[mvoltin]

Spent significant time exploring Carplay options for the "double-hump" CIC E90 (mine is E93) and there seem to be three choices (all seem to have ability to switch between original display and Carplay using iDrive and they all can be controlled with iDrive. Also, all claim to have retain steering wheel controls).

1) Box that attaches to CIC head unit is controlled by iDrive (no touch screen, the screen remains original).

• Carplay MMI from bimmertech at $700 https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...y-mmi-retrofit
• Mr12Volt for $450 https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/bmw
• Tons on Aliexpress for around $200. for example, RoadTop for $225 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

2) Replacing head unit/display with a touchscreen. The display is the same size (8.8") and same location but has touchscreen. Controlled using iDrive or touchscreen.

• RoadTop unit at $270 https://www.amazon.com/Road-Top-Touc...dp/B0CP4VPW1J/
• Navivox - at $250 https://www.amazon.com/Touchscreen-W...dp/B0D86KZWQZ/
• Tons on Aliexpress for around $200

3) Replacing display with a larger 10.25" or 12.3" unit that sits closer to an user (similar to F30). All the functions are similar to #2 above but the touchscreen is bigger and easier to reach.

• Xtrons for $419 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ3VQSF4...v_ov_lig_dp_it
• RoadTop for $299 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D25MQ45J...v_ov_lig_dp_it
• Tons on Aliexpress, for example, 10.25" unit for $225 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

Any advice would be appreciated but here is criteria:

1. My CIC is an early 2008 unit without Bluetooth support.
2. I am not looking for high-fidelity sound and not planning to spend $500+ on a car I paid $5000 for. I am just looking for a "glorified phone holder" that will allow for navigation, phone calls, podcasts.
3. I am relatively tech savvy and have no problem digging in the wiring, coding using BMW suite of tools
4. Don't see point for #2 since the display is so far from a driver, trying to reach in and use it as a touch screen seems neither safe nor practical.
5. Reviews get progressively worse as you move from option 1 to 3 but functionality of #3 is so much better than #1 (only controlled by idrive).
6. I am willing to try an option and send it back if it doesn't work. But don't want to spend days/weeks troubleshooting something.

Anybody has any experience or insight on the options listed?

[oVeRdOsE.]

is early CIC is a thing? Are you sure this is not a CCC with a low-resolution screen?

If it's the case, then #2 is the way to go, xTrons are making a OEM look screen.
It works with all controls, and touch screen as an option if you ever need it.

# 2 and 3 got full android, so really a plus here. You can do what android auto do, and way more.



#1 is the most economical one, however, if you have the low-res screen not so fun. Depending of what sound system you have, some reported mr12volts is way better, since it use MOST data, instead of AUX analog input. RoadTop use AUX and sound quality is lower.
RoadTop is way cheaper tho.


#3 is not E9x like, it's too big, and look ugly over a double-hump. Better if you have a flat dash, but tons of work.


Last note, most if not all option other than mr12volts will use analog input for audio.
Some can use Bluetooth input, but since you dont have, it wont matter.

[Captain Buumer]

What i did (and am very happy with end result).

1st retrofit combox with bluetooth.
2nd get the Roadtop MMI unit for $270.
3rd add backup camera for RoadTop.
4th replace screen with OEM 8" (if you have the small 6.5" one)

I use the RoadTop MMI unit quite rarely for Waze & to watch movies when i need to wait for somebody or play NES games (screenshare with phone + controller). So the only real benefit of it is backup camera.

Often i prefer to use phone for Waze since it's faster and easier to setup. (Only for long trips i use the WiFi AndroidAuto to put Waze on the car screen).
I have THIS holder that is in sort of perfect spot. You can even get some better ones that have built in wireless charging option.

Combox provided bluetooth & USB memory stick playback (128GB stick) is plenty good and it works 100% always.
Have the music in .WAV format and it begins playing almost instantly when car has ignition.
I am tierd of the problems caused by the Android 8" Screen which i had previously (touchscreen). Eventually i threw it out.
It's slow (when filled up with data), sometimes crashes, bad audio quality, super annoying to fit all the wiring and barely worked when it was -20 degrees outside.
I even tried Dension 500S BT which was annoying to use and was reducing sound volume at random times + bad bluetooth + annoying to switch between sources (it was emulating CD changer and prividing digital input = no loss in quality) + aftermarket mic was bad because it was also emitting car noise and i had to crank the volume higher to hear the other person.
Then when switching back to music it would blast it at very high volume.

