DRAFT VERSION
BMW NBT iDrive
For retrofit in iBUS cars (BMW E38, E39, E46, E53, E83, Range Rover…)
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Difference between NBT models
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Plugs
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Parts provided in the full NBT retrofit kit
Pictures
Top left : BMW microphone (OEM or not)
Top right : Plug/Wires for microphone.
Connect these to the 2 exposed wires from
the radio plug (2 wires marked as MIC+
and MIC-). Comes with 5 metre long wires.
Bottom left : Bluetooth antenna (Connects
to plug 15 from the back of the NBT)
Below are the standard 7 buttons iDrive controller on the left and Touch version of the iDrive
controller on the right. The Touch version handles hand writing recognition (Extra module is
required to get this function to work. The Touch controller can be used without the Touch
recognition module just fine, but the handwriting recognition feature will not work)
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Hand writting recognition allows you to input destination addresses etc on the NBT.
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Pictures
Top left : Radio plug extension with iBUSCAN conversion module. 5 metre long 4
pins green connector for the iDrive
controller. 2 wires exposed and marked as
MIC+/MIC- to connect the microphone
2 wires exposed and marked as CAM+ /
CAM- for back up camera (Known as
FBAS/TRSVC port)
Top right : NBT radio and screen (From a
F10 here).
Bottom left : 5 metre long HSD wire/video
plug to connect the NBT to the high
definition screen (CID)
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
NBT plug diagram

FBAS/TRSVC : Back up camera input
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Connect iBUS CAN 1 high and low to the car cluster
Connect yellow wire from the iBUS module to the yellow/black wire of your cluster (Blue plug)
Connect blue wire from the iBUS module to the yellow/brown wire for your cluster (Blue plug)
Use the yellow and red wires provided.
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
Connect the 2 wires as shown below
Pictures
Top left : The 2 wires we need to tap into
from behind the cluster
Top right : Use the tap slice provided to
connect the wires together or cut the
wires in the middle and extend them in
order to connect the new wires. Twist
them together or solder them.
Bottom left : Showing wires joined
together and secured using heat shrink
tubes.
Use wire insulation tape to secure the loom
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
How to connect the video cable?
Connect it up this way on the back of the radio, it is only possible to connect one of the 2 plugs this
way. This is usually the pink plug while the purple plug connects on the screen itself. Color may vary
so do not rely on color code only.
How to connect the Bluetooth antenna?
Install the antenna on the rear shelf or C/D pillar for optimal reception
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
How to connect the microphone?
You will need to run the microphone wires all the way from the front to the trunk (When NBT is
installed in the trunk)
1. Install the microphone in place as shown below
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)
DRAFT VERSION
After you ran the 2 wires all the way to your radio plug (Provided), then join the 2 microphone wires
to the radio harness (MIC+/MIC- wires already exposed)
Twist the wires together then use heat tubes to secure the wires (Put the tubes in first)
GERMANIKS.COM
BMW NBT retrofit in iBUS cars
v0.2 (Feb. 2015)