[makkan00]

Ok Guys, finally decided to pull the trigger.
I have been observing the prices and emulator is still holding its price.
I do not see that it is going to go down for next 12-24 months.

Anyway, I have sourced NBT, ordered all bits and bobs and going to retrofit NBT with built in DAB in my car.

Stay tuned. will update it with the results and a short review.

[DuckySpud]

Good luck! Seen a couple of cars over in America that have managed this and it looks pretty sweet! Good luck

[hmpmarketing]

So Cool!! Any idea on prices yet?

BTW: See you tomorrow mate!

[GOWRIN]

Nice would love to see how this goes. Interested in price, would like to get this done for my car.

[Frobius]

Looking forward to seeing how this works out mate!

[russdx]

Been watching a few youtube videos of this new CIC I like!!
It has the video playback from USB which i really wish my version of CIC had

[WRichieX]

Oh man!!! In for progress updates!

[achu]

good luck bro

[ahenners]

Good luck Makkan, looking forward to updates on this project

[BMWChap]

Excuse my ignorance but what are the benefits from this ?, apart from a few fancy looking menus ? The cluster display looks the nuts! but the rest ??

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by M3KingUK

Excuse my ignorance but what are the benefits from this ?, apart from a few fancy looking menus ? The cluster display looks the nuts! but the rest ??

Do you mind if I ask you what phone do you use?

[makkan00]

All others, many thanks for your wishes. I will be updating my FB page, simply because its a lot easier to upload the photos directly. When the project is finished, then I will update this thread as well.

[cage911]

Sam, I will be following this thread as this has been a modification that I have been interested in doing. Looking forward to your feedback, cost, pros & cons, etc.

[bungleaio]

Well if it can be done you are the one that can do it!

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by cage911

Sam, I will be following this thread as this has been a modification that I have been interested in doing. Looking forward to your feedback, cost, pros & cons, etc.

Thanks and will update it.

Originally Posted by bungleaio

Well if it can be done you are the one that can do it!

You are very kind. Thanks for the compliment.

[makkan00]

Ok, here are the initial thoughts after spending one week of research.

Its recommended if you have
- NO navigation and no BT connection
- CCC/ CIC without BT connection

The reasoning for its indication is that NBT has built-in BT module similar to new professional Radio / HU which has built in BT module.

Referring to BMW literature, other advantages are
1- More animated menus, screen fades in and fades out.
2- Quicker start up (max 20 seconds)
3- Faster route calculation
4- Smoother page transition
5- Higher storage for music collection (though 8GB in cic is more than enough)
6- Improved 3D maps
7- Eco pro routing option (not applicable for E-series though AFAIK, but will confirm)
8- Improved dynamic guidance / lane guidance
9- Clear voice instructions
10- Speech to text dictation for sms and e-mails
11- Full parallel connection of two mobile phones
12- New web browser supporting HTML5, Adobe Flash (yes thats correct) and Microsoft office documents.
13- Allows you to play most common video formats.
14- You can play video from the usb containing video files.

Originally Posted by M3KingUK

Excuse my ignorance but what are the benefits from this ?, apart from a few fancy looking menus ? The cluster display looks the nuts! but the rest ??

Now referring back to your question, I asked what phone do you use.
I am trying to refer to the fact that people upgrade from iphone 5 to iphone 5s for .....
Both phones allows you to call, check e-mails, browse internet etc etc but people still go for 5S. Same applies here, I guess. I guess you want latest technology if you cannot move to F series yet.


Lastly, here are few things which may put the people off.

1- Emulator is 400 euro. It may drop in price if some chinese company pay attention to these emulators.
2- There is lot of modification required which is reversible. Exception is the display for F series, as you cannot revert the modification done to it.
All the modification is done to NBT and its display and not to your car.
So your car is 100% reversible depending on who installs it.
3- There are additional parts required from E-series which can be costly.
However you can later sell modified NBT 'exclusive' for E-series if you wish to buy F-series. Additional parts may cost nearly 200 euros.
4- NBT units are costly at the moment. You have to buy certain NBT HUs on certain versions, so you can get max out of it (similar to combox friendly CIC).
5- Total cost is approx similar to what you would pay for CIC + combox. It excludes the touch controller.
6- Those who have BT modules, there is additional work required to re-route the mic wiring, 6FL wiring and so on.

I hope I have covered all the basics and will write a short review when this project is completed.

[BMWChap]

Thanks for the clarification Sam

[jammy78]

I got the popcorn ready..... & starting the NBT fund, if it goes well!


What are you doing about the facia?

[makkan00]

Updated my facebook page with the unit ready to go into my car.
It require some modification but nothing impossible.
F20/ 30 HD display needs to be fitted on E9x's CID trim.

Originally Posted by M3KingUK

Thanks for the clarification Sam

You are welcome.

Originally Posted by jammy78

I got the popcorn ready..... & starting the NBT fund, if it goes well!


What are you doing about the facia?

Going to use the E9x front fascia to support the face of CIC.

[gaza01]

Mak you legend! Amazing stuff!

[dest]

Sam, I've tried to message you regarding time/place for Saturday but your inbox is full, if you could let me know please

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by gaza01

Mak you legend! Amazing stuff!

Thanks mate.

Originally Posted by dest

Sam, I've tried to message you regarding time/place for Saturday but your inbox is full, if you could let me know please

Send you a pm matey.