Late 2021 Review of BimmerTech MMI Prime on E70

[uberchris]

Full disclosure: I am pretty anal when it comes to the quality and consistency of these types of retrofits on my cars. Most people probably won't be bothered by some of the stuff listed below, but it's stuff I would have wanted to know before buying this unit (and for the most part haven't seen on other's reviews).

This review is for the BimmerTech CarPlay/MMI Prime retrofit on my 2011 BMW X5 (CIC, TCU, MULF, no combox, 360 camera) running MMI software version 3.1.1.4. I am testing using a couple iPhone 11 Pros running iOS 15.1. Note that I am using wireless CarPlay for this review. I imagine many of my gripes would be rectified by using the wired CarPlay, but I don't want to have to plug in my phone every time I drive.

The Good:

• The hardware build quality is outstanding. Connectors seem to be of OEM quality. Cables have plenty of length and are nicely wrapped in felt tape. The unit itself is solid with a nice metal enclosure.
• Once paired and connected, wireless CarPlay is pretty reliable.
• Putting the car into reverse does switch from the MMI interface to the (original, not retrofitted) backup camera.
• Installation was fairly straightforward. The included instructions were vague and incomplete, but I found the videos online very helpful.
  

The Not-So-Good:

• Initial CarPlay pairing is flakey. About half the time when I try to pair a new phone, the phone will connect to bluetooth but never prompt for CarPlay. When this happens, I have to delete the phone from MMI, delete the pairing on the phone, and start over.
• There is a bit of a lag for the system responding to the idrive controller. When you turn the wheel, it takes a moment before the interface responds. It is probably only half a second or so, but it just feels far less responsive than the idrive menu.
• When starting up the car in the morning, there is a strangely variable delay before connecting to CarPlay. Sometimes it connects right away, sometimes I am several minutes into my drive before it connects. Also, while it is in this state, the MMI unit is extremely slow to respond. The aforementioned delay between using the idrive controller and the interface responding grows to a laughable 5-10 seconds. Note that this is in the MMI menu before the phone is even connected, so it is absolutely not a CarPlay issue.
• Also when starting the car up in the morning, the MMI interface only appears about half the time. This is easy to fix by holding the menu button for 5 seconds to switch the interface manually, but it is an extra step and it is weird that it is random.
• Audio quality is just a little sub-par. At first I thought I was imagining it, but then I A-B tested the same song played through MMI vs directly through Aux-In and there is a perceptible difference. I'm not sure if this is because of CarPlay or the MMI.
• The unit does respond to steering-wheel controls, but it does not block idrive from also responding to steering-wheel controls. This means that while playing music through carplay, pressing the voice or phone button will activate both Siri and the idrive assistant.
• The steering-wheel track buttons work, but there is about a 3 second delay before the track changes. Also, the directions are backwards from what I would expect.
• The unit seems to stay on with bluetooth enabled about 15 minutes after the car is turned off. This is an issue because sometimes I will turn off the car, get out, go upstairs and my phone is still connected to the car. If I receive a call, I have to manually switch my phone off bluetooth audio.
• With multiple phones paired, I haven't found a way to switch which phone is connected.
• While putting the car in reverse does switch away from the MMI interface, pushing the button to activate 360 view does not.

I spoke with BimmerTech support about this issue. After testing and fiddling with some of the system settings, they ended up sending me a replacement unit. After installing the new unit, I encountered the exact same behavior. This leads me to believe it is not a hardware problem.

[CarFan]

My experience since September has been quite similar. I too was sent a replacement model when I had complaints about the lack of a seamless experience like I've had on rental cars. Their promotion implies that the device will simply allow you to enter the vehicle, start and drive away and for me that just isn't the case.

And I would have preferred if the wired option were a real option that they plan for the the USB cable to come through the center console instead of just poking out the dashboard. I've moved mine to a discreet area in the footwell as I prefer an OEM look.

One difference with yours is that I use an Android phone.

I've come up with a work around for the delay at initial start which can sometimes take up to 10 -15 mins at a time to activate in my case -- as soon as I start the engine I pick up my phone and manually select the MMI Prime system on bluetooth. In less than 10 secs the system starts including music.

This works about 95% of the time or better and even though it's an extra step, by making the connection regular it comes across as seamless. Passengers don't notice that this isn't a regular feature of my X5. If I could get this function to work - connecting to MMI Prime on Bluetooth manually -- before I'm actually in the vehicle I'd likely less notice the extra step.

I've also discovered that instead of pressing the voice activation command button on the steering wheel, I press the jog switch for about 5 secs and the MMI prime prompts me to speak a command and carries it out. If I use the voice activation switch on the steering both the MMI Prime and the BMW system tries to respond.

