[Bigspence]

Has anyone without factory HUD tried an aftermarket one?

[Bobby l]

Google BMW 62302361627. I have one on my 535d and it works pretty good. Very simple hook up. You tube has some videos on how to install. I think i paid between 500 and 600 dollars for it

[jrodri7]

Originally Posted by Bigspence

Has anyone without factory HUD tried an aftermarket one?

I have not, but after having a factory HUD on an X1, a Cooper Hardtop, and now a Countryman, I ordered my '21 X3 30e without one - I rarely use it anymore.

Reasons:

1. 75% of my sunglasses render it unusable (Polarized lenses block light coming from certain angles to stop glare, the HUD is exactly a projector shining light to the windshield and then your eyes) caveat: I think either the lenses or the HUDs are getting better at this, my '18 HUD and SOME of my glasses only make it about 40% dimmer. On my '17 X!, completely blocked.

2. Since Carplay, the tracklisting doesn't show up on the HUB when trying to change a song, just the current title and forward and backward. And since Music Collection is gone in the new models, that won't be an option either.

3. Unless you use built-in Nav, no directions show up in the HUD - Again, CarPlay is more convenient. But when the factory NAV is being used, it was convenient and in the perfect spot.

FWIW, The BMW HUD is much more integrated as MINI has it bolted into the dash with a separate piece of adjustable glass. It was a way to cut down on the costs for MINI, apparently, the reflective film inside the windshield glass increases the complexity and cost, also, therefore, making replacements much more expensive.

[sinbad4]

Originally Posted by jrodri7

2. Since Carplay, the tracklisting doesn't show up on the HUB when trying to change a song, just the current title and forward and backward. And since Music Collection is gone in the new models, that won't be an option either.

3. Unless you use built-in Nav, no directions show up in the HUD - Again, CarPlay is more convenient. But when the factory NAV is being used, it was convenient and in the perfect spot.

Not sure what you mean by track listing doesn't show.. I get a list of songs in HUD.

Also.. After 7/2020 iD7 update, Carplay affects maps in HUD and Instrument Cluster.

I LOVE my HUD!!

[jrodri7]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Not sure what you mean by track listing doesn't show.. I get a list of songs in HUD.

Also.. After 7/2020 iD7 update, Carplay affects maps in HUD and Instrument Cluster.

I LOVE my HUD!!

Glad to hear that you enjoy it! I certainly did back in the day when all I used was the factory Nav, Music collection, and didn’t have to wear polarized lenses.

Sounds like they’ve made a lot of updates to the HUD in the latest iDrive systems. Coming from my experience in the ‘17 X1 and ‘18 Countryman, no future tracks are listed from CarPlay in Apple Music, and no navigation either.

I guess I might have optioned it in on my 30e build knowing this, but the issue with sunglasses is still a huge headache for me, with the HUD useless in a lot of situations.

[Bob in IL]

I keep a pair of non-polarized sunglasses (Shady Rays) in the cars for when I want to use the HUD for the nav, speed etc. Other times I use the polarized sunglasses.