My advice is stick to OEM stuff for primary functions because you want it to work 100% of times. OEM mic is really good at cancelling the road noise (i have fitted it into the left slot so it's closer to driver). But it picks up anyone voice in the car at any seat so it was fun to do occasional "conference" type of calls.

I have no experience with mr12Volt stuff but i suppose is also good alternate option for Combox. (i was thinking of this but got the combox complete retrofit set for super cheap less than 150$).
But it seems to use the "CD" button and played through CD changer channel and i hated that option (similar to Dension) since it takes too many menu trips to navigate there + having to manage the sources constantly.
So for Mr12Volt you need to already have car bluetooth to get the quality microphone experience which means ULF/MULF2/Combox has to be previously installed.
ULF/MULF is sort of useless as they overheat and die.
Combox provides already two huge features and is the Carplay then worth the extra investment?

[mvoltin]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

is early CIC is a thing? Are you sure this is not a CCC with a low-resolution screen?

When BMW started implementing CIC on 3 series, they didn't have Bluetooth streaming (I think CIC started in mid 2008 and BT streaming was added in 2010?). This is what I mean by "early CIC".

I see your point about having touchscreen "just in case". Otherwise, I never cared about Android, never installed any other software. I have diagnostic tools in case I want to figure out something but don't need to monitor the car more than that.

Thank you.

[mvoltin]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

What i did (and am very happy with end result).

1st retrofit combox with bluetooth.
2nd get the Roadtop MMI unit for $270.
3rd add backup camera for RoadTop.
4th replace screen with OEM 8".

Thank you but I may be little slow here, can you explain?

1) why would you need combox with Bluetooth when RoadTop MMI has Bluetooth?

4) screen would still be OEM with the RoadTop , correct? why would it need to be replaced?

Thanks.

[oVeRdOsE.]

I have full android on my audi, with touch screen, very useful to tap a address in waze fast, or even using full android app that are not supported by android auto.

Like Y music ( act like spotify, no ads, from youtube )

Full app like JB4 of MHD.

The only use from my cellphone, is to share data (hotspot).



Imo there's no point to go with a MMI if you use USB drive for mp3 and your cellphone for waze.


I want my dash clean of cellphone and have waze and mp3 / streaming on the OEM screen, so mr12volts or road top are the way to go.


Yes the MMI box like mr12volt and roadtop utilise the OEM screen. Sound quality and price are the main difference. Support for both seems to be very mediocre at best.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

I just installed a RoadTop MMI box for my 2011 E93. I did the same research as you, and my understanding is that the #2 units have issues with current draw or long startup times. The #3 units require cutting the dashboard, something that I didn't want to do, and I can say that the 8.8" CIC screen is more than big enough.

I got a RoadTop MMI box from AliExpress based on price, otherwise I would have gone with Mr12Volt. Bimmertech looks exactly like the AliExpress units, and I can't fathom their asking price. I also added a backup camera from GreenYi and it's surprisingly crisp, although it does take 2-3 seconds to come on (I'm thinking perhaps to hook it up to constant power instead of the reverse power from the RoadTop MMI box).

The lack of touchscreen doesn't bother me much - voice control (using the steering wheel button) works well, iDrive control is decent and I honestly don't use the infotainment much.

[oVeRdOsE.]

here mr12volts is 660$ cad + probably customs.

while roadtop is 230$ no additional fees.

[mvoltin]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

I just installed a RoadTop MMI box for my 2011 E93. I did the same research as you, and my understanding is that the #2 units have issues with current draw or long startup times. The #3 units require cutting the dashboard, something that I didn't want to do, and I can say that the 8.8" CIC screen is more than big enough.

I got a RoadTop MMI box from AliExpress based on price, otherwise I would have gone with Mr12Volt. Bimmertech looks exactly like the AliExpress units, and I can't fathom their asking price. I also added a backup camera from GreenYi and it's surprisingly crisp, although it does take 2-3 seconds to come on (I'm thinking perhaps to hook it up to constant power instead of the reverse power from the RoadTop MMI box).

The lack of touchscreen doesn't bother me much - voice control (using the steering wheel button) works well, iDrive control is decent and I honestly don't use the infotainment much.

Thank you. Just ordered the RoadTop unit; should be here in a week or so. Will probably skip the camera for now (just don't have time) but may add later. Will keep the forum posted.

