What BMW iDrive do I have?

Q: What is the difference between NBT and NBT EVO?

NBT EVO (roughly 2016-2019, iDrive 5/6) shows a tile-based home screen with large cards and supports touchscreens on many models; original NBT (2012-2016, iDrive 4) shows a list-based menu. The retrofit kits for the two systems are different, so identify yours first.

CarsGadget fitment team · Updated August 28, 2026 · 4 min read

The 30-second answer: look at the iDrive controller between the seats. A plain rotary knob with buttons around it and a 6.5″ or 8.8″ screen is CIC (2009–2012). A knob with a touchpad on top is NBT (2012–2016). A touchpad knob plus a tile-based home screen of large cards is NBT EVO, iDrive 5/6 (2016–2019). Earlier cars with an amber-only display run CCC (2004–2008).

BMW never labels the system in the car, but every generation has an unmistakable tell. This guide walks the three checks in order — controller, screen, menu — and ends with a model-year table you can confirm against your VIN build date.

Check 1 — the controller

The touchpad is the single most reliable indicator. From 2012 BMW shipped the NBT controller with a touch-writing surface on top of the rotary knob. If you can draw a letter on the knob with your finger, the car has NBT or newer. If the knob top is solid plastic, it is CIC or older.

Check 2 — the screen

6.5″ low-resolution, amber-tinted graphics — CCC (2004–2008).
6.5″ or 8.8″ widescreen, list menus, black background — CIC (2009–2012).
6.5″, 8.8″ or 10.25″, sharper graphics — NBT (2012–2016).
Tile home screen with three large live cards — NBT EVO iDrive 5/6 (2016–2019). Many EVO screens are touch-enabled: try tapping.

CCC (2004–2008): low-resolution screen, plain knob

CIC (2009–2012): sharp screen, plain knob, list menus

NBT (2012–2016): touchpad knob, list menus

NBT EVO (2016–2019): tile home screen, iDrive 5/6

Check 3 — the model-year table

Production changeovers happen mid-year, so treat the ranges as typical and confirm by the controller and screen checks above.

System	Years	iDrive name	Tell	CarPlay retrofit
CCC	2004–2008	iDrive 1st gen	Low-res screen, no touchpad	Screen-replacement solutions only
CIC	2009–2012	iDrive 3	Sharp screen, plain knob	CIC CarPlay kit
NBT	2012–2016	iDrive 4	Touchpad knob, list menus	NBT CarPlay kit
NBT EVO	2016–2019	iDrive 5 / 6	Tile home screen, often touch	NBT EVO ID5/ID6 kit — $525.95

Why the generation matters for a retrofit

CarPlay interfaces speak to the head unit over its video and control buses, and those buses changed with every generation. A kit built for NBT will not work on CIC, and neither fits EVO. That is why every CarsGadget kit is listed against one system — and why the two-minute check above saves a return shipment.

Frequently asked

How do I know if my BMW has CIC or NBT?

Look at the iDrive controller: NBT (2012–2016) has a touchpad on top of the rotary knob for writing letters; CIC (2009–2012) has a plain knob without a touchpad. NBT also offers a wider 8.8-inch screen and more graphical menus.

Can I add Apple CarPlay to a BMW with NBT?

Yes. A plug-and-play interface adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to NBT iDrive while keeping the factory screen, radio and controls. No coding is required.

What is the difference between NBT and NBT EVO?

NBT EVO (about 2016–2019, iDrive 5/6) shows a tile-based home screen with large cards and often supports touch; original NBT (2012–2016, iDrive 4) shows a list-based menu. The retrofit kits for the two systems are different.

Get the kit built for your iDrive

Identified it?

BMW CarPlay kits