Comparison Chart Listing 7 Wireless/Wired/iD 4 Retrofit Kits

[Kraftwerk AG]

Comparison Chart Listing 7 Fxx Wireless/Wired/iD 4 Android
Auto/Apple Carplay Retrofit Kits



Option 1: Joyeauto CarPlay Mirroring Interface
Use Promo Code: BMW20 for $20 off and free DHL or FedEx overnight shipping!
https://www.joyeauto.com/category/wi...apple-carplay/


Price: $419 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT/EVO iDrive

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Supports AirPlay and screen mirroring
• Integrates with the built-in microphone in iDrive 4. External mic is needed in CarPlay mode for 'Hey Siri'
• Unique AD, Bimmer-Tech & Joyeauto front camera/sensors do in fact work
• Supports full-screen mode
• UI accessed through BMW icon on CarPlay homescreen

Cons:

• No touch screen support (except for NBT EVO iD6)

Option 2: Andream/Carlinkit/Indiwork/Road Top/Kremersino/Et. Al. Clones
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...480e9daeaQbX5P

For more discussion, go here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929

Price: $268 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT iDrive


Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports full-screen mode
• Cheapest option of all
• No external mic is needed in CarPlay mode

Cons:

• No touch screen support
• Sourced only through aliexpress. No website to give confidence on the company
• Does not have a vented box like Joyeauto (potentially heat may cause issues)
• Does not have an external wifi antenna

Option 3: Unique Audio Developments CarPlay Mirroring Interface
https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/carp...ies-2013-2016/

Price: £465.99 GBP (about $572 USD)(price quoted for one unit) depending on CCC/CIC/NBT iDrive
Rebranded Joyeauto wireless kit

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Supports AirPlay and screen mirroring
• Integrates with the built-in microphone in iDrive 4. External mic is needed in CarPlay mode for 'Hey Siri'
• Unique AD, BimmerTech & Joyeauto front camera/sensors do in fact work
• Supports full-screen mode

Cons:

• Mixed reviews about customer support by email. Chat is best during business hours only and seems good
• No touch screen support

Option 4: Bimmer-Tech NBT EVO ID5/ID6 Navigation Retrofit
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...ation-retrofit


Price: Starts From $1700 USD

Pros:

• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports full-screen mode
• Works just like OEM stock
• Factory mic is used
• Touch screen support is included, but optional for a lower cost
• Uses factory Wi-Fi antenna

Cons:

• Most expensive option

Option 5: Android 9-10 10.25" Multimedia Navigation System for BMW X5 X6 Series F15 F16 F85
https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...s-f15-f16.html


Price: Starting at $439.98 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on iDrive CIC/NBT

Pros:

• Supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay
• Good customer support, as AVIN is based in US
• Hi-res screen 1280 x 480P, 1920 x 720P screen + $39.99
• Front camera/sensors do work
• Supports hi-res full-screen mode
• Very active dissussions on F30 forums https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1699764
• Uses Wi-Fi antenna

Cons:

• More expensive than the Andream clones
  

Option 6: BimmerRetrofit
https://www.bimmerretrofit.com/store...te=common/home

Price: No Longer Available



Option 7: Unichip CarPlay Smartbox
https://www.unichip-tec.com/apple_carplay_smartbox.html

Price: $439 USD (price quoted for one unit)

Pros:

• Supports full-screen mode
• Supports steering wheel controls
• Front camera/sensors confirmed working

Cons:

• Poor customer support
• Requires a standalone microphone
• Doesn't support wireless CarPlay (but a wireless option is 'coming soon')
• No touch screen support

[steelerfan]

Nice consolidated list!!!! Good job!!!

[sj22]

Can you please update this:

Please know that the OEM retrofit if done without getting the new touchscreen is much cheaper. The biggest bottleneck is getting connecteddrive services to work as that requires additional steps and costs.

