How to Identify Whether Your BMW Has a CIC, NBT or NBT EVO Head Unit?

If you own a BMW and want to retrofit Apple CarPlay, add a reverse camera, or simply understand what features your iDrive system supports, the first step is knowing which head unit your car has. BMW has released several generations of iDrive units — CIC, NBT and NBT EVO (sometimes referred to as ID4, ID5 and ID6) — and the differences are not always obvious.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to quickly and accurately identify your BMW head unit, using production dates or software menus.

BMW’s iDrive system has evolved significantly over the years. Here’s a simplified overview:

A Quick History of BMW Head Units

Generation	Production years	Key features	Typical models
CCC	2003–2009	Early iDrive, limited graphics, basic functions	E-series (3, 5, 7, X5)
CIC	2008–2013	HDD maps, improved interface, red selection box	Late E-series & early F-series
NBT	2012–2016	Faster GUI, red highlight bar, improved integration	F-series (3, 5, X models)
NBT EVO ID4	2016–2017	Similar look to NBT, early EVO software	Late F-series
NBT EVO ID5/ID6	2016–2020	Tile-based modern interface, touch/gesture	G-series (3, 5, X, i models)
MGU / ID7	2020–2023	Advanced graphics, driver profiles, improved voice control	Latest G-series
MGU / ID8	2023–present	Fully digital interface, AI assistant, over-the-air updates	Current G-series

• CCC – Car Communication Computer
• CIC – Car Information Computer
• NBT – Next Big Thing
• NBT EVO – Next Big Thing Evolution
• MGU – Modular Generation Unit

Why Identifying Your Head Unit Can Be Tricky

• Overlap in production years — some late CIC units were still fitted when NBT was already available.
• Regional variations — Europe and the US sometimes had different rollouts.
• Retrofits — a previous owner may have upgraded the head unit.
• Software similarities — NBT EVO ID4 looks almost identical to NBT.

That’s why you need more than one method to be 100% sure.

How to Identify Which Head Unit You Have

1. Check the Software Interface (GUI)

This is one of the easiest ways. Look at how menus and LVDS connectors:

2. Check by Build Date

• Look up your BMW’s production date (sticker in the driver’s door jamb or via VIN decoder).

iDrive version	Model / Series	Time period
CCC (Car Communication Computer)	1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88	06/2004 – 09/2008
	3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93	03/2005 – 09/2008
	5-Series E60/E61	12/2003 – 11/2008
	6-Series E63/E64	12/2003 – 11/2008
	X5 Series E70	03/2007 – 10/2009
	X6 E72	05/2008 – 10/2009
CIC (Car Information Computer)	1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88	09/2008 – 03/2014
	1-Series F20/F21	09/2011 – 03/2013
	3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93	09/2008 – 10/2013
	3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80	02/2012 – 11/2012
	5-Series E60/E61	11/2008 – 05/2010
	5-Series F07	10/2009 – 07/2012
	5-Series F10	03/2010 – 09/2012
	5-Series F11	09/2010 – 09/2012
	6-Series E63/E64	11/2008 – 07/2010
	6-Series F06	03/2012 – 03/2013
	6-Series F12/F13	12/2010 – 03/2013
	7-Series F01/F02/F03	11/2008 – 07/2013
	7-Series F04	11/2008 – 06/2015
	X1 E84	10/2009 – 06/2015
	X3 F25	10/2010 – 04/2013
	X5 E70	10/2009 – 06/2013
	X6 E71	10/2009 – 08/2014
	Z4 E89	04/2009 – present
NBT (CIC-HIGH, also called the Next Big Thing – NBT)	1-Series F20/F21	03/2013 – 03/2015
	2-Series F22	11/2013 – 03/2015
	3-Series F30/F31	11/2012 – 07/2015
	3-Series F34	03/2013 – 07/2015
	3-Series F80	03/2014 – 07/2015
	4-Series F32	07/2013 – 07/2015
	4-Series F33	11/2013 – 07/2015
	4-Series F36	03/2014 – 07/2015
	5-Series F07	07/2012 – present
	5-Series F10/F11/F18	09/2012 – present
	6-Series F06/F12/F13	03/2013 – present
	7-Series F01/F02/F03	07/2012 – 06/2015
	X3 F25	04/2013 – 03/2016
	X4 F26	04/2014 – 03/2016
	X5 F15	08/2014 – 07/2016
	X5 F85	12/2014 – 07/2016
	X6 F16	08/2014 – 07/2016
	X6 F86	12/2014 – 07/2016
	i3	09/2013 – present
	i8	04/2014 – present
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID4	1-Series F20/F21	03/2015 – 06/2016
	2-Series F22	03/2015 – 06/2016
	2-Series F23	11/2014 – 06/2016
	3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80	07/2015 – 06/2016
	4-Series F32/F33/F36	07/2015 – 06/2016
	6-Series F06/F12/F13	03/2013 – 06/2016
	7-Series G11/G12/G13	07/2015 – 06/2016
	X3 F25	03/2016 – 06/2016
	X4 F26	03/2016 – 06/2016
NBT Evo (the Next Big Thing Evolution) ID5/ID6	1-Series F20/F21	07/2016 – 2019
	2-Series F22	07/2016 – 2021
	3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80	07/2016 – 2018
	4-Series F32/F33/F36	07/2016 – 2019
	5-Series G30/G31/G38	10/2016 – 2019
	6-Series F06/F12/F13	07/2016 – 2018
	6-Series G32	07/2017 – 2018
	7-Series G11/G12/G13	07/2016 – 2019
	X1 F48	2015 – 2022
	X2 F39	2018 – present
	X3 F25	07/2016 – 2017
	X3 G01	11/2017 – present
	X4 F26	07/2016 – 2018
	X5 F15/F85	07/2016 – 2018
	X6 F16/F86	07/2016 – 2018
	i8	09/2018- 2020
	i3	09/2018–present
MGU18 (iDrive 7.0)(Media Graphic Unit)	3-Series G20	09/2018 – present
	4 Series G22	06/2020 – present
	5 Series G30	2020 – present
	6 Series G32	2019 – present
	7 Series G11	01/2019 – present
	8-Series G14/G15	09/2018 – present
	M8 G16	2019 – present
	i3 I01	2019 – present
	i8 I12 / I15	2019 – 2020
	X3 G01	2019 – present
	X4 G02	2019 – present
	X5 G05	09/2018 – present
	X6 G06	2019 – present
	X7 G07	2018 – present
	Z4 G29	09/2018 – present
MGU21 (iDrive 8.0) (Media Graphic Unit)	3 Series G20	2022 – present
	iX1	2022 – present
	i4	2021 – present
	iX	2021 – present

Conclusion

Identifying your BMW head unit is crucial before attempting any retrofits or software updates. Using a combination of production year, VIN, interface clues, hardware inspection and diagnostics, you can determine whether your car has CIC, NBT or NBT EVO (ID4/ID5/ID6).

Once you know your unit, you’ll be able to choose the right upgrades — from Apple CarPlay activation to camera retrofits — and avoid compatibility headaches.

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