Replace HDD with SSD in E92?

GermanInCA · 05-18-2015, 06:05 PM

Saw a few threads about replacing the hard drive in an E9x with a solid state drive, but haven't found anything about whether anyone has actually been successful, and if it's actually an improvement.

I have a 2012 E92 328i w/iDrive/Nav.

Has anyone done this mod (maybe recently)? Mostly curious about whether it's possible, and if there are any improvements in system response times...

VTECaddict · 05-20-2015, 12:50 AM

I don't remember seeing anyone being successful with SSD yet. jimborae in this thread was the closest to trying it: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=185022&page=6

The main problem is the HDD in the CIC has a PATA interface when most HDDs, and certainly SSDs, these days are all SATA.

If you read through that thread, it seems like the OS is not installed on the HDD anyway, so you might not notice much improvement in general usage at all. Maybe some improvement when using navigation or accessing music stored on the drive.

taibanl · 05-21-2015, 04:35 PM

Its been done. Keep searching.

roadkillrob · 06-28-2015, 09:17 AM

I just did it and it works mint - much faster to do things on idrive now and pretty easy to do.

I followed this DIY http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=841458

Only difference is that I used clonezilla which is free and works mint - a bit difficult to use as it is all linux and you have to read carefully and figure out which drive is which in the SW - fairly easy as long as you know the drive sizes - BMW one is 80gb, the computer you use to clone is probably much bigger.

Very happy for a $100 bucks out of pocket to upgrade and gives me a backup of my idrive if the hard drive ever failed, it would be an easy clone of the file I created to have it back up and running!

GermanInCA · 06-28-2015, 03:01 PM

Thanks VTE and Rob - Rob, the recent DIY you linked to is exactly what I was looking for!

05-18-2015, 06:05 PM	#1
GermanInCA Zee German 26 Rep 111 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	Replace HDD with SSD in E92? Saw a few threads about replacing the hard drive in an E9x with a solid state drive, but haven't found anything about whether anyone has actually been successful, and if it's actually an improvement. I have a 2012 E92 328i w/iDrive/Nav. Has anyone done this mod (maybe recently)? Mostly curious about whether it's possible, and if there are any improvements in system response times...
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05-20-2015, 12:50 AM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	I don't remember seeing anyone being successful with SSD yet. jimborae in this thread was the closest to trying it: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=185022&page=6 The main problem is the HDD in the CIC has a PATA interface when most HDDs, and certainly SSDs, these days are all SATA. If you read through that thread, it seems like the OS is not installed on the HDD anyway, so you might not notice much improvement in general usage at all. Maybe some improvement when using navigation or accessing music stored on the drive. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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05-21-2015, 04:35 PM	#3
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	Its been done. Keep searching.
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06-28-2015, 09:17 AM	#4
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,452 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	I just did it and it works mint - much faster to do things on idrive now and pretty easy to do. I followed this DIY http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=841458 Only difference is that I used clonezilla which is free and works mint - a bit difficult to use as it is all linux and you have to read carefully and figure out which drive is which in the SW - fairly easy as long as you know the drive sizes - BMW one is 80gb, the computer you use to clone is probably much bigger. Very happy for a $100 bucks out of pocket to upgrade and gives me a backup of my idrive if the hard drive ever failed, it would be an easy clone of the file I created to have it back up and running! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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06-28-2015, 03:01 PM	#5
GermanInCA Zee German 26 Rep 111 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	Thanks VTE and Rob - Rob, the recent DIY you linked to is exactly what I was looking for!
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