My current project - Retrofit iDrive

[AnubisZed]

I thought I'd write a quick update as to what is happening with this project.

Firstly the ICOM, well I've not got around to using it yet for a couple of reasons... 1, I've simply not had the time (other non-Z4 projects are in the way at the moment) and 2, they supplied it to me without the main cable!! This has (apparently) been sent to me but has not yet arrived. I won't be recommending the supplier in this case as it's like platting snot in all communications with them..... bloody hard work!

Right on with the install. OK, on the whole it is working perfectly, but with the odd bug here and there, namely sometimes the screen doesn't come up immediately and sometimes it'll stay on after I've taken the key out, but will close and switch off after a minute or two. Not really sure why it's doing this, but will give it a good looking at once the ICOM is fully working.
Also on the same note I took it into BMW for a paint repair on my roof last month. Because I have a SmartTop module fitted I thought it was best to disable the unit while they were to work on the roof. This is achievable by a simple setting with a PC to the SmartTop box. Once I'd done this I noticed that the iDrive screen wasn't working properly and was very intermittent as to whether it would open or not. Once I had the car back and reactivated the SmartTop it went back to normal! Absolutely no idea as to why it would do this as they are not connected in any way.

As for the MMI box, it's working fine, a couple of minor glitches now and again but I think this has more to do with bad phone signal and Apple Music's shite system than the box itself. Looking forward to a new phone contract with a better provider than Three as the signal around these parts is utter crap most of the time, alas will have to wait until next June though :thumbsdown:

Upgrades...... Once I get the Bluetooth working on the MULF I now have a Combox so may see if I can upgrade to that just so I have the full benefit of connections (not that I need them!).

OK that's it for now, more stuff coming soon 8)

 

[AnubisZed]

OK, good morning, a quick update.

I was told that IOS 14 was released yesterday so thought I'd update a spare iPhone 7 and then see what the new layout looks like on the screen.
I quite like it, in fact I actually like the CarPlay layout better than the Android Auto anyway. It's nice to be able to set the background wallpaper in the new OS, and you've got Darkmode available as well and can easily change things around, something you don't have a lot of control over in AA.

Alas no further forward on the Bluetooth front, but then that's more because I've not had time to mess to that amount of time, I'll get there in the end :?

 

[Mojito]

Hi Dave,

Looks brilliant I can see that as soon as I've coded my iDrive for Nav, an upgrade is on the cards

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[AnubisZed]

When I had the Android screen I made this phone cradle up so I could just plug my phone straight into the Android system for Android Auto access. Now I've got the iDrive with the MMI box I've attached it to the MMI USB for direct wired Android Auto access.

I made it out of a USB C desk mount (cut down) and a spare piece of stiff plastic. This was only ever made as a "proof of concept" but has worked so well I've not got around to improving it yet as it works so well. Alas the plate looks a bit shabby but has held up well.
The cable has been put through the base of the console with a small cut in the rubber (same as for the AUX cable).
I'm now thinking of putting a wireless charging mat in there as well for when my wife is driving, as she has an iPhone XS Max so can charge it while using CarPlay.

 

[AnubisZed]

Finally part 1 of the MMI box installation is live on YouTube at..... https://youtu.be/jY-pSPUz0IU

 

[Silverstar]

Great video, I am sure it will be helpful to many.

Funny your kit looks exactly like mine even down to the wire colours in the supplied T Harness and the brown taped box the kit comes in. I believe like most things coming from China there is probably only one or two factories that actually make the kits but a huge number of resellers on Ali purporting to be manufacturers.

 

[Zed Baron]

Finally part 1 of the MMI box installation is live on YouTube at..... https://youtu.be/jY-pSPUz0IU

Great video Dave, any recommendations on where to buy the box and will you be offering this as one of your retrofit services (when things return to some kind of normality)

 

[AnubisZed]

Great video, I am sure it will be helpful to many.

Funny your kit looks exactly like mine even down to the wire colours in the supplied T Harness and the brown taped box the kit comes in. I believe like most things coming from China there is probably only one or two factories that actually make the kits but a huge number of resellers on Ali purporting to be manufacturers.

