My current project - Retrofit iDrive

[Roddy]

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...

Thanks for trying that, an invaluable service to the forum!!
The image looks OK, and as you said the camera position isn't optimal, but I'm not going to use PDC so it's close to what I want.
I've searched and found a few camera alternatives which will still be positioned low, but maybe the angle could be adjusted.. For example this one clips onto the number plate and at the equivalent of 17 quid wouldn't be a complete disaster if it is replaced. The company I got the other info from quotes $200 for a camera.....

 

[Yoghurt]

Have you a link please Roddy? Did you purchase it?

Thank you

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...

Thanks for trying that, an invaluable service to the forum!!
The image looks OK, and as you said the camera position isn't optimal, but I'm not going to use PDC so it's close to what I want.
I've searched and found a few camera alternatives which will still be positioned low, but maybe the angle could be adjusted.. For example this one clips onto the number plate and at the equivalent of 17 quid wouldn't be a complete disaster if it is replaced. The company I got the other info from quotes $200 for a camera.....


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[Roddy]

Have you a link please Roddy? Did you purchase it?

No I haven't bought it, still researching these MMI units, price range is huge.
The link I have is Amazon here in Japan (hence the Yokohama number plate), although I found on ebay but more expensive. You can look for AUTO-VOX brand.
I found many up to 30 pounds here.
ebay
https://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/AUTO-VOX-Cam-6-Rear-Reverse-Backup-Camera-License-Plate-Parking-Rearview-System/353347553133?hash=item524527c76d:g:hXwAAOSwgMNf-ZIR

amazon Japan
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B071W25SZH/?coliid=I1OP0JSFKQBAV7&colid=626H8ACM5BWS&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Yoghurt]

Thanks Roddy. Let us know how you get on if you do get the camera. AnubisZed (in his install video) is not convinced as they may be too low and get dirty frequently

I got the MMI box for E89 from ALiexpress for £155 and took about 2 weeks (China to UK). Can recommend it.

 

[Silverstar]

Thanks Roddy. Let us know how you get on if you do get the camera. AnubisZed (in his install video) is not convinced as they may be too low and get dirty frequently

I got the MMI box for E89 from ALiexpress for £155 and took about 2 weeks (China to UK). Can recommend it.

My F20 had a factory fitted reverse camera and it was great, although when it rained it would get dirty pretty quick since it was mounted low on the bumper around about the same as it would be on the Zed. Either way I found it really useful and thought I would hugely miss it when I got the Zed and before I bought the car it was one of the first mods I had planned but when I finally got the car I found the PDC pictogram on the iDrive screen in combination with the beeps more than adequate to give me a good indication of what's behind (or in front) and as such I really don't miss it one bit and hence have not bothered putting it on my Zed.

 

[Roddy]

Thanks Roddy. Let us know how you get on if you do get the camera. AnubisZed (in his install video) is not convinced as they may be too low and get dirty frequently

I got the MMI box for E89 from ALiexpress for £155 and took about 2 weeks (China to UK). Can recommend it.

I'm still on the fence, I want something, PDC would do the job, but I don't have it and don't fancy hacking my car up. Then of course which MMI, with Android auto or without. From one of the vendors I saw this:

you are able to mix a video and audio source, but not two video
or audio sources together. Ie. OEM iDrive Navigation and Spotify from MMI Prime or
OEM Radio and Google Maps, but not Waze navigation prompts + OEM Radio

Does OEM navigation not count as a sound source if it's actually directing me somewhere? Haven't yet seen video of true integration, it's either iDrive or Android/Carplay. And of course it's too bloody cold to fit it without a garage!! When I get something I'll post.

My driveway has room for 3 cars nose to tail with inches between them... that's the main reason I want a camera, it's very useful on wifey's car.

Also when I go to Aliexpress, the page is usually translated to Japanese. It doesn't fill me with confidence when I see this. You won't need a translator!!

 

[AnubisZed]

Roddy,

Why are you even considering mixing sources?
Your quote
"Ie. OEM iDrive Navigation and Spotify from MMI Prime" >> Use Google Maps or Waze on the MMI box and your chosen music source (shown in Part 3 of my video)
"OEM Radio and Google Maps, but not Waze navigation prompts + OEM Radio" >> Use one of the many radio apps available and Google Maps/Waze all again on your phone.
No need for cross connections with iDrive, everything is available within CarPlay or Android Auto.

As for the CIC (2008 to 2013) and NBT (2013 to 2016), this has been pointed out to various suppliers already but none of them have changed their wording (standard template!). The reason for this is the E9x series (and other models) that with their LCI update changed over to the new (then) NBT system and replaced the CIC (older) system, but BMW never changed the system on the E89 units (probably not sure on longevity at the time!). But it seems that most suppliers don't seem to know this fact (but they do ask you to check!). But I can confirm that ALL E89 units are CIC (4 pin LVDS).

AS for PDC, I'm retrofitting that as well :rofl: Physical fitting is all done, just need to connect up the new loom to the existing and we'll be in business (video on that to come)

 

[AnubisZed]

Oh Roddy, I forgot to mention that I've tagged you in my new video (MMI Part 3) I should have that uploaded later today.

