BMW i3 retrofit Apple Car Play
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- Fitting then early review of Car Play retrofit kit to my 2014 BMW i3 Rex. I had the pro screen (widescreen) Harmon Kardon sound system.
No cutting of wires or damage to any part of the car. Nothing to invalidate warranty.
Kit was from alibaba and there seem to be lots similar. I followed a recommendation for this one which wasn’t the cheapest or dearest. Delivered after import duty within 2 weeks and for under £250
Check out this product on Alibaba App New Wireless Apple CarPlay Interface Module With CIC System For BMW CarPlay Series1 2 3 4 5 6 7 X1 X3 X5 X6 Airplay Android Auto m.alibaba.com/...
An excellent tutorial which I followed today using the same kit.
Only thing I'd add to the video is that when removing the cable from the back of the screen and feeding it through to the glovebox, I tied a bit of string to it which made feeding the new cable back much easier.
My favorite one-hand instructionvideo by far! ;-)
Great Video, I used this to gain the confidence to install my Road Top Carplay kit from Amazon as intended, under the glove box.
I initially tried installing as per another video where you switch the supplied LVDS cable to take the output from the factory NBT unit to the INPUT of the Carplay unit, then connect the BMW LVDS cable (that already runs from the rear of the car to the monitor) but as others have found, it doesn't work. I got the red "NO SIGNAL" error no matter what I tried.
I can only assume that the Carplay unit is unable to provide a sufficient signal over the long cable and hence needs to be placed at the front where it takes the signal from the BMW factory LVDS cable on the IN port and passes on the short supplied cable from the out of the Carplay box to the monitor.
I did find that the install was even simpler than indicated here as a couple of the components listed here don't even need to be removed, namely the front panel in the footwell next to your left foot or any of the items around the glovebox (air vent etc).
Here's a summary:
I only had to remove:
- Rear seat obviously
- Sill trim (no tools required, just a stern pull from the far side)
- Screw at top of panel next to left foot in passenger footwell (you don't need to remove the panel, simply push the wire under the plastic to allow it to go under dashboard)
- The plastic panel under the fuse box (2 torx screws)
- The glovebox (just six torx screws located under plugs, 3 at front, 3 at rear). You don't need to move the vent panel to the side of the glove box, just pull the glovebox up and slightly to the right to clear the Lip (RHD car). There are two electrical connections, just remove the one to the light, you can leave the one on the little gas strut, simply orient the glove box so it can be placed down on the dash.
- Lastly, the screen (two torx screws located at the top of the screen under plugs).
I tied a string to the BMW display cable and pulled it under the dash from the monitor conduit and then used the string to pull the supplied LVDS cable from under the dash to the monitor.
I mounted the new Carplay unit to the area against the dash in front of where the glovebox sits when replaced, securing cables with cable ties and velcro fixing the actual unit.
The whole process took an hour maximum, I could take the unit out in half an hour if I so wished, it really is easy, don't be put off.
Thank you for this great video.
Hope this may help some of you.
Thanks for the very detailed write up. Can you possibly provide any pictures? Thanks.
VERY helpful! Thank you! I was struggling with where exactly to run the cable. Just had to mirror everything here in the US. ;-)
I now have this unit installed my i3 had to go into glovebox. Thanks to this video made the install so much easier. Not very hard to do.
Thank you.
Great installation video easy to follow!
Nice video. Consider you did most of it with one hand!!! Sterling job!!
Brilliant video. Thats all the instructions you need 👍🏻
Installing the headunit cables was really tough. They must have screwed up the tolerances for mine.
Really good video thank you! Few questions: 1. How is the light and dark mode working with apple maps? It looked dark even though it was bright in the video. 2. How different is the sound with carplay compared to bluetooth? 3. Any issues with the scroll wheel going backwards if scrolling too fast?
Hi, great work! Did you have any problems / differences from Harman Kardon sound after this retrofit?
I installed the exact same product as the video creator and have no issues with the HK sound system.
no changes at all, this just plays through the aux in feed so everything is as it was from the factory in terms of sound
hi. how well does this apple play unit work? is it glitchy? would you recommend it? does anyone have any recommendations for these oem parts? thanks.
