Android Auto/Apple Carplay for 09 E89 w/ factory nav?

[Swascak]

Hello All-
I know there may be a few similar posts, but none seem to be about exactly what I'm looking for. I'm trying to add Android Auto AND Apple Carplay to the factory system while keeping everything intact. I know Unichip seems to fit the bill but I can't seem to figure out if it does Android or just Carplay. Also looking to add a reverse camera.

It's a 09 Z4 E89 with the flip up iDrive nav screen.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

TIA

[cuddapah]

See this ... https://bimmersupplies.nl/product/bimmersupplies-mmi/

[DavesZed]

Or you could try this one.... http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.ph...&cat=16&page=1

I've spoken to them about this and although it doesn't really say so on their site it runs Android Auto in the same way as Apple Carplay, with full integration and you can hook up a reversing camera with a number (license) plate camera unit (DON'T bother with a camera that fits in the number plate light hole as they are off centre and off square so don't show the proper view!)

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Swascak

Hello All-
I know there may be a few similar posts, but none seem to be about exactly what I'm looking for. I'm trying to add Android Auto AND Apple Carplay to the factory system while keeping everything intact. I know Unichip seems to fit the bill but I can't seem to figure out if it does Android or just Carplay. Also looking to add a reverse camera.

It's a 09 Z4 E89 with the flip up iDrive nav screen.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

TIA

I have just done this two days ago.

I've bought this kit: https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/wire...e89-2009-2016/

It has both android auto and car play (including screen mirroring support)
It integrates nicely with all systems in the car.
You get control via iDrive, including steering wheel buttons.

If you hit reverse, the parking sensors appear as well as line traces based on steering wheel input.

Here's CarPlay in action


Here's a snapshot of the install in progress

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by stormlv

I have just done this two days ago.

I've bought this kit: https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/wire...e89-2009-2016/

It has both android auto and car play (including screen mirroring support)
It integrates nicely with all systems in the car.
You get control via iDrive, including steering wheel buttons.

If you hit reverse, the parking sensors appear as well as line traces based on steering wheel input.

Here's CarPlay in action


Here's a snapshot of the install in progress

Looks awesome! Can you post photo of Apple Maps in Dark Mode on your Z4 screen? Does Siri work with steering wheel buttons ? How long did the installation take ? How do you switch to CarPlay ? Can you post instructions ?

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Looks awesome! Can you post photo of Apple Maps in Dark Mode on your Z4 screen? Does Siri work with steering wheel buttons ? How long did the installation take ? How do you switch to CarPlay ? Can you post instructions ?

I will take more photos and videos tomorrow.

For what I saw, you can call up Siri by quickly pressing the Menu button on the iDrive controls.

The way you switch between iDrive and the aftermarket system is:
- from iDrive to Aftermarket : press and hold menu for 3 seconds
- from Aftermarket to iDrive : press and hold back for 3 seconds

By default it remembers the last screen that you had.

The installation itself didn't take that long.
By that I mean taking the trim pieces off, installing the harnesses and putting them back on.
I think all in all that was 1hr...

Essentially the unit hooks in three ways:
- It acts as a passthrough for the LCD signal between the OEM headunit and the LCD screen. (why you see the LCD in/out cables there)
- It has a harness that gets in between the iDrive controls and the car. This harness connects to the CAN network and is able to intercept other signals (like steering wheel controls (for next/prev media), steering wheel angle (for the rear view camera), etc)
- Audio output from the unit is passed to the car via a cable that needs to connect to the AUX in jack

I also had to route an additional microphone from the unit.
I placed it right above the mirror and I was able to make a call with Siri and call quality was very good (reportedly)

What i did struggle with was to find a good place to put the unit in.
I spent multiple hours trying to see if it can go in the place under the glove box compartment. (this is why you can see scratches on the unit)

In the end I gave up putting it there. There's little place and any routing and arrangement that I would do, would have to be redone as soon as you need to change the cabin filter.