[mvoltin]

Reporting back after installing this unit: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806674004855.html

This isn't my first time buying CarPlay from AliExpress. I can usually get 90% of the functionality working after a few hours of troubleshooting (installed on a Lexus, Range Rover, etc.), but this unit really impressed me. Everything worked as advertised, and the documentation was surprisingly helpful. Most CarPlay units I've purchased come with little to no usable instructions.

Here are some lessons I learned:

Read the entire installation guide. There's a general wiring diagram, but each section contains additional details you don't want to miss.

Setup took under an hour, with my son helping to take apart the dashboard. However, putting everything back together took a frustrating three hours:

• a) The harness is large and hard to hide. Many of the connections aren't used, so it's a good idea to cut and isolate unused wires to save space.
  
• b) While it may fit easily in 5 and 7 series models, there's limited space in the 3 series. The best spot I found was on the right side between the head unit and glovebox. YouÂ’ll need to remove the bracket holding the head unit to slide the CarPlay unit into position. (Instructions suggest placing it between the head unit and steering column, but thereÂ’s no room there.)
  
• c) The main harness that plugs in between the existing harness and the head unit is huge, making it difficult to fit everything back. To solve this, cut the left side of the bracket that head unit slides into (mentioned above) so you can tuck the connector toward the steering column and out of the way.
  
• d) Keep the original microphone; I think quality will be much better. In the E93, it's located on top of the steering column. You can access it by popping open the plastic trim, and the microphone connector will be visible from the bottom. That's where you plug in the provided harness.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by mvoltin

• a) The harness is large and hard to hide. Many of the connections aren't used, so it's a good idea to cut and isolate unused wires to save space.
  
• b) While it may fit easily in 5 and 7 series models, there's limited space in the 3 series. The best spot I found was on the right side between the head unit and glovebox. You’ll need to remove the bracket holding the head unit to slide the CarPlay unit into position. (Instructions suggest placing it between the head unit and steering column, but there’s no room there.)
  
• c) The main harness that plugs in between the existing harness and the head unit is huge, making it difficult to fit everything back. To solve this, cut the left side of the bracket that head unit slides into (mentioned above) so you can tuck the connector toward the steering column and out of the way.

I had a similar experience as you. I ended up tucking the large quadlock splitter connector to the left - it fits there pretty snuggly and doesn't move when sliding the headunit back in. The rest of the cables I routed above the headunit (behind the AC controls). The MMI box went behind the glovebox (by removing the panel in the passenger footwell). I didn't cut any of the brackets or removed unused connectors, but I agree that it's a super tight fit. My E93 is a 2011 (so LCI), perhaps that makes a difference. I also found that some of the cables are on the long side, while others are on the short side. As you suggested, perhaps they designed it more for a 5 series, but I would have appreciated a more uniform length to make routing more consistent.

I also ended up connecting the backup camera to the MMI box 12v ACC output instead of the 12v Reverse Camera output. It improved the lag between putting to reverse and the camera feed showing up to about a second and a half (down from the previous 2-3 seconds). The backup camera screen (with guidelines) appears almost immediately, so I'm not sure why the feed takes so much longer to appear. It makes correcting in a parking spot (where I pull out a bit and then reverse again) annoying.

[oVeRdOsE.]

tks for the feedback.

Still have not installed mine, probably this w-e.

Note that those new RoadTop are better than the previous one, in a way that now they can use OEM mic and use Bluetooth.

Now, not everyone has bluetooth music input bmw- Bluetooth- enhance (a2dp), but I had for many years a 5$ USB drive that acts like a normal mp3 drive, but write the mp3 live through the cellphone bluetooth, clever.

So Ill try this input and aux input to see the sound difference quality, since I dont have A2DP on my combox.

[mvoltin]

[QUOTE=Ohio Enthusiast;31540087] The MMI box went behind the glovebox (by removing the panel in the passenger footwell).
I wish I had figured out there was space behind the glovebox. May have been easier. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Captain Buumer]

In the center console opening for the CIC make small cut on the left side and put the humungous connector there.
There is small opening to the left far deep - i just stick connector there.

I had to loosen the frame and use knife to cut off some weird plastic that was preventing to give couple more centimeters that was required for everything to go back together smoothly.

When i had to change the dip-switch positions at one point (fitting OEM mic & backup camera) i only had to take off the passenger storage thing (6 screws?) and lifted the MMI module up - made new connections and voila.