Hello everyone!
Since I really want to use Apple Carplay in my car, I bought the one in the video shown below. All other required components have already arrived - only the large display is currently not available. (Except of course for almost 2000 € at BMW) Now my question: Has anyone found out whether Carplay can in principle also be operated on the small 6 inch display? I know that it won't look so great. I would appreciate an answer very much. Many greetings Christoph
Yes believe so, its one of the little switches on the device that changes the output screen size. Up for one screen or down for the other. Best thing is to try but I am fairly sure it will be fine. Wont damage anything anyway. Check the instructions to see if you can see the right switch to alter. The others are for things like cameras I think
@@RichSimpson Thank you very much for the quick reply! I'll try it on the weekend and briefly report whether it worked. I wish you a pleasant evening!
@@RichSimpson Hi Rich. It works. Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction! Greetings from Bremen, Germany. Christoph
android mirroring must be connected? cant be wireless?
There's always lego!
Where did you get the kit from ?????
Great installation video! If you don’t mind me asking, how is the audio connected? Is your phone connected via aux, or do you just set it to aux so it can pull audio from CarPlay?
Carplay connection into the BMW loom under the seat. That feeds audio to the AUX IN so select that input. No separate wire to the actual 3.5mm aux in under the arm rest required, its done at the main loom connection.
@@RichSimpson Got it! So you’re just connecting to the MMI over wifi then I presume, no need for Bluetooth connection?
@@sustainablesam2746 connection is either Bluetooth or a Bluetooth/WI-FI combo driven by the Bluetooth to begin with. Or over the lighting cable. Then the system takes over and sends that into the car audio.
Anyone set this up with Android Auto? Can you use Hey Google? Thanks for the video!
Thank you soooo much for making this video.
We seem be car twins.
Have orderd for seems be same unit from seller on Amazon. Number of other sellers online seem have what is the same unit for far more.
Bimmer tech wanted $650 seen some one else wanted 457 pounds UK site .
Maybe I'll hold onto my i3 for a bit longer with having android auto.
How is the system going since you have installed it ?
Adrian Mc haha car twin. Like it. It’s ok although not had much use of it with coronavirus lockdown and not travelling so much (4 months worked from home now) Occasionally the phone doesn’t auto connect but I think I Need to reset my phone so will get around to that one day. Otherwise all good. Easy to move from bmw to CarPlay and love the nicer graphics and interface.
@@RichSimpson as your video has been so helpful and takes you step by step I have posted it on BMW i3 forum
Hello where I can buy the power cable ? I have a retrofit , but cable is too short
Fitted to my 2017 HK pro nav model, thanks for guide. I can't get it to scroll using steering wheel controls, just says not possible on anything. Any ideas?
Is the provided cable that replaces the cable to the screen special in some way from the factory cable connected to the screen? why cant you just leave the existing cable connected to the screen and jumper the new module entirely under the back seat bench? seems like a less destructive disassembly.
I tried that way too but no display, must be something in the cable, some kits work others seem not to. Not sure what though, would seem to be the same cable just a longer version.
@@RichSimpson thanks, I'm glad you could decipher what I was asking. Yeah, maybe pushing the video signal and powering the display isn't possible through the longer cable due to the signal loss/degradation or power drop.
I appreciate the insight
Rich:
Does the ACC (adaptive cruise control) work when the CarPlay is on?
Thanks
Man, how did you get those clips out from the floor side panel? you say they come out easily but for me it s really hard!
Harder to get back on I seem to remeber, yank them off. Your previous Q - dip switch 3 is on for the larger screen (8.8 or 10.2") and off for the smaller screen (6.5"). The book says for me its 1-8 On, On, On, Off, Off, Off, Off, Off
Did you had any problems after installation? My CarPlay losing connection randomly and have no idea what it could be.
No not really, all been pretty solid. It does drop out occasionally, but very rare, like a reboot of a computer. Probably just gets a bit overloaded. If you are on the wire and it drops off then maybe a bad cable? I was using an aftermarket lightning cable to connect and it was poor, proper apple wire was better.
