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, VIN numbers, software menus. We’ll also cover common pitfalls and provide a simple checklist at the end.
A Quick History of BMW Head Units
BMW’s iDrive system has evolved significantly over the years. Here’s a simplified overview:
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CCC (2003–2009) – The early iDrive, limited graphics and functionality.
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CIC (2008–2013) – “Car Information Computer”; improved interface, hard drive for maps, better graphics.
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NBT (2012–2016) – “Next Big Thing”; faster processor, redesigned GUI, better connectivity, integrated SIM in some versions.
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NBT EVO (2016–present) – Latest generation; multiple software “skins” (ID4, ID5, ID6), supports Apple CarPlay, gesture control and modern connected services.
| Generation | Production years | Key features | Typical models |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIC | 2008–2013 | HDD maps, red selection box | 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 & later F-series |
Why Identifying Your Head Unit Can Be Tricky
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Overlap in production years — some late CIC units were still fitted when NBT was already available.
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Regional variations — Europe and the US sometimes had different rollouts.
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Retrofits — a previous owner may have upgraded the head unit.
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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 are highlighted:
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CIC → Selection box around the menu item (a red square or outline).
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NBT → Entire menu line highlighted with a red bar.
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NBT EVO ID4 → Almost identical to NBT, but smoother transitions and slightly refined icons.
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NBT EVO ID5/ID6 → Tile-based layout, similar to modern smartphone UIs, often touch-enabled.
Tip: When adjusting volume, if a small on-screen overlay appears, you most likely have NBT or later.
2. Check by Build Date
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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.