Hardware to add Carplay/android auto anyone buy?

[NoSuchSol]

Ok - for clarification. The Aliexpress and the BimmerTech one are most likely the same and they are ONLY the module?

And this android car dvd thing.... did you get any hits on your credit card afterwards?

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

That's a full head unit replacement rather than just a module.

Hmm... now I'm wondering if it's better to get one of those instead of these MMI modules. They cost more.

Has anyone tried both? There seem to be other threads about each of them in here, so maybe some users have experience with both?

Just get the Android head unit, the MMI are still a little meh, I’ve done both now and prefer just have the Android stack and everything working.

If you are an iPhone user, either works great, android phone user, Mixed results.

[BzsBimmer]

Just got this installed last night
Great product and pretty easy to install.
Thanks for the aliexpress link

[sna66]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Just got this installed last night
Great product and pretty easy to install.
Thanks for the aliexpress link

About to install mines now, which YouTube video did you use?

[BzsBimmer]

I didn’t use anything for this install.

I used the bimmertech instructions a long time ago to remove my trim and radio.

[sna66]

Just finished install, works great and CarPlay beta is much improved. Thankful for this thread for giving me a great solution for id4 CarPlay

[11LMBiSTT]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Just get the Android head unit, the MMI are still a little meh, I’ve done both now and prefer just have the Android stack and everything working.

If you are an iPhone user, either works great, android phone user, Mixed results.

Can you elaborate on the mixed results with Android? What do you mean you prefer the Android stack?

I have a 2018 M3 CS that I'm pretty sure has Apple Car Play. But, I am an Android user. Which is the correct unit to get that is plug and play to get Android Auto working for me? Any coding required? When I install the new unit does it require the removal of another unit or the new unit just tucks away behind existing unit? Any help and advice would be much appreciated. TIA

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by 11LMBiSTT

Can you elaborate on the mixed results with Android? What do you mean you prefer the Android stack?

I have a 2018 M3 CS that I'm pretty sure has Apple Car Play. But, I am an Android user. Which is the correct unit to get that is plug and play to get Android Auto working for me? Any coding required? When I install the new unit does it require the removal of another unit or the new unit just tucks away behind existing unit? Any help and advice would be much appreciated. TIA

When he says he prefers the Android stack, I interpret it as android OS phone, and android auto. It's a techie term.

If you have a 2018 you may have iDrive7. If you do, you can get Android Auto from OEM:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...ftware-update/

[11LMBiSTT]

Originally Posted by cybr0

When he says he prefers the Android stack, I interpret it as android OS phone, and android auto. It's a techie term.

If you have a 2018 you may have iDrive7. If you do, you can get Android Auto from OEM:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...ftware-update/

I think I have NBT Evo? Not sure though. I heard about the Android Auto update from BMW but I don't think it applies to my build, only some new 2020 and maybe 2019 models. I don't think any F8x can support Android Auto from BMW. Need to get an aftermarket solution.

*Edit: From a quick Google search it seems that 2018 F8x came with iDrive 6.0.

If thats in fact, what he means by Android stack, it seems redundant. As you can't use Android Auto without an Android Mobile Device that supports it. Hopefully he can chime in.

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by 11LMBiSTT

I think I have NBT Evo? Not sure though. I heard about the Android Auto update from BMW but I don't think it applies to my build, only some new 2020 and maybe 2019 models. I don't think any F8x can support Android Auto from BMW. Need to get an aftermarket solution.

*Edit: From a quick Google search it seems that 2018 F8x came with iDrive 6.0.

If thats in fact, what he means by Android stack, it seems redundant. As you can't use Android Auto without an Android Mobile Device that supports it. Hopefully he can chime in.

Yes, Android auto would be exclusive to Android phones. Just as CarPlay is exclusive to Apple phones.

[montez]

Hi, I want to buy multimedia box (MMI) to get Android Auto working wireless with my phone, with oem screen in 2018 M3 F80 (NBT EVO id6). Could you please describe your experience with these modules? Especially I am interested in:
1. Sound quality. Is it any worse comparing to standard bluetooth connection. As I read sound is delivered through AUX port.
2. Is it possible to listen through OEM/standard bluetooth connection, while operating Android Auto at the same moment?
3. Does you head-up display works correctly? For example when changing songs.
4. Does the screen go darker during the night?
5. Any other tips you could share after driving with these units?

[AtlantisF80]

Originally Posted by llvsixaxisvll

I just came across and purchased. Comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and a larger 10.25" touch screen for $100 more. (Details on screen size is a little unclear). May be worth it. I'll keep you guys updated on the quality after install!

https://www.android-car-dvd.com/prod...33378247508104

Hi: any updates on the installation and use of this product head unit you bought?

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by AtlantisF80

Hi: any updates on the installation and use of this product head unit you bought?

