[ScottC25]

Hi all, and sorry for this, I'm sure its a subject thats been done to death.

We have a 67 plate 420D and an 18 plate X5, neither of which were specced with CarPlay when ordered.

Initially, it was of no interest, and when I went on the connected store, and saw the price for adding it, I decided not to bother.

Pretty sure it was available for purchase on the connected drive store for both cars when I looked.

Have since reconsidered, and definitely want it added to one of the cars, but its now no longer available on the connected drive store, probably to do with BMW now making it free for newer models.

Anyone know if we can add it? Is it now free if we can?

Or have they just removed it as an option for cars more than 2 years old, after having to cave in and make it free?

Thanks

[Mick.86uk]

I still have the option to add CarPlay on my 2016 F36.

£265 - No Thanks.

[Roo12]

Mine is 2018 and says on the store that it is not available for my car

Had previously used an old iPod connected via usb socket which has given up the ghost so was interested in car play

Thought on a 68 plate this was possible

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

Hi all, and sorry for this, I'm sure its a subject thats been done to death.

We have a 67 plate 420D and an 18 plate X5, neither of which were specced with CarPlay when ordered.

Initially, it was of no interest, and when I went on the connected store, and saw the price for adding it, I decided not to bother.

Pretty sure it was available for purchase on the connected drive store for both cars when I looked.

Have since reconsidered, and definitely want it added to one of the cars, but its now no longer available on the connected drive store, probably to do with BMW now making it free for newer models.

Anyone know if we can add it? Is it now free if we can?

Or have they just removed it as an option for cars more than 2 years old, after having to cave in and make it free?

Thanks

It's only available for your car(s) if they come with Hotspot preparation & wireless charging. The car has to have the WiFi antenna installed, as CarPlay connects by WiFi & NOT bluetooth.

[ScottC25]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

It's only available for your car(s) if they come with Hotspot preparation & wireless charging. The car has to have the WiFi antenna installed, as CarPlay connects by WiFi & NOT bluetooth.

OK, that makes sense, so, getting someone to code it to the car is likely the only option then?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

OK, that makes sense, so, getting someone to code it to the car is likely the only option then?

No. Doesn't matter if it's coded or not... It won't work unless you have a WiFi antenna installed also.

[ScottC25]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

No. Doesn't matter if it's coded or not... It won't work unless you have a WiFi antenna installed also.

Appreciate that, what I meant was, even if I buy and install a wifi antenna, BMW's records will never know, so it'll still need coded to the car, as I'd still never be able to download and install from the connected drive store

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

Appreciate that, what I meant was, even if I buy and install a wifi antenna, BMW's records will never know, so it'll still need coded to the car, as I'd still never be able to download and install from the connected drive store

Sorry, yes, that's correct

Mine came with lifetime CarPlay & I just can't get on with it. Much prefer the BMW interface & iDrive.
For streaming music (from an iPhone anyway), the bluetooth connection sounds no different & you can still access & select from your phones music library through the iDrive anyway.
Obviously that's just for music, but ETTO of course, I know a lot like to use Waze for example, which you do need CarPlay for....

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Mine came with lifetime CarPlay & I just can't get on with it. Much prefer the BMW interface & iDrive.

Same here. Maybe it would be better if I didn't have the HUD, but you lose most of the good stuff from the HUD with CarPlay.

[mrberry]

theres a 3rd party solution that uses an fsc code to activate it , just means you would need to fit a wifi aerial behind the stereo which isnt to hard. its a lot cheaper than buying from connected drive store.

if your not in warranty worth it as ive done this on my own and because i mainly use spotify for music makes the whole setup much more easier

[ScottC25]

Much thanks to Forum member Wibbles for some guidance on getting this done! Now have CarPlay installed in both cars, and placing the phone under the head unit, where I always stuck it anyway, it seems to work fine in both cars without a wifi antenna being installed.

Useful for being able to dictate replies to messages, Siri seems to be better at voice recognition than the Idrive system, and maybe in about 6 months time it'll be able to pull addresses out of my calendar for meetings if I ever escape from working from home!!