Nav Computer Upgrade for 2003-2004 Range Rover III/L322/LM
Upgrading to the BMW "Mk IV" Nav Computer
Mk IV Nav ScreenIntroduction
Mk IV Nav Computer Description & Capabilities
Installation
Owner Reports
Parts Sources
More Information

Photo at right: Mk IV Display showing split screen and 3-D options (Photo courtesy of Bimmernav.com)

Introduction

When the all-new Range Rover Mk III/L322/LM came out in mid-2002, then-corporate owner BMW used the "Mk III" nav computer from the X5. (The Range Rover software included minor changes with an "off-road mode" showing compass bearings, altitude readout, GPS coordinate display, and the ability to store tracks and waypoints). Input is by turning a knob to scroll the cursor through menus and selections, and pressing it when the desired selection is highlighted. The system justifiably garnered considerable criticism from owners and reviewers for the non-intuitive nature of its controls. There were also a number of software bugs and other problems encountered by owners (see the RR III common problems and fixes page).

In 2005, under Ford ownership, a new, greatly improved Denso DVD-based touch screen system was introduced, shared with the Checy Corvette. This used a new fiber optic MOST bus wiring harness (common to the 05/06/RRS/LR3), which is not compatible with the older 02/03/04 copper wire IBus system from BMW. Both  systems connect to the vehicle's other ECUs, so it is (unfortunately) not possible to put an 05+ touchscreen unit in a 03/04 RR. Meanwhile, the last map update was version 2003.2, and no more are planned. If you have different information, please email me so we can share this information with other owners!

Fortunately, however, BMW had in 2003 come up with a greatly improved "Mk IV" nav computer for its X5, using the same wiring harness and display screen as the 2002-2004 Range Rover, making upgrading a plug-and-play operation. I have heard from several owners who now have this upgrade -- they are delighted with the results, which include updated DVD-based maps with one disk for the entire US (or Europe), moving map display, faster response, improved graphics including 3-D display option. Interestingly, the upgraded computer also has provision for plugging in other options such as TV/DVD display on the nav screen, Bluetooth integration, upgraded CD player with MP3 capability, backup camera, etc (see More Information below).

This page is devoted to a description of the Mk IV nav system, the installation process, and links to the other upgrades that it makes possible.


Mk IV Nav Computer Description and Capabilities

Mk IV computerDescription

The BMW Mk IV nav computer was introduced around 2004 and is used on the BMW X5 and 7-series models, upto and including the 2006 BMW X5. Since it was designed to be compatible with the original BMW X5 nav system, it is also compatible with Range Rovers sold from June 2002 through late 2004, which used the same computer, in-dash display and wiring. Photo at right: Mk IV Computer (courtesy of Bimmernav.com, a site developed by fellow Range Rover Owner Martin Bishop)

On Range Rovers, the nav computer is located in the loadspace behind the left hand trim panel. Therefore, if you are doing this upgrade, you need to get the right MK4 BMW unit -- it should look just like your present unit but with DVD on it (see photo). Also it should be listed as a trunk mount unit, Other MK IV units that look different are glovebox mount units and are not compatable with our Range Rover/BMW units. You will also need the latest DVD to make the system run.

Above: Back of correct BMW X5 MKIV computer for the Range Rover. Plugs: Blue, Magenta.

Below: Correct front 		Above: Back of wrong BMW Mk IV computer (E65 7 Series). Has fiber optic connection and black electrical socket.

Below: Wrong front. (Photos courtesy of Martin Bishop)

Capabilities

The advantages of the Mk IV computer over the (stock for the RR) Mk III version include:

Better User Interface:  The user interface is rightly complained about on the Mk III computer. The Mk IV answers these criticisms with a more logical interface. For example, most often there is no acceptance screen, and if you turn off the car with the map up that is how it will return. 

Faster Speed.  The BMW MKIV Navigation computer is MUCH faster than the MKI, MKII, or MKIII computer.  Input in an address and the MKIV immediately maps it's location and directions.  One user wanted to test how much faster it was in mapping a destination so he entered a destination 2000 miles away.  It gave directions in 3 seconds, and drew the map immediately.  Address inputting is also much faster, with no waiting for searches.

