This article is about the BMW vehicle control system.
 
iDrive (1st Gen)
Debuted in September 2001 with the 7-Series and was based on Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive.
This can easily be seen when the system reboots or restarts after a software crash displaying a "Windows CE" logo.
 
iDrive Business (M-ASK)
M-ASK stands for MMI Audio System controller and is manufactured by Becker. This is a limited version of the iDrive computer with a small 6.6" display and is only found on 5, 6 and 7-series, and the X5 or X6, without the navigation option. In addition it can optionally be ordered in Europe on the 1-series and 3-series as "Business navigation", which has basic navigation abilities. Early versions of the Business navigation could only display directional arrows, but the latest version can also display 2D maps. iDrive Business Navigation uses a different map DVD than iDrive Professional Navigation. In addition because only one optical drive is available you cannot use both navigation and listen to a CD simultaneously. When iDrive Professional is ordered the M-ASK system is replaced by either the CCC or CIC in addition to a larger display.
 
iDrive Business is available on the following cars;
iDrive Business Navigation (optional)
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93
iDrive Business (default when navigation is not ordered)
5-Series E60/E61
6-Series E63/E64
7-Series E65/E66/E67/E68
7-Series F01/F02
X5 E70
X6 E71
Note that the above list can vary depending on the region. For instance North American 7-series come by default with CCC or CIC.
iDrive on 7-Series E65/E66/E67/E68.
 
The first generation of iDrive controllers in the 7-Series was only equipped with the turn knob. The GPS computer (located in the trunk) was only capable of reading map CDs. ("NAV01"). In 10/2003 a menu and a customizable button was added to the controller. The new GPS computer ("NAV02") was updated to DVD, got a much faster processor and the ability to display the map in birdview ("perspective").
In 04/2005 (LCI) the iDrive controller was changed again. The turn knob got a leather top. The last hardware update of the GPS unit ("NAV03") got a faster processor again. The map display is antialiased. Also the 8.8" wide-screen display was updated. It got a brighter screen and the ability to control a MP3 capable 6 CD-changer or an BMW iPod Interface.
Possible options: TV-Tuner, DVD-Changer, BMW Night Vision, Sideview Camera, Rear View Camera.
The iDrive system on the 7-Series E65/E66/E67/E68 has no special name and may not be mistaken with the newer generations called CCC (Car Communications Computer) and CIC (Car Infotainment Computer). (see below) This fact becomes very important with after-market retrofits like multimedia and video interfaces, because the most of them are only compatible to the CCC system. But many manufactures list the "7-Series E65/E66/E67/E68 with CCC" in their compatibility charts although no 7-Series E65/E66/E67/E68 with CCC exists.
 
iDrive Professional Navigation (CCC)
Debuted in 2003 with the E60/E61 5-Series and is based on Wind River VxWorks, a real-time operating system. CCC stands for Car Communication Computer and uses a larger 8.8" wide-screen display. It was available on the following cars as an option;
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 manufactured until March 2007
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 manufactured until March 2007
5-Series E60/E61 manufactured until March 2007
6-Series E63/E64 manufactured until March 2007
CCC based systems use a map DVD from Navteq in a dedicated DVD drive.
 
CCC - update 1
This is a minor update to iDrive Professional debuted in March 2007. It adds additional programmable buttons in the dashboard to directly access frequent functions and it removes the haptic feedback from the iDrive controller. It is available on the following cars as an option;
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 manufactured between March 2007 and September 2008
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 manufactured between March 2007 and September 2008
5-Series E60/E61 manufactured between March 2007 and September 2008
6-Series E63/E64 manufactured between March 2007 and September 2008
X5 E70 manufactured until MY2010
X6 E71
CCC - update 2
This is a minor update debuted in September 2008 to iDrive Professional equipped cars that did not get the new CIC based system. These cars get the new iDrive controller that is also used on cars with CIC. The actual iDrive computer (CCC) remains the same. This update is available on the following cars;
5-Series E60/E61 manufactured in September 2008 to August 2009
6-Series E63/E64 manufactured in September 2008 to August 2009
iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC)
Debuted in September 2008 with F01/F02 7-Series. CIC stands for Car Infotainment Computer and is manufactured by Becker, utilizing the QNX operating system. It is available on the following cars as an option;
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 manufactured from September 2008
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 manufactured from September 2008
5-Series E60/E61 manufactured from March 2009 (E60/61 manufactured from October 2008 in Europe)
5-Series F07/F10/F11 manufactured from September 2009
6-Series E63/E64 manufactured from September 2009
7-Series F01/F02 manufactured from September 2008
X5 E70 manufactured from September 2009
The CIC system is a major update to iDrive, replacing the display, computer and the controller. The display is of a higher resolution, and is generally more responsive than CCC, to address one of the common complaints of iDrive. Internet access is also supported.
CIC-based systems use maps from TeleAtlas which are installed on an internal 2.5" 80GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). This HDD can also store up to 8GB of music files for playback. For facilitating the uploading of music files to the HDD, a USB port is provided in the glove box.
Following 2009 LCI production, all CIC-based iDrive systems support DVD video. This, however, is only operational when the vehicle is in the "Park" position. DVD audio will continue to play while driving.
 
iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC-HIGH)
BMW introduced a further update to the iDrive Professional System in late 2012, calling it the "Next Big Thing" (NBT). It was introduced in current generation cars as an option, including:
1-Series F20
3-Series F30
5-Series F10
7-Series F01
The update includes extensive hardware and software changes including cosmetic enhancements, faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive, deatiled 3D maps and improved routing.