Source - I have done the full retrofit myself

[Maverik259]

Should also add the android retrofit as it works much better than all them CarPlay kits and for about the same price.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Should also add the android retrofit as it works much better than all them CarPlay kits and for about the same price.

Noted. The Joyeauto unit needs a .bin file upgrade to make the Android Auto feature work btw. Me personally? I'm not switching, as I like the CarPlay feature just fine.

[kiel9]

Can someone explain the differences between these two I’m now seeing on Ali Express and one from HiFiMax

Sinairyu WIFI Wireless Apple Carplay
$369.99
Description says: “for BMW NBT X5 X6 F15 F16 F25 F26 2013-2016 support iOS/Android Auto/Mirror Spotify Waze“
Pictures show an external mic, but the WIFI antenna is different from other models I’ve seen.

2019 New IOS Mirrorlink Car Apple Airplay Android Auto CarPlay Box
$274.49
Description says: “ BMW 1 2 3 4 5 7 Series X3 X4 X5 X6 MINI NBT OS”
Doesn’t come with a microphone and it claims to use the OEM mic. But also doesn’t come with a WIFI antenna, so looks like this doesn’t have wireless capabilities.

10.25''Android BMW X5 Navigation GPS
$475-$507 depending on RAM and ROM
Description says “ for BMW X5 F15 NBT support iDrive Carplay” This looks to be a screen replacement with a touch sensitive android screen. There’s a separate optional dongle ($53) which allows for a wireless interface.


And this may be off topic, but any thoughts about how to hide the external mic on a 2014 X5? The earlier models look like they could be put into the overhead array, but that doesn’t seem to be an option on the F15.

[chumbedi]

For Germany;
https://www.viovox.de
Guess I'll install this, as I would require Android Auto.
I'll go for the modell supporting Android vers.9.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by kiel9

Can someone explain the differences between these two I'm now seeing on Ali Express and one from HiFiMax

Sinairyu WIFI Wireless Apple Carplay

$369.99
Description says: "for BMW NBT X5 X6 F15 F16 F25 F26 2013-2016 support iOS/Android Auto/Mirror Spotify Waze"
Pictures show an external mic, but the WIFI antenna is different from other models I've seen.

2019 New IOS Mirrorlink Car Apple Airplay Android Auto CarPlay Box

$274.49
Description says: " BMW 1 2 3 4 5 7 Series X3 X4 X5 X6 MINI NBT OS"
Doesn't come with a microphone and it claims to use the OEM mic. But also doesn't come with a WIFI antenna, so looks like this doesn't have wireless capabilities.

https://hifimaxnavi.com/products/android-bmw-x5-navigation-gps-for-bmw-x5-f15-nbt?variant=29290023944244#mobile-widget"] 10.25''Android BMW X5 Navigation GPS[/URL]

$475-$507 depending on RAM and ROM
Description says " for BMW X5 F15 NBT support iDrive Carplay" This looks to be a screen replacement with a touch sensitive android screen. There's a separate optional dongle ($53) which allows for a wireless interface.


And this may be off topic, but any thoughts about how to hide the external mic on a 2014 X5? The earlier models look like they could be put into the overhead array, but that doesn't seem to be an option on the F15.

I hid mine behind the trim right behind the hazard switch and it picks up my voice just fine. That way the mic if fully covered and out of view.

[kiel9]

That’s a great idea. I’ll try that too. I just ordered the Sinairyu one. Crossing fingers it does the job.

[6spdcoupe]

Option 1 Bimmertech MMI Plus does not support wireless but the latest version will. External microphone is also not needed.

[Ogez84]

DeeO Thanks for the summary! Do you think there is any consensus for which option(s) has the best audio quality for music?

I plan on running Waze all of the time through Carplay (I don't mind if the audio quality for Waze isn't great, but I need to hear alerts for speed traps), but I will also have Spotify or Soundcloud running for music and I don't want the audio quality to be any worse than running a USB cable or Bluetooth through the OEM ID4 system. I'm okay with a wired setup if it sounds better than wireless.

