Which iDrive do I have? Telling CIC, NBT, EVO and MGU apart
How to identify your iDrive generation — no tools, under a minute. And what each generation allows when coding.
Almost every BMW coding question starts with the same uncertainty: which head unit is actually fitted? Everything depends on it — whether Apple CarPlay can be unlocked, whether it works wirelessly, whether fullscreen is possible. You need no tools for this, just a look at the screen and the rotary controller.
The fastest check: the rotary controller
Does the controller in the centre console have a touch-sensitive pad on top that you can write letters on? Then it is NBT or newer. If the surface is smooth with no touch function, you are usually looking at CIC or older.
The four generations at a glance
| Generation | Years (roughly) | How to spot it | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIC | 2008–2012 | No touch controller, square menu tiles | cannot be unlocked |
| NBT | 2012–2015 | Touch controller, split screen view | retrofit only |
| NBT Evo ID5/ID6 | 2016–2019 | Tile interface, sometimes touchscreen | usually unlockable |
| MGU ID7/ID8 | 2018+ | Touchscreen as standard, rounded tiles | unlockable |
Confirming it: the service menu
If you want certainty, hold the volume knob for about twenty seconds. On many models a menu appears showing the software version. The string often starts with a prefix that reveals the generation. If that leads nowhere, only reading the vehicle order will settle it — which is exactly what we do during diagnostics.
Why the generation decides everything
On NBT Evo and MGU, Apple CarPlay already exists as a function inside the control unit and is merely time-limited or switched off. Unlocking it is then pure software. On CIC the function simply does not exist — only a hardware retrofit helps, and that is rarely economical.
Be careful with blanket statements online. The same model range can carry different head units depending on production date and options. The vehicle order inside the control unit is the only reliable source.
What this means for you
Before you order anything anywhere: have the generation determined. It takes a few minutes and stops you paying for an unlock your car cannot technically support. Send us the chassis number and we will tell you in advance what is fitted.
A question about your car?
Send us the model and year — we will tell you exactly what is possible on your specific vehicle.
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