[F31-340i]

Hi,

Not been tracking recent developments for some years and had assumed my May 2016 340i (with iDrive 4) was not possible to upgrade to newer carplay capable software.

I've since read that this might be possible - after installing some sort of wifi antenna (at the back of unit) and upgrading the software via a 3rd party.

My 340i is now ten years old (I've had it since nearly new - time flys!) so not worried about dealers etc. The car is also stock apart from some 437M wheels so no remaps etc.

My question is - what exactly are the pros/cons of updating? Some reports suggest the OEM nav will stop working, others seem to say it might be OK. Clearly there would be the option of relying on google maps via carplay instead (which is better than OEM nav) - but I'm undecided on whether I'd be happy with that kind of impact - or sure if it would apply to my car.

Hence, question is - what are the real experiences/impacts of this upgrade to such an "early" car?

Anyone recommended to do such an update? Is it reversable if not to my liking?

I'm also not exactly sure which wifi antenna would be needed - can someone share a link pls?

Many thanks in advance - and apologies if this has been done to death!

[Londoner]

A May 2016 340i should be ID5 no?

[Londoner]

My apologies, only from July 2016. Will be interesting to see what folk say!

[brock_]

I did this update last summer, and my only regret was that I didn't do it sooner honestly. Only took an hour or two, keep in mind you will need a battery tender hooked up.

Navigation still works; the longest route I set was about 4 hours so I think the crashing issue some people mention must have been on longer routes than that. Obviously though having Google Maps, I just use that instead. You do lose directions in the HUD if that matters to you, I thought it would bug me but I don't miss it at all.

For the antenna, you can get them cheap on Amazon or buy the OEM one. I bought a cheap one off Amazon with the plan to buy the OEM one if I ever had any issues, but nothing yet. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bingfu-Cell.../dp/B07YXPFGRC Something like this will work fine, I have mine just tucked in the space under the climate control unit.

I was told the flash is completely reversible but having CarPlay was such a big QoL improvement that I have no reason to even consider going back.

[Mick.86uk]

Apex coding upgraded my 2015 F30 ID4 to ID6 remotely and added CarPlay with full screen - £100

I don’t use the BMW nav just Waze and Amazon music. Never had any reboots or crashes, it’s fast and responsive just like oem on my previous 2017 F36.

[Raven335X]

Was it that the ID4 units had less ram so if you used the OEM BMW Satnav for a period of time it may crashed Freeze up. If just using Carplay app for Nav then its not really a problem.

I have a ID5-ID6 upgrade and as other said Carplay works perfectly via wireless antenna. Auto connects fine.

[F31-340i]

Thanks Brock - how old is your car?

Mick if yours is a 2015 it must be as old as my unit - so good to know yours is working OK.

Raven - that is what I concluded a few years back - the old hardware was not up to it. Perhaps modern updates get around this.

This one is called apex - £80 - is that the same one?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405669182205
Will the update come with new maps - or is that only via BMW?

Might be daft obvious question but assume the upgrade gives all the ID6 menu style interface? Apart from carplay - what are the main improvements from ID4 that you notice and appreciate, if any?

I assume there are no problems with fitted extras like Harmon Kardon, rear camera, etc.

Does the update - like this one here -

[Mick.86uk]

Carplay was the only reason i upgraded really. Not much of a difference in terms of interface. Screen resolution is a little lower compared to ID5/6 newer screen.

Contact Apex Coding via WhatsApp - prices may have increased since November 2025 when I had it installed.

EDIT: Didn't look at the Ebay link you posted - even cheaper now...

[Yoully]

I recently did the same, had an NBT Evo ID4 in a 2015. Had read loads from people saying “it works fine”, “sometimes you get crashes and have to reset the HU”.

Unfortunately, I was left with a bitter taste, I used a seemingly reputable bunch that are very well advertised and was l left with PDC not displaying properly, NAV that wouldn’t load and constant connection failures over BT and with CarPlay.
I’m guessing they have more than one coder but the communication from the guy I was dealing with was rubbish.

I ended up fixing the display issues myself but got so fed up of the connection issues I upgraded the HU to a newer hardware version and had an amazingly helpful guy from the forum flash it for me.
The new hardware and flash are working perfectly including the OEM navigation.
For me it was absolutely worth the flash, using Siri for virtually everything is great.

I can DM you the name of the company I had issues with if you want to avoid them, I just don’t want name them publicly incase I had just had a bad experience with them.

Same for me with WiFi antenna it’s just behind the trim above the cup holders.

[F31-340i]

Thanks Yoully

Hmm - I have a feeling my early car might also have some issues - I'm not sure I need carplay that much to take the risk - and I don't want to spend on new hardware etc.

Grateful if you can PM me the company as I'm still considering.

I might still update the maps however (still have early maps, never updated outside original warranty period). Seem to be £15-20 options on the internet to put on a 64Gb drive (the ~£100 from BMW seems ridiculous).

[RhysoTDI]

I did the same as Yoully; upgraded the unit to a later HW version. I was sort of forced to this though as my HD controller was failing 😕

I then got Steve at CodeMyBimmer to remote in and flash the unit with the correct software and latest map data. Been working perfectly for approx 12 months 😊