What Does BMW Cic Stand For?

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With the F01/F02 7 Series, it made its debut in September 2008. The Becker-produced CIC, or Car Information Computer, runs on the QNX operating system. It is an optional feature for the following automobiles:

  • 1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 from September 2008 to March 2014
  • 1-Series F20/F21, 2009 to 2013,
  • E90/E91/E92/E93 3-Series – 09/2008 – 10/2013
  • F30/F31/F34/F80 3-Series – 02/2012 – 11/2012
  • 5-Series E60/E61, November 2008 to May 2010.
  • 5-Series F07 – 2010 to 2012
  • 5-Series F10, March 2010–September 2012
  • 5-Series F11, 2009 to 2012
  • 6-Series E63/E64: November 2008 until July 2010
  • 6-Series F06, March 2012 to March 2013
  • F12/F13 6-Series, 12/2010 – 03/2013
  • 11/2008 – 07/2013 7-Series F01/F02/F03
  • 7-Series F04: November 2008 to June 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 – 2016

A significant improvement to iDrive is the CIC system, which swaps out the controller, computer, and display. To address one of the frequent iDrive issues, the display is more responsive and has a greater quality than CCC. There is also support for internet access.

TeleAtlas maps, which are stored on an inbuilt 2.5″ 80 GB hard drive, are used by CIC-based systems (HDD). Additionally, this HDD has an 8 GB capacity for playback-ready music files. A USB connector is available in the glove box to make it easier to upload music files to the HDD.

All CIC-based iDrive systems support DVD video as of 2009 LCI manufacture. However, for automatic transmission cars, this only works when the parking brake is engaged, and for manual transmission cars, only while the car is in the “Park” position. While driving, DVD audio will still be playing.

Toyota CCC to CIC

Upgraded hardware (new screen, head unit, iDrive controller, trim). As you can see from the differences between the two images above, replacing the CCC iDrive with a BMW CIC retrofit results in a screen with a higher quality and a lot more complete menu with several options.

What exactly does CIC mean? The abbreviation CIC stands for Car Information Computer, which has a more sophisticated entertainment system than CCC (redesigned controller, enhanced menu navigation, bigger screen dimension, etc.)

Additionally, the CIC head unit is the first to provide you the chance to add an aftermarket CarPlay from BimmerTech. You can presently install our CarPlay retrofit in cars made from 2008, including E-series, F-series (only 5 / 6 / 7 and X3 Series) and G-series vehicles, since the CarPlay MMI Prime compatibility list extended in 2020.

What distinguishes the BMW CCC and CIC?

The original iteration of iDrive, CCC, was used in BMW cars up until 2007. From 2008 to the present, BMW vehicles have been equipped with CIC, the latest iteration of the iDrive. Changes made from CCC to CIC included a new display, a speedier processor, and a revised controller.

BMW upgraded the CIC iDrive to CIC-HIGH in 2012. The update increased the hard drive capacity, memory, and processor speeds.

Frequently, BMW owners will inquire, “What is the distinction between CIC and CCC on a BMW?” We’ll go through how to distinguish between CCC and CIC navigational units in this article.

System identification for BMW

In many of today’s BMW vehicles, the majority of secondary vehicle systems are managed by the iDrive computer system.

This is iDrive in “CCC” form. It was in service until roughly 2009 (year varies by car type), when the “CIC” version, which is illustrated below, took its place. A map DVD from Navteq is used in a dedicated DVD drive for CCC-based systems. The following vehicles use CCC iDrive:

  • 1-Series E81, E82, E87, and E88 > 2009
  • 2008 3-Series E90, E91, E92, and E93
  • E60/E61 5-Series > 2008 > 2009
  • E63/E64 6-Series > 2008 > 2009
  • 2010 X5 Series E70
  • X6 E71

IDrive “CIC” is available here. It superseded the “CCC” version and was first made available in 2009 (the exact year depends on the car model). TeleAtlas maps, which are installed on an internal hard drive, are used by CIC-based systems (HDD).

  • E81/E82/E87/E88 from 1-Series in 2009 >
  • 3-Series E90, E91, E92, and E93, 2009 >
  • E60/E61 of the 5-Series, 2009 >
  • 5-Series F07, F10, and F11, 2009 >
  • 2009 6-Series E63/E64 >
  • 9/2008 7-Series F01/F02 >
  • X5 E70 09/2009 >

This is iDrive’s most recent release, code-named “NBT.” It replaced the “CIC” version that is displayed above and was made available for 2013 model automobiles (the year varies by vehicle model). While it has a similar aesthetic to the CIC model, it is more detailed, with finer colors, and a 3D feel. The menu options will let you know if you have CIC or NTB if you’re unsure. NBT highlights the entire line in red, whereas CIC only utilizes a red box outline.

  • F20/F21 of 1 Series
  • F22/F23 2-Series
  • 3-Series F30, F31, F34, and F80
  • 4-Series F32, F33, and F36
  • 5-Series F10, F11, and F18
  • 6-Series F06, F12, and F13
  • 7-Series F01, F02, and F03
  • X3 F25
  • X4 F26
  • X5 F15/F85
  • X6 F16/F86
  • i3
  • i8

The most recent iteration of iDrive is called “NBT EVO.” It was debuted around June of last year.

