[Aj6543]

I have a 2006 330i. I love driving this car and saw that Bimmertech had an option to install Carplay in our e90s. Unfortunately their MMI prime (Apple Carplay) only works with CIC idrive. I had a CCC idrive. So I purchased a new CIC idrive from them to replace my CCC idrive. It wasn't cheap, but it was necessary to get Carplay.

I spent over $2K to make this upgrade (mostly because of having to get a new idrive.) But I'll say that this was perhaps one of my best purchases of all time. I didn't think I could enjoy driving my car even more. Now my car, is perfect- absolutely perfect! Its looks and feels as good as any new car. Carplay starts up immediately upon starting the car, I love being able to talk to text and hear my text messages read to me to avoid looking at my phone, and the interface is beautiful.

I'm sure there are other cheaper options, but I prefer to pay for quality products and good customer service from Bimmertech.

Happy to answer any questions.

[Boston4]

I have a CIC system and have been considering an upgrade like this - Bimmertech seems like the support might be a little better than the random Chinese companies with Android solutions that are a couple hundred bucks less. A few questions:

1. What is the audio input that the system uses for this? How's the audio quality?
2. How does it handle phone calls - normal through Carplay? Can you use the button on the steering wheel for Siri instead of the BMW voice controls?
3. Do you need to install an extra microphone or does it use the one that's already in the car?
4. Does this add an additional USB port? If so, where did you add it?
5. How easy is it to switch back and forth between the normal iDrive screens and Carplay?

If you have any other notes on the install that'd be great - I checked around on the site and it says a lot about being plug and play (if you already have the CIC system) but haven't found a list of steps.

[Aj6543]

1. Sound quality is perfect and excellent. It connects wirelessly and automatically.
2. Yes it handles phone calls through CarPlay. Yes you can use the steering wheel button to call up Siri.
3. Yes you install an extra microphone. But it's fully hidden and works perfectly.
4. It adds an USB port. You can also take it off. It's used to update the software. My installer took it off once it was installed.
5. Super easy to switch back and forth from Idrive and CarPlay. Just hold down the menu button.

It's plug play with lots of cabling. It feels and looks oem and really does add a lot of value to the car. I would also add you get rear view with backup lines if you also install the rear view camera. You don't lose a thing, looks 100 percent oem and just a pleasure to use while driving.

[Emilime75]

The actual answer to #1 is that it plugs into the cars AUX input, just like every other version of this.

[Aj6543]

Emilee- correct. But the phone connects wirelessly. That what I meant.

[Aj6543]

Emilime- correct. But the phone connects wirelessly. That what I meant.

[Emilime75]

I knew what you meant, but I also knew what Boston4 meant by the question. Most people who are looking for some kind of upgrade like this are turned off by the fact that that they use the AUX input in order to get the audio into the car's audio system. To some it's fine and they're happy with it, to others...not so much.

[Boston4]

Thanks to you both. I’m fine with the AUX input as long as the sound quality is actually good - I’ve heard some iffy things about other solutions.

I assume, then, that you would need to go into the normal iDrive, set the audio output to AUX, then switch over to CarPlay and use it that way? And it’s also possible to switch back to normal iDrive, turn on the radio, and then switch back to CarPlay and use it without any audio?

How do you switch back and forth between CarPlay and iDrive?

[Aj6543]

All correct! Carplay is so nice looking and useful so the anwser to your last question is never! Using Pandora or the XM radio app on Carplay is really nice looking. I love having the artist cover album show up the screen from music collection but also from the pandora, spotify or whatever streaming app you prefer.

[Boston4]

Originally Posted by Aj6543

All correct! Carplay is so nice looking and useful so the anwser to your last question is never! Using Pandora or the XM radio app on Carplay is really nice looking. I love having the artist cover album show up the screen from music collection but also from the pandora, spotify or whatever streaming app you prefer.

Thinking specifically about a use case where I want to listen to sports on normal AM/FM radio while viewing Waze on CarPlay. Basically, I’m asking whether it will automatically force you into AUX when you switch to CarPlay, or if you need to manually set the output and then pick separately what you want to see on the screen.

Last one: how do you switch back and forth between looking at CarPlay and looking at normal iDrive?

[Aj6543]

You just press the menu button to toggle back forth between idrive and carplay.

