BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-22-2012, 06:51 AM   #1
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Rearview Mirror and compass

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
Hi,

I have a question regarding my new to me, 2011 X3 2.8 It does not have the NAV package and it also does not have a compass heading indicator in the rear view mirror. Is this normal? I was surprised that there was no indicator, is this only with the NAV package or is there a defect in my mirror? If this is normal, what have others done with regard to a compass?

Thanks,

Mark
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 07:06 AM   #2
BMWs
Private
United_States
16
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pittsburgh

iTrader: (0)

Mine doesn't either without NAV. Since they include the NAV button on the I-drive controller they should have made it go to a compass screen instead of do nothing. Stupid BMW cost saving!!!
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 07:10 AM   #3
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I'm real surprised there are not letters in the corner of the mirror. Thought that was pretty much standard. It's present in the 328i loaner that I have today but the car also has NAV.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 07:11 AM   #4
Ural
Private First Class
Ural's Avatar
4
Rep
125
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 20d
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Istanbul,Turkey

iTrader: (0)

Neither does mine. Compass is one of the few things I miss from my previous Jeep Liberty .
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 07:43 AM   #5
bren
user
bren's Avatar
4
Rep
229
Posts

Drives: German Camaro
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

FYI, this has nothing to do with nav, or lack thereof.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 08:04 AM   #6
BMWs
Private
United_States
16
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pittsburgh

iTrader: (0)

This is true but when you don't have NAV a compass becomes more useful. Also when you have NAV the map shows what direction you are traveling so don't need one. They should have included it how I said above by pressing the NAV button you get compass screen.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 09:19 AM   #7
n55x3
Captain
72
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: n55 BMWs
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: us - ohio

iTrader: (0)

I certainly miss the compass. Having it on the mirror is something I've grown used to over the years. It was always there, always ready at a glance. I'd even settle for the cardinality being displayed in the center screen within the instrument cluster.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 09:31 AM   #8
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by bren View Post
FYI, this has nothing to do with nav, or lack thereof.
OK - so, then why is it on the 2010 328i service loaner (with NAV) that I picked up this morning and not on my car? Ya think I could swap mirrors - both are auto dimming w/ home link.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 09:42 AM   #9
bren
user
bren's Avatar
4
Rep
229
Posts

Drives: German Camaro
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
OK - so, then why is it on the 2010 328i service loaner (with NAV) that I picked up this morning and not on my car?
You'd have to ask that question to BMW.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
Ya think I could swap mirrors - both are auto dimming w/ home link.
Got me. I'd guess they'll mount up the same way but no idea about the wiring, or the rain sensor, or where the compass signal actually comes from......

Maybe take a look at realoem and see if the part number for the e90 3 series without compass is the same as the x3.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 12:25 PM   #10
jdmass
Private
11
Rep
95
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 xDrive35i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Westborough,MA

iTrader: (1)

I, too, miss the compass in the upper-right corner of the mirror. I didn't notice that it was gone when I was test driving the X3. My 3 series had it and I guess I was too busy checking out things like the top-down camera view to realize it wasn't there.

Years ago, I owned a 5 series that also was missing the compass (and no nav either). I was able to order a mirror with compass and installed it myself. I had auto-dimming and rain-sensor already so the replacement was just a plug and play -- no additional wiring needed. The same could be probably be done on the X3, but it sucks that they chose to save a couple of bucks on this.
__________________
Jim D.
2015 X3 xdrive28d
Black Sapphire Metallic/Black Nevada/xLine, Cold Weather, DHP, DA, DA+ w/ACC, Lighting, Premium, NAV, HK Audio, Parking Assistant, Enhanced BT
Previous BMWs: 2000 528i, 2003 540i, 2007 335i Sedan, 2009 335i Sedan, 2012 X3 xDrive35i
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 12:33 PM   #11
Want the thrill
Lieutenant Colonel
326
Rep
1,560
Posts

Drives: 2022 X4M40i, retired ‘11 X3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MI

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2022 X4M40i  [10.00]
I have the Nav and even with that you still do not get the rear view mirror with the compass. Yes, you can see the direction on the nav, but it sure is nice to have it right on the rear view mirror. Most cars (non-bmw) seem to have it standard.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 12:50 PM   #12
JSY
Major
575
Rep
1,108
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I'm not sure why they removed it in the newer X3s. I had it with Nav on my 2009 X3 but obviously not on my 2012 X3 with Nav. It was useful to glance at the mirror.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 01:53 PM   #13
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I did find this

http://www.thecompassstore.com/mirrorcompass.html

So I might go this route
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 07:52 PM   #14
April1
Love All
April1's Avatar
United_States
170
Rep
740
Posts

Drives: X3 28i 2011
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
I did find this

http://www.thecompassstore.com/mirrorcompass.html

So I might go this route
Lets know the results if you buy this unit.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 08:03 PM   #15
bren
user
bren's Avatar
4
Rep
229
Posts

Drives: German Camaro
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
I did find this

http://www.thecompassstore.com/mirrorcompass.html

So I might go this route
That looks like an overly complex solution to a simple problem.
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 08:32 PM   #16
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Yeah but after the $$$ I just spent on a trailer hitch this is a pretty cheap solution
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2012, 09:19 PM   #17
JSY
Major
575
Rep
1,108
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I don't think you can mount that thing like they show you in the website because the battery pack would probably block the light sensor on the back of the rear view mirror.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2012, 04:56 AM   #18
turbotoy4me
Captain
turbotoy4me's Avatar
United_States
131
Rep
752
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5 M50i
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Berthoud, CO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2015 Porsche Macan ...  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2020 BMW  [0.00]
I agree with the posts on here that I am not sure why BMW removed the compass from the rear view mirror. My 2011 with nav does not have the compass either. I too miss having that feature.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2012, 10:40 AM   #19
roundtree
Private
roundtree's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
63
Posts

Drives: '12 F25 28i SB
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Frisco, TX, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW 328i  [10.00]
2012 BMW X3  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
Yeah but after the $$$ I just spent on a trailer hitch this is a pretty cheap solution
If this weren't so close to home, I would laugh.

Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:54 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST