[BrunoE9X]

I would like to install a carplay or android interface module to my May/2010 e92 335i with the cic head unit.

Do these modules require the car to have bluetooth from factory for me to be able to connect my phone to it or do they have built in bluetooth?

I don’t think my car has bluetooth since I can’t find a way to connect Bluetooth devices for telephone or music in the idrive system. However, I checked my cars spec on a vin decoder and there is this under the multimedia section:

S609 Navigation System Professional
S640 Preparation F Tel.installation Universal

Does that second one mean that if I need bluetooth, I can just get someone to code or activate it using a bmw tool?

Also are there any aftermarker carplay modules that also have an android interface so I can use apps like waze and spotify without connecting my phone to carplay?

Many Thanks!

[ptpending]

your car has bluetooth for phone calls
but carplay unit usually work thru aux input

[Ohio Enthusiast]

The CarPlay interface plays audio to the car's speakers through the AUX port.
You connect you phone to the CarPlay interface, not the iDrive unit, so it doesn't matter if the car has Bluetooth or not, it's not used.

[DavesZed]

Some specs didn't include Bluetooth calls (can't imagine why the original purchaser would spec that though).
Most MMI boxes, as stated above, will plug into the AUX socket, and the Mr12volt box plugs into the MOST fibre optic network, to give better sound.
Some boxes come with a microphone, and some don't so you'd need to check before buying one. You'd need the microphone for call answering and for Siri/Hey Google. Although it's not imperative if you don't want to talk to people and you can control the screen with the iDrive controller anyway.

[BrunoE9X]

Do the carplay boxes have bluetooth built into them or a usb in them for my phone to connect to them?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

They typically have both Bluetooth and USB, but you'll need to verify with the listing.
I have a RoadTop purchased from AliExpress and it works both wireless and wired.