[EnlightenedOne]

Trying to see the best option for adding either a whole new CarPlay unit or just a way to get music into the stock system via Bluetooth. If the CarPlay route is super complicated or expensive I’m okay just clipping my phone to the dash as long as I can get the audio into the car somehow. I was looking at new units on Crutchfield and all the notes seemed to indicate that the factory wring has to be cut and some new wiring added in addition to modifying things behind the dash to let the new unit fit. Not sure if I’m up for all that.

[ctuna]

Which Head unit are you talking about the Pro Radio or the Idrive/navigation?
Mr 12 volt is the only one that does not degrade the audio but it does require
the CD changer option be enabled. Also does not require Logic amp adapter.
(Only the more expensive version designed to work with Idrive Nav adds Carplay I believe)

There are two different types on head unit in the US and three different audio systems.
(two types of idrive/nav over the years the e9x was produced)

As far as I know everything that has been discussed here including aftermarket
head units comes supplied with adapters to plug stuff in .

If you replace an entire head unit there are a host of problems as the head unit is integrated into the whole car .
If you have the Logic Sound system there is and additional problem in that no aftermarket Head Unit will interface
with that amplifier without and adapter . (The Logic 7 sound system is the Speaker and Amplifier not the head unit . )

New Head Units are big can of worms for this system and the Chinese ones mentioned on here often have no support.

[EnlightenedOne]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Which Head unit are you talking about the Pro Radio or the Idrive/navigation?
Mr 12 volt is the only one that does not degrade the audio but it does require
the CD changer option be enabled. Also does not require Logic amp adapter.
(Only the more expensive version designed to work with Idrive Nav adds Carplay I believe)

There are two different types on head unit in the US and three different audio systems.
(two types of idrive/nav over the years the e9x was produced)

As far as I know everything that has been discussed here including aftermarket
head units comes supplied with adapters to plug stuff in .

If you replace an entire head unit there are a host of problems as the head unit is integrated into the whole car .
If you have the Logic Sound system there is and additional problem in that no aftermarket Head Unit will interface
with that amplifier without and adapter . (The Logic 7 sound system is the Speaker and Amplifier not the head unit . )

New Head Units are big can of worms for this system and the Chinese ones mentioned on here often have no support.

It's the Professional one, no OEM screen on top of the dash. Just the amber display along the radio itself.

The VIN decoder says:
S639 Preparation F Mobile Phone Cpl. USA/CDN
S645 BMW US Radio
S663 Radio BMW Professional
S676 HiFi Speaker System
S693 Preparation BMW Satellite Radio
S697 Area-Code 1 For DVD
S6FL USB/Audio Interface

Not sure if that helps or not.

[ctuna]

The cheaper mr12volt module gives you usb and sd card playback
bluetooth phone and music and another aux.
The interface is kind of clunky but it does not degrade your sound.
You get steering wheel controls but they are basic.
No display for selecting stuff through Android or Carplay though .
(no Android or Car play basically it would be through your phone )

The stock BMW sound system's suck .
The Hi Fi system need a better amp most of all but the speakers
aren't all that good either.

There are a lot of threads here about aftermarket Head Unit's or Add on's
I am not a fan of either. Mostly they are all Chinese with little support , in the case of the piggybacks
they use the BMW Aux which will degrade the sound.

[EnlightenedOne]

Originally Posted by ctuna

The cheaper mr12volt module gives you usb and sd card playback
bluetooth phone and music and another aux.
The interface is kind of clunky but it does not degrade your sound.
You get steering wheel controls but they are basic.
No display for selecting stuff through Android or Carplay though .
(no Android or Car play basically it would be through your phone )

Ah okay... so is it a little box or something you put inline with the existing wiring harness? How do you go about selecting Bluetooth once you have it installed if you're still using the OEM radio controls? Does it have a way to wire up a mic for handsfree calling? I've looked at their website but I must be looking at the wrong thing because the things I've found seem to be for the cars with the OEM screen at the top. Thanks!