NBT retrofit in M3 2008 - progress

[v1per]

My car is 2008 328xi. I bought my car 2 years ago. Previous owner installed CIC kit from bimmerretrofit. Soon after, I installed rear-view camera from the same company. Now, NBT retrofit is exist for E-series, and after thinking a lot and saving €€€, I am ready to install NBT kit in my car.

I buyed complete NBT kit from bimmerretrofit, and just received it today. All parts are packed good and safe. The kit include following:

• NBT head unit
• NBT monitor (8.8”)
• Easy (eNBT) Retrofit Adapter
• iDrive touch controller
• Center console trim
• Wiring kit
• Rear-view camera

I will do installation on weekend, and will post updates in this thread.
Very cannot wait!

[v1per]

forget to take foto of backup camera and center console trim

[JSebF1]

Nice... what kind wiring kit do U need ??? just for back up camera ...can U give us more info and parts numbers for extra wires. Thanks

[v1per]

I finish install yesterday. Took me long to do, but final system is good!

Notable aspects:

• Rework of center console trim required to fit idrive touch controller. Time consuming, must be caring to avoid damage.
• Easy to instal trouch control module in center console
• Get wiring kit from bimmerretrofit - it values every dollor. If not get the wiring kit, must spend long hours to remove wires from before.
• Terminate MOST at the hub. MOST bus terminators may be faster, but final quality is better if terminate at HUB.
• Rear-view camera instal is also long, but new version of camera is better (picture and handle) than old version

Did not need use PC utility. All worked from box - did not expect this.
Have SOS error after instal. Have coding booked for this week to erase error.

[mkPOTO]

very nice, do you mind if I send you a pm? I have one currently as well and was wondering if you could help me out!

[v1per]

Originally Posted by JSebF1

Nice... what kind wiring kit do U need ??? just for back up camera ...can U give us more info and parts numbers for extra wires. Thanks

Is a standard wiring kit supplied by bimmerretrofit. I think it is custom-made for customer's car by bimmerretrofit. I did not notice part numbers on the wires
I had USB cable, extension cables for existing ECUs to retain current features like Bluetooth, USB, AUX.

[v1per]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

very nice, do you mind if I send you a pm? I have one currently as well and was wondering if you could help me out!

Of course, please send PM. I will happily help if I can.

[modkrazy]

Are you able to use the original rearview camera you bought, or did you have to purchase a new one? I asked them if NBT retrofit would be compatible with their guidelines camera, and was told no.

[v1per]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

Are you able to use the original rearview camera you bought, or did you have to purchase a new one? I asked them if NBT retrofit would be compatible with their guidelines camera, and was told no.

I wanted buy new rear-view camera (new version, better quality). Old one is theoretically possible to use with NBT, but new wires are needed to connect camera to eNBT module. They explained that camera wires must be cut and connected to different place in eNBT module.

[swifty]

Question: Isn't the NBT monitor different size from the CIC monitor? And it's supposed to be a simple flat panel screen too correct?

Does bimmerretrofit alter the NBT monitor in a way that you can fit it into the existing idrive panel?

[v1per]

Originally Posted by swifty

Question: Isn't the NBT monitor different size from the CIC monitor? And it's supposed to be a simple flat panel screen too correct?

Does bimmerretrofit alter the NBT monitor in a way that you can fit it into the existing idrive panel?

The monitor which I received is custom built by Bimmer Retrofit, it fits very nicely, without problems. BMW does not manuafcture NBT monitors for E-series BMWs, so you cannot by original NBT monitor for 3-series. You need to do modification yourself or by kit from someone else. I did not want to do modification, so I bought all from bimmer retrofit.

[glachhman]

Does handwriting work?

[narkotic]

Good lord that is commitment to a old car! What in the world did that cost?

I would hope the hand-writing function works, as that would be the ONLY reason I could see any validity in this retrofit. CIC seems to work fine for me, albeit it's a little sluggish at times but honestly, who the hell uses the built in nav anyway, mobile phone navigation is just so much easier.

[v1per]

Originally Posted by narkotic

Good lord that is commitment to a old car! What in the world did that cost?

I would hope the hand-writing function works, as that would be the ONLY reason I could see any validity in this retrofit. CIC seems to work fine for me, albeit it's a little sluggish at times but honestly, who the hell uses the built in nav anyway, mobile phone navigation is just so much easier.

Handwriting works well!
Price was ~2,800 canadian dollars + shipping (touch controller is not cheap).I I had CIC retrofit before. NBT is a lot better than CIC: faster, better contrast, media fettures. Touch controller is like my god
I like navigation built in NBT. I tried using google app on iPhone, but it does wiered thing - calls my car, and dictates directions via car speakers, music stops - dislike

[swifty]

Does NBT play Video directly from the iphone?

[v1per]

Originally Posted by swifty

Does NBT play Video directly from the iphone?

I don't keep music/video on iPhone and never tested.
What I do is record video on external hard drive (passport, 2 terabytes) and plug it in USB in armrest and watch videos!
For music I use webradio or record music from USB stick to NBT hard drive.

[swifty]

Originally Posted by v1per

I don't keep music/video on iPhone and never tested.
What I do is record video on external hard drive (passport, 2 terabytes) and plug it in USB in armrest and watch videos!
For music I use webradio or record music from USB stick to NBT hard drive.

I'm assuming you can't watch videos using external sources thru USB on CIC.

Honestly I wish someone would come up with a way to use Apple's Carplay using existing system.

[v1per]

Originally Posted by swifty

I'm assuming you can't watch videos using external sources thru USB on CIC.

Honestly I wish someone would come up with a way to use Apple's Carplay using existing system.

I don't think on CIC you can watch videos from USB.
Before I buyed NBT, I checked if it is possible, and I remember reading that Combox box and 6NR are needed, but only iTunes can be used for video playing.

[hooligan]

This is so great! You still like NBT kit as before? I ordered my NBT recently and should receive everything this week. Will begin installation soon. Can I PM you in case of questions?

[CurbBender'90]

This is a beautiful thing, I have plans for this myself in the future...

[motorvation]

So as I'm reading this I'm thinking to myself should i even bother going from my CCC in my 2008 M3 to CIC or just skip CIC and go straight to this NBT version? I was on bimmerretrofits site and didn't see a NBT kit.

[debom3]

This is awesome. Thanks for posting