Quick summary of BMW iDrive

Since the commencement of manufacturing in 2001, BMW vehicles have been using the iDrive control and communication technology.

The iDrive’s goal is to integrate all cabin control features into a single system with a central computer that manages numerous peripherals and is usually referred to as “navigation” (bluetooth modules, video units, radio tuner etc). A joystick-like controller is positioned between the two front seats and an LCD monitor in the dashboard serve as the user interface. You may access the front panel of the iDrive main computer, which typically sits in the dashboard and has a few control buttons (see figure 1 below).

The iDrive computer can be a CCC (Car Communication Computer), CIC (Car Information Computer), or Next Best Thing (NBT), to mention just a few of the most well-known, depending on your car’s model and year. We’ll go into more detail about these computers later.

The driver and front passenger can operate the navigation system, communication system, audio, lights, and video through the iDrive (like bluetooth calls).

Since Rolls Royce is a brand owned by BMW, it also employs the iDrive system. And the Mini automobiles, another BMW brand, use a “Connected” version of the iDrive system.

What does the term “CCC unit” refer to?

The CCC module (iDrive navigation) is what most often is meant when someone mentions the BMW CCC unit or CCC iDrive, not the entire system. The CCC iDrive is occasionally referred to by the abbreviation “iDrive,” which causes a number of misunderstandings:

  • There are various iDrive generations and models (CCC, CIC, NBT, M-ASK and more). It makes a significant difference, for instance, if someone’s iDrive is CCC or CIC, when discussing iDrive flaws. The repair cost and process will be different for an NBT iDrive than for a CCC iDrive when we claim “my iDrive is continually rebooting.”
  • The controller (joystick) that is situated between the front seats is occasionally referred to as the iDrive. You might hear someone say, “My iDrive spins effortlessly,” for instance. You must distinguish between iDrive controller and iDrive module when reading about iDrive, depending on the context.

navigating a BMW CIC:

The BMW CIC unit is more functional and capable than the CCC model. Because of its more powerful processing capabilities, it enables the DVD in motion coding function, although updating maps is more challenging. To update maps, one needs to update the unit’s hard drive-based storage and receive an FSC code. For the time being, we only provide FSC codes for F series chassis.

A CCC module BMW is what?

A head unit model installed on BMW vehicles made between 2003 and 2010 is called the BMW CCC unit. The BMW CCC unit and the 8.8″ wide-screen display for this Professional Navigation are both housed in the dash board. The BMW CCC unit is susceptible to a number of issues, many of which are easily fixable (despite of what most greedy BMW dealerships will tell their customers).

You’ll learn the following from this article:

  • what your mechanic or dealer means when they mention the CCC iDrive
  • What distinguishes a BMW CCC unit from a BMW CIC unit or an M-ASK unit?

You’ll probably need to know whether your BMW has a CCC unit, a CIC unit, or another type of iDrive navigation computer during the following times:

  • Working your way up from the iDrive model is necessary when you are facing infotainment system issues (sound issues, navigation reset, bluetooth disconnecting, etc.).
  • after you decide to update your iDrive. Your existing iDrive model will let you know which additional modules need to be upgraded (like the iDrive joystick controller or the display in the dash)

We are aware of how perplexing the terminology used by automobile infotainment systems is. We all experience this frustration, so don’t worry. This is the reason we wrote this piece—so we can use what we know to benefit others.

Car Communication Computer is the abbreviation. iDrive is a group of hardware and software that controls the entertainment and communication systems in BMW vehicles made starting in 2001. One specific version of the BMW iDrive system is the BMW CCC unit.

Has the BMW CIC Bluetooth?

Bluetooth audio streaming for BMW You can only skip to the previous or next song if your BMW has the CIC / ENTRY iDrive system installed. You can explore the playlist on the NBT and NBT Evo head units and select any song to play.

Can CIC take the place of CCC?

The distinction between the BMW CIC and CCC head units and how to upgrade from one system to the other are often asked questions. To make things clear, the key differences are in the far more sophisticated technology and internet support. The CIC comes with an 80 GB hard disk drive (HDD) that contains current map data from TeleAtlas and can hold uploaded music and operating system files, as opposed to the CCC, which used DVDs and CDs to store maps or music. Unlike its predecessor, which had two drives—one for CDs and one for map DVDs—CIC has a USB hookup in the glove box and just one DVD drive.

A quicker CPU, more potent navigation, a menu with a lot of options, a more contemporary-looking interface, a better resolution screen, and voice control are additional recognized features of the updated head unit. Additionally, you can activate videos and services that are in motion. The Professional unit screen of CIC can measure up to 10.25″ depending on your car model, whereas CCC employs an 8.8″ central information display (CID). CIC also surpasses CCC in terms of screen size.

The screen, head unit, iDrive controller, and trim all need to be upgraded if you wish to retrofit a CIC iDrive in your earlier BMW with a CCC system.

Does every BMW have iDrive?

Here is all the information you need to know about BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and control, which was first introduced in the company’s flagship saloon, the BMW 7 Series, in 2001. Since then, it has developed into a completely different creature and is now installed in every BMW model, from the base BMW 1 Series to the flagship BMW 8 Series.