Hey there, I did it, I changed the screen for an aftermarket version.
Here is the version I acquired, from 4x4shop.ca, select Android 8.1, and take the GPS Antenna Splitter.
You can take the CarPlay/Android auto USB Dongle, I tried to use it with Android, no success. I need to test it with an iPhone for CarPlay, and I'll update the thread.
To start with the conclusion, would I recommend it?
Yes, definitely, if you are looking for a way to have any Android app on your infotainment (waze, google maps, android auto,etc.)
How does it work?
So the BMW "brain" of the system is behind your CD player in the front. The screen is just a screen, there is nothing else into it. It's the same you will have with a desktop computer: The tower is the "brain", and the screen is just a dumb component that display a picture.
When you replace the screen, what you do is install an Android tablet with a video input, so the BMW system will work exactly the same as before, you will have in addition an Android system that is working at the touch of your fingers, and to some extend with the idrive wheel controller.
Then you have a harness that is going in between the car and the BMW "brain", that intercepts and send signals to the Android interface.
+ and -
The good
- Hardware is powerful enough to make the experience fluid
- Android 8.1, so you can install all the recent apps
- Integration with the physical buttons
- Possible to use the BMW interface only if you want
- Possible to install any Android launcher, and to create the experience you want, no limit here except the time you want to spend on it
- Navigation button launch the app you want
- Switch from BMW system to Android with holding the menu button
- Screen quality, no reflection/glare (even if it looks different in the pictures, it does not look glossy when you look at it)
The meh
- No camera, that would be great for video calls
- Software does not have all the Google services installed, you have to side load a bunch of apk to have a full Android experience,
- The option/settings apps is not very well designed
- No automatic screen brightness with ambient light
- I wish they would offer the option with 4G/LTE, as it's an extension card on the hardware
- The hardware: plastics are not qualitative, assembly is not very well done, gaps in between all elements. It looks bad when you open the box, but when it's installed, you don't notice it as it's a bit further away, and you don't see the back. It is far, far, far away from the BMW screen in term of assembly and plastics quality.
The bad
- The interface that pretend to be a BMW interface, and is absolutely not (but you can change it)
- Microphone has a hard time to capture the sound from far, you have to lean towards the screen to make it work
- The wifi only works in 2.4Ghz (no 5Ghz)
How to install?
The hardware
It's very easy, don't freak out, you only have 6 screws to remove.
I watched 2 videos, and it's well explained:
Here is how to remove the dashboard and screen
Here is how to connect the harness and the screen
You will actually not use most of the connectors, it's only the basics ones that you need. The audio works fine, no need to do the hack they are talking about. I recommend to tape the extra cables together, to make everything look nice and not have things all over the place.
For the double USB entries that they put in the glove box, it's not mandatory. I put the cable from the center to bellow the glove box (in the fuse box), and it gets out at the passenger feet. You will see, there is a hole, and you can run the cable along the center console, no drill, no hole, it just goes nicely. I will actually not use any of the USB cable, so will let them inside the fuse box.
The install was much easier than I thought it would, it was super fast to install.
The software
Ok, here, the first thing I recommend you to do is installing another launcher. Seriously, the interface is bad, really bad.
I tried a couple, and ended with
Smart Launcher 5, it has an interface that works very well as an infotainment (big button, shortcuts, gestures...).
Side load the
Google Contacts Sync 8.1.0 (and only this version), then go in Android settings, in permissions, and give permission to the app.
Install
the Google app.
Install
the Google assistant.
Side load
Android Auto, and launch the app, it will ask you to install a couple more services. Do it and launch the app again, it should work.
Install the last
Contacts App (you can put a dark them on it), and uninstall the old contact app (check with the icon).
Install any app you'd like from the Play store (Waze, the Weather Channel, Calendar, YouTube, Duo, Messages, Messenger, Hangout, Netflix, Audible, Spotify, etc.).
Have fun configuring the launcher to your taste.
The review
Watch here
Basically, things did not start well. Assembly and plastics quality being what it is, I had doubt on the look when installed, but honestly, I have no pb with it now (and I am a crazy person regarding to details and quality).
Then the software, oh my, I wanted to return it, it's terrible! There is nothing worse for me than pretending to be something you are not.
But here is the thing, what you have is an android device... So install a launcher, apps, widgets, and whatever you want to create the experience you are happy with.
So with the setup I have now, I am very happy with it, and can definitely recommend it. I put my phone in hotspot, the unit connect to the wifi, and I am good to go. It feels so good to not have a phone and "stuff" in the middle console, and use the infotainment to have waze, Spotify and company. It was my goal, and it works well.
Next steps
I have still some experiments to do, and will update the thread:
- Carplay
- Some Bluetooth experimentation
- I have a random crash of the Smart Launcher 5 when the system starts, might not be happy with another app I installed, it's nothing, I'll see if I have time to fix it one day
- Improving the microphone (might have to unmount the screen and check the hardware)
My dream?
The same unit, better plastics, better finish (no gaps), better microphone(s), light sensor, camera, 4G/LTE sim card slot.
That's it... I would pay double to have all this, because it's so worth it.
Need help?
Feel free to ask questions, and if you make the jump, I'll be happy to help!
If you live near San Francisco, you can also come by, test the system, and I can install it with you if it makes you feel better