Any thoughts?

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by Ogez84

DeeO Do you think there is any consensus for which option(s) has the best audio quality for music?

I plan on running Waze all of the time through Carplay (I don't mind if the audio quality for Waze isn't great, but I need to hear alerts for speed traps), but I will also have Spotify or Soundcloud running for music and I don't want the audio quality to be any worse than running a USB cable or Bluetooth through the OEM ID4 system. I'm okay with a wired setup if it sounds better than wireless.

Any thoughts?

No problem. From what I've gathered so far, they all pretty much have the same sound output quality. As was mentioned earlier by someone else in the thread, adjusting the EQ settings in both CP & ID4 helps the sound output to your personal preferences. Also try experimenting with going wireless vs. plugging into the USB in the console. GL

[kiel9]

I installed the Sinairyu one I posted above and so far I’m pretty happy with it.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/400022...8678cd049cb913

Getting a wireless version makes a big difference. A few seconds after I turn the car on, CarPlay gets activated even though the phone is still in my pocket.

I installed the mic behind the dash and it seems to work fine for activating Siri, and phone calls still use the factory mic. The backup camera will override CarPlay once it’s activated, but I’m not sure yet how make it activate when I’m pulling into my garage.

[SupersixM]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Should also add the android retrofit as it works much better than all them CarPlay kits and for about the same price.

I second, third and forth this motion.
All of these options cost the same or more than just a 10.25 swap and is inferior for if not anything else it doesn't support touchscreen. The clarity of the screen alone is an improvement on any OEM screen. I'm very happy with my swap.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by SupersixM

I second, third and forth this motion.
All of these options cost the same or more than just a 10.25 swap and is inferior for if not anything else it doesn't support touchscreen. The clarity of the screen alone is an improvement on any OEM screen. I'm very happy with my swap.

Agree same here. Still works great to this day. Just like oem. All I do is hit nav button on my idrive controller and boom my CarPlay loads

[Mo_far]

Kraftwerk AG any feedback on Andream? I came across it in the f30 section and looks like works with original mic.

Worth adding to the comparison if it’s a viable option

[KCTiger]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Agree same here. Still works great to this day. Just like oem. All I do is hit nav button on my idrive controller and boom my CarPlay loads

@Maverik259 you have any tips for me? I believe I have the same or similar unit. I have to manually connect to the android BT and then CarPlay starts.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by Mo_far

Kraftwerk AG any feedback on Andream? I came across it in the f30 section and looks like works with original mic.

Absolutely! I've meaning to update this page for weeks now, as things improve rather quickly in the CarPlay retrofit realm.

Firefly1337 has a super mega thread on the F30 forums https://www.f30.bimmerpost.com/forum....php?t=1675929 that is just incredible and well done. Thanks for the reminder!

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by KCTiger

@Maverik259 you have any tips for me? I believe I have the same or similar unit. I have to manually connect to the android BT and then CarPlay starts.

Not sure what you're asking me. Mine is wired. I plug in my phone and hit my Nav button (cuz that's how I set it up in my android unit) and Waze/CarPlay starts.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk AG

Noted. The Joyeauto unit needs a .bin file upgrade to make the Android Auto feature work btw. Me personally? I'm not switching, as I like the CarPlay feature just fine.

I think Maverik259 was talking about adding the android touch screen options to your compare, not android auto. So for example Avin where you change out the whole screen.


https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...s-f15-f16.html

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

I think Maverik259 was talking about adding the android touch screen options to your compare, not android auto. So for example Avin where you change out the whole screen.


https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...s-f15-f16.html

Gotcha, just debating whether to add it to this page (most likely) or start another thread. Firefly1337's super mega thread only includes the CP/AA boxes atm https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929

[Kraftwerk AG]

Added AVIN Android 9-10