Android/Apple car play on CIC retrofit

[aus335iguy]

After retrofitting a combox and coding full connected drive on my CIC im more than a little disappointed with how the phone integrates, displays and works.
I watched a YouTube video recently about an android box and as i understand it bimmertek do one.
anyone have any experience with these? They’re cheap enough from eBay/AliExpress i may give one a try...they dont mention specs though in a lot of the ads...

Wireless IOS CarPlay for BMW CIC System Android Auto Retrofit Interface 2009-15 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Wireless IOS CarPlay for BMW CIC System Android Auto Retrofit Interface 2009-15 at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

 

[houtan]

Subd. Interested in doing this as well but hard to find information on what works well.

I have seen this thread that talks about car play: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1742440

 

[aus335iguy]

Looks pretty snappy and responsive but how does one tell which one has what spec?

 

[houtan]

Yeah I have watched that video many times and still not sure lol. He does a follow up video as well I believe. Sometimes they put a link in their description to the product they are using. Searching Ali express is confusing to me.

 

[aus335iguy]

So install was pretty easy - Its all plug and play.
I tucked the unit in above the cic, behind the HVAC controls Its tight in there.... So tight i had to cut the CIC unit frame and it still isnt quite right...

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/attachments/e04d743c-e296-4a89-ad32-17422079ac8d-jpeg.46690/

electrically the thing intercepts all of the wiring to the CIC(bar the antennas and MOST bus). I got a little scared when i first hooked the unit up and got a red screen. Eventually though(im not sure what it was that i did that made it work but it did) i got it on and in
CAN bus connection... theres a number of different options but ill post a pic of the ones i used

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/attachments/47294ae3-cb95-4135-a114-655d38caf1a2-jpeg.46693/

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/attachments/c1201b52-bced-4e48-b33e-2ccb109a370e-jpeg.46694/

Works amazing. Pressing the voice control on the steering wheel and getting Siri is the best thing ever.
Integration with the idrive controller is seamless. I have audio routed to the car directly via my bluetooth

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/attachments/88f4153d-1e7a-4ba1-b42d-f277e052e8d9-jpeg.46692/

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/attachments/6be070b0-a3c7-4af5-9a00-810b07f24a33-jpeg.46691/

PS audio quality via apple music with the settings set to max quality is far superior to spotify.
Sooooooo good. Much recommend

 

[houtan]

Wait. Which one did you buy?

I need this in my life.

 

[aus335iguy]

Wait. Which one did you buy?

I need this in my life.

AU $300.33 41％ Off | E90 E91 E92 E93 Car DVD Monitor Apple Wireless Carplay Interface Box Android Auto Module for 3 Series Radio Screen CIC System

223.44US $ 43% OFF|E90 E91 E92 E93 Car DVD Monitor Apple Wireless Carplay Interface Box Android Auto Module for 3 Series Radio Screen CIC System|Car Multimedia Player| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[houtan]

Thanks. Need to figure out if it’ll fit in a 1 series.

 

[aus335iguy]

Thanks. Need to figure out if it’ll fit in a 1 series.

Id say theres room some where and even if you had to put it under a seat or in the console id say this is worth it. One of the best modifications Ive made to this car.

 

[aus335iguy]

So been living with this and it’s still one of the top mods I’ve done.
Issues of note.
1 For some reason in google maps when I hit the dictation button the Bluetooth audio stops streaming. The only way I know to reconnect is to re-pair with apple car play and then it’ needs to be forced to re pair to the combox in the car via bluetooth
2 After listening to Spotify if I exit the car and lock it up and come back it defaults to Apple Music. I need to select Spotify and take up where o left off
3 steering wheel buttons work but they are reversed when compared to original ie original down=next track and up is begin track again/ previous track. CarPlay next track is up button
4 audio directions for google maps isn’t coming through but is for apple maps

now for the good
1 If you only use apple native maps and music it would work pretty well I’d say
2 Siri integration is next level convenient
3 full screen maps is awesome
4 iDrive control and shortcuts are super convenient

 

[kd7iwp]

I got one of these after doing my CIC retrofit and love it. Only problem I encountered is that using the CAN bus wires from the iDrive knob did not work, my iDrive knob became unresponsive. The CarPlay box is working fine using the CANbus wires from the CIC unit but it does prevent you from being able to do further coding of your CIC unit. I've had to open the dash (quick and easy) and temporarily unplug the CarPlay box a few times to code things like HD radio, live traffic, etc. on my CIC and then plug it back in afterwards. I've heard this is not a problem if you use the iDrive knob CANbus wires.

 

[martymil]

I'm using the Andream unit on my CIC in my 1m which works really well and looks the same as the one OP posted.

I got mine for 340 aud landed which was quite cheap.

Waze works well except wont go into dark mode for some reason even if set to default.

Thats the only glitch i found so far.

Jiust waiting on bimmer geeks to fix the live gauges for the s65, should be no issue with n54

 

[Anon1]

Thanks. Need to figure out if it’ll fit in a 1 series.

I have it running in my 2013 135i.
I paid $156USD on AliExpress.
I fit the unit in the glove box.

Let know if you have any questions.