[Vivek.]

Damn, I wish I could get this on my car but after a live chat with them I learned its unavailable if you have H/K logic 7 because calls will have an echo in the audio (seemingly only for the person on the other end). Gave em my email and asked to let me know if they decide to offer it

[Aj6543]

I have logic 7 and works perfect for me!

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Aj6543

I have logic 7 and works perfect for me!

Oh really? Would you mind sharing or PM'ing me the last 7 of your VIN?

If you're the reason they figure out how to make this work with L7 they're gonna love you lol since I told them that this thread alerted me to their offerings.

[Aj6543]

Just PM'd you my vin.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Aj6543

Just PM'd you my vin.

Thank you. Here's the response I got from Bimmertech if anyone reading this thread is curious:

Originally Posted by Bimmertech

This VIN shows S677A HiFi sound system DSP which works fine with Carplay MMI Prime, but unfortunately there would be an echo issue if you have S688A Harman kardon sound system

[Aj6543]

Huh, I always thought I had logic 7 since I have 13 speakers in my car and the sound is amazing. (11 speakers and 2 subs.)

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Aj6543

Huh, I always thought I had logic 7 since I have 13 speakers in my car and the sound is amazing. (11 speakers and 2 subs.)

I wasn’t aware there was a difference until today. I really wonder what specifically is the issue with the 688 audio system. This upgrade seems soooo nice and it'd be like 1k installed (paying a shop to do it) if you have CIC already--SO worth it IMO.

I actually bought the Apple CarPlay connection kit from a guy online but it's some Chinese one and the installation was way more involved than I wanted to do, so it's sitting in my garage being waste of $250 from my perspective. Such a change of pace to be able to talk to knowledgeable customer support at any given time.

[Emilime75]

Just so everyone is aware, the MMI that the OP bought and installed is also sold by several other companies for a fraction of the cost. Andream and Wakaa are 2 of those. Google those names and MMI and you'll come across a lot of info, including an extensive thread on all of the different varieties slight differences on another BimmerPost sub-forum.

[Damaskus325]

Im wondering if there has been an update to the Logic7 issue. I just want Android auto and wonder if this is the best option if the Logic7 echo issue is resolved. I have CIC already and Harmon Kardon top hifi with Logic7. Silver coned speakers and tweeters. I am also interested in their Alpha One speaker upgrade if anyone has any experience with those as well in a E92.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by Damaskus325

Im wondering if there has been an update to the Logic7 issue. I just want Android auto and wonder if this is the best option if the Logic7 echo issue is resolved. I have CIC already and Harmon Kardon top hifi with Logic7. Silver coned speakers and tweeters. I am also interested in their Alpha One speaker upgrade if anyone has any experience with those as well in a E92.

I can't speak to the CarPlay / MMI stuff, but regarding the audio system, I'd highly recommend the Individual Audio speakers - they're made by LPG in Germany and are top shelf stuff. Just installed them in my E90 with an aftermarket (PP82 DSP) amp and they're much better than the Logic 7 speakers I had in there before.

I actually have the rear setup for an E92 if you're interested. All you'd need are the front tweeters, mids, and crossovers, and the center dash speaker if you like using the surround effects.

I also wonder if part of the variability in the echo affect has to do with the software in the amp - perhaps newer versions solved this issue?

[bin01123]

Originally Posted by Aj6543

I have a 2006 330i. I love driving this car and saw that Bimmertech had an option to install Carplay in our e90s. Unfortunately their MMI prime (Apple Carplay) only works with CIC idrive. I had a CCC idrive. So I purchased a new CIC idrive from them to replace my CCC idrive. It wasn't cheap, but it was necessary to get Carplay.

I spent over $2K to make this upgrade (mostly because of having to get a new idrive.) But I'll say that this was perhaps one of my best purchases of all time. I didn't think I could enjoy driving my car even more. Now my car, is perfect- absolutely perfect! Its looks and feels as good as any new car. Carplay starts up immediately upon starting the car, I love being able to talk to text and hear my text messages read to me to avoid looking at my phone, and the interface is beautiful.

I'm sure there are other cheaper options, but I prefer to pay for quality products and good customer service from Bimmertech.

Happy to answer any questions.

Any chance you could share your audio settings with me from your MMI menu? I've having major issues with audio during phone calls.