As for the sound I did a lot of adjustment with the MMI prime audio settings and the BMW's to get a sound experience that I'm very satisfied with.

My up switch on the steering wheel does play the previous song and the down plays the next song -- which to me seems counter-intuitive.

As for extra phones, my X5 comes with an "additional phone" option allowing two phones to be connected at one time and I use this approach for the "other" regular passenger. My situation is unique in that the vehicle is almost never driven without me being in it as either a driver or passenger.

I'd give the system overall a B+. It does work, it's just that it promised to be more.

[CarFan]

Update:

I recently received a AAWireless Adapter from IndieGogo. I bought it for our Mercedes but its actually not driven much and I wondered since the device worked so well in the Mercedes, how would it work in the X5?

Amazingly. This device turns the Bimmertech device into the thing Bimmertech advertised it could be. Plugging in the adapter makes the Bimmertech device think that you're hard-wired changing the performance markedly better!

Within seconds of getting in the vehicle -- even before you can get the phone out of your pocket Android Auto is up and running.

No need to do anything to the phone at all. It just works. I'm using velcro to hold the device in place in the passenger footwell just under the glove box area.

With AA Wireless, I now give the system an A!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My experience since September has been quite similar. I too was sent a replacement model when I had complaints about the lack of a seamless experience like I've had on rental cars. Their promotion implies that the device will simply allow you to enter the vehicle, start and drive away and for me that just isn't the case.

And I would have preferred if the wired option were a real option that they plan for the the USB cable to come through the center console instead of just poking out the dashboard. I've moved mine to a discreet area in the footwell as I prefer an OEM look.

One difference with yours is that I use an Android phone.

I've come up with a work around for the delay at initial start which can sometimes take up to 10 -15 mins at a time to activate in my case -- as soon as I start the engine I pick up my phone and manually select the MMI Prime system on bluetooth. In less than 10 secs the system starts including music.

This works about 95% of the time or better and even though it's an extra step, by making the connection regular it comes across as seamless. Passengers don't notice that this isn't a regular feature of my X5. If I could get this function to work - connecting to MMI Prime on Bluetooth manually -- before I'm actually in the vehicle I'd likely less notice the extra step.

I've also discovered that instead of pressing the voice activation command button on the steering wheel, I press the jog switch for about 5 secs and the MMI prime prompts me to speak a command and carries it out. If I use the voice activation switch on the steering both the MMI Prime and the BMW system tries to respond.

As for the sound I did a lot of adjustment with the MMI prime audio settings and the BMW's to get a sound experience that I'm very satisfied with.

My up switch on the steering wheel does play the previous song and the down plays the next song -- which to me seems counter-intuitive.

As for extra phones, my X5 comes with an "additional phone" option allowing two phones to be connected at one time and I use this approach for the "other" regular passenger. My situation is unique in that the vehicle is almost never driven without me being in it as either a driver or passenger.

I'd give the system overall a B+. It does work, it's just that it promised to be more.

[heatmizr]

I have no need/desire to venture where you two have... however enjoy reading the write-ups.

On the "backward" button controls for PREV and NEXT song...
I am not sure which way the OP was describing as he did not specify, but CarFan you state:
"My up switch on the steering wheel does play the previous song and the down plays the next song -- which to me seems counter-intuitive."

The stock e70 buttons work as you describe - Up is PREV, Down is NEXT. The reason this is different from some other devices we use (like my BT headset I use when working out) is that when you are looking at the stock iDrive screen it lists the songs from top to bottom, so of course if you press Down, it goes to the NEXT song. Up goes back up one song. This is how I think of it so it makes sense when using those buttons.

It makes sense to me that these buttons are wired this way and continue to work in this way even with the unit installed.

[Mrfurious214]

Originally Posted by uberchris

Full disclosure: I am pretty anal when it comes to the quality and consistency of these types of retrofits on my cars. Most people probably won't be bothered by some of the stuff listed below, but it's stuff I would have wanted to know before buying this unit (and for the most part haven't seen on other's reviews).

This review is for the BimmerTech CarPlay/MMI Prime retrofit on my 2011 BMW X5 (CIC, TCU, MULF, no combox, 360 camera) running MMI software version 3.1.1.4. I am testing using a couple iPhone 11 Pros running iOS 15.1. Note that I am using wireless CarPlay for this review. I imagine many of my gripes would be rectified by using the wired CarPlay, but I don't want to have to plug in my phone every time I drive.