What’s that “ball” or “sack” sitting left of the fuse box?
Nice Video. When you last in the BMW surface and shutdown the car. After them start it, open the BMW surface or CarPlay? Sorry my English is not so good.😕 I Hope you can understand my question.
sorry missed the question. car starts up in last mode quickly. To go back to other mode press the back button for 2 seconds on the idrive (or as per my wife just hit Radio and it goes to iDrive/normal and radio plays
What would you say was the hardest part of the installation? I recently bought a certified pre-owned 2018 i3 and doesn’t have Apple car play with it.
hardest parts, waiting patiently for the kit to arrive, then recording the video one handed. Seriously though, I guess the hardest part which wasn't that hard at all was removing the rubber covers on the back of the screen without scratching the main plastic, and reinstalling the side door trim. A really very easy job all in all.
@@RichSimpson Thanks!!
amazing video very helpful im thinking of ordering the same kit but im afraid its not compatible with my car i have a i3 2015 fully specced out. is this device compatible
yes sure its the same as the 2014 model.
See here for excellent tutorial that takes away the need to run the screen cable, allowing install under the back seat. Saves loads of time! It is worth trying but it didn't work for me. When I did this my screen cycled through off and on so i had do go back to how it was. th-cam.com/video/4sUPUbr0WAM/w-d-xo.html
I had the same problem.
Can you do it in 2015 model too?
Yes i think its all the i3s until they changed to a new system on the facelift?
Mine has no facelift, I wish it had. Is it doable on a i3 60Ah from 2015?
Frederico Montes yes it is. My car is the older 2014 60ah
Please provide more info on your widescreen display upgrade. Is it a direct replacement?
Romeo Dela Cruz no upgrade I had the widescreen already
Hi Rich, how has the unit held up any issues at all thinking about ordering one. Thanks
Hi Robin, Its been good, some minor irritants, like the handsfree seemed worse than the in car so I leave my phone connected to BMW bluetooth still and select that as the source on incoming calls, no obvious way to adjust the sat nav volume versus the overall volume, so loud nav with quiet music isn't possible. Overall happy with the investment though, at £200-£300 it is a great upgrade
How are you getting on with it 2 years on?
Yes two years on and all good still. Has worked with all the IOS updates along the way.
Great video, bit scared to attempt myself. Does it work with Android phones? Do you know if it needs connecting via cable to work or via bluetooth/wifi connection? Anyone knows any installers, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire area. Cheers
Its a doddle really, honestly looks harder doing it one handed on the video that it actually is. I am ios user but have resorted to plugin in rather than wireless anyway. Charging device in car is the reason for me. For Android, it works (well says it does so assume so) but I am sure that phone then HAS to be plugged in not wireless connection.
Did it make any difference on battery?
JMarc no difference noticed. Wouldn’t expect it would
I have the same unit but when I press the menu button the screen says no signal. Can you let me know the dip switch setting you used please thanks.
Have you tried Joyeauto Box?
It’s in the video. 1-3On, rest off....1-3down rest up.
Did you ever find out why you got the “no signal” error? I am getting the same thing.
You’re telling me the postage/customs cost? Dude, focus!
Can you do a similar thing with Android Auto?
yes, not tested but its showing as an option
There must be an easier way to get CarPlay? What does this box add?
What does it add? It adds the CarPlay by taking over the screen and pushing signals to the audio and steering wheel controls and the idrive wheel. This is effectively the CarPlay running on a separate system that lets you use original controls and screen and also means you can switch from the CarPlay mode back to stock BMW system at the touch of a button.
Rich Simpson ok, thanks. Is the startup the same ie is it the same screen as stock bmw when you switch the car on? I have a 2017 and was disappointed it cannot have CarPlay. I believe the later 2018 models can. Apparently you can switch the box to id6 or something but they are about 1700quid... Can’t help thinking bmw could fix it with a bit of software.
@@machoneboard Yes on my 2014 its an add on box and the screen is either using the box or the main BMW layout. You press and hold MENU on the idrive wheel to move from one to the other.