I believethat the majority of them are all from the same place, even some that look differentprobablyhave the same internals

 

[AnubisZed]

Finally part 1 of the MMI box installation is live on YouTube at..... https://youtu.be/jY-pSPUz0IU

Great video Dave, any recommendations on where to buy the box and will you be offering this as one of your retrofit services (when things return to some kind of normality)

I do offer this service
And there are a couple of places to get them, one in Europe and one in China, both at a decent price. Alas I don't have the links with me but if anyone would like them then send me a message and I'll let you know

 

[Roddy]

Something for my shopping list. With rear camera too hopefully

 

[kumaramark27]

I don't have a combox and have the above Tune2Air bluetooth adapter. This allows me to stream spotify on my iPhone over the stock iDrive, it shows up song info and allows me to use the steering controls too.

 

[AnubisZed]

I don't have a combox and have the above Tune2Air bluetooth adapter. This allows me to stream spotify on my iPhone over the stock iDrive, it shows up song info and allows me to use the steering controls too.

Yes the Tune2Air is a great add on, I had one with my previous headunit, they work great. But for another another £80 you can add the MMI box to your iDrive and see what you are playing, voice control it, have live sat-nav etc, so much more worth it

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

I don't have a combox and have the above Tune2Air bluetooth adapter. This allows me to stream spotify on my iPhone over the stock iDrive, it shows up song info and allows me to use the steering controls too.

Yes the Tune2Air is a great add on, I had one with my previous headunit, they work great. But for another another £80 you can add the MMI box to your iDrive and see what you are playing, voice control it, have live sat-nav etc, so much more worth it

I was watching your YT video the other day on the android unit install.
I noticed in your storage box you had a magnetic mount for a phone?

I have been looking for something like this, instead of mounting to the windscreen glass, but can’t find a mount which will fit into the box!

Which one did you buy, and was it a custom job?

 

[AnubisZed]

I don't have a combox and have the above Tune2Air bluetooth adapter. This allows me to stream spotify on my iPhone over the stock iDrive, it shows up song info and allows me to use the steering controls too.

Yes the Tune2Air is a great add on, I had one with my previous headunit, they work great. But for another another £80 you can add the MMI box to your iDrive and see what you are playing, voice control it, have live sat-nav etc, so much more worth it

I was watching your YT video the other day on the android unit install.
I noticed in your storage box you had a magnetic mount for a phone?

I have been looking for something like this, instead of mounting to the windscreen glass, but can’t find a mount which will fit into the box!

Which one did you buy, and was it a custom job?

It was one of these... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOBILE-PHONE-HOLDER-UNIVERSAL-CAR-DASH-MAGNETIC-MOUNT/183318124718?hash=item2aae9c98ae:g:1gQAAOSw~bFWFrnr

Can't say this is exactly the same one, but it looks the same (I bought it about three and half years ago!)
I hard wired a 12v to USB converter into the fuse box and then ran a AUX cable under everything back to the AUX socket in the centre console so no wires were visible.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Yes the Tune2Air is a great add on, I had one with my previous headunit, they work great. But for another another £80 you can add the MMI box to your iDrive and see what you are playing, voice control it, have live sat-nav etc, so much more worth it

I was watching your YT video the other day on the android unit install.
I noticed in your storage box you had a magnetic mount for a phone?

I have been looking for something like this, instead of mounting to the windscreen glass, but can’t find a mount which will fit into the box!

Which one did you buy, and was it a custom job?

It was one of these... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOBILE-PHONE-HOLDER-UNIVERSAL-CAR-DASH-MAGNETIC-MOUNT/183318124718?hash=item2aae9c98ae:g:1gQAAOSw~bFWFrnr

Can't say this is exactly the same one, but it looks the same (I bought it about three and half years ago!)
I hard wired a 12v to USB converter into the fuse box and then ran a AUX cable under everything back to the AUX socket in the centre console so no wires were visible.

Great, thanks!

 

[Roddy]

Time has come to start my CIC upgrade, thanks to great information provided on this board and Youtube, I think the installation part is doable, my issues now are what to buy and from where.
If it's relevant my car is end of 2014 build, iDrive with "609 Navigation System Professional", "620 Voice Input System" and "6NS Enhanced Telephony With Extended Smartphone (something or other..)".

I use Android and unlikely to use iPhone, maps are up to date 2020, I can already stream audio over BT to the system as it is. Would retain standard mic.
What I would like is a back camera, and ability to make/receive calls using Whatsapp, Viber or similar. Not likely to stream audio actually, as I just filled a USB stick and am using that. Video on USB would be nice though.

