Navigation Screen Replacement - Recommendations and Experiences

[jet_dogg]

The stock nav screen has a matte finish that looks like a coating which requires care in cleaning and maintaining. This is why all aftermarket dash units look cheap and, well, aftermarket in a bad sense.

I'd assume fading from uv exposure and long service life as well as harsh chemicals or improper cloths would lead to degradation of the screen finish over time.

[Maxima SE]

Do you think the new screen is brighter or has a better picture quality than the old one? I know I asked this from the last poster.

I don't have any dead pixels. There is a fairly faint scratch so not major reasons to replace mine. Backlight doesn't seem too dim either. Just seems a bit washed out these days.

Here is a picture of the new screen. My old one was "faded" looking, even with the monitor off. is there a coating on there that comes off overtime?

[Maxima SE]

Do you think the new screen is brighter or has a better picture quality than the old one? I know I asked this from the last poster.

I don't have any dead pixels. There is a fairly faint scratch so not major reasons to replace mine. Backlight doesn't seem too dim either. Just seems a bit washed out these days.

The picture quality is noticeable brighter and sharper yes

[Shonky]

Do you think the new screen is brighter or has a better picture quality than the old one? I know I asked this from the last poster.

I don't have any dead pixels. There is a fairly faint scratch so not major reasons to replace mine. Backlight doesn't seem too dim either. Just seems a bit washed out these days.

[0-60motorsports]

So I finally tackled this project today. I got lucky and the picture on my screen was dead center after I installed the new screen. I think the seller I bought it from pre-centered it during the testing process? Looks like a couple other people who have bought from this seller had their picture dead center on the screen as well. I linked to the seller i bought from below.

Anyways it is a totally DIY project. It was not hard at all and took me about 2 hours to complete. I followed the videos I have linked below. The X5 screen removal steps in video below is just like the E46 except the very last step where he tells you to remove the 4 bolts on the back of the screen to remove the screen. I did not have these 4 bolts on my car. the E46 navi is either different or they might have updated the design for 05-06 cars as mine is a stepmber 2004 production car.

Anyways, if you get to the last step and dont have the 4 bolts on the back of the screen, all you have to do is turn the unit over and unscrew the 6 screws that hold the buttons and volume control in place. Then the screen can be removed (it is attached to a grey bracket). then you can unbolt the screen from the grey bracket and swap the the new one in.

screen

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154110565305

step 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSfE...annel=akspeedo

step 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCn...annel=akspeedo

Thanks for posting your feedback.

[Maxima SE]

So I finally tackled this project today. I got lucky and the picture on my screen was dead center after I installed the new screen. I think the seller I bought it from pre-centered it during the testing process? Looks like a couple other people who have bought from this seller had their picture dead center on the screen as well. I linked to the seller i bought from below.

Anyways it is a totally DIY project. It was not hard at all and took me about 2 hours to complete. I followed the videos I have linked below. The X5 screen removal steps in video below is just like the E46 except the very last step where he tells you to remove the 4 bolts on the back of the screen to remove the screen. I did not have these 4 bolts on my car. the E46 navi is either different or they might have updated the design for 05-06 cars as mine is a stepmber 2004 production car.

Anyways, if you get to the last step and dont have the 4 bolts on the back of the screen, all you have to do is turn the unit over and unscrew the 6 screws that hold the buttons and volume control in place. Then the screen can be removed (it is attached to a grey bracket). then you can unbolt the screen from the grey bracket and swap the the new one in.

screen

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154110565305

step 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSfE...annel=akspeedo

step 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCn...annel=akspeedo

[T.J.]

Anyone know of a proper fit screen protector? I know it won't be anti-glare, but everyone thinks it's a touchscreen and oily fingerprints will wear out the screen surface again.

Nushield 145 x 82 Triple A for Chevrolet Suburban 2010

[Epsilon]

Anyone know of a proper fit screen protector? I know it won't be anti-glare, but everyone thinks it's a touchscreen and oily fingerprints will wear out the screen surface again.

[Shonky]

This is the screen I purchased and it works great.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163607824212

Do you think the new screen is brighter and/or has less backlight bleed? It looks a bit better from the photo but hard to tell from photos in possibly different lighting situations.

[killa_e46]

This is the screen I purchased and it works great.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163607824212

[sddynamix]

If anyone needs it - I have a nav unit with a screen that was recently replaced sitting in my garage. I replaced it with an Avin some time back.

[maw1124]

Same here. I don’t notice the difference TBH, from stock to D99 to N7. They all look and feel the same to me (minus the pixelated screen and antiquated functionality). It’s not like a Sony sitting in the dash. It just works easier, kids can take over the stereo easier, it has better sound, sub outs, EQ, etc., the nav is up to date and does no violence to the interior look. But your car, your experience. I was just sharing mine.

I don’t mind modern electronics in “collector” vehicles, of which I have a few including this one. And I don’t think the “market” will mind either. In some places newer actually is better. No one is raving about the antiquated stereos as a reason these cars are great.

maw

PS. The new ones do say “Dynavin” on the front whereas I don’t recall that being there before.

[Maxima SE]

When I had this problem I went for Dynavin. That was 2012 or so, and even then repairing the LCD vs upgrading everything (from circa ‘01 tech) seemed the smart move. Of course, LCDs were like $900 back then so the analysis was much clearer. But now I think it’s the same. Sure LCDs are a lot cheaper (although the time is not), but the Dynavin N7 pro is a lot better than the D99 was in ‘12.

I just don’t think it makes sense to repair the display on 15+ year old tech. If you touch it at all you may as well upgrade the whole lot.

If the Dynavin is $700 and the screen is $350, then for that extra $350 you get newer tech that works with your phone today, plus you lose weighted components in the boot that you can sell to recoup some of that $350.

$.02

maw

All your points are valid from a functionality standpoint. For me personally, I want the OEM look as I hardly drive the car.

[maw1124]

When I had this problem I went for Dynavin. That was 2012 or so, and even then repairing the LCD vs upgrading everything (from circa ‘01 tech) seemed the smart move. Of course, LCDs were like $900 back then so the analysis was much clearer. But now I think it’s the same. Sure LCDs are a lot cheaper (although the time is not), but the Dynavin N7 pro is a lot better than the D99 was in ‘12.

I just don’t think it makes sense to repair the display on 15+ year old tech. If you touch it at all you may as well upgrade the whole lot.

If the Dynavin is $700 and the screen is $350, then for that extra $350 you get newer tech that works with your phone today, plus you lose weighted components in the boot that you can sell to recoup some of that $350.

$.02

maw

[Will ZCPM3]

OP what did you end up doing? I have several dead pixels on mine as well and I need a new screen. Looks like a lot of people on E46fanatics said to leave it to the pros with experience.

Nothing yet, still need to tackle this at some point.