NBT EVO Upgrade

SWFLf10 · 07-16-2022, 07:22 PM

Today I upgraded from my original NBT iDrive system to the NBT EVO system. All I can say is wow! It is incredible how much more modern the car feels.

I went through code-my-bimmer for the head unit, adapter to retain the original NBT screen, and a wifi antenna for wireless CarPlay. I had questions before my purchase that Steve answered promptly and professionally. Today during the install I sent an email asking to confirm some wiring and I got an immediate response with a diagram and clear explanation.

In the future I plan on retrofitting a touchscreen, but for now the standard NBT screen works wonderfully with the original iDrive knob.

I highly recommend going through Steve with code-my-bimmer if you decide to go this route also. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

(You'll have to click the photo on mobile to see the whole thing since the photo is portrait)

VP007 · 07-18-2022, 12:34 AM

This is something I have been looking into.

Did you manage to keep your Connected Drive services and Remote Services or are these lost now?

RJV3 · 07-18-2022, 07:03 AM

If I'm not mistaken, it's worth upgrading the screen also since the resolution is sharper than the ones that came with id4 (nbt).

My car came with id5 (nbt Evo) and coded it to id6 lite. I dont recommend the touch screen since it's a finger print magnet and the screen distance from driver seat isn't close enough. The Idrive controller is good enough.

SWFLf10 · 07-18-2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP007

This is something I have been looking into.

Did you manage to keep your Connected Drive services and Remote Services or are these lost now?

Connected Drive services were lost already due to the 3G sunset unfortunately. So this had no impact on me.

Everything else seems to work perfect.

SWFLf10 · 07-18-2022, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJV3

If I'm not mistaken, it's worth upgrading the screen also since the resolution is sharper than the ones that came with id4 (nbt).

My car came with id5 (nbt Evo) and coded it to id6 lite. I dont recommend the touch screen since it's a finger print magnet and the screen distance from driver seat isn't close enough. The Idrive controller is good enough.

The current screen is actually really quite nice. But I do plan on going the touchscreen in the future with a higher resolution. As much as I hate fingerprints and love the idrive controller, there are times where a touchscreen seems like it would be quicker and safer to use, mainly when using CarPlay

AndyTiskF06 · 07-18-2022, 06:10 PM

I was looking at this, is this the $1400 kit, how long and complicated was the install?

SWFLf10 · 07-18-2022, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyTiskF06

I was looking at this, is this the $1400 kit, how long and complicated was the install?

Yes, that's it. I added on the screen adapter to be able to use the original screen and the wifi antenna for CarPlay. Highly recommend it.

The install wasn't bad. I can add install photos and link a YouTube video if needed. It took me a couple hours, but I also swapped the radio volume knob for one without the power icon and cleaned the trim while I had it all apart.

Kwj · 07-26-2022, 07:34 AM

Looks great! I've been looking into this for a while and have yet to pull the trigger. Would you mind posting your install photos and a YouTube video whenever you get a chance? Would really appreciate it!

SWFLf10 · 07-26-2022, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwj

Looks great! I've been looking into this for a while and have yet to pull the trigger. Would you mind posting your install photos and a YouTube video whenever you get a chance? Would really appreciate it!

Of course. I don't have any video, but do have photos. Sorry for the delay, just traveled overseas last minute for work

SWFLf10 · 07-27-2022, 04:18 PM

Here are the main photos of the install.

VP007 · 07-28-2022, 12:39 AM

Many thanks for the photos.

Quick question, if you were keeping the original Idrive control knob, how come you needed to lift up that area?

SWFLf10 · 07-28-2022, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP007

Many thanks for the photos.

Quick question, if you were keeping the original Idrive control knob, how come you needed to lift up that area?

Good catch.

I thought the newer style knob was required, but I was mistaken. So there really is no need to remove that from what I can tell. I tried the newer style knob and it didn't seem to communicate, and when I looked closer I realized it wouldn't physically fit anyway. It did plug in just fine though.

And I planned on cleaning the trim really well with it out too, so at least that was beneficial for that reason for me.

VP007 · 07-28-2022, 04:47 PM

Ah ok, that makes sense.

I see that you needed to get the screen cable to make your existing screen. That would suggest the screens used with NBT were APIX1. What I’m confused about is that the factory 6 series with NBT EVO also have the same looking screen. So wondering how you can tell the difference between APIX1 and APIX2.

I’ve got NBT and the screen like you as mine is an F06 Oct 2015 build.

SWFLf10 · 07-30-2022, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP007

Ah ok, that makes sense.