[oVeRdOsE.]

So installed it this morning.

- the big rear plug fits good on the driver side opening, so no issue in my case.

- the roadtop unit fits on the passenger opening quite well. You can fit it through the cup holder hole. However, it's way easier to remove the glove box.

- no need to remove the center console .

- ive use the aux, and I dont see a massive sound degradation.

- Conclusion : full android is better. Android auto or carplay is wayyy to limited. I was expecting this , but I was under the impression that there was workaround.

I would like to use JB4 app, only with mirror link... not ideal. Dev are limited to apple and google policies = no distraction during driving, and this includes live data...

ymusic is not supported. there's a workaround on a old and unsupported XDA app called anyAutoAudio, but it's sketchy.
I went with revanced YTMusic instead.

PowerAmp and waze are fine



For the price, I wont complain too much.

[cashman348]

Originally Posted by mvoltin

Spent significant time exploring Carplay options for the "double-hump" CIC E90 (mine is E93) and there seem to be three choices (all seem to have ability to switch between original display and Carplay using iDrive and they all can be controlled with iDrive. Also, all claim to have retain steering wheel controls).

2) Replacing head unit/display with a touchscreen. The display is the same size (8.8") and same location but has touchscreen. Controlled using iDrive or touchscreen.

• RoadTop unit at $270 https://www.amazon.com/Road-Top-Touc...dp/B0CP4VPW1J/
• Navivox - at $250 https://www.amazon.com/Touchscreen-W...dp/B0D86KZWQZ/
• Tons on Aliexpress for around $200

3) Replacing display with a larger 10.25" or 12.3" unit that sits closer to an user (similar to F30). All the functions are similar to #2 above but the touchscreen is bigger and easier to reach.

• Xtrons for $419 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ3VQSF4...v_ov_lig_dp_it
• RoadTop for $299 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D25MQ45J...v_ov_lig_dp_it
• Tons on Aliexpress, for example, 10.25" unit for $225 https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

Anybody has any experience or insight on the options listed?

Like you, I have also spent lots of time researching and exploring options for a CarPlay head unit. I finally settled on the XTRONS unit (4GB) for my CIC E90, which is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
https://xtrons.com.au/bmw-3-5-series...-rom-qeb8260ci

Hopefully this will add some much needed modernisation to the vehicle with CarPlay (which XTRONS oddly calls CarAutoPlay), primarily for music/podcasts and nav.

I would prefer not to use the aux input as I believe the audio quality will be adequate, not great. Any way around this? I only have the "basic" audio system (or whatever it's called) from what I can tell. Could do with a speaker upgrade.

A rear (and possibly front) camera is another option I'll install after I know the unit is running properly.

Will update (with pics if I remember) once done.

Cheers

[oVeRdOsE.]

So I will probably remove the MMI device ;

- android auto suck my phone battery HARD ! phone come super hot, 50% drop in 3h only and I have a not so old S23 Ultra, that last me almost 2 days normally !!!


I've searched internet and this indeed a down side : since the phone running gps, wifi, bluetooth, data, music = kills the battery.

I WONT use a cable, this defeat the purpose to the automatic wireless connection and deplete the battery overtime. Im keeping my phones 5-6 years.


I'll get a full android and put the MMI in my F25.

full android will bring me back some apps I'm use to use for streaming, JB4 and MHD. Using hotspot on my phone does not kill the battery fast. Around 15% over 3h (on my audi)

Other than that, the MMI worth it for the price, but not for me, I should have read more about that.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

- android auto suck my phone battery HARD ! phone come super hot, 50% drop in 3h only and I have a not so old S23 Ultra, that last me almost 2 days normally !!!


I've searched internet and this indeed a down side : since the phone running gps, wifi, bluetooth, data, music = kills the battery.

I WONT use a cable, this defeat the purpose to the automatic wireless connection and deplete the battery overtime. Im keeping my phones 5-6 years.

I've had the same experience, but this is no different from new cars with a factory headunit that does wireless Android Auto. I keep the phone in my pocket for quick trips and connect to cable for longer trips (I would be charging the phone anyway).

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

I've had the same experience, but this is no different from new cars with a factory headunit that does wireless Android Auto. I keep the phone in my pocket for quick trips and connect to cable for longer trips (I would be charging the phone anyway).

yep, this is what Ive read to.

I dont plan to get a modern car soon, since nothing interesting will be out anymore with a Manual T anyway