[warp]

Dear all,
After reading several posts and a lot of pages,
I still can’t find a clear answer to my questions :
What are the consequences of swapping the head unit ?
I have an entry Nav unit (with business navigation).
I would like to install a complete new head unit so that I have the possibility to use CarPlay with standard BMW hardware.

1. Will the hardware work without coding ?
The new hardware includes the 8.8” screen and central armrest buttons.
I think coding is only about enabling them.
But if I keep my 6.5” screen, will the new head unit work out of the box ?

2. Keeping connected drive requires coding.
What exactly will I loose if I don’t do the correct coding to keep connected drive ?
- service history : do cars without connected drive have no service history ?
If so I don’t really care. My car would simply be like others.
- connected drive additional paid options : None of them are of any interest. So I don’t care loosing them.
- something else ?

Thanks.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by warp

1. Will the hardware work without coding ?
The new hardware includes the 8.8” screen and central armrest buttons.
I think coding is only about enabling them.
But if I keep my 6.5” screen, will the new head unit work out of the box ?

No to all

Originally Posted by warp

2. Keeping connected drive requires coding.
What exactly will I loose if I don’t do the correct coding to keep connected drive ?

Everything

[Cam428]

Replacing the head unit is a hassle, but if you need a larger screen it's your only option. If you really just want Carplay, there are many options for Multimedia Interface (MMI) boxes that plug in to your existing head unit and don't require any coding. Unique AD, Bimmertech, and Unichip are some of the more popular options mentioned on these forums, but you can also order direct from China via AliExpress.

[warp]

Hi Cam428,
I’be read a lot on these mmi units.
However there’s always something “wrong” : sound quality is bad since we have to use the aux port, you cannot call on the original radio system but have to use CarPlay instead, a new mic is needed, you have to switch from original Bluetooth to the mmi Bluetooth for some operations...
That’s why I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be worth paying more but having a stock head unit.
Actually the price is not (really) an issue. I want to have a system that works transparently without always having to say : ok this doesn’t really work, but after all it’s aftermarket, so for the price I’m happy.

To ask differently : if I swap the head unit, and code the 8.8" screen, and nothing’s else, will it work (connecteddrive will not, but I don’t care), or is there another coding needed in order for the unit to be recognised by the car ?
Thanks

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by warp

Hi Cam428,
I’be read a lot on these mmi units.
However there’s always something “wrong” : sound quality is bad since we have to use the aux port, you cannot call on the original radio system but have to use CarPlay instead, a new mic is needed, you have to switch from original Bluetooth to the mmi Bluetooth for some operations...
That’s why I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be worth paying more but having a stock head unit.
Actually the price is not (really) an issue. I want to have a system that works transparently without always having to say : ok this doesn’t really work, but after all it’s aftermarket, so for the price I’m happy.

To ask differently : if I swap the head unit, and code the 8.8" screen, and nothing’s else, will it work (connecteddrive will not, but I don’t care), or is there another coding needed in order for the unit to be recognised by the car ?
Thanks

Asked and answered

[warp]

Ok, thanks ik6speed. So the only way to find more elaborated answers will be to search through this forum for answers scattered in lot of different threads.
Thanks

[chazmink]

Pricey but will do what you want, I think.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...ation-retrofit

Good luck,
Charlie

[ntailor]

I ordered mine from codemybimmer. Steve was super helpful, answered all my questions. Pretty much plug and play for me. Now I have wireless CarPlay and ID6. My connected drive still works, and my satellite radio as well. steve@codemybimmer

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ntailor

I ordered mine from codemybimmer. Steve was super helpful, answered all my questions. Pretty much plug and play for me. Now I have wireless CarPlay and ID6. My connected drive still works, and my satellite radio as well. steve@codemybimmer

Yes.

Most who attempt this think it's simply plug and play when it's so much more that is far beyond their capabilities. People thinking this is a 20th Century Radio Replacement should so not be attempting this.

1 wrong wire and your car will towed to a Dealer and a major headache of a bill.

steve@codemybimmer is a wise choice.

[warp]

I’m not thinking it’s plug and play, I know for having done similar coding on a 1 series e87 ( but not that complicated I guess) that it’s not straightforward. What I want is to gather enough information so that at least I know what it involves, and the complexity.
In the end paying for someone doing it correctly may be worth it, definitely.
I will have a look to all your comments.
Thanks.

[ntailor]

Originally Posted by warp

I’m not thinking it’s plug and play, I know for having done similar coding on a 1 series e87 ( but not that complicated I guess) that it’s not straightforward. What I want is to gather enough information so that at least I know what it involves, and the complexity.
In the end paying for someone doing it correctly may be worth it, definitely.
I will have a look to all your comments.
Thanks.

Coding was all done by codemybimmer. I purchased the unit from him. I gave my vin, they did the full coding. Mailed me the unit and swapped. So it was plug n play for me, but coding done beforehand. Hopefully thats more clear.

[warp]

Originally Posted by ntailor

Coding was all done by codemybimmer. I purchased the unit from him. I gave my vin, they did the full coding. Mailed me the unit and swapped. So it was plug n play for me, but coding done beforehand. Hopefully thats more clear.

Thanks for the explanation.
I was expecting the contrary : we code the car so that it « accepts » a different head unit than the one corresponding at its vin.
So...it doesn’t change anything, but at least this shows the vin is coded somehow in the head unit itself.

[B15hop]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

No to all



Everything

What a ridiculously simplistic and false response.
I swapped out mine with a 10.5” touch screen one and it’s coded very well.
It also looks and feels awesome.
Total plug and play scenario.
I did the swap myself even.

https://avinusa.com/

[Homersbud]

Originally Posted by B15hop

What a ridiculously simplistic and false response.
I swapped out mine with a 10.5” touch screen one and it’s coded very well.
It also looks and feels awesome.
Total plug and play scenario.
I did the swap myself even.

https://avinusa.com/

That's not a HU, that's just an aftermarket screen - android base.

The new HU has to be coded, can't just pnp while the screen you got just needs to be coded in - very easy compared to the HU replacement.

[varma1986]

Originally Posted by warp

Thanks for the explanation.
I was expecting the contrary : we code the car so that it « accepts » a different head unit than the one corresponding at its vin.
So...it doesn’t change anything, but at least this shows the vin is coded somehow in the head unit itself.

I swapped my Oem entrynav HeadUnit to nbt evo id6 HeadUnit with carplay & navigation. The unit came with software that was enabled for my Vin. Also needed remote coding as a top up to get everything fine tuned.

I got my upgrade with NAVIBMW parts who were selling the kit on ebay.

If u change or test the HeadUnit or BDC(body domain controller) of one BMW/Mini in another the vehicle software will know the change and can brick ur
Existing or newer HeadUnit.
Also the vehicle order gets disturbed and u will not be able to access the software of ur HeadUnit using Bimmer Code app and u will need esys coding if anything goes wrong with HeadUnit.

BMW MINi r particular that the BDC module or HeadUnit of one vehicle is not swapped into another. They do not work plug & play.

[klepic]

I had CIC and I upgraded to NBT about month ago. It was more or less plug and play for me except few wires that I needed to modify but with the explanation it was easy for me.

Before plug and play there are two things that need to be done:

1. Headunit which you are going to install need to be coded based on your VIN
2. Other parts in the car MAY need to be coded in order to accept new headunt!

I faced both issues while working on my car. The first one was not an issue since it was done before I installed it. 2nd one I faced when I plugged 6wb so I needed to code my car so it accepts and identify new cluster,

[Bori_san]

Good question, bump