Ok so iv bought a 118D

my first question is what is the difference regarding the engines between the 118d and 120d models? I'm assuming there mostly the same hardware wise and its mainly mapping where the increase is?

Second question is what suggestions do you guys have for straight swop for standard CD player? Again I assume there was a high spec model with sat nav, iPod, ect?

No doubt ill have more questions the more familiar I get with car.

If what wiki says can be trusted it is just the mapping that is different, yes there is a higher spec cd/radio with USB, aux connections though this doesn't accept my iPhone or iPad in my 120d, iirc there are about three different specs for the radio, business (the one I have) being one, there is the next one up that's got the sat nav and one below that's pretty basic

Suppose ill be keeping my eye out for a DVD unit and faisas then. Can imagine they don't come up very often though.

Would a 3 series unit fit with the correct fascia?

Not sure, there is a sat nav unit for the 1 series on fleebay that is meant to sit where the heater vents are, it does have vents either side of it on the new fascia that you install I'll see if I can fin it for you

You maybe my new hero of the day if you do lol

Yes map mate...

...maybe throttle body too but I think it's only a map

I found this,

http://bit.ly/XuXQaI

What you guys think? (No idea if the link will work lol)

@Phill106: That unit looks like good fit for a basic E81 without climate control (automatic air-con). If you have such version, it should fit it spot on, otherwise it won't be compatible with the dash.

I, for one, wouldn't be able to fit it into my dash:

the way im looking at it to fit the sat nav i would need to remove or relocate the stop/start button? and move the heater controls down to the next din slot. as the dvd screen looks far too big to fit in a single din slot. anyone done this before? ill inbox the seller and find out what he suggests about the bottom buttons.

I've seen them relocated to the light switch panel underneath the roof, but I think this was done by some fitting specialist in Portugal, so a custom job would be required.

If you have 3-slot centre panel (as in pic above), it's not as bad as in my case (I have 2-slot centre panel). I will have to order a larger case for the console and install aftermarket aluminium frame to keep air-con controls on the bottom and have 2 top slots free to install some kind of large multimedia device, such as this bad boy: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/299/35829/SPH-DA100/page.html.

i do have same as above (but with manual controls) but its the same layout. what do i need then?

Well, if you have the same layout (3-slot dash with the bottom one for PDC, etc.), you need to look at a way to move those bottom controls somewhere first.

Two locations come to my mind here, either the interior lights panel above the mirror (a very elegant solution, IMO), or to where the ashtray well is. Both options will require some custom fitting to be done.

where are the buttons when the dvd unit is fitted facory then?

When you get a factory install with a DVD (I think this is what the iDrive is capable of supporting), the display lands on the top of the central dashboard, above the centre air vents. The player and controls are retained in the original locations (1st slot for radio/iDrive, 2nd slot for air-con, 3rd slot for PDC).

If you want a custom head-unit/multimedia system/sat-nav in the first two slots of the centre dash, you do have to relocate PDC panel somewhere else.

I think there are some retro-fitting kits to get a multimedia system installed in a way the iDrive is done at the factory, so you may try and look for those.

A tip: avoid those cheap touchscreen multimedia all-in-ones, as they're more of a problem than a solution.

hi i have just joined this forumhoping to get the same question you had did you manage to fined one to fit or if anyone else knows one that will fit thanks in advance rob