CCC to CIC now looking to upgrade Combox

[georgebmwM3]

Upgraded 2008 m3 to CIC. Looking to upgrade combox. I have a TCU, what else is needed? Thank you in advance for your help.

[RocketyMan]

You need the kufatec wire harness adapter. The comboox takes place of the MULF2 and the TCU. The CIC screen, head unit, screen harness, USB and harness. But sounds like you have those.

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by georgebmwM3

Upgraded 2008 m3 to CIC. Looking to upgrade combox. I have a TCU, what else is needed? Thank you in advance for your help.

You need a the combox and a combox connector. About $50 in parts total.

[georgebmwM3]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

You need a the combox and a combox connector. About $50 in parts total.

I found a new combox from a BMW dealer for $150. I’ve seen cheaper on eBay, but I like the new part also. Where do you find a connector? Any links?

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by georgebmwM3

I found a new combox from a BMW dealer for $150. I’ve seen cheaper on eBay, but I like the new part also. Where do you find a connector? Any links?

This is the cheapest I've seen for the kufatec adapter harness.

BMW Combox retrofit wiring harness for TCU and MULF to Exx- and Fxx-series
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32487625400...Bk9SR6ritYmoYg

There's no point to getting a new combox from the dealer. I'm not sure you can register the imei anymore--and it'll be difficult when BMW sees your vin as a pre-LCI anyway (I think someone did it here on the forum and it turned out being a huge PITA to get it to work).
Here's "the latest" combox that is 4G with GPS:
84102447925
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=84_0800

I would NOT pay anymore than $75 off of ebay as it would be a rip off:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17568583563...3ABFBM9rTTiahi

[Nickco43]

All 4G combox units are deactivated as of 02/2022.

Go buy any used combox that does not look like it was under the ocean (a lot get water damaged). It is best to buy one with the connectors included with the module.

If you do not get the connectors with the combox you can order them at the dealer. Get the black and green connector with the white insert and not the blue one with the black insert. I can't find the part numbers.

Do not get the kufatec adapter. In my experience they connector doesn't seat properly causing issues. The pin in method of install is the superior way to install a combox.

The antenna wires will need to be adapted with a cheap $7 cable: https://www.ebay.com/itm/383103945523?var=651682258708

If you have the center console USB you will need an extension cable for the combox: https://www.ebay.com/itm/264664294201

and a most bus loop (OEM one is 61136917541): https://www.ebay.com/itm/20308037098...3ABFBM8unCoqhi

The install is super easy and I installed a full CIC + combox in the previous owners condo garage immediately after I bought my M3.

1. Remove the trunk floor.
2. Remove the two 10MM nuts holding the bracket to the car.
3. Disconnect all of the electrical connections.
4. Remove the TCU and MULF (if equipped) 4 8MM nuts per module.
5. Install the most terminator to the MULF most lines (if equipped).
6. Plug in the USB extension cable to the black HSD line.
7. Swap over the power, ground and three microphone wires from the TCU connector to the combox connector.
8. MULF equipped cars will need an extension harness pinned in if you want to retain aux. (None MULF cars can code aux back in)
9. Bolt the combox to the bracket with the 4 8mm nuts.
10. Plug in the main combox connector, TCU most lines, black USB extension cable, tan BT antenna with adapter.
11. Bolt the bracket back to the car.
12. Code the car for combox.

[AlsoBoris]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

All 4G combox units are deactivated as of 02/2022.

Do not get the kufatec adapter. In my experience they connector doesn't seat properly causing issues. The pin in method of install is the superior way to install a combox.

I ordered everything else that you mentioned in this. I can't find the instructions on the Pin in method though. I too thought that the kufatec adapter is ridiculous. Wondering if you could please link me to that method?

[RocketyMan]

You have to modify the kufatec connector. It's not at all a big deal.