3D viewImproved Graphics: The BMW MKIV Navigation computer allows the map to move under your vehicle icon while you drive, and the almost instantaneous map refreshment makes following visual directions easier and safer. In addition to the better-looking user interface the MKIV supports split screen technology that puts the map on one side and the directions on the other side of the display. This feature is user selectable via the Settings menu.  The latest version of the BMW MKIV firmware also allows for 3D map viewing via a hidden menu item.  To turn on perspective mode, from the main menu of your navigation screen select "settings", then press and hold the MENU button for 8 seconds.  Using the right scroll button, scroll down to Perspective and turn on. In this mode only the major steeet mnames are usuall shown --  it is not intended for detailed desination finding but giveds you a better oveview of where you are. .

Photo at right: 3-D view option displayed on the screen, courtesy of Bimmernav.com

Added Features: The "Destinations+" feature allows searching using partial names and searching perimeters. (Selecting General Destinations brings up the standard searches.  Choosing Travel Information provides the new features). For example you can choose the type of restaurant you prefer, enter part of the name you are looking for, and how far you are willing to travel from your current location or the destination  When you get the options,to sort through, making a selection allows you to map to the location or call the number with your Bluetooth phone. In the corporation information provided, you can even look up a customer's phone number. You can always go back to the standard way of finding restaurants etc just by scrolling through all of the options at the current location.

Support for Sirius, MP3, Bluetooth, TV, DVD, etc: The design of the Mk IV computer also  supports Sirius, CD ID3 Audiotext, TV display, DVD, Bluetooth, backup camera input, etc. The Sirius support includes station and song information provided from your Sirius receiver. For this to work,you must add the new style trunk mount radio.

DVD Maps for Europe or North America: The BMW MKIV Navigation computer uses DVDROM technology allowing Navtech to put all of Europe, or all of the US and Canada on one map.  No more need for swapping out CDs when you go from state to state or country to country. The MKIV also supports the old style CDROMaps. Since Land Rover has decided not to provide any updates for the CD maps used on 2003 and 2004 models, upgrading to the Mk IV allows owners to update their maps. As of this writing (March 2007) the latest map update produced by Navtech is dated 2007.

Note: The DVD-based Mk IV nav system does not (by itself) play movie DVDs (a common question). To do this, you need a separate DVD player wich the Mk IV system makes possible to hook up so it displays on the Nav screen (see "Support for Sirius, MP3, Bluetooth, TV, DVD, etc" above. 


Installation Procedure

The installation procedure is a very simple 5 minute affair, and basically involves unplugging the old computer and plugging in the new one. All the parts are plug and play compatible due to being manufactured for the BMW X5 which uses the same nav computer.

1. Open the Storage compartment on the rear left side of the car where the navigation computer is located

Location of trim panel behind which nav computer is located
 Panel Removed (photos courtesy of Martin Bishop)

2. Insert a "radio removal tool" into the 4 holes on the navigation computer. (If you do not have a radio removal tool, cut a coathanger into 4 pieces and insert the 4 pieces into the holes on the front of the naviation drive, then pull straight outward). 
3. Slide Range Rover navigation computer out. Make sure the light on the DVD drive is off before disconnecting the power wires.
4. Replace with BMW MKIV DVD navigation computer.


Map Updates

The DVD maps for the BMW Mk IV nav computer are made by Navteq and can be found on http://www.navteq.com/ 

To find the right ones, select 2006 BMW X5 in the vehicle choice menu, since this model has the same navigation drive. As of this writing (March 2007) the latest map for North America is called Version 2007.2 and is currently listed for $199. It contains over 6 million miles of roads, and appears to have the same amount of information on it as the current map version for the new Land Rover nav systems used in 2005 & up models.

If you are buying disks from Ebay or similar, make sure you get the blue ones, designed for the rear-mounted computer, rather than the green ones designed for the in-dash version of the Mk IV computer. Also, there are some disck advertised as "High" and some as "Professional" -- you need the "High" ones as the others are intended for the BMW I-Drive system.

Note: The system will also work with the CDs used in the older Mk III computer.

