Apple Carplay Install Done!

So I have installed the bimmertech MMI carplay device and I have to say I'm very impressed! The unit retails @ £500.00 however I found a nearly new unit on ebay that I managed to secure for £200.00 as the previous owner had upgraded his car and the newer model had carplay already installed. I think these units are the top end and far better than the other Chinese crap @ £250.00. All works seamlessly not sure I would pay full price but having seen it working now I may well of done as this unit uses the factory mic and connects via aux but not via a cable in the armrest but via a connection on the multi plug on the back of the idrive. If anyone wants any advice / help then pls message me. Personally I think it transforms the car tech wise.

Rgds

Peter

 

Sounds great. Any additional wiring/harnesses needed?

Any install or working photos in the car?

 

Nope everything comes with the kit best to look on YouTube for install pics / videos

 

One just watched the install video for the CiC unit in my E92....... A few hours worth of being careful.
Easier in the F series I imagine?

 

Nope very little space I stripped the glove box out and installed to the side where there is space and run cable back through. The double plug at the back was push down and along away from the back of the idrive. Still took 2hrs

 

It does look like a very good upgrade. You’ve got me thinking now...

 

Have a look on ebay I would recommend the bimmertech MMI it does work very well

 

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/

 

Yup, been on there and put my VIN in. Surprised to see that the older CiC units are compatible.

 

That's what makes it an excellent upgrade, I was going to go OEM retrofit but the cost was £1,600 installed not worth the money + with this MMI you get much better free nav with free traffic (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze) even tom tom on the screen. By sending a destination from google maps as a text message it opens in google maps Which is far better and cheaper than connected drive. So I will not be renewing same goes for internet via airplay

 

UPDATE

So after playing with the kit I now have it working wireless instead of cable (original install without instructions & done in a hurry!) and I have to say it is seamless! On unlocking the car the unit boots and my iPhone goes straight to carplay and onto whatever app was selected on shutdown (usually apple maps) and this is displayed immediately on the idrive screen. The MMI boots faster than the idrive so the display is almost instant graphically. I have also loaded more apps that are carplay compatible (Amazon Music & Radioplayer) radioplayer is excellent and far better than the OEM DAB.

I have unlimited data so can run this all the time, the carplay display's both iPhone battery level and both simcard signal strengths (dual sim iPhone) including the connection type (4g / 3g etc) and to be honest apple maps / google maps / tomtom on the idrive screen blows the NBT nav out of the water. Sound quality is excellent with a built in EQ that can be adjusted and after testing the bluetooth yesterday on several calls I have to say it is better than the OEM bluetooth and you have several adjustments for volume and mic gain etc making the calls crystal clear at both ends. You only connect to the MMI bluetooth and not the idrive bluetooth unit so everything is rooted via the MMI.

Siri is spot on as well so all in all I'am very very impressed and to be honest it makes the whole NBT useless and very very dated and even makes the NBT EVO kit look well out of date! I would imagine an upgrade from CIC would be a vast improvement on what is OEM if the upgrade from NBT is anything to go by. Obviously the only thing you need to do is have the idrive unit set to AUX & I have done this by making button no.8 a shortcut to AUX. Other than that I never touch or use the idrive as the unit boots straight to carplay. The aux selection is via connections at the back of the idrive unit and not with a naff cable running across your centre console plugged into the aux port in your armrest like the cheap units!

I originally said that I didn't think it was worth the original cost of £500 but having played around and now set it up correctly I have to say I think it is well worth the money and bimmertech's support via online chat & tickets / emails is excellent, tickets / emails answered within 12hrs allowing for time difference in the US.

The unit will also support front & rear camera's if you wish to install them and once again works seamlessly with the OEM fitted camera. I would definitely recommend this unit well above all the other cheap Chinese crap available online on the usual sites.

Hope this helps & any ? pls shout out

Rgds

Peter

 

The CiC unit does need the aux cable running to the arm rest input I believe, but that can be hidden easily.
What about accessing the idrive? I’d still want to see the car data, service/mpg etc.

 

You can swap between MMI / Idrive by holding the menu button down on the idrive controller it toggles between the 2 units like changing tv channels

 

Can’t find any second hand CiC units out there. Will see if the car passes the MOT today and then consider my next option.
eBay non Bimmercode units seem common, look identical but imagine the components etc are cheaper. Cloned software probably.

 

Personally if you going to keep the car then I would go for the bimmertech unit for the extra £200 as the last thing you want is to have to keep messing with it believe me the install is ok but space is very very limited and once in you don't really want to be taking it out again! I was very lucky my unit was the only bimmertech unit available & the seller was excellent.

The big plus is the support they offer as well

 

CarPlay came as a factory option on my Macan, I don’t really use it but the other day I was called into work in an emergency and to my surprise I could attend Teams video calls using the app on my phone, I could even see my colleagues on the cars touchscreen, very weird.

 

Yes indeed just need a compatible app like
Zoom

 

Software update done so some extra bits better connectivity, WiFi channel change option, faster boot and auto switch over on start up and the option for RHD to be selected which move the icons / maps to our side ! As this is a US product. Also some serious upgrades for the android world. All free updates from bimmertech and loaded via USB

 

It does sound tempting, would like to see it running on the smaller CiC screen such as mine.
Then decide what I am doing with the car, probably changing it in the summer, but slight chance I shall keep it and buy a petrol “weekend” car.

 

Do you have the 6.5 screen? The previous owner of my box had it running on that size with no issues I believe, check youtube maybe?