Year of production

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to determine your iDrive version with 100% accuracy, because in some countries the production month can be different. But at least you’ll have some understanding which head unit can be in your BMW.

iDriveSeries/ModelTimeframes

CCC (Car Communication Computer)1-Series E81/E82/E87/E8806/2004 – 09/20083-Series E90/E91/E92/E9303/2005 – 09/20085-Series E60/E6112/2003 – 11/20086-Series E63/E6412/2003 – 11/2008X5 Series E7003/2007 – 10/2009X6 E7205/2008 – 10/2009

CIC (Car Information Computer)1-Series E81/E82/E87/E8809/2008 – 03/20141-Series F20/F2109/2011 – 03/20133-Series E90/E91/E92/E9309/2008 – 10/20133-Series F30/F31/F34/F8002/2012 – 11/20125-Series E60/E6111/2008 – 05/20105-Series F0710/2009 – 07/20125-Series F1003/2010 – 09/20125-Series F1109/2010 – 09/20126-Series E63/E6411/2008 – 07/20106-Series F0603/2012 – 03/20136-Series F12/F1312/2010 – 03/20137-Series F01/F02/F0311/2008 – 07/20137-Series F0411/2008 – 06/2015X1 E8410/2009 – 06/2015X3 F2510/2010 – 04/2013X5 E7010/2009 – 06/2013X6 E7110/2009 – 08/2014Z4 E8904/2009 – present

NBT (CIC-HIGH, also called the Next Big Thing – NBT)1-Series F20/F2103/2013 – 03/20152-Series F2211/2013 – 03/20153-Series F30/F3111/2012 – 07/20153-Series F3403/2013 – 07/20153-Series F8003/2014 – 07/20154-Series F3207/2013 – 07/20154-Series F3311/2013 – 07/20154-Series F3603/2014 – 07/20155-Series F0707/2012 – present5-Series F10/F11/F1809/2012 – present6-Series F06/F12/F1303/2013 – present7-Series F01/F02/F0307/2012 – 06/2015X3 F2504/2013 – 03/2016X4 F2604/2014 – 03/2016X5 F1508/2014 – 07/2016X5 F8512/2014 – 07/2016X6 F1608/2014 – 07/2016X6 F8612/2014 – 07/2016i309/2013 – presenti804/2014 – presentNBT

Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID41-Series F20/F2103/2015 – 06/20162-Series F2203/2015 – 06/20162-Series F2311/2014 – 06/20163-Series F30/F31/F34/F8007/2015 – 06/20164-Series F32/F33/F3607/2015 – 06/20166-Series F06/F12/F1303/2013 – 06/20167-Series G11/G12/G1307/2015 – 06/2016X3 F2503/2016 – 06/2016X4 F2603/2016 – 06/2016

NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID5/ID61-Series F20/F2107/2016 – 20192-Series F2207/2016 – 20213-Series F30/F31/F34/F8007/2016 – 20184-Series F32/F33/F3607/2016 – 20195-Series G30/G31/G3810/2016 – 20196-Series F06/F12/F1307/2016 – 20186-Series G3207/2017 – 20187-Series G11/G12/G1307/2016 – 2019X1 F482015 – 2022X2 F392018 – presentX3 F2507/2016 – 2017X3 G0111/2017 – presentX4 F2607/2016 – 2018X5 F15/F8507/2016 – 2018X6 F16/F8607/2016 – 2018i809/2018- 2020i309/2018–present

MGU18 (iDrive 7.0) (Media Graphic Unit) 3-Series G2009/2018 – present4 Series G2206/2020 – present5 Series G302020 – present6 Series G322019 – present7 Series G1101/2019 – present8-Series G14/G1509/2018 - presentM8 G162019 – presenti3 I012019 – presenti8 I12 / I152019 – 2020X3 G012019 – presentX4 G022019 – presentX5 G0509/2018 - presentX6 G062019 – presentX7 G072018 – presentZ4 G2909/2018 - present

MGU21 (iDrive 8.0) (Media Graphic Unit) 3 Series G202022 – presentiX12022 – presenti42021 – presentiX2021 – present

Contact German Mods

Go to our Contact us page, leave your name, email, VIN, and we will send you your car’s specifications including the head unit, i-Level (software version), etc.

HOW DO THEY LOOK?

Interface

The majority of iDrive systems have specific interfaces, so it’s also worth checking out the look of the menu in comparison with other head units to identify the iDrive version.

CCC

CIC

NBT / NBT Evo ID 4

NBT Evo ID 5

NBT Evo ID6

MGU18 (iDrive 7.0)

MGU21 (iDrive 8.0)

Let's turn on Mercedes-Benz factory head unit, enter main menu interface.

We can simply tell the difference among NTG 4.0/ NTG 4.5/ NTG 4.7/ NTG 5.0/ NTG 6.0(MBUX) from the following picture:

CarPlay/ Android Auto screens vs Android Screen

The CarPlay/ Android screens don’t allow you to download apps to the screen but do allow:

✅ Wireless CarPlay

✅ Wireless Android Auto

✅ Touchscreen display

✅ Bluetooth calls and audio

✅ USB Audio & Video In Motion

✅ Original menu and idrive fully accessible

❌ Screen Mirroring

The Android screen is literally like having a tablet so you can download apps from the google play store directly to the screen. The android screen allows the following as well:

✅ Wireless CarPlay

✅ Wireless Android Auto

✅ Touchscreen display

✅ Bluetooth calls and audio

✅ Original menu and idrive fully accessible

✅ Android 11 (No Lag)

4+64 GB, Snapdragon

✅ Google Playstore to download Apps like YouTube, Netflix

CarPlay

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone mirroring system that allows your car to use your iPhone’s features through the vehicle’s infotainment screen. This includes navigation, calling, messaging and music. It’s a handy way to get more use out of your infotainment system with a phone-like set-up you’re familiar with.

As it’s illegal to use your phone while on the move, smartphone connectivity like Apple CarPlay is a safer and legal way to keep connected as you drive.

Android Auto

Android Auto is Google’s smartphone mirroring set-up, which allows you to link your phone to your car and use some of your phone’s features on the car’s infotainment screen.

You can enjoy features like audio apps and messaging, and can even make and take calls.

Car manufacturers have always struggled to keep on top of car infotainment, as it’s difficult to match the rapid progress that’s made with our phones.

While smartphone manufacturers are constantly updating their software, car manufacturers can even find that their infotainment tech is out of date by the time the car launches.

To combat this issue, using an infotainment set-up like Android Auto allows you to mirror your smartphone's features in the car infotainment screen, using it as an extension to what’s already in your phone.

You’ll be able to access apps and functions that will make your driving experience easier, and they’ll all be up to date.

This can include features like sending and receiving messages and calls, sat-nav, maps, and music.

You can use the “hey Google” voice control prompt to use these functions hands-free, to allow you to keep your full focus on the road.

Not all cars are compatible with Android Auto or have the system readily built in, so be sure to check if it suits your model.

You can also buy head units to install in the car, or retrofit the system to customise an infotainment system you already have.

Of course, even using your car's infotainment system hands-free can be distracting.

It’s best to set up any apps or functions before you start driving, or pull over safely if you need to use the system.