What else can I do using these magic boxes?

So, which one is recommended? I have found several online, from my untrained eye they seem to be mostly the same, repackaged and rebranded... I'm in Japan but quite willing to import. I often do for car parts as pricing here can be eyewatering compared to the real world....
Any help much appreciated!

 

[AnubisZed]

......
I use Android and unlikely to use iPhone, maps are up to date 2020, I can already stream audio over BT to the system as it is. Would retain standard mic. Using the standard microphone is all included within the kit
What I would like is a back camera, Yes, but to be honest they are too low to be a lot of use
and ability to make/receive calls using Whatsapp, Viber or similar. Whatsapp is available on Android Auto, but I'm not sure as to how much, I'll have a check and get back to you
Not likely to stream audio actually, as I just filled a USB stick and am using that. Video on USB would be nice though. Yes it's available to do that

What else can I do using these magic boxes?

So, which one is recommended? I have found several online, from my untrained eye they seem to be mostly the same, repackaged and rebranded... I'm in Japan but quite willing to import. I often do for car parts as pricing here can be eyewatering compared to the real world....
Any help much appreciated!

OK, some specific answers I've placed above.
So as Part 1 of my MMI Installation video is linked above, I won't link that again, but as I'm typing I'm currently uploading Part 2 which is how to use it and what it can do I'll link it below just as soon as it's finished uploading.

As for from where, I bought mine from this link... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001063666209.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.16754c4dGX2Too
One thing to note, all E89's are CIC, so no need to check if you have a 6 pin or 4 pin, you have a 4 pin! And it doesn't matter on year ALL E89's from 2009 right up to the end in 2016 are exactly the same as far as the iDrive system for these MMI boxes Most of the boxes are exactly the same, some do have different cases on them but they all do the same job, it's really down to how much you want to pay.

MMI Installation Part 2...
[youtube]https://youtu.be/KFjiNxZ3Q7o[/youtube]

 

[Roddy]

MMI Installation Part 2...
[youtube]https://youtu.be/KFjiNxZ3Q7o[/youtube]

Excellent, I've watched the other videos a couple of times, very helpful.
I mentioned before I think, camera is wife's wish, and who am I to argue....

Thanks!!

 

[Roddy]

MMI Installation Part 2...
[youtube]https://youtu.be/KFjiNxZ3Q7o[/youtube]

How has the performance been since install? I noticed around 25:30 you said there was an issue with the reverse full screen, how is this now?
I found in another place with a unit which "looks" the same, the following. They say it needs a full power cycle to set up full screen, was yours OK finally? This menu is slightly different too.
These boxes seem to be ubiquitous, but either too expensive or suspiciously cheap......

 

[AnubisZed]

MMI Installation Part 2...
[youtube]https://youtu.be/KFjiNxZ3Q7o[/youtube]

How has the performance been since install? I noticed around 25:30 you said there was an issue with the reverse full screen, how is this now?
I found in another place with a unit which "looks" the same, the following. They say it needs a full power cycle to set up full screen, was yours OK finally? This menu is slightly different too.
These boxes seem to be ubiquitous, but either too expensive or suspiciously cheap......

Cam set up.jpg

Morning,
OK so following your post I went out first thing this morning and changed the setting to full screen, then left it and went back inside fro breakfast. It was a little chilly first thing at -3, so going back inside was welcome
Yep it works, locking the car and waiting the 10-15 minutes does the trick. When I went back I put it in reverse and got this screen...



So the first thing you notice is that the image of the car's outline with the PDC indication has been removed, but I believe that this is then covered by the sectioned Red, Yellow and Green lines. Alas I still haven't got around to finishing the installation of my OE PDC so can't currently test this theory.

As for performance, well now there's a question :wink:
On the whole I like mine, but it does have some slightly annoying quirks from time to time. I am going to make a Part 3 video for this installation and it'll basically be my opinion on the box, how well it has performed in the last 6 months I've been using it and what I honestly think. I'll be making this over the next couple of days so will post a link just as soon as it's live.
I was also going to include link to the 2 suppliers I've dealt with with these boxes, but alas they have both stopped responding to questions, so how can I honestly recommend a supplier who doesn't consider customer service, or lack of, an issue (both suppliers knew I was making an How-To video on these, not sponsord)