[Martinique78]

2011 X3 with the HIFI radio and Professional NAV. Maps seem outdated, All the BMW ConnectedDrive services seem to be discontinued. Sound is great but the interface with my iPhone 11 and Spotify through both Bluetooth and usb is very crude.

Not really looking to go crazy spending a bunch on new hardware...just looking to update it some. I already tried BMW.com/update but it said i was already up to date. Coding Options? Updates beside BMW?

[najnad]

Unless you replace with android headunit, not much you can do. There are map updates out there, both dealer and others. But the bluetooth is not going to change unless you change phones or put in the android headunit...some interface better than others.

[richardodn]

I'm basically in the same boat as you. You have the CIC head unit.

Nav maps can be updated at a cost through BMW and other vendors. They can also be done for free if you can find a download of the map data and can find the instructions on how to generate the install code. I will not go into that on this forum.

All the connected services died when the 2G wireless networks were taken down. (Occasionally I do get traffic updates when travelling through more rural areas. I guess 2G is still up in some areas.) The "combobox" that handles that can be replaced with a 4G version but there is a substantial cost. Even then, I don't think BMW will open a new subscription needed for all the features.

USB integration with Iphones through the connected apps is a bit clunky, but it's all it supports. If you want more modern integration such as Carplay or Android Auto then you're looking at replacing the head unit. That's either installing one of the Android based ones or retrofitting a newer idrive head unit. To be honest, the only cost effective of those options is the Android one.

[Opie55]

Map updates through third-party vendors are about $50, so it's not bad, but I suspect your other issues are more important to you.

[pungo]

There are add on Apple Carplay/Android Auto Interface boxes for your vehicle (~$300-$650 depending where you source it).

[pokerface]

I like the add-on carplay idea as well and that's probably the path I'll go.

I have the small screen nonNav CIC. Wouldn't mind upsizing the screen but think the cost ramps up rapidly and not sure what the trade-offs are with going full android.

[richardodn]

In a nutshell, your existing system becomes a video input to the new Android screen. Audio is still handled by the original system including audio from the new screen.

[Martinique78]

Thank you all for the suggestions. They are pretty much what i thought was my only options. It's my girls car and i'm a big audio and gadget kind of person and like things to work the way they are supposed to so it kind of bothers me that I'm not getting the full benefit from the system. However for her and the car she had before the x3 its light years of improvement so i just wont mention the things that bother me and just let her enjoy the fact she has nav at all lol.

[Xavvi]

You can try an android.

You can see my review here

[Xavvi]

The beauty of this unit is it looks OEM. And you can long press the menu button to switch between Android and Idrive so you don't lose the original functions. You can also use the idrive knob to control the android, which makes it more seamless vs the prior models.