Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

MMI installation - round 2

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

MMI installation - round 2

Post by Timmyboybunter » Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:54 am

birdy_z4 wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:51 am I’m just fitting this version and up to yet the idrive is working fine and seems to be ok

Microphone is a vw and does not fit in the steering cowel as too big.
Interesting, thanks - have you unclipped the actual microphone bit from the end of the supplied lead, so it can be used alongside the original BMW microphone? (See Dave's video on YouTube - I haven't checked the lead is compatible yet)
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

Online
birdy_z4
Member
Member
Posts: 261
Joined: Mon May 10, 2021 10:31 am
Location: Warwickshire

MMI installation - round 2

Post by birdy_z4 » Sat Jul 31, 2021 12:51 pm

I decided that I want to keep the capability of both and asked Carsara for the splitter which they do not supply.

The microphone works but not under the cowel and there is no splitter
Attachments
image.jpg
image.jpg (114.42 KiB) Viewed 345 times
Microphone joint
Microphone joint
image.jpg (167.35 KiB) Viewed 345 times

Online
birdy_z4
Member
Member
Posts: 261
Joined: Mon May 10, 2021 10:31 am
Location: Warwickshire

MMI installation - round 2

Post by birdy_z4 » Sat Jul 31, 2021 1:06 pm

Picture show the idrive connection and the microphone joint
Attachments
Microphone
Microphone
image.jpg (96.41 KiB) Viewed 345 times

Online
birdy_z4
Member
Member
Posts: 261
Joined: Mon May 10, 2021 10:31 am
Location: Warwickshire

MMI installation - round 2

Post by birdy_z4 » Sat Jul 31, 2021 1:20 pm

So actually got the microphone to fit with the help of some double sided phone tape and removing the blank on the other side
Attachments
image.jpg
image.jpg (98.12 KiB) Viewed 345 times
image.jpg
image.jpg (126.41 KiB) Viewed 345 times

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

MMI installation - round 2

Post by Timmyboybunter » Sat Jul 31, 2021 3:49 pm

Thanks for the pics - I see what you mean. The mic wire supplied with this version (for other people browsing) is the 2 wire (black/yellow) in the pics above - and yes, can't be attached to the OEM mic like the original version as demonstrated towards the end of Dave's video.

Had more of a think, and don't want to mess around with this new version after all - so have ordered this one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3291282 ... 4f6aDyiiUM

The seller, Shenzhen Car DVD Playor Store, promises me it is the original version and not the updated one (I sent pics to him - so hopefully we were having a sensible conversation!) - my order was £158.26, but the current price just a couple of hours later is £183.50.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

Silverstar
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2716
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 10:06 am
Location: Costa Del Sol

MMI installation - round 2

Post by Silverstar » Sun Aug 01, 2021 2:08 am

Apart from the different wiring setup are there any benefits to this new version of MMI?

Regarding the MIC, my MMI box came with what appears to be a VW MIC like in the photos above but as many have done you could connect it to the original BMW MIC in the steering column shroud however for simplicity sake I just used the VW MIC and attached it near the key port as per the photo below, it's hardly visible in that location and works great.
IMG_0223.jpeg
IMG_0223.jpeg (104.6 KiB) Viewed 315 times
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

Online
birdy_z4
Member
Member
Posts: 261
Joined: Mon May 10, 2021 10:31 am
Location: Warwickshire

MMI installation - round 2

Post by birdy_z4 » Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:45 am

I think it has upgraded hardware according to seller.

Finished the install yesterday and very happy with it, one of the differences is the antennas on the back of the unit

I’ll see how it goes but all good at the minute

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

MMI installation - round 2

Post by Timmyboybunter » Sun Aug 15, 2021 10:52 pm

New unit is in, first test drive this evening - 2.5 hours. For some reason, it keeps switching back to the iDrive menu, so I need to keep switching back - sometimes after 5 mins, sometimes 30 seconds, seems to be no pattern. Happens both from Android Auto, and just the MMI box menu.

Spent at least 30 mins playing with it yesterday after finishing installation, didn't do it once - difference is the car wasn't running. Any ideas?

(note the box is connected A to B, not L to B which my previous one was. L to B gave me no response, the iDrive screen wouldn't flip open)
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

Post Reply