I have had both, its "OK" if you have an older CIC its a decent upgrade, but if you are NBT just get the MMI box, the touch screen is cheap and has a glare in sunlight, some software bugs. Cant do android wireless, and is much slower in response/quality than the MMI box. But if you really want a touch screen I guess you can live with it.


Do the MMI box, get FIREFLYS update and should be all you need.

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by montez

Hi, I want to buy multimedia box (MMI) to get Android Auto working wireless with my phone, with oem screen in 2018 M3 F80 (NBT EVO id6). Could you please describe your experience with these modules? Especially I am interested in:
1. Sound quality. Is it any worse comparing to standard bluetooth connection. As I read sound is delivered through AUX port.
2. Is it possible to listen through OEM/standard bluetooth connection, while operating Android Auto at the same moment?
3. Does you head-up display works correctly? For example when changing songs.
4. Does the screen go darker during the night?
5. Any other tips you could share after driving with these units?

1. Sound quality is fine since it hijacks the AUX connection.
2. Yes technically but it doesnt like that.
3. Nothing goes to heads up as its a piggy back and uses AUX. Unfortunate.
4. Yes, it changes according to either headlights on, or phone going into night mode. (MMI BOX).

5. If you have a 2018+ touch screen it should work with that, I have been trying to get a hold of one to test though. -

I recommend the box over and android head unit or touch screen unit because they tend to be cheap junk and you really get no options youre going to use. AA and Carplay are teh main reasons to upgrade so stick with the andream box. I love it. I can play movies via usb, charge wireless, never have to take my phone out of my pocket and everything is up on the screen ready to go. To each their own though, how often are you in your car and what do you ACTUALLY need besides AA and ACP.

[MFNATIK]

So is there really a seamless Android Auto add on for NBT Evo iDrive 5/6 cars? Doesn't seem to be based on this thread but want to ask to be sure.

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

So is there really a seamless Android Auto add on for NBT Evo iDrive 5/6 cars? Doesn't seem to be based on this thread but want to ask to be sure.

There is not, you get an MMI box, or you get a whole expensive new setup.

I recommend the MMI box, only caveat being you dont get it in the heads up display, thats about it.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by thestimp

There is not, you get an MMI box, or you get a whole expensive new setup.

I recommend the MMI box, only caveat being you dont get it in the heads up display, thats about it.

Oh you mean like the music info and nav route isn't displayed in the HUD? If so, that's not much of a loss. I prefer to see the tach anyways.

How smooth is the system with the MMI box and which one do you feel is the best one?

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by AtlantisF80

Hi: any updates on the installation and use of this product head unit you bought?

Hey, yes. Did receive this Andream one and was basically garbage. Easy enough to install and update. Looked good only in pictures but was buggy and laggy to use even with wired carplay. And the Bluetooth cut out for me often making wireless use worse. The bigger screen size with the lack of increased resolution + quality of screen (not as good anti reflective coating and lackluster brightness compared to OEM) made it not nice to keep as only a screen replacement from the 8.8". Unless you have the 5" smaller one, this would be a downgrade. I also had to pay about $150 in shipping back to China for a return and even then did the seller not refund me. PayPal was no help, so got a refund through credit card company. Overall a crappy company to work with and crappy product. If they just accepted the refund without endless emails and fraud (saying they never received the item even with tracking) I would have gotten their MMI dongle just to have carplay. 0/10 would not recommend lol. Have been waiting to get that rant over for a while. Just FYI, I've asked around during these issues and some others have had better experiences than myself, and some have had similar.

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Oh you mean like the music info and nav route isn't displayed in the HUD? If so, that's not much of a loss. I prefer to see the tach anyways.

How smooth is the system with the MMI box and which one do you feel is the best one?

The MMI box is great, we have developed our own updates to fix crappy things the creators didnt feel like doing.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929

I recommend it if you want carplay or android auto. $200 does it all. And oem screen/look.

[montez]

Originally Posted by thestimp

(...) I recommend the box (...)

Thank you very much for the answer! Everything is clear so far.
One more question - where can I buy box recommended for NBT EVO id6 (M3 F80 2018)?

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by montez

Thank you very much for the answer! Everything is clear so far.
One more question - where can I buy box recommended for NBT EVO id6 (M3 F80 2018)?

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1798265

[prodigal77]

This is great news. Been on the fence about ordering it from bimmertech! Will this work fine for my 2016 f82? Not sure which Idrive version it has...thanks!

Originally Posted by thestimp

There is a 400 page thread on the forums, the research has been done. ONE company makes these things and then there is like 50 resellers, including bimmertech, so you are all getting the same device (99%) as the 600$ bmw taxed one. I have installed a couple on peoples cars and they are all the same damn thing, depending on your CIC NBT system.