[smithf80]

So after one of my friends did a full CIC retrofit I decided "its time" and bought all of the parts needed. I want to make it clear now if you are not in a rush you can do this retrofit for close to $900-1200

I can honestly say this this isn't really as hard as it sounds and taking the dashboard off really isn't that bad.

Some tips (some are mine and some Kevin's):

• Take your time and organize everything you take out, I put all the screws in bags.
• Have the right tools, namely phillips head screw driver, T10, T20, T25 torx, 10mm socket (all I can remember off the top of my head)
• Tape the clock spring so it doesn't move when you take it out.
• Test everything with the dash off
• Make sure the bottom of the dash lines up well, it is possible for it to be out of alignment even if it looks right
• Don't panic if you don't hear audio at first, your head unit probably just needs to be coded.

I'm sure I'll think of more tips soon.


NOTES ON WIRING:
This was the scariest part and I had no clue how to do it, this was @djkevinnn 's area of expertise. He is truly awesome.

We seem to think the best way to wire this is to avoid the junction box completely based on some random issues I had with the controller not working.

Basically the emulator you use for nav activation has 6 wires. 2 for power, 2 for can high and low in, and 2 for can high and low out. The best way to wire it is to tap the CAN IN on the emulator cable when running CAN Hi and Lo from the controller and LCD. You then just need to find a source for power for the LCD and controller. Kevin can hopefully comment on whether what I am saying here is correct.



Parts needed (will update with PN's soon):

Nav Dashboard
CIC Headunit (US or Euro works)
CIC Controller
Center Console Trim w/ Cutout for controller
CIC 8.8" LCD
Climate control trim
Headunit surround trim
Screws for LCD
Screws for headunit
Pink CIC to CID fakra cable
4 and 8 pin connectors


Time for pics! Will post more soon and a video of it all working.


Tools laid out:


Coming apart:




Wiring:


Working!:

[djkevinnn]

Third non iDrive to CIC retro under the belt! Definitely one of the best upgrades done to my 08 335i. Now to get a Combox....

[glachhman]

yay

[i3illol]

Whoa from non to CIC, it must be a hell of amount of job to do! Thinking about new dash new conter console etc. Not to mention turn the car inside out! But you nailed it, congrats!

Yea you are gonna need a combox to perfection the CIC's entertainment functions. But to give it a second thought, why not get a NBT retrofit at the first place?

[PichaDis11]

Transformation!

Thing is a beauty.

[AviatorBimmer]

Awesome job, congrats!!! I would be shaking like a leaf if I had my car torn up like that. Hahaha

So, if one has currently a CCC setup; would it be even easier to retrofit to a CIC setup?

BTW, what is a combox?

[bimmette]

Amazing! Great job!

[bernard54321]

Cant wait for part numbers!!!

[BeastMode335i]

looks great!

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Do you have part numbers to make the cic head unit screen power connector and also the idrive knob 4pin connector on the HU side and the knob side?

[NGEE]

Great job! Curious - in driving your car after tearing the dash and console down, do you now find that there are creaks and rattles you didn't have before? That's been my experience, but then maybe I'm just not that good at it.

[mashimarho]

Can't go wrong with the CIC nav. Love it!

[mansito]

Let me see if I understand this thread. The objective is to convert a non-iDrive (i.e. no-LCD navigation + no-Controller knob) to iDrive (i.e., LCD Navigation in dashboard + Controller knob in center console). Is that correct?

[Augster]

Good job!

I am in the process of converting my non-iDrive '08 to the 2012+ NBT. A little bit more expensive (understatement) but I get the latest shipping version of BMW's iDrive/Navigation system.

Originally Posted by AviatorBimmer

So, if one has currently a CCC setup; would it be even easier to retrofit to a CIC setup?

SO much more easier: CIC display, CIC head unit, CIC head unit to CIC display cable, and optionally (but preferably) CIC controller plus CIC center console trim panel. No need to pull the entire dash panel (and requisite components to get the dash panel off).

Originally Posted by AviatorBimmer

BTW, what is a combox?

