Comparison Chart Listing 7 Wireless/Wired/CIC/iD4 Retrofit Kits

[Kraftwerk AG]

Comparison Chart Listing 7 Exx Wireless/CCC CIC 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 10 10.25" Multimedia Navigation System for BMW X5 X6 Series E70/E71
https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...s-e70-e71.html


Price: Starting at $349.99 USD (price quoted for one unit) depending on iDrive CCC/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

[ncmoore12]

Awesome list well done!

Might want to add the AVIN or 4x4 one to this list, seems to fit somewhere between the BimmerTech options 4 & 5.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ncmoore12

Awesome list well done!

Might want to add the AVIN or 4x4 one to this list, seems to fit somewhere between the BimmerTech options 4 & 5.

Yep good idea nc! Great minds think alike. This was also suggested over on the F15 forums as well. Once I get off my lazy azz, I'll post another update. 😀

[drummr8]

so then, which of these options is best for Android Auto, in cars with DSP/Logic7? Seems like the Andream supports DSP and Android Auto, and is the cheapest option... I'll have to read up on that one.

It's hard to decipher which ones support wireless Android Auto... I found this box which says it supports it, and it looks like it uses the original display:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000073331964.html

Hopefully some people who have already tried some of these will chime in. Thanks for creating the overview list

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by drummr8

so then, which of these options is best for Android Auto, in cars with DSP/Logic7? Seems like the Andream supports DSP and Android Auto, and is the cheapest option... I'll have to read up on that one.

It's hard to decipher which ones support wireless Android Auto... I found this box which says it supports it, and it looks like it uses the original display:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000073331964.html

Hopefully some people who have already tried some of these will chime in. Thanks for creating the overview list

Those AliExpress clone boxes are all the same, with different firmware added.
Big mega discussion on the F30 forums about this: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929 The AVIN hi-res screens are pretty popular too. Btw, how are the grilles working out?

[drummr8]

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk AG

Those AliExpress clone boxes are all the same, with different firmware added.
Big mega discussion on the F30 forums about this: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929 The AVIN hi-res screens are pretty popular too. Btw, how are the grilles working out?

I'll look into that.

They look fantastic on my wife's Alpine White M-sport

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by drummr8

I'll look into that.

They look fantastic on my wife's Alpine White M-sport

Good luck with your choice & enjoy!

[drummr8]

Will any of these work with HUD, as far as nav instructions? I assume if you're using google maps or something, that the HUD directions would not come up...

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by drummr8

Will any of these work with HUD, as far as nav instructions? I assume if you're using google maps or something, that the HUD directions would not come up...

Only if your phone Bluetooth's disconnected from the iDrive, and connected to the andream. When you are disconnected from the car's iDrive Bluetooth, none of the phone or music info comes up on the HUD. hth

[ncmoore12]

Damn this is an awesome comprehensive list! Well done! Kraftwerk AG

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ncmoore12

Damn this is an awesome comprehensive list! Well done! Kraftwerk AG

I just need to keep it currently updated across 6-7 BMW forums. Too lazy sometimes. Thanks dude for the motivation