If you have ever tried to order a new screen, a CarPlay box or searched for a software update for your BMW, you have probably come across terms like CCC, CIC, NBT and NBT EVO. It is easy to get confused, because BMW has changed its infotainment systems several times since iDrive was introduced in 2001, and the differences between the generations are not always obvious just by looking at the car's model year.
In this guide we go through how to recognise which iDrive generation your car has, what sets them apart, and why it matters when you want to upgrade to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or a new screen.
Remember: the exact year a given generation was introduced varies between models and markets, because BMW often introduced new systems in connection with a facelift in the middle of a model's life cycle. The years below are therefore approximate reference points. The most reliable way to identify the system is to compare the appearance of the menu with the pictures and to look at the connector behind the screen, which we go through further down.
Quick overview: all generations in one table
After ID6 EVO, BMW moved on to iDrive 7 (OS7), iDrive 8 and most recently iDrive 9, which now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory. This is why upgrade products such as Android screens and CarPlay boxes are mainly relevant for cars with CCC, CIC, NBT or NBT EVO, where the factory functions are often limited or non-existent.
CCC (Car Communication Computer)
CCC was the first "real" iDrive generation and was introduced in the early 2000s. The system is controlled entirely via the iDrive controller. There is no touchscreen.
If your car has CCC and you want to step into the modern world with CarPlay, Android Auto and a touchscreen, a complete Android screen is the most common solution, since CCC lacks the touch hardware and connections required for a simpler box solution.
CIC (Car Information Computer)
CIC replaced CCC from around 2008 and represented a significant step up in performance and screen quality.
- Navigation is stored on an internal hard drive, unlike CCC.
- The controller gained seven shortcut buttons to jump directly to, for example, Nav, Tel or Media.
- On some models (for example the BMW F10/F11) the buttons are labelled "CD" and "MAP" instead of "MEDIA" and "NAV". A simple way to tell CIC from NBT without opening the dashboard.
As a rule, CIC cars lack both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory. Here, both an Android screen that replaces the entire head unit and, in some cases, a wireless CarPlay & Android Auto box that runs in parallel with the original system will fit.
NBT (Next Big Thing)
NBT took over around 2012–2013 and is the generation most likely to be in your car if it is an F30, F31, F34, F20/F21 or an F10/F11 with a facelift.
- A new menu item, "ConnectedDrive", appears in the main menu. It is missing on both CCC and CIC.
- The controller is somewhat larger than the CIC version.
- Storage is still an internal hard drive, but with greater capacity and a faster processor than CIC.
How to tell CIC from NBT with certainty: the connector behind the screen
If it is difficult to determine from the appearance of the menu, the most reliable method is to look at the LVDS connector on the back of the screen:
This is the same method we use ourselves in our guide to choosing the right CarPlay box and in our installation guide for F10/F11. Good to know if you are still unsure even after comparing menu pictures, because some cars (for example some F10/F11 from 2013) may have a different system than the model year suggests.
Note: the connector on NBT EVO looks physically identical to that on regular NBT, even though it is a later generation. So rely on the appearance of the menu (compare with the pictures), not just the connector, when distinguishing NBT from NBT EVO.
NBT EVO: ID4, ID5 and ID6
From around 2016, BMW moved to a new hardware platform commonly called NBT EVO. The EVO platform then received three different software generations: ID4, ID5 and ID6. They all run on the same underlying hardware but look different on the screen.
Since ID4, ID5 and ID6 share the same hardware, it is often possible to update the software between them (for example from ID5 to ID6) without replacing physical components. So it is not the same as going from NBT to NBT EVO, which requires a hardware swap.
For cars with NBT or NBT EVO that already have a screen you want to keep, our CarPlay & Android Auto box is often the smoothest option. It is connected in parallel with the original system, and you switch between iDrive and CarPlay/Android Auto at the press of a button. Keep in mind that the touchscreen function on some EVO cars with the original screen only works in the regular iDrive menu, not in the CarPlay/Auto menu. This is due to a limitation in the original screen's hardware, not the box.
Model by model: which iDrive does your BMW probably have?
Would you like a more detailed starting point based on your specific chassis code? Here is a broader overview of the most common BMW models. Remember that the cut-off points below are approximate. The exact transition is governed by production date, engine variant and market, not just model year, so always use the appearance of the menu or the LVDS connector as the final confirmation.
Note that the G series (G20/G21, G30/G31, F39) often already has built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory, at least in wired form. This is why our screen and box products are primarily developed for CCC, CIC, NBT and NBT EVO cars, where the factory functions are considerably more limited.
Which upgrade suits your car?
Android screen or Linux screen: what is the actual difference?
Both replace the original screen and give you wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but they are built for different things:
- The Android screen is a complete smart device. It runs Android with the Play Store installed, which means you can download and run standalone apps directly on the screen, such as Spotify, YouTube or Netflix, entirely without the phone needing to be connected.
- The Linux screen is more stripped down and built for a single purpose: to deliver CarPlay and Android Auto as quickly and stably as possible. The lighter operating system means the screen starts almost immediately, but you cannot install separate apps directly on the device. All app usage instead takes place via the phone through the CarPlay/Android Auto interface.
Put simply: if you want a device that works like a small tablet in the car, choose Android. If you mainly want fast, stable, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto without hassle, the Linux screen may be the sharper option.
Right now we have a Linux screen in our range for the BMW 5 Series F10/F11 (fits both CIC with a 4-pin LVDS connector, 2010–2013, and NBT with a 6-pin connector, 2013–2017, in 10.25" or 12.3"). We also have a Linux screen for the BMW 1, 2 and 3 Series F10, F20, F30. More models are on the way and are published continuously. If your model is not listed yet, contact us and we will let you know when it is released.
Still unsure what you have?
That is completely normal. Many of our customers are unsure until they actually compare their own menu with the pictures. The best approach is to combine several clues: the car's model year as a first indication, then the appearance of the menu compared with the pictures, and if you want to be completely sure, a look at the connector behind the screen. If you are still unsure after that, contact us and we will help you find the right product straight away.