Finally got Apple CarPlay in E89 Z

[Dusty78]

So it's been a long journey but I finally got a new system in my E89 premium sound non-iDrive car. BMW sure doesn't make it easy. The previous thread with the Joying radio got the ball rolling. I ordered the harness and adapters from Germany but they didn't work. The Z uses fiber optic cable instead of speaker wire. The Germans then directed me to buy a $250 fiber optic adapter that still didn't work. $420 later I was still going nowhere. Eventually I just decided to scrap the factory amp and got a new JL Audio amp that sounds 100x better.

I decided to go with the Pioneer 3400NEX. It is a flip out unit that fits in the single DIN bay. When flipped out it does obscure the AC controls but there's a button that you push to temporarily flip the screen to access them. You can see it in the video. The steering wheel controls all work except for the AC recirc button. I wish it could be programmed to activate that temporary screen flip button. CarPlay works flawlessly and the backup camera is very helpful. I initially wanted to get the Alpine Halo but the fit just wouldn't work well do to the size. So far I'm very happy with the setup.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/K4usy6G7sog

[tommylotto]

Good job. You’re backup camera looks a lot better than mine. Mine is angled too far down. However the systems we cobbled together (like my Joying) look like they are going to be blown away by a new AVIN USA unit custom designed for the e89. They claim it will be release sometime this month.

[Dusty78]

Originally Posted by tommylotto

Good job. You're backup camera looks a lot better than mine. Mine is angled too far down. However the systems we cobbled together (like my Joying) look like they are going to be blown away by a new AVIN USA unit custom designed for the e89. They claim it will be release sometime this month.

Yeah I know. The good thing is that I can always go back to the original head unit with my new amp and add the AVIN. I would only be out the $450 I paid for the head unit which I can probably EBay. I'm anxiously awaiting the AVIN unit as long as they make a unit that uses the cubby hole and only requires a small hole. Those videos of guys cutting up their dashboards for the other AVIN units are painful to watch.

[berkantv]

No way. only the original part.

[Dusty78]

Originally Posted by berkantv

No way. only the original part.

Huh? If you are referring to the original amp it's sounded like dog shit in a tin can. The JL Audio amp coupled with the Pioneer deck sounds 1000 times better

[dcg78]

Originally Posted by Dusty78

Huh? If you are referring to the original amp it's sounded like dog shit in a tin can. The JL Audio amp coupled with the Pioneer deck sounds 1000 times better

Don’t feed the troll lol.

Nice setup! I think I might do this myself! Did you change out the speakers as well? How many channel amp?

[Dusty78]

6 channel amp. I kept the factory speakers and they sound great with the new setup.

[tommylotto]

Here is another product that claims to convert regular audio signals to fiber optic and enable you to install an after market radio in the e89 without having to replace the amp.

I imagine it does the same thing that the harness I bought from Germany does.

I find the OEM BMW amp to be pretty darn good, but then my other car is a Fiat Chrysler Ghibli with stock audio, and it sounds like crap whenever I play anything but talk radio.