 

[Roddy]

Oh Roddy, I forgot to mention that I've tagged you in my new video (MMI Part 3) I should have that uploaded later today.

Lovely jubbly.
This started out as a rear camera project... need a camera coz....I don't want to hurt my real baby
Then I found out that a camera MMI and a full monty Android auto MMI would be the same price....ish.
Curiosity killed the cat maybe.
If Android auto can satisfy my desires 100%, I'm in, but it relies on the phone in my pocket :-?

 

[AnubisZed]

Lovely jubbly.
This started out as a rear camera project... need a camera coz....I don't want to hurt my real baby
Then I found out that a camera MMI and a full monty Android auto MMI would be the same price....ish.
Curiosity killed the cat maybe.
If Android auto can satisfy my desires 100%, I'm in, but it relies on the phone in my pocket :-?

So what phone do you have?
If it's Android then it can still be connected via the wire option, this way it is being charged (kept charged, not an overly powerful charge!) while you are using it. Wireless is great, but you are using a lot of phone battery charge in doing so.


On another note, Part 3 (my opinion, and some other ramblings) can be found here >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WDtEWtAgzY

 

[Roddy]

On another note, Part 3 (my opinion, and some other ramblings) can be found here >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WDtEWtAgzY

Fame at last!
I use Android and would probably use it wired anyway, just a case of which vender to use.

Edit: OK I ordered a unit, too much of a bargain not to really

 

[AnubisZed]

Fame at last!
I use Android and would probably use it wired anyway, just a case of which vender to use.

Sorry, I meant what model, I can check if it's wireless compatible

Edit: OK I ordered a unit, too much of a bargain not to really

Excellent, keep us informed :driving:

 

[Roddy]

Sorry, I meant what model, I can check if it's wireless compatible

Asus Zenfone 7, I assume it will be OK as it's using Android 10 which has Android auto built in, didn't need to download it.

 

[AnubisZed]

Sorry, I meant what model, I can check if it's wireless compatible

Asus Zenfone 7, I assume it will be OK as it's using Android 10 which has Android auto built in, didn't need to download it.

Well it will work wired, but with the upcoming Android 11 it is supposedly going to be also wireless, but there might be a problem there....

 

[Roddy]

Well it will work wired, but with the upcoming Android 11 it is supposedly going to be also wireless, but there might be a problem there....

"If you live in Japan or Russia......."

Wired it will be then. I wondered why I haven't seen these things for sale here, Japanese seem to more interested in having TV in their cars, many MMIs for that.

 

[AnubisZed]

"If you live in Japan or Russia......."

Wired it will be then. I wondered why I haven't seen these things for sale here, Japanese seem to more interested in having TV in their cars, many MMIs for that.

At least you know it'll be a simple connection and keeps it charged this way
Amy problems with the install, or any questions then give me a shout

 

[Roddy]

Amy problems with the install, or any questions then give me a shout

Came sooner than expected....
The vendor mailed me to confirm CIC or NBT. I sent pics which should identify it as CIC, but he/she wants me to confirm the LVDS connector, 4 or 6 pin. Which is the easiest end to check, screen or head unit? He/she claims customers in the past have been mistaken with cars of my year, I think that may have been different BMWs.
Anyway I can check tomorrow, which end?

 

[AnubisZed]

Amy problems with the install, or any questions then give me a shout

Came sooner than expected....
The vendor mailed me to confirm CIC or NBT. I sent pics which should identify it as CIC, but he/she wants me to confirm the LVDS connector, 4 or 6 pin. Which is the easiest end to check, screen or head unit? He/she claims customers in the past have been mistaken with cars of my year, I think that may have been different BMWs.
Anyway I can check tomorrow, which end?

Well the easiest end to see is behind the headunit. BUT>>>> ALL E89's are CIC, 4 Pin LVDS from 2009 to 2016, no exceptions what's-so-ever 8)

 

[Roddy]

Well the easiest end to see is behind the headunit. BUT>>>> ALL E89's are CIC, 4 Pin LVDS from 2009 to 2016, no exceptions what's-so-ever 8)

As expected, 4 pin plug confirmed... I suppose he was being careful, just they probably had different BMWs

Before you, there are many customers' cars in 2014 and their interface shows the CIC system. The actual lvds plug is 6-pin.
If this is the case, then you should purchase an NBT system.

Anyway, it's being shipped, and a camera arrived earlier. I may have made a mistake with the product code, it's actually Auto-Vox CAM6, written on the box. I checked it with a small monitor and it looks ok with switchable grid lines.

This guy has installed a similar one, different sized bracket.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ahxkG80c58&ab_channel=IansTech

Thought I may run the wires but it's bloody freezing today!!

 

[AnubisZed]

FAO LordLolzeye

So this is a E9x version, so you see the extention from the main body to where the control panel is...



And this is an E89 version, as you can see it brings the control panel a lot further out towards the dash face.



And the USB for the headunit goes in the glovebox (high up and not normally in view). For right-hand-drive it's on the upper right, for left-hand-drive it's upper left....