[monster6a2]

So I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 2013 f30 335i xdrive that’s 6mt. Performance and drivetrain wise, it was exactly what I was looking for and the car has been great in that aspect so far.

Unfortunately, the car was a base spec from factory and therefore has a CIC Idrive system with a 6in screen, no nav, and only Bluetooth for calling, as well as no combox so coding in Bluetooth is not an option. Though I don’t have a combox, my Idrive screen connection is still a 6 pin which gives me some hope in finding a head unit.

As some of you prolly know, finding a head unit for my particular situation is somewhat tricky as most aftermarket devices are for nbt only and I have cic so that doesn’t work. Pemp audio on Amazon has a unit that I have been looking at but I haven’t decided yet.

Wondering if anyone has suggestions for my particular situation. I would’ve preferred to just upgrade to an nbt system but have realized that doing so might not be the most viable decision cost wise.

Thanks for reading.

[fe7565]

An MMI should work, even if you have a CIC as long as you have the 6-pin LVDS (4+2). Andream or Road Top are the most responsive sellers and both ship from the US. Unfortunately, your 6.5" screen could only be upgraded in two ways:

- OEM NBT HU retrofit with 8" or 10" screen (cost-wise not bad, but time intensive)
- Android HU with 10" screen. (I personally find a lot of glare)


There is a mega thread for both MMIs and for Android HUs.

[F22Cam]

Roadtop ships from China

[NealfromNZ]

Lots of the e90 owners with cic are using mr12volt mmis. Been looking into them as considering an e90 m3 platform to replace a couple vehicles.

Worth a look and technically one of the better MMIs out there ( MOST audio rather Aux piggyback , supports factory Mics if you have them, gives CarPlay /AA over both wireless and USB .


USB CarPlay / AA gives uncompressed PCM audio from phone meaning CD quality form it which is better than BMWs own version of CarPlay for higher audio quality.

https://www.mr12volt.com/collections/frontpage/bmw-cic

[SpoolinAddict]

Originally Posted by F22Cam

Roadtop ships from China

I got mine from Amazon at $275, they were $300 last time I checked.

I would rather get amazon protection and the ability to return if it doesn't work with your set up. The extra cost is well worth it

[F22Cam]

Originally Posted by SpoolinAddict

I got mine from Amazon at $275, they were $300 last time I checked.

I would rather get amazon protection and the ability to return if it doesn't work with your set up. The extra cost is well worth it

I agree 100% which is why I ordered a unit through Amazon. And surprise surprise the screen didn’t work. Returned it through Amazon and bought a PEMP unit that works great

[SpoolinAddict]

Originally Posted by F22Cam

I agree 100% which is why I ordered a unit through Amazon. And surprise surprise the screen didn’t work. Returned it through Amazon and bought a PEMP unit that works great

Nice, was installation easier? And is it annoying to reach over for touch screen?

The MMI box is annoying to install if you have bigger head unit. I dropped my glove box to fit inside. First time I did it I was able to squeeze it in but 2nd installation I just dropped my glove

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by F22Cam

Roadtop ships from China

No, they don’t. They are shipped from a US warehouse and you receive it within a few days. You order it through the AliExpress website, which is in China.

[F22Cam]

Originally Posted by SpoolinAddict

Nice, was installation easier? And is it annoying to reach over for touch screen?

The MMI box is annoying to install if you have bigger head unit. I dropped my glove box to fit inside. First time I did it I was able to squeeze it in but 2nd installation I just dropped my glove

Installation was about the same. It just worked this time so was grateful for that lol. The touchscreen isn’t the most useful thing because you have to stretch to use it but it is a nice touch

[F22Cam]

Originally Posted by fe7565

No, they don’t. They are shipped from a US warehouse and you receive it within a few days. You order it through the AliExpress website, which is in China.

They asked me to return my screen to a Chinese address and customer service hours were during Chinese hours aswell. Even if they shipped from a us warehouse I’d stay away from them.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by F22Cam

They asked me to return my screen to a Chinese address and customer service hours were during Chinese hours aswell. Even if they shipped from a us warehouse I’d stay away from them.

It's a personal decision where/what MMI to purchase based on your own budget, your own skills, and your time available.

In the $200-280 price range Andream and Road Top are the only two sellers that provide after-sale support, but only to direct purchasers. So buying a second hand MMI will not get you support. That is true for Amazon and Aliexpress, and in the case of most other Chinese sellers. Thus the MMI mega thread to share support information for those who do not get help.

Also, this price range means that you will have to have some basic skills installing and operating the MMI. No hand-holding, except for some rudimentary troubleshooting help from the seller and firmware updates.

Bimmertech and other sellers worldwide that sell identical or near-identical hardware (but their own modified firmware) MMIs' for $600-$800 provide much better instruction guides, and hand-holding support. Also, more convenient warranties and replacement. It's a personal decision, if you want to pay the $400-600 difference for those.

In any case, an NBT HU retrofit complexity is about 20 times vs an MMI install.