Add-on GPS/NAV for a 5 series?

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mdd - 02 Jan 2006 23:53 GMT

Hello. My beloved 540i with 163k miles was totalled and i am in the car
market again. Am looking at some 530i's 2002 or 2003. However, almost all
of the ones i am looking at have no NAV system. I really enjoyed that on my
old car. I am told by my BMW dealer that they cannot ADD a GPS/NAV to an
existing car, so the question is: Are there any GPS/NAV add on systems that
can either go in the dash, or be placed somewhere decent. I use it a lot
for directions, maps and some recommendations for restaurants, etc. as I
drive. Looking to spend $600-1k or so. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance...

Mark
info ((at) kramden .dot.. org

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Frank Kemper - 03 Jan 2006 00:59 GMT

"mdd" <deusdomini@verizon.net> haute in die Tasten:

> Any recommendations?

You could install a Becker car navigation radio, they cost between
700 and 1500 Euros in Germany and have a very good reputation. The
other quite convenient solution is a TomTom Go (400-700 Euros), an
all-in-one navigation unit with a touch screen display.

Frank

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Eisboch - 03 Jan 2006 01:46 GMT

> Hello. My beloved 540i with 163k miles was totalled and i am in the car
> market again. Am looking at some 530i's 2002 or 2003. However, almost
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Mark
> info ((at) kramden .dot.. org

Consider a Tom-Tom 700. Neat little unit, about 800 bucks and fun to use.

Eisboch

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adder1969@yahoo.co.uk - 03 Jan 2006 11:36 GMT

> Hello. My beloved 540i with 163k miles was totalled and i am in the car
> market again. Am looking at some 530i's 2002 or 2003. However, almost all
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> for directions, maps and some recommendations for restaurants, etc. as I
> drive. Looking to spend $600-1k or so. Any recommendations?

If you go to www.e38.org you'll find some links to nav retrofit guides.
There's a yahoo group too. I had a '96 740 with the TV option but no
nav and I managed to get an old MK1 unit on ebay for around
GBP100/US$200 which plugged right into the wiring loom in the
boot/trunk.
To completely retrofit a more up-to-date BMW system is expensive though
(look on ebay) and I'd recommend a mobile unit you can take from car to
car. You can either get a dedicated unit or a nav system for a palm
computer.

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JimmyG - 07 Jan 2006 18:57 GMT

When I bought my 2003 530, it was the last one on the lot & faced the same
situation as did you. They offered a "Voice only" navigation that was
totally hidden, and ONLY $1700. I passed.

I purchased a Garmin 2610 & have learned to really appreciate its mobility.
When on vacation, we pack it into a suitcase & use it in our rental car.
Its somewhat more versatile than a Tomtom, & the 2610's are quite reasonably
priced now. Stay away form the models with hard-drives in them, as they are
apparently more prone to failure.

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