[Kraftwerk AG]

Comparison Chart Listing 7 Fxx Wireless/Wired/iD 4 Android
Auto/Apple Carplay Retrofit Kits



Option 1: Joyeauto CarPlay Mirroring Interface
Use Promo Code: BMW20 for $20 off and free DHL or FedEx overnight shipping.
https://www.joyeauto.com/category/wi...apple-carplay/


Price: $419 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT/EVO iDrive

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Supports AirPlay and screen mirroring
• Integrates with the built-in microphone in iDrive 4. External mic is needed in CarPlay mode for 'Hey Siri'
• Unique AD, Bimmer-Tech & Joyeauto front camera/sensors do in fact work
• Supports full-screen mode
• UI accessed through BMW icon on CarPlay homescreen

Cons:

• No touch screen support (except for NBT EVO iD6)

Option 2: Andream/Carlinkit/Indiwork/Road Top/Kremersino/Et. Al. Clones
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...480e9daeaQbX5P

For more discussion, go here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929

Price: $268 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT iDrive


Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports full-screen mode
• Cheapest option of all
• No external mic is needed in CarPlay mode

Cons:

• No touch screen support
• Sourced only through aliexpress. No website to give confidence on the company
• Does not have a vented box like Joyeauto (potentially heat may cause issues)
• Does not have an external wifi antenna

Option 3: Unique Audio Developments CarPlay Mirroring Interface
https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/carp...ies-2013-2016/

Price: £465.99 GBP (about $572 USD)(price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT iDrive
Rebranded Joyeauto wireless kit

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Supports AirPlay and screen mirroring
• Integrates with the built-in microphone in iDrive 4. External mic is needed in CarPlay mode for 'Hey Siri'
• Unique AD, BimmerTech & Joyeauto front camera/sensors do in fact work
• Supports full-screen mode

Cons:

• Mixed reviews about customer support by email. Chat is best during business hours only and seems good
• No touch screen support

Option 4: Bimmer-Tech NBT EVO ID5/ID6 Navigation Retrofit
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...ation-retrofit


Price: Starts From $1700 USD

Pros:

• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports full-screen mode
• Works just like OEM stock
• Factory mic is used
• Touch screen support is included, but optional for a lower cost
• Uses factory Wi-Fi antenna

Cons:

• Most expensive option

Option 5: Android 9-10 10.25" Multimedia Navigation System for BMW 3 Series 4 Series M3 F30 F31 F32 F33 F34 F36 F80 F82 F83 F84
https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...2-f83-f84.html


Price: Starting at $398.99 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on iDrive CIC/NBT

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Good customer support, as AVIN is based in US
• Hi-res screen 1280 x 480P, 1920 x 720P screen + $39.99
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports hi-res full-screen mode
• Very active dissussions on F30 forums https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1699764
• Uses Wi-Fi antenna

Cons:

• More expensive than the Andream clones
  

Option 6: Unichip CarPlay Smartbox
https://www.unichip-tec.com/apple_carplay_smartbox.html

Price: $439 USD (price quoted for one unit)

Pros:

• Supports full-screen mode
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors confirmed working

Cons:

• Poor customer support
• Requires a standalone microphone
• Doesn't support wireless CarPlay (but a wireless option is 'coming soon')
• No touch screen support

[blissdev]

It’s unclear from your chart which options provide new display screens and which use your existing screen. My perception is at least some of them do?

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by blissdev

It’s unclear from your chart which options provide new display screens and which use your existing screen. My perception is at least some of them do?

Only option #6 offers this. It's listed under 'pro'

[blissdev]

Ok thanks, I guess I was thinking of other products.

[innovaciones]

I own the Kremersino option 5 and let me tell you that box works pretty good, the customer support is great, they sent me the last firmware update and now everything works even better, also this box supports both wired and wireless CarPlay connection but you will need to toggle between them in the settings.

The external mic is not that great but it doesn't matter because you can still use your iDrive bluetooth with the stock mic to make calls using CarPlay interface, the external mic is only needed for Siri so is fine.

The box supports USB sticks with any kind of media files like videos and you can change the video aspect ratio to fill the entire screen so that is nice if you have an 8.8 or 10.25 screen.

This box also supports Android Auto, for some reason most BMW owners use an iPhone so Android is not that popular but if you are one of these then Android Auto is available, I have an Android to test it and it works great but it will only works wired using and USB cable so no wireless support like CarPlay.

Another great touch is that you can change the boot screen with the BMW logo and the CarPlay icon is the BMW logo so it feels more stock.

And finally the connection is done automatically, all you have to do is open your car and when your ready to drive just press the 8 button or hold the iDrive menu button for 2 seconds and CarPlay is shown in your screen, the connection process is done in the background, I love that it just works!

[ajrulez]

I would like to buy one for my F30. I have navigation system with HiFi audio and reverse back up cam. What else do I need for ANdroid Auto or Car play. I have both samsung and ipHone.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ajrulez

I would like to buy one for my F30. I have navigation system with HiFi audio and reverse back up cam. What else do I need for ANdroid Auto or Car play. I have both samsung and ipHone.

The kit will work for all BMW Fxx models. The CarPlay side is wired/wireless. The Android Auto software is wired only. Hope this helps. If you are interested in the group buy, post your name here: https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...632480&page=22

[dr.roro]

I was under the impression that Option 1 (BimmerTech CarPlay MMI Plus) did not offer wireless CarPlay..?