The unit ended up in the glovebox as seen here.








With this kit I also bought the rear camera retrofit and this is where I got stuck with

• Couldn't find a good way to route the cable from the unit to the trunk
• Couldn't find a way to access the licence plate (lights) cables from the trunk

I will probably need to remove the rear bumper and also make a whole for the camera in the center...
Still WIP

[bryanhoag]

stormlv Do you happen to have a photo of the wiring harness? Or is there a photo online somewhere? This system seems similar to, but not exactly the same, as the UniChip system (which is what I have). The UniChip system is great, when it works, which is about 95% of the time. But, occasional instability and lack of IT support makes me want an alternative system in the future. And your system seems like a good option. I'm just wondering if there's enough overlap that I don't have to reinvent the wheel for certain things (like running a new Mic, running new reverse camera wires, running a new flush-mount USB cable). It would be great if a few things could just be unplugged from the UniChip wiring harness and plugged back in to the harness for the system you used.

Thanks!

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by bryanhoag

stormlv Do you happen to have a photo of the wiring harness? Or is there a photo online somewhere? This system seems similar to, but not exactly the same, as the UniChip system (which is what I have). The UniChip system is great, when it works, which is about 95% of the time. But, occasional instability and lack of IT support makes me want an alternative system in the future. And your system seems like a good option. I'm just wondering if there's enough overlap that I don't have to reinvent the wheel for certain things (like running a new Mic, running new reverse camera wires, running a new flush-mount USB cable). It would be great if a few things could just be unplugged from the UniChip wiring harness and plugged back in to the harness for the system you used.

Thanks!

I'm sorry, I didn't take a photo of the harness itself.
However, I can tell you that the harness simply connects to the iDrive connector. It acts as a passthrough cable.

[cuddapah]

https://bimmersupplies.nl/product/bimmersupplies-mmi/

It seems they have an updated version which works with integrated microphone.

[Jorgeelizondom]

Is this touch screen?

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Jorgeelizondom

Is this touch screen?

No, it keeps the factory navigation and screen, which is not touchscreen.

[bryanhoag]

Anyone have any feel for which product is better? Or essentially the same...

https://bimmersupplies.nl/product/bimmersupplies-mmi/

vs

http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.ph...&cat=16&page=1

[Marccd1]

The Bimmer Supplies is for MMI not CiC on z4 e89

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by Marccd1

The Bimmer Supplies is for MMI not CiC on z4 e89

EDIT** Just realised what you mean....

MMI is "Multi Media Interface", it's an interface module for the CIC system used on the e89 and all other BMW's that have it.

[tintoverano]

Originally Posted by stormlv

I will take more photos and videos tomorrow.
With this kit I also bought the rear camera retrofit and this is where I got stuck with

• Couldn't find a good way to route the cable from the unit to the trunk
• Couldn't find a way to access the licence plate (lights) cables from the trunk

I will probably need to remove the rear bumper and also make a whole for the camera in the center...
Still WIP

yep, you need to remove the bumper and route the cables along the side of the car, I did it on the left side

my reverse cam fits, replaces the OEM plate light, so there's no need to make a hole

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by tintoverano

yep, you need to remove the bumper and route the cables along the side of the car, I did it on the left side

my reverse cam fits, replaces the OEM plate light, so there's no need to make a hole

Hey, somehow I missed your reply.

So I know that the reverse cam should fit, but the problem is that:
1) the camera only came with one light housing, not two, so if I replace one, the light color will be different between the two light housings
2) the camera will be off-center
3) (probably the least of an issue) I'd need to splice wires to get power to the new light housing.

That said, do you have some pictures of how you did the routing?
It would really help

[Bonnygator]

stormlv Any chance you could test your system with an Android device? I'm very much in the market for a CIC functionality upgrade such as this one, but the focus seems to be on Apple Carplay support and I have yet to see a unit on which Android Auto functions as it should.

