Previously in my non-idrive 08 135i, I had a custom Android tablet.
I've decided to go a different route and do a full CIC retrofit. Here's some pictures of the process, and a description of what's needed.
Parts you'll need:
CIC stationary 8.8" display and hood - ebay, ~$175-300 (I paid $272, but received a partial refund of $150 because there were some scratches in the anti-glare coating. I subsequently polished them out with Novus plastic polish and it looks perfect now. Cost - $122)
CIC retrofit emulator - ebay, $65.12. Allows you to use voice command, navigation, and video in motion without purchasing FSC codes
iDrive controller - ebay, $98, came with the 1 series trim cover as well
iDrive center console - car-part.com, $80. Included all the bits, CCC iDrive controller, and the removable cup holder (score!). Can probably sell the CCC controller to recoupe some cost.
CIC LVDS display cable, connector, USB cable and port (for importing / map updates), and idrive connector - ebay, $90
CIC head unit - ebay, $175. I specifically looked for a '11 or newer, since they have the sirius tuner integrated into the deck. I lucked out, and got one that still has an active subscription (score!).
Dash trim parts - ECS tuning, $104.28. This was the cheapest I could find these parts:
Automatic climate control dash trim - ECS, $16.69. Part number 64116957958. This is the trim that goes around the climate control module. Because the climate control is relocated above the radio, the non-idrive trim won't work.
CIC head unit trim - ECS, $77.14. Part number 51456976846. This is the trim that goes around the CIC head unit, and extends to the bottom of the dash.
Shipping for the above two items is $10.45.
2x SMB cable extensions - Amazon, $37.08 ($14.55 each)
https://amzn.com/B004SQ4X00. These are male to female SMB cables, that allow you to tap the antenna leads in the trunk and run them to the deck for Sirius/XM and GPS signal.
To be added - Combox. Just waiting on a good deal. Combox will get you bluetooth audio streaming, USB music playback, BMW apps, Connected drive, etc. Also need the bluetooth retrofit kit to install with the above.
Grand total so far - $682.34
I don't have a lot of pics, but I'll post what I have.
Template I made for cutting the hole in the dash (for the Android tablet housing I've since removed - this is the same size hole required for the CIC display):
Installing the CIC head unit requires trimming a lot of plastic from the factory cage.
Before and after:
Leftovers:
Harness I made with power, ground, can high and can low; for the CID display and idrive controller. This picks up power/ground/can at the installation point for the FSC emulator:
Back of the CIC head unit. The GPS and antenna were missing the fakra housings, which doesn't really matter. The factory fakra connectors are electrically based off SMB cables:
Test fit and power on before I received my center console:
20ft SMB cable extensions for Sirius and GPS. I ran these under the center console, and fished them through the rear carpet tunnel.
Sirius antenna connector:
Center console installed, with trim swapped over. I kept the arm rest that came with the console since it's leather, and my factory one was leatherette.
iDrive knob/controller. Menu button and illumination don't work, so I'll be ordering a new one soon.
USB port installed in the factory location in the glove box. The hole is already punched out, you just have to push it in and fish the wire to the back of the CIC unit.
More pics to follow, along with coding. Just waiting for the combox before I code. Otherwise everything works (except bluetooth and aux-in, which is probably coded to a combox that was in the CIC donor car).