NBT retrofit with LCI screen - Pre-LCI F12

[hugo_nz]

For the complete NBT Retrofit see this thread: https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1607744

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So after my stint with the android screen replacement, and the subsequent discovery that (a) it was not suited to the convertible owing to extreme glare and (b) I managed to crack my original iDrive screen, I decided to embark on an NBT retrofit. My insurance is kind enough to pick up the tab since I put the claim through them and the NBT retrofit costs half of what just a replacement CIC screen costs.

Why NBT and not EVO? This was a tough decision, but ultimately I chose to go with NBT since EVO would mean losing my HUD. There would also be some issues with regards to the screen since a modified F15 screen would be supplied. The NBT kit would allow me to retain the HUD, but I was unhappy with being supplied the older-looking display (plastic frames with no glass). Bimmer Retrofit were unable to source an LCI display (they didn't even know you got those). Here's a rundown of the screens:



Notice how the NBT EVO screen shape is just slightly different. Either way, even when comparing these to, say, an X5's NBT display it's clear that no other model's display would fit given how wide the original CIC display trim was designed to be. The mounting is also different to most every other BMW (two screws on the bottom, two screws on the back plate and two screws along the top)

So, I managed to find a supplier who sells the glass LCI screens brand new, and mine arrived today. US$299 is a steal:





I hooked it up to our F15 X5 to make sure it works, and it does. 100%.

I'll keep this thread updated with the retrofit progress. LINK to display supplier.

[peter777]

Very interesting!

So please take a lot of pictures and show us what's going on with your display :-)

I have a 2011 640i F13 and I am very interested in such things... I wanted a NBT Evo but that would be in Austria round about 2000$... that's too much I think...

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by peter777

Very interesting!

So please take a lot of pictures and show us what's going on with your display :-)

I have a 2011 640i F13 and I am very interested in such things... I wanted a NBT Evo but that would be in Austria round about 2000$... that's too much I think...

My retrofit is around US$2000 all-in. Evo would've been only a couple of hundred $ more.

If your car has HUD though you will lose that when going to NBT EVO. I studied the wiring and coms diagrams and while the lines of communication remain mostly unchanged the incompatibility comes down to the gateway communication table in the car.

EDIT: Losing HUD as mentioned above applies when using an adapter module to do the retrofit. It is possible to retrofit NBT and EVO without the adapter but it's a bit more technical. Also, retrofitting from CIC tot EVO in this manner requires updating modules in the car beyond just the iDive computer and screen. More info on my retrofit thread: https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1600857

[Tungmeister]

Is this due to you having a CIC to begin with? I've just upgraded to an Evo from my NBT without any problems with my HUD. I used my factory LCI screen with the Evo HU and a voltage Stepdown converter (going to do a write up soon)

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by Tungmeister

Is this due to you having a CIC to begin with? I've just upgraded to an Evo from my NBT without any problems with my HUD. I used my factory LCI screen with the Evo HU and a voltage Stepdown converter (going to do a write up soon)

Yup that's correct. Also wouldn't have been a problem of the car was an LCI model, but as it's a pre-lci...no HUD for EVO if retrofitting with an adapter.

[dsocold]

where can i buy an lci display for that thats an amaazing price

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by dsocold

where can i buy an lci display for that thats an amaazing price

Link is in the first post :-)

[dsocold]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Link is in the first post :-)

o wow thanks so this display will work with my stock 2015 nbt headunit ?

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by dsocold

o wow thanks so this display will work with my stock 2015 nbt headunit ?

Should be good to go yeah. You may need a different backing plate but it's only another couple $$. Functionally I've only been able to test it in our x5 with NBT and it works 100% as expected.

Backing plate part number is 65509380963 (based on what others have said who have done this same swap)

[dsocold]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Should be good to go yeah. You may need a different backing plate but it's only another couple $$. Functionally I've only been able to test it in our x5 with NBT and it works 100% as expected.

Backing plate part number is 65509380963 (based on what others have said who have done this same swap)

this lci unit is not a touch display unit though right?. and does this lci dispay have a reflective spray coating like the pre lci screen does that rubs off very easily?

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by dsocold

this lci unit is not a touch display unit though right?. and does this lci dispay have a reflective spray coating like the pre lci screen does that rubs off very easily?

Non touch and I think the anti-glare coating on the glass screens is much more resilient than in the soft screens found in the 6-series.

[MARKPRIOR]

watching this thread, im not a fan of the older nbt screen i have.

for me going from NBT to this is just a straight swap of the screen ?

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by MARKPRIOR

watching this thread, im not a fan of the older nbt screen i have.

for me going from NBT to this is just a straight swap of the screen ?

Should be yeah. May or may not need a different backing, but the electronics are plug and play.

[iamvanja]

hugo_nz You should take some commission from their sales, you got many people excited about this, myself included
Who wants to order this for a 2015 F06? I'd like to get it, but not sure if a different backing would be necessary and how much would that complicate the installation.

Does anyone know if the resolution is the same as the original NBT screen (800x480)?

I scratched mine slightly when I was installing CarPlay.

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

hugo_nz You should take some commission from their sales, you got many people excited about this, myself included
Who wants to order this for a 2015 F06? I'd like to get it, but not sure if a different backing would be necessary and how much would that complicate the installation.

Does anyone know if the resolution is the same as the original NBT screen (800x480)?

I scratched mine slightly when I was installing CarPlay.

Nah, I do it for the love of the BMW community. The F06/F12/F13 share the same dashboard, and a quick glance at the parts catalog shows that the back panel parts are used across all three models.

This is the LCI back plate I ordered:Rear Screen Cover Trim

As noted elsewhere on the forum, this is actually meant for the NBT EVO screen, which has slightly different catches to secure the back to the actual screen frame, so some minor modification is required. A few pieces of plastic prevent the back piece from sitting flush with the screen. I used my Dremel to neatly cut away those pieces, as below:




Once done the two fit hand-in-glove, though the catches on the screen have nowhere in particular to grab on to. I have combed through technical documents and ETK to try and find the actual back panel to this screen, but I can't find anything. Either way this back piece fits just fine.




I did a test install in the car too. As expected it's a straight fit.





My NBT Kit just arrived in the country this morning, so I am hopeful that it will be delivered before the weekend. I'll post pictures of the install on a dedicated retrofit thread.

[Pano6]

You mentioned it cost you $2,000. If the screen is only $300 and backing plate $30. Where is the additional cost coming from?

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by Pano6

You mentioned it cost you $2,000. If the screen is only $300 and backing plate $30. Where is the additional cost coming from?

I'm doing a NBT retrofit to replace the old CIC system. It came to just under $2k for the NBT hardware without the screen.