It's an adjunct module to the CIC that replaces the MULF and TCU modules plus includes the newer BMW Apps/ConnectedDrive functionality.

[AviatorBimmer]

Originally Posted by Augster

Good job!

I am in the process of converting my non-iDrive '08 to the 2012+ NBT. A little bit more expensive (understatement) but I get the latest shipping version of BMW's iDrive/Navigation system.



SO much more easier: CIC display, CIC head unit, CIC head unit to CIC display cable, and optionally (but preferably) CIC controller plus CIC center console trim panel. No need to pull the entire dash panel (and requisite components to get the dash panel off).



It's an adjunct module to the CIC that replaces the MULF and TCU modules plus includes the newer BMW Apps/ConnectedDrive functionality.

Thanks for your response!

WOW, this makes it even more tempting!

If I was going to upgrade my CCC to CIC, how much am I looking at more or less, without labor? Just on the parts you listed above.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by djkevinnn

Third non iDrive to CIC retro under the belt! Definitely one of the best upgrades done to my 08 335i. Now to get a Combox....

Its been amazing, thanks again Kevin.

Originally Posted by i3illol

Whoa from non to CIC, it must be a hell of amount of job to do! Thinking about new dash new conter console etc. Not to mention turn the car inside out! But you nailed it, congrats!

Yea you are gonna need a combox to perfection the CIC's entertainment functions. But to give it a second thought, why not get a NBT retrofit at the first place?

Definitely will consider a combox soon. And because NBT doesn't warrant the cost. I think of it this way. CCC to CIC is like an iPhone 3G to an iPhone 5, but CIC to NBT is like a 5 to a 5s.

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

Transformation!

Thing is a beauty.

Thanks! Good to see you saturday.

Originally Posted by bimmette

Amazing! Great job!

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

looks great!

Thank you guys!

Originally Posted by NGEE

Great job! Curious - in driving your car after tearing the dash and console down, do you now find that there are creaks and rattles you didn't have before? That's been my experience, but then maybe I'm just not that good at it.

A lot of people think this but I don't really have an issue.

Originally Posted by mansito

Let me see if I understand this thread. The objective is to convert a non-iDrive (i.e. no-LCD navigation + no-Controller knob) to iDrive (i.e., LCD Navigation in dashboard + Controller knob in center console). Is that correct?

Yes, full non-iDrive FM/AM/CD system to CIC iDrive.

[Augster]

Originally Posted by AviatorBimmer

If I was going to upgrade my CCC to CIC, how much am I looking at more or less, without labor? Just on the parts you listed above.

It all depends on how "lucky" and persevering you are in locating the best deal. The CIC head unit can only be got used; BMW dealers and vendors can only swap a remanufactured CIC head unit for your core.

The best would be to locate a complete CIC head unit with CIC display, video cable, CIC controller, and CIC console trim from an intact donor car, but you can probably assemble a low-cost package yourself individually from various sources, though the video cable is typically not found selling by itself.

Total outlay can range from $500-ish to well over a $1,000, depending on overall condition of the components and desperation or lack of knowledge of the seller.

[mansito]

Originally Posted by smithe90

Yes, full non-iDrive FM/AM/CD system to CIC iDrive.

Your workmanship is impressive. Great work!! I am old school. I prefer the non-LCD dashboard.

[BeastMode335i]

I've found so many cars that I liked, but they were missing iDrive and that's been the deciding factor for me! I just think it completes the vehicle. I'm coming from a 00 Civic SI that I had put a double din pioneer in and I loved it because it was more eye level, and I'd do the same in a 335 but the section where the double din would go just seems like it would be a lot lower and harder to view.. Not sure if I'd be willing to go through all this hard work, but nonetheless it definitely came out nice from that picture..!

PS - My main liking for the iDrive unit is it's specific vehicle condition updates, not just to code it for DVDinMotion =)

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Wow, amazing work. Grats.

[grzes]

wow, I am impressed!!! nice work

[SHEEDI]

Lovely job