[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

my as in my rear amp in the trunk? what if i change it out to an aftermarket amp?

You could test the analog outputs of the CIC once connected, but you will need a balanced signal compatible amp or converter to hear anything, and you will need to add RCA plugs to the speaker wires like this:







I would say, get the FSC codes first if there is no Nav display once you connect everything. That will give you the sound as well.

[longtran]

damn, this is getting too confusing. i will have the unit by next week. the cable in 2 weeks. we will see.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

damn, this is getting too confusing. i will have the unit by next week. the cable in 2 weeks. we will see.

Get the FSC codes... that's the most important thing.

[longtran]

ok, i have a gsm tcu. is this a good thing??

[Technic]

Yes, it is good news -and most probably the reason your controller works- because that's the TCU that matches the CIC new features (BMW Search, Weather, Gas prices, Stock quotes with the Convenience Plan) and software.

So one less compatible thing to worry about

[longtran]

Originally Posted by Technic

Yes, it is good news -and most probably the reason your controller works- because that's the TCU that matches the CIC new features (BMW Search, Weather, Gas prices, Stock quotes with the Convenience Plan) and software.

So one less compatible thing to worry about

what is FSC codes? i've ask alot of people and no one seem to know what that is. i'm still lost.

[longtran]

ok, just got off the phone with a bmw tech, he said they have the proper tool (isss) to program it. i guess we will see in 2 weeks.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

ok, just got off the phone with a bmw tech, he said they have the proper tool (isss) to program it. i guess we will see in 2 weeks.

He should read this first: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=180

Keep us updated...

[longtran]

Originally Posted by Technic

He should read this first: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=180

Keep us updated...

gotcha. i just need to tell him the SIB number and he should know. 2 more weeks. damn feels like i am going to pick up a new car all over again.

[Park828]

my car is a 03-07 build and i have the knob working.

[longtran]

Originally Posted by Park828

my car is a 03-07 build and i have the knob working.

thats what i thought too. anyone that have the 6 buttons under the cd player should be able to get it to work.

[dmurray14]

Good work longtran! Glad someone finally manned up and bought the stuff. Mind if I ask how much you got it for?

Sounds like Technic has a lot of good information, all of which I agree with. Though you could get the CIC to work with your audio system, you'll just have to have it recoded. Analog/digital audio is simply an option in the coding of the system. Flip the "switch" and it will begin transmitting the audio digitally (optically, I believe).

Assuming the CIC does not need to be VIN-coded to the car, and assuming ISIS is smart enough to be able to code it even if it doesn't apply to your model, the audio system type as well as all the other options will be calculated off your FA which is read by the system at the beginning of a coding session.

Please keep us updated, I'm very interested in how this turns out!

[longtran]

Originally Posted by dmurray14

Good work longtran! Glad someone finally manned up and bought the stuff. Mind if I ask how much you got it for?

Sounds like Technic has a lot of good information, all of which I agree with. Though you could get the CIC to work with your audio system, you'll just have to have it recoded. Analog/digital audio is simply an option in the coding of the system. Flip the "switch" and it will begin transmitting the audio digitally (optically, I believe).

Assuming the CIC does not need to be VIN-coded to the car, and assuming ISIS is smart enough to be able to code it even if it doesn't apply to your model, the audio system type as well as all the other options will be calculated off your FA which is read by the system at the beginning of a coding session.

Please keep us updated, I'm very interested in how this turns out!

i paid a lil under 1k. I guess if this CIC doesn't work, the monitor itself was still worth the money. I thinik the monitor new runs around 1400. i just got a text from the tech, and it does not look good.

whats the difference between a used CIC and a new CIC?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

thats what i thought too. anyone that have the 6 buttons under the cd player should be able to get it to work.

It seems that the USA M3 has a different iDrive code than the regular 3-Series, and it looks related to the swap of CDMA to GSM TCUs in 04/08: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280901

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

i paid a lil under 1k. I guess if this CIC doesn't work, the monitor itself was still worth the money. I thinik the monitor new runs around 1400. i just got a text from the tech, and it does not look good.

whats the difference between a used CIC and a new CIC?