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by dr.roro

I was under the impression that Option 1 (BimmerTech CarPlay MMI Plus) did not offer wireless CarPlay..?

Good catch! It is indeed a wired device. Just got off the chat with BimmerTech and they said the current model (wired) is now out of stock. A wireless unit is on the way in another 1-2 months...

[theblues]

A great post covering the available options in the market.

iOS 13 should be compatible with all of these products, but the ones with full screen enabled will have a much better experience.

[UnknownBeing]

Do any of these support Android Auto at full resolution?
I've been seeing Android Auto with a stretched image across the wide iDrive screen.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by UnknownBeing

Do any of these support Android Auto at full resolution?
I've been seeing Android Auto with a stretched image across the wide iDrive screen.

I'm in the CarPlay camp, so I can't help. But if no one chimes in, contact the manufacturer of your choice to find out.

[Eschmacher]

Originally Posted by innovaciones

I own the Kremersino option 5 and let me tell you that box works pretty good, the customer support is great, they sent me the last firmware update and now everything works even better, also this box supports both wired and wireless CarPlay connection but you will need to toggle between them in the settings.

The external mic is not that great but it doesn't matter because you can still use your iDrive bluetooth with the stock mic to make calls using CarPlay interface, the external mic is only needed for Siri so is fine.

The box supports USB sticks with any kind of media files like videos and you can change the video aspect ratio to fill the entire screen so that is nice if you have an 8.8 or 10.25 screen.

This box also supports Android Auto, for some reason most BMW owners use an iPhone so Android is not that popular but if you are one of these then Android Auto is available, I have an Android to test it and it works great but it will only works wired using and USB cable so no wireless support like CarPlay.

Another great touch is that you can change the boot screen with the BMW logo and the CarPlay icon is the BMW logo so it feels more stock.

And finally the connection is done automatically, all you have to do is open your car and when your ready to drive just press the 8 button or hold the iDrive menu button for 2 seconds and CarPlay is shown in your screen, the connection process is done in the background, I love that it just works!

So I've never really looked into these solutions, but this seems like the one I want. Can you all clear up some stuff for me?

This works as an add-on to idrive right? All original idrive functionality is retained? e.g. I can play music over factory bluetooth and have android auto or carplay up on screen?
The rear view cam and overhead view is still the factory button/interface?

[mastrchee]

After reading about all the popular options, I decided to take a punt on a "generic" unbranded option because they all seem to sort of share the same hardware.

I placed the order on saturday: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WIRELESS-...6/264479555547

The deciding factors were mainly price (£250 on best offer) and locality. The importer is in UK, offering a 2 year warranty and I'm somewhat protected by eBay (famous last words).

Will update on the progress once I receive it, if anyone's interested!

[seanos10]

Originally Posted by mastrchee

After reading about all the popular options, I decided to take a punt on a "generic" unbranded option because they all seem to sort of share the same hardware.

I placed the order on saturday: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WIRELESS-...6/264479555547

The deciding factors were mainly price (£250 on best offer) and locality. The importer is in UK, offering a 2 year warranty and I'm somewhat protected by eBay (famous last words).

Will update on the progress once I receive it, if anyone's interested!

I bought similar from Andream which includes Android Auto wireless. Will update the results once I receive it.

[mastrchee]

Originally Posted by seanos10

I bought similar from Andream which includes Android Auto wireless. Will update the results once I receive it.

This might actually be the same unit 🤞

[innovaciones]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

So I've never really looked into these solutions, but this seems like the one I want. Can you all clear up some stuff for me?

This works as an add-on to idrive right? All original idrive functionality is retained? e.g. I can play music over factory bluetooth and have android auto or carplay up on screen?
The rear view cam and overhead view is still the factory button/interface?

Sure not problem, yes iDrive is the main interface when you start your car, this box adds the CarPlay and Android Auto interface as an add-on, to view the CarPlay interface just press the 8 button or hold the menu button for 2 seconds, and to return to your iDrive interface just hold the menu button for 2 seconds again, you can still use all the iDrive options like you always do, including using the BMW music interface, DVD, BMW navigation, BMW Apps, everything.

The best thing abouth this device is that you can also retrofit a front and rear camera if your car doesn't have one from the factory, if you already have parking cameras then they will work without any problems.

[chhappy7]

Wow pretty much all workaround solutions require external mic huh...

[mastrchee]

Originally Posted by chhappy7

Wow pretty much all workaround solutions require external mic huh...

only needed for for using Siri/Google Assistant. Phone/Streaming Audio still works with car's mic, I believe.

[seanos10]

Originally Posted by mastrchee

This might actually be the same unit 🤞

Working great so far with wireless Android Auto. Uses OEM mic for everything and sound quality is good.

Will test carplay and revert back

[Firefly1337]

Wait a sec, Android Auto is also supported wireless?
Can you explain in detail how it works?

Funny enough, I also ordered that box from Andream yesterday. Very curious how it works.
I am getting rid of my 10.25" Android 9 device due to too many issues and opted for this unit. I only need/want Android Auto anyway.

[mastrchee]

Originally Posted by seanos10

Working great so far with wireless Android Auto. Uses OEM mic for everything and sound quality is good.

Will test carplay and revert back

Mine is taking forever to come, so I cancelled the order. Where did you order from and how long did it take?