I see that you needed to get the screen cable to make your existing screen. That would suggest the screens used with NBT were APIX1. What I'm confused about is that the factory 6 series with NBT EVO also have the same looking screen. So wondering how you can tell the difference between APIX1 and APIX2.

I've got NBT and the screen like you as mine is an F06 Oct 2015 build.

That part I'm not sure of unfortunately.

Qsilver7 · 07-30-2022, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFLf10

…I also swapped the radio volume knob for one without the power icon …

What was the reason for changing out the VOL knob to the earlier version? Just curious.

SWFLf10 · 07-30-2022, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFLf10

…I also swapped the radio volume knob for one without the power icon …

What was the reason for changing out the VOL knob to the earlier version? Just curious.

I really can't stand when it's not completely straight with the power logo. I'm a bit OCD with things. Looks much better in my personal opinion now. Did the same on my F10 too.

Qsilver7 · 07-30-2022, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFLf10

I really can't stand when it's not completely straight with the power logo.

Ah…it’s about symmetry…totally get it. Thanks for the explanation.

BTW…love your interior….Amaro, right? There’s a dealer selling a 650ix GC and they have the interior as Amaro…but it is a darker brown Merino leather which I believe is actually Cohiba which is similar in color to the cigar.

SWFLf10 · 07-31-2022, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWFLf10

I really can't stand when it's not completely straight with the power logo.

Ah…it's about symmetry…totally get it. Thanks for the explanation.

BTW…love your interior….Amaro, right? There's a dealer selling a 650ix GC and they have the interior as Amaro…but it is a darker brown Merino leather which I believe is actually Cohiba which is similar in color to the cigar.

Thank you! Yes, mine is the Amaro. I wasn't sure if it at first, as I've always loved the darker brown interiors. But seeing it in person I really loved it, especially with the matching headliner.

07-16-2022, 07:22 PM	#1
SWFLf10 Captain 374 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2016 Alpina B6, 2015 535i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW Alpina B6 ... [10.00] 2015 BMW 535i [8.83]	Today I upgraded from my original NBT iDrive system to the NBT EVO system. All I can say is wow! It is incredible how much more modern the car feels. I went through code-my-bimmer for the head unit, adapter to retain the original NBT screen, and a wifi antenna for wireless CarPlay. I had questions before my purchase that Steve answered promptly and professionally. Today during the install I sent an email asking to confirm some wiring and I got an immediate response with a diagram and clear explanation. In the future I plan on retrofitting a touchscreen, but for now the standard NBT screen works wonderfully with the original iDrive knob. I highly recommend going through Steve with code-my-bimmer if you decide to go this route also. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! (You'll have to click the photo on mobile to see the whole thing since the photo is portrait) Attached Images
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07-18-2022, 12:34 AM	#2
VP007 Private 74 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 6 Series Gran Coupe Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This is something I have been looking into. Did you manage to keep your Connected Drive services and Remote Services or are these lost now?
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07-18-2022, 07:03 AM	#3
RJV3 Customize Everything! 44 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 17 F06 Gran Coupe/ 16 F10 535 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	If I'm not mistaken, it's worth upgrading the screen also since the resolution is sharper than the ones that came with id4 (nbt). My car came with id5 (nbt Evo) and coded it to id6 lite. I dont recommend the touch screen since it's a finger print magnet and the screen distance from driver seat isn't close enough. The Idrive controller is good enough.
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07-18-2022, 06:10 PM	#6
AndyTiskF06 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2015 F06 650 Gran Coupe Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	I was looking at this, is this the $1400 kit, how long and complicated was the install?
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07-26-2022, 07:34 AM	#8
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Looks great! I've been looking into this for a while and have yet to pull the trigger. Would you mind posting your install photos and a YouTube video whenever you get a chance? Would really appreciate it!
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07-27-2022, 04:18 PM	#10
SWFLf10 Captain 374 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2016 Alpina B6, 2015 535i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW Alpina B6 ... [10.00] 2015 BMW 535i [8.83]	Here are the main photos of the install. Attached Images Last edited by SWFLf10; 07-27-2022 at 04:24 PM..
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07-28-2022, 12:39 AM	#11
VP007 Private 74 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 6 Series Gran Coupe Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Many thanks for the photos. Quick question, if you were keeping the original Idrive control knob, how come you needed to lift up that area?
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07-28-2022, 04:47 PM	#13
VP007 Private 74 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 6 Series Gran Coupe Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Ah ok, that makes sense. I see that you needed to get the screen cable to make your existing screen. That would suggest the screens used with NBT were APIX1. What I’m confused about is that the factory 6 series with NBT EVO also have the same looking screen. So wondering how you can tell the difference between APIX1 and APIX2. I’ve got NBT and the screen like you as mine is an F06 Oct 2015 build.
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