CarPlay upgrade

[SBN]

My F32 is 2014 so doesn’t have the SW upgrade for CarPlay and I’m fed up with how crap the DAB reception is in these along with how sketchy the Bluetooth streaming can be at times.

I’m therefore looking at an aftermarket dongle or sorts or box that can be fitted and appear to add a CarPlay functionality, one in particular boasts WiFi connectivity so no leads needed.

Has anyone done such and upgrade and can comment to how good these aftermarket solutions are?

[BFleming]

I haven't done it, but I've been looking at this link for a while now. These guys are not cheap, but the quality seems ok: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/item/49-how-to-re...

[mekondelta]

I've been looking at F25 carplay as well. This forum send to discuss all the options:-

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php...

Unique audio are in the UK but I think all the options they discuss are available globally (bimmertech etc)

I'm undecided. They almost look good but I'm sticking with a well placed phone holder for the mo!

[Aluminati]

If you have pro nav, carplay is crap. If you don’t, carplay is crap.

[doc261]

Why do you say that?

[ladderino]

CarPlay gives you Waze, worth it for that alone.

[bad company]

ladderino said:

CarPlay gives you Waze, worth it for that alone.

This, 100%.

[SBN]

Main reason is that the iPhone doesn’t work very well with pro nav, it’s worse via Bluetooth than it is plugged in. The DAB in our area is shocking on all the BMW’s I have had but great in my wife’s Skoda and never seems to drop out.

CarPlay gives me hands free control of my phone and the ability to stream radio or music and use apps like waze etc.

The positives outweighs the cons by almost 10 to 1

[Stupeo]

I am after this for my G30 2019 5 Series. I've got the right hardware/software but lack the Wireless Antenna needed for CarPlay. Has anyone retrofitted one yet?

[Superlightdaa]

18 plate 4 series with Pro media.
I tried the CarPlay for the 1 month trial for £1 and turned it off after 2 weeks. The phone interaction with CarPlay is very poor compared to the OEM system, couldn't scroll through recent calls to quickly make another call. Waze on the other hand was good.

[ladderino]

Stupeo said:

I am after this for my G30 2019 5 Series. I've got the right hardware/software but lack the Wireless Antenna needed for CarPlay. Has anyone retrofitted one yet?

I retrofitted the antenna to my 1 series. Getting the trim off was by far the hardest part. Once that's off, it was just a case of a few torx screws to remove the climate control and head units so that the antenna could be plugged in at the back.

[Court_S]

Superlightdaa said:

18 plate 4 series with Pro media.
I tried the CarPlay for the 1 month trial for £1 and turned it off after 2 weeks. The phone interaction with CarPlay is very poor compared to the OEM system, couldn't scroll through recent calls to quickly make another call. Waze on the other hand was good.

I can only assume that there’s been sone tweaks to later cars because I can’t fault his my iPhone syncs with my pro nav.

[Stupeo]

ladderino said:

I retrofitted the antenna to my 1 series. Getting the trim off was by far the hardest part. Once that's off, it was just a case of a few torx screws to remove the climate control and head units so that the antenna could be plugged in at the back.

Where did you get the antenna and who did you use to code on CarPlay? Thanks!

[ladderino]

I used BR Diagnostics via BabyBMW, he provided the antenna and also the coding via an app. Brilliant service.

Unfortunately, looks like he's had some personal issues so is on a hiatus at the moment and not contactable.