As for your reversing camera placement issue, I believe there exist license plate holders that have a centered camera integrated in them, maybe worth it to have a look at those? The unit cuddapah posted has the option to be shipped with one of those.

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Bonnygator

stormlv Any chance you could test your system with an Android device? I'm very much in the market for a CIC functionality upgrade such as this one, but the focus seems to be on Apple Carplay support and I have yet to see a unit on which Android Auto functions as it should.

As for your reversing camera placement issue, I believe there exist license plate holders that have a centered camera integrated in them, maybe worth it to have a look at those? The unit cuddapah posted has the option to be shipped with one of those.

Hey, I also tested with a Samsung S7 running Androind 8.0 with a cable, and worked nicely. I didn't manage to make it work wirelessly. There's a procedure to activate this, but i didn't follow it.

I'll try to check it again and see what's what.

As for the license plate holder, unfortunately I won't be able to do that.
I plan to take magnetic holders, so that I can swap plates between the M4 and Z4.

[Bonnygator]

Originally Posted by stormlv

Hey, I also tested with a Samsung S7 running Androind 8.0 with a cable, and worked nicely. I didn't manage to make it work wirelessly. There's a procedure to activate this, but i didn't follow it.

I'll try to check it again and see what's what.

As for the license plate holder, unfortunately I won't be able to do that.
I plan to take magnetic holders, so that I can swap plates between the M4 and Z4.

Thanks, good to know that your unit seems to like Android phones I believe not all Android phones actually support wireless Android Auto so it might not work because of that. Samsung officially lists wireless support from the S8 and up.

I see, then I' afraid the only option for centering would be to drill a hole...
I'm also curious as to how one manages to route the cables, it seems like that would require taking apart quite a lot of interior lining and be quite the undertaking.

[bryanhoag]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these kits to replace my glitchy UniChip system... but having a hard time deciding which way to go.

stormlv How has your experience been so far with this kit?:

https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/wire...e89-2009-2016/


DavesZed Any personal experience with the kit you mentioned... or do you know anyone with personal experience?:

http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.ph...&cat=16&page=1


cuddapah Did you ever install the system you mentioned or do you know anyone with first hand experience?

https://bimmersupplies.nl/product/bimmersupplies-mmi/



Lastly, these products all appear to add essentially the same CarPlay capability and features. Has anyone noticed any differences based on their websites or personal experience? The only difference I have noticed is that the XCarLink and BimmerSupplies systems claim to use the factory microphone rather than needing to run a second mic.


Thanks everyone!

[tintoverano]

Originally Posted by stormlv

Hey, somehow I missed your reply.

So I know that the reverse cam should fit, but the problem is that:
1) the camera only came with one light housing, not two, so if I replace one, the light color will be different between the two light housings

in my case, the new housing only contained the cam, so I moved the LED from the replaced one to the new with th cam

Originally Posted by stormlv

Hey, somehow I missed your reply.
2) the camera will be off-center

not so much, that it would misguide you

Originally Posted by stormlv

Hey, somehow I missed your reply.
3) (probably the least of an issue) I'd need to splice wires to get power to the new light housing.

the device, I installed, provides power for front and rear cam - check the video I link below from Dave

Originally Posted by stormlv

Hey, somehow I missed your reply.
That said, do you have some pictures of how you did the routing?
It would really help

sorry, I don't - I used Dave's video to figure out how I wanted to do it

https://youtu.be/j-I2KSQxYb8

[handandy]

I have a big problem which if anyone can help with I would greatly appreciate.

I have an MMI unit (hardware type is BMW_CIC) that was working in my 2010 E89 very nicely but rather stupidly I had my head turned by software upgrades posted elsewhere for NBT Beamers and I tried on on my unit - it is now not working properly although I can still force it to install a different software file. Unfortunately I don't have the file.

Does anyone have a software file of th eversion shown in the below photo (ie Version v2.0.2.7.gp.c of the CUST file - which are usually renamed to ISPBOOOT.BIN to install them).

Pretty please and I promise not to be so dumb the next time.

Andy