The tech might have told you that he will not be able to provide you with the FSC unless you buy a blank -as in not previously installed in another car- CIC from them. That's what the OEM document that I posted before explicitly says.

The good news are that your used CIC is worth $500 as core change towards the price of a blank CIC, which costs some $900 (used to be $600 just a couple of months ago)/ $1400 including core charge at Tisher or United BMW, and most probably the dealer's CIC will be remanufactured and not completely brand new, but it will have a 2-years parts warranty.

The monitor is over $2000 including the core charge.

[longtran]

technic, i think this is not going to work.

what i need is an 09 m3 with the exact same set up as mine, so i can try it.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

technic, i think this is not going to work.

what i need is an 09 m3 with the exact same set up as mine, so i can try it.

You still will need the FSC codes to get the Nav working... no matter what route (used or new) you take. You have audio right now but it is analog output, if you were planning to do some aftermarket audio then that's what actually you need to bypass the OEM amp. That's no big deal, I can build you a plug 'n play RCA harness like I did for mine (I hope to get a used CIC with analog outputs).

You can also connect that CIC to your car and play a CD to make sure that it in fact will not sound. Hey, it could be possible that for some reason it will sound. Just try it...

The issue is convincing your tech friend to try to talk with somebody at BMWNA to issue a set of FSC codes for this used CIC. Unless there is a requirement that the CIC should be blank for the FSC to be loaded -the OEM document actually does not state that, it only says that without the FSC you will not get Nav but it does not say anything about loading FSC to an used CIC to make it compatible with the VIN of the car- your tech friend should be able to get those FSC and try them in your CIC.

In the worst case, ask your tech to take your used CIC and try it to make it blank with the help of somebody at BMWNA if it is in fact a requirement for FSC being issued.

Booster iDrive retrofit had the same issue with FSC, and his CCC was used. And a BMW tech loaded new FSC into his used CCC and the sucker worked... and that was a full iDrive retrofit and not a swap. I don't know if this is an apples to apples comparison, but it is at least an apples to apples pie, dammit!

[longtran]

technic, did you post somewhere that you have the cable for the monitor to the cic? if you do, send it to me. i want to test this out when the unit gets here. i dont think anyone is willing to let me strip their car.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

technic, did you post somewhere that you have the cable for the monitor to the cic? if you do, send it to me. i want to test this out when the unit gets here. i dont think anyone is willing to let me strip their car.

I would like to help you, but I found two possible used systems that could be available this month to sell at any time and I would like to be ready to test this as soon as I get one of those.

This video cable order was somehow held up for almost three months and it took two dealers to get just one order completed. I think that BMWAG is purposedly not allowing the sale of anything that let them think that a retrofit is being considered. My USB cable order has been flatly denied twice without explanation already at the same two dealers -BMWAG don't want to even provide its P/N- so this is not my imagination.

I'm looking to get the cables from both used systems if possible so I will let you know if I get them.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by longtran

technic, did you post somewhere that you have the cable for the monitor to the cic? if you do, send it to me. i want to test this out when the unit gets here. i dont think anyone is willing to let me strip their car.

[longtran]

Originally Posted by Technic

I would like to help you, but I found two possible used systems that could be available this month to sell at any time and I would like to be ready to test this as soon as I get one of those.

This video cable order was somehow held up for almost three months and it took two dealers to get just one order completed. I think that BMWAG is purposedly not allowing the sale of anything that let them think that a retrofit is being considered. My USB cable order has been flatly denied twice without explanation already at the same two dealers -BMWAG don't want to even provide its P/N- so this is not my imagination.

I'm looking to get the cables from both used systems if possible so I will let you know if I get them.

i'm getting my unit next week. if i just want to try it before my cable comes. i'll over night it back to you. let me know.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by longtran

i'm getting my unit next week. if i just want to try it before my cable comes. i'll over night it back to you. let me know.

It looks like I may get an used set by early next week, sorry... I'll let you know if I can get extra cables sooner than you.