Basic BMW Navigation Systems: CHAMP2, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV & ENAVEVO

When buying a new BMW, you usually purchase not only a vehicle for transportation, but also a tech convenience that has limited or extended navigation & a certain degree of integration with your smartphone.

While setting up your future vehicle, you generally have 2–4 media packages to choose from (e.g. Media Package Business or Media Package Business Plus (only in Europe), Media Package Navigation Plus, Media Package Professional, etc.). The Media Package is a number of multimedia and technical features that you will get in your car, and the more it includes, the more expensive your BMW’s overall price is.

If there isn’t any particular option you would definitely like to have in your BMW though, the real difference that you should look into is not between the packages, but between navigation types and head units. If you already have a vehicle with basic iDrive, this blog will help you understand whether it’s worth upgrading to Navigation System Professional. If you’re only considering the purchase, after going through our material you will be able to choose the best set of options without missing out on important features.

Types of BMW Navigation Systems

In order to check which navigation type your BMW is equipped with, go to a free VIN decoder, type in your VIN and look for S606A (Business Navigation), S6UNA (Navigation), S6UPA (Navigation Plus) or S609A (Navigation System Professional). These are the most common types installed on US- and Euro-spec cars.

What Is Business Navigation BMW Package?

The 606 option is only available in Europe and is an older version of 6UN & 6UP. 6UN & 6UP, though, are present in both American and European market.

Navigation / Navigation Plus / Business Navigation vs Professional Navigation

In general, Navigation, Navigation Plus & Business Navigation are lighter versions of pro nav. They have less advanced maps and are stripped of some multimedia features available in the pro version. Here you can see the most prominent differences:

* Business Navigation split screen isn’t possible due to the small, 6.5” display size. But you can upgrade it with BimmerTech VividScreen designed for 3-series E90/91/92/93, 4-series F32/33/36, 5-series E60/61 and 6-Series E63/64. This BMW Business Navigation upgrade features an 8.8” 1280x480 display and can have split screen with ENTRYNAV head unit.

Further information will focus mostly on basic navigation systems and the types of head units they cover. If you have Navigation System Professional or just want to know more about it, read our blog post about BMW pro nav iDrive versions.

Please note that If you don’t consider the difference between BMW Business and Professional radio, there are usually 2 scenarios that can unfold after your purchase: 1) you will either regret paying up few thousands of dollars for features you never use or 2) you will start to frantically search Google for how to upgrade Business Navigation to Professional. If you don't want to experience either of the situations, educate yourself, set your priorities and choose accordingly.

Types of Head Units

When it comes to head units in general, they can be divided into 3 categories:

1. BMW Live Cockpit Professional (the newest MGU head unit with ID7 interface)
2. Navigation System Professional (CCC, CIC, NBT, NBT EVO ID4/ID5/ID6)
3. Navigation / Navigation Plus / Business Navigation (MASK, CHAMP, CHAMP2, CIC-MID, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV, ENTRYNAV EVO)

We’re going to review the differences between the most advanced iDrives from the third category. Please mind that the number and types of features inherent to each specific head unit may vary due to a different configuration of each vehicle in each separate country. This is a generalized comparison which will help you to distinguish the systems.

*Original Apple CarPlay is available only in the latest Business iDrive — ENAVEVO. However, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV, CHAMP2 & ENAVEVO owners can benefit from an aftermarket solution: BimmerTech CarPlay MMI Prime. It’s designed to work in vehicles produced since 2008 and provides the same functionality as the original software as well as additional features (e.g. Android Auto, an extra USB port, etc.).

To know more about this hardware retrofit, head over to our material on how to get Apple CarPlay into 2016 or older vehicles.

Which Head Unit Is Your BMW Equipped with?

How to know if you have HU_ENTRYNAV or CHAMP 2 navigation? There are several ways to determine that:

1. By the map version

Each head unit with navigation has its line of maps with a specific name:

• Motion for MASK2
• Move for CHAMP2
• Route for ENTRYNAV
• Way for ENAVEVO

In order to check the map version, go to Navigation -> Settings -> Navigation system version

The problem is that it’s relevant only if the iDrive is equipped with navigation and has flash memory to store maps. For other head units, it’s possible to verify approximately when each head unit was installed by years and models.

2. By model and year

Please keep in mind that this is not an exact method because some of the models were equipped with several types of head units at the same period of time. For instance, 2- & 3-Series F-models got CHAMP2 or ENTRY parallelly during the period of 2011–2014.

3. From BimmerTech

If you want to know for sure which iDrive interface you have, click the banner below, specify your name/email/VIN and get a full report on your car that will include the head unit, i-Level (software version) and other features.

Upgrading Navigation / Navigation Plus / BMW Navigation Business to Professional

If you’ve been thinking about whether it’s possible to jump, say, from CHAMP2 to NBT or from HU_ENTRYNAV to an NBT EVO retrofit, you’ve come to the right website because BimmerTech does this kind of upgrades, but only for F- & G-Series BMWs.

In order to replace your iDrive, your vehicle requires a total hardware upgrade meaning you would need to swap the screen (unless it’s 8.8” or 10.25” display), iDrive controller, head unit, wiring and additional modules. Please note that this upgrade has nothing to do with the BMW software update. Unlike the common misconception, a BMW update doesn’t switch the iDrives or add new functionalities. To learn more about this topic, review our blog post on BMW iDrive update.

The hardware upgrade may sound complicated, but, for instance, at BimmerTech, navigation retrofits are fully plug & play. If you would like to upgrade, say, to NBT EVO ID5/ID6, you will get all the iDrive auto parts necessary for a complete installation as well as detailed instructions for your specific BMW. So, the process is as DIY-friendly as possible.

NBT EVO ID5/ID6 is one of the most popular navigation retrofits, also being one of the latest BMW iDrives. It has many features that older head units don’t, like original CarPlay, Android Screen Mirroring, better sound quality, etc. If you want to know more about this product and its features, read our blog post about NBT EVO ID5/ID6 retrofit.

Our Navigation, Navigation Plus & Business Navigation review will help you decide whether it’s worth spending several thousands of dollars on a more advanced iDrive system while buying a new car, or whether you should think about upgrading your current vehicle. Either way you have all the information you need to set priorities and make up your mind. And if you have any questions about upgrades for your specific BMW, don’t hesitate to contact us.