Owner Reports

Mark Olsen has had the Mk IV computer in his 2003 RR for a couple of years now. He got a European-sourced unit -- which has the advantage of not requiring the ridiculous legal disclaimer screens inserted by American lawyers. His comments: "Now for some of the cool things: I never have to go thru the acceptance screen, and if you have the nav on, and stop (even turning off the car), when you get back in it goes right back to the Nav. Now I like the split screen, it's cool, nice to have the street you are on spelled out along with directon of travel, lat, long, and elevation. This works even if you have the radio only or computer on (when in split screen). I was also surprised to see that even with the old 2001-1 CD, that the tracking is a moving map, not the moving triangle. With the DVD in and working...the screen and options are still the same.  It is nice to see all the streets on the map that the old system didn't have. I will go back over to the X5 site and download the operation instruction and the latest update (v28) for the unit. I haven't done this yet, but have see threads on it in the BMW nav site. What you get with the update:
1. Land Rover start up logo
2. Perspective view
3. There are other functions that I'm not sure but I never claimed to know anyway.
4. You will end up in Euro mode, meaning yards, and no acceptence screen (or at least I ended up that way)... Last you may have to have Land Rover or BMW hook up to their computer to have the mk4 unit talk to the speedo so that you will get time/distance calcs. Everything else works fine. If you have an older MKIII nav system it is worth doing the change."

Nick Howe confirms there seems to be a disconnect with the speedo/odometer; the 'estimated time of arrival' remains blank and will not calculate, and the "distance to go" cannot be manually entered into the 'computer' section. "I have not yet tried Mark's suggestion that LR can use their computer to fix this problem. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had this problem and had it fixed. Also, I intially had a couple of instances of the unit being inaccurate on location by a hundred yards or so and thinking it was on the wrong road. This was fixed by getting to a known location and following the instructions in the user guide to tell it exactly where it was. Everything has been OK since then."

RR III forum member Viper1993 reports: "Only initial downside was the ugly BMW logo - which I had to change. This was no easy process. Spent about a day messing with it to get it to work. Went with a cool rhino breaking out of the screen / land rover logo. Upgraded to V28 software which gives a perspective view - pretty neat. My unit was a "Euro" unit - which I thought I might want to do a software change to US - but the nice thing about the euro version is that there are no warning screens/accept screens. Automatically goes right to navigation. Radio screen looks different - like there's somethings missing - but I'll wait to see if I can change that."

Martin Bishop reports: "There are TWO ways to remove the accept screen.
1) Code the Area of the nav computer to Euro (ECE). My preferred method but you need a BMW coding tool.
2) Remove the AREA coding. Removing the area coding is done by downgrading the software to an earlier version and then upgrading again. It will loose it's coding this way, but not just for the area, all coding settings will be lost.
When you downgrade the MKIV to loose the Area settings something is messing up the ETA feature. If you have an MKIV nav drive that is coded for ECE, then you have no Accept screen. Distance is yard or Meters, but ETA works fine.  In addition when the units are coded you have the option of selecting languages. We code with British English, US English and Spanish. As a matter of fact, if you want a custom language on your nav computer, we at Bimmernav.com can code any of the 7 languages you want."

Please email me if you have tried the upgrade and found silutions to these minor remaining issues.


Parts Sources

Mk IV DVD-Based Nav System: Bimmernav.com supplies the Mk IV computer already loaded with the latest v28 software, as well as the Land Rover splash screen replacing the BMW logo.
Bimmernav.com online store has numerous upgrades specifically for the Mk III Range Rover (2003-2004)


More Information

Plug & Play Upgrades (Using BMW OEM parts) Once Mk IV Computer is Installed:
TV Upgrade for 2003-2004 RR III: uses the nav screen to display TV and video input from DVD or back-up camera.
Radio Upgrade Module for 2003-2004 Range Rovers: Provides support for other upgrades including BMW Auxiliary input,  BMW Sirius Satellite Radio and BMW MP3 CD changer.
Bluetooth Retrofit Kit for 2003-2004 Range Rovers: Enables wireless connection of standard Bluetooth-enabled phone to other accessories such as a laptop or wireless headset, for safe hands-fee operation while driving, and features such as voice control of your cellular phone and navigation system
CD player upgrade with MP3 capability for Range Rover III 2003-2004: Updated CD changer plays MP3, WMA and iTunes, and displays ID3 audiotext on the nav display.

Other Links:
X5 World: -- they seem to be up on all the goodies that also work with the 2003 to 2004 Range Rover systems.
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