NAV Screen Upgrade Option!

CJW2OO4 · 03-08-2023, 01:31 PM

I stumbled upon this in a FB group and thought it was worth sharing. I have started printing this and I will be following the thread closely. As the baseplate for the Android Screen is struggling to get made I may end up going this route. Florian, the person that created this print / project can be found on FB on the "Fans of the E85/E86 BMW Z4 and Z4M" Group.

The 3D print: https://cults3d.com/de/modell-3d/ver...-radio-upgrade

SASMALKO · 06-16-2025, 05:42 AM

CJW2OO4

Is your thread still active? I would be happy to contribute.
One of the challenges that I face (besides printing the right plate for the right unit) is to somehow keep the original display active. I was thinking of putting it in the glove box (so that I could use it when I need it), but I am not sure that the lenghth of the original harness will allow that.

The other option (that is offered by some add-on GPS retailers in Europe) is to connect the original harness (that has a BMW proprietary connector) to the tablet/unit and be able, on demand, to switch the display to the original analog signal (to modify a setting or see which radio you are listening to). But it would require building a custom harness and to have a unit/tablet that can accommodate an analog signal.

Anyone is interested to explore this route?

feket663 · 06-21-2025, 01:10 PM

Hi. I'm using this frame, works with chinese Android head unit very well.
Fortunately my car have non DSP, HIFI system, I wired android HU's line output to original radio's CD changer input. Works for me, the sound quality similar with original system, if I play FLAC files from Android Head Unit. I disconnect the original display, but no error message, etc, I can adjust tone, balance and fader with my memory. If you want original parameters, you can buy USB-IBUS adapter, and can use the IBUS app, but for me it's unnecessary.

bmwboyee · 04-07-2026, 09:30 AM

Could someone please link a screen that works? The links are all expired from the other links. When I bought my E86, the OEM screen was missing. Looking to replace with something upgraded.

feket663 · 04-11-2026, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwboyee

Could someone please link a screen that works? The links are all expired from the other links. When I bought my E86, the OEM screen was missing. Looking to replace with something upgraded.

You can use this: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Touc...51&sr=8-8&th=1 or similar 2 din, 7 inch Android head unit. I recommend 8 core unit.

bmwboyee · 04-11-2026, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feket663

You can use this: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Touc...51&sr=8-8&th=1 or similar 2 din, 7 inch Android head unit. I recommend 8 core unit.

Thank you!

dwoldring · 05-19-2026, 07:13 AM

feket663 I'm assuming if you go this route it bypasses all the radio controls in the dash. Is that correct? Just touch screen controls for all the functions?

Thank you.

03-08-2023, 01:31 PM	#1
CJW2OO4 Major 182 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: E86M,M2,F13 E86&E85M,E86,2E46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (5)	NAV Screen Upgrade Option! I stumbled upon this in a FB group and thought it was worth sharing. I have started printing this and I will be following the thread closely. As the baseplate for the Android Screen is struggling to get made I may end up going this route. Florian, the person that created this print / project can be found on FB on the "Fans of the E85/E86 BMW Z4 and Z4M" Group. The 3D print: https://cults3d.com/de/modell-3d/ver...-radio-upgrade
	Appreciate 3 3002 tii3026.50 SebIsANegev43.00 Z4Kevo89.00 Tweet Quote

06-16-2025, 05:42 AM	#2
SASMALKO Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW Z4M E85 Join Date: Jun 2025 Location: Clermont-Ferrand iTrader: (0)	CJW2OO4 Is your thread still active? I would be happy to contribute. One of the challenges that I face (besides printing the right plate for the right unit) is to somehow keep the original display active. I was thinking of putting it in the glove box (so that I could use it when I need it), but I am not sure that the lenghth of the original harness will allow that. The other option (that is offered by some add-on GPS retailers in Europe) is to connect the original harness (that has a BMW proprietary connector) to the tablet/unit and be able, on demand, to switch the display to the original analog signal (to modify a setting or see which radio you are listening to). But it would require building a custom harness and to have a unit/tablet that can accommodate an analog signal. Anyone is interested to explore this route?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2025, 01:10 PM	#3
feket663 New Member 13 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Hungary iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4 3.0i E85 [8.50]	Hi. I'm using this frame, works with chinese Android head unit very well. Fortunately my car have non DSP, HIFI system, I wired android HU's line output to original radio's CD changer input. Works for me, the sound quality similar with original system, if I play FLAC files from Android Head Unit. I disconnect the original display, but no error message, etc, I can adjust tone, balance and fader with my memory. If you want original parameters, you can buy USB-IBUS adapter, and can use the IBUS app, but for me it's unnecessary. Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 dwoldring1.50 Quote

04-07-2026, 09:30 AM	#4
bmwboyee Private 85 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Could someone please link a screen that works? The links are all expired from the other links. When I bought my E86, the OEM screen was missing. Looking to replace with something upgraded.
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05-19-2026, 07:13 AM	#7
dwoldring New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4M Imola Red Join Date: May 2025 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	feket663 I'm assuming if you go this route it bypasses all the radio controls in the dash. Is that correct? Just touch screen controls for all the functions? Thank you.
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