrofitted one.


Why should end users hate them?

⁃ 2GB of RAM so units lockup and crash a lot
⁃ Slow
⁃ Older tech
⁃ Cannot transmit lock, location, gas or any other Connected Drive feature through an ATM. Must have your smartphone installed and paired in car for data connection, even if you have an ATM
⁃ Unable to provide higher USB current output for newer/larger Smartphones

Why anyone would spend the big money to do an OEM retrofit with anything less than a NBT EVO HW 4.1 unit is beyond me.

As a side note, there is a run on ALL used NBT EVO units at this time, primarily due to the semiconductor shortage affecting most Industries. As to why this is affecting the used parts market, I’ve heard several theories which all seem probable. Regardless, units on all used car parts sites and sites like eBay (and even Bimmerpost Classifieds) have literally disappeared. The few available have asking prices 2x-3x what they were selling for 12-18 months ago. And the selection of HW version is non-existent. So right now, not a lot of choices.

Thanks for the info, so you are saying unit with hw 3 or newer does not have gps unit port on them at all?

[Luverse]

Originally Posted by gameson

what would be the minimum HW version required to run iDrive 6 smoothly as I want to upgrade my NBT to NBT Evo? I have seen NBT Evo v 2.3 that runs iDrive 4, would 2.3 able to run iDrive 6 smoothly? My NBT iDrive 4 have Nav GPS feature, so I think i have a 8.8 inch non touch screen LCD?

I have seen HW ver 3.1, 3.2, 4.1? Is 4.1 the latest version?

Also if I am upgrading from NBT to EVO, do I need to buy new display or my 8.8" NBT display can do? I understand the newer display is touchscreen, but I m trying to reduce the upgrade cost (or buying piece by piece overtime).

What do I need to buy to upgrade while suppressing the cost as much as possible in order to make it work?

Thanks

just to be clear, you can't upgrade from NBT to NBT Evo, since its different

if you have idrive 4 NBT, then you can't upgrade to idrive 4, 5, or 6 NBT Evo unless you replace the whole unit

if you have idrive 4 NBT Evo, you can upgrade to idrive 5 or 6 NBT Evo, to activate fullscreen apple carplay. Just don't open the bmw navigation, as it will crash due to lack of RAM.

[karsayor]

Hi

If I have a HW 2.1 version of NBT EVO, can I replace it with a HW version 4.1 to make sur the flash to idrive 6 will then be working oK ?

[gameson]

Originally Posted by karsayor

Hi

If I have a HW 2.1 version of NBT EVO, can I replace it with a HW version 4.1 to make sur the flash to idrive 6 will then be working oK ?

When you buy hw4.1, it comes with id6 pre installed, so no need to install id6 again

[karsayor]

Originally Posted by gameson

When you buy hw4.1, it comes with id6 pre installed, so no need to install id6 again

Ok, but does it require any coding ? Or just replace the unit ?

[gameson]

Originally Posted by karsayor

Ok, but does it require any coding ? Or just replace the unit ?

Since you are replacing a new unit, then it requires coding to change vin to your car vin, then also if you are buying it outside of your region, need to change region.