The Good:

• The hardware build quality is outstanding. Connectors seem to be of OEM quality. Cables have plenty of length and are nicely wrapped in felt tape. The unit itself is solid with a nice metal enclosure.
• Once paired and connected, wireless CarPlay is pretty reliable.
• Putting the car into reverse does switch from the MMI interface to the (original, not retrofitted) backup camera.
• Installation was fairly straightforward. The included instructions were vague and incomplete, but I found the videos online very helpful.
  

The Not-So-Good:

• Initial CarPlay pairing is flakey. About half the time when I try to pair a new phone, the phone will connect to bluetooth but never prompt for CarPlay. When this happens, I have to delete the phone from MMI, delete the pairing on the phone, and start over.
• There is a bit of a lag for the system responding to the idrive controller. When you turn the wheel, it takes a moment before the interface responds. It is probably only half a second or so, but it just feels far less responsive than the idrive menu.
• When starting up the car in the morning, there is a strangely variable delay before connecting to CarPlay. Sometimes it connects right away, sometimes I am several minutes into my drive before it connects. Also, while it is in this state, the MMI unit is extremely slow to respond. The aforementioned delay between using the idrive controller and the interface responding grows to a laughable 5-10 seconds. Note that this is in the MMI menu before the phone is even connected, so it is absolutely not a CarPlay issue.
• Also when starting the car up in the morning, the MMI interface only appears about half the time. This is easy to fix by holding the menu button for 5 seconds to switch the interface manually, but it is an extra step and it is weird that it is random.
• Audio quality is just a little sub-par. At first I thought I was imagining it, but then I A-B tested the same song played through MMI vs directly through Aux-In and there is a perceptible difference. I'm not sure if this is because of CarPlay or the MMI.
• The unit does respond to steering-wheel controls, but it does not block idrive from also responding to steering-wheel controls. This means that while playing music through carplay, pressing the voice or phone button will activate both Siri and the idrive assistant.
• The steering-wheel track buttons work, but there is about a 3 second delay before the track changes. Also, the directions are backwards from what I would expect.
• The unit seems to stay on with bluetooth enabled about 15 minutes after the car is turned off. This is an issue because sometimes I will turn off the car, get out, go upstairs and my phone is still connected to the car. If I receive a call, I have to manually switch my phone off bluetooth audio.
• With multiple phones paired, I haven't found a way to switch which phone is connected.
• While putting the car in reverse does switch away from the MMI interface, pushing the button to activate 360 view does not.

I spoke with BimmerTech support about this issue. After testing and fiddling with some of the system settings, they ended up sending me a replacement unit. After installing the new unit, I encountered the exact same behavior. This leads me to believe it is not a hardware problem.

I've been trying to wrap my head around what is the best way to get Apple CarPlay into my wife's 2012 E70 35D with CIC. I thought this would be the way but not after seeing so many annoying issues you are having. Can you give an update on things now and also lmk if there are any other options you would consider if you had to do it again? Thanks!

[JellyStyle]

I had the MMI, i didnt have the issues that the other guy had, it was ok but i went with an android screen and setup, far easier and costs half as MMI.

buy here, and yes they all ship from china, WhatsApp support is good as well. i am not affiliated

https://www.ugode.co.uk/

[CarFan]

Originally Posted by Mrfurious214

I've been trying to wrap my head around what is the best way to get Apple CarPlay into my wife's 2012 E70 35D with CIC. I thought this would be the way but not after seeing so many annoying issues you are having. Can you give an update on things now and also lmk if there are any other options you would consider if you had to do it again? Thanks!

I have an Android phone so I haven't had much experience with the CarPlay side of the MMI by Bimmertech. After 2 years of ownership I'm very much a fan however.

Dresses up the X5 nicely. Passengers assume that its OEM and it works fairly seamlessly.

[CSI]

Originally Posted by Mrfurious214

...the best way to get Apple CarPlay into my wife's 2012 E70 35D with CIC.

https://www.mr12volt.com/collections...ts/p2000-cicmm

[Rygel XXV]

By any chance does anyone with an E70 or E71 M version have this installed? If so, are you having any mechanical problems?

I have an X6M and installed this in November of 2023. I'm ok with the non touch screen interface and really love the access to Apple CarPlay, but since that time my car has randomly started popping into neutral while on the freeway. Kinda bad. My mechanic is a well-regarded indy in my area, and he suggested that the MMI might be interfering with the ECM. He suggested before starting to throw money at possible solutions that I first uninstall the MMI and see if the problem recurs since that's the only aftermarket component I have on the car.

Would appreciate any thoughts about this. I've also read replacing the IVM (Integrated Supply Module) is a relatively cheap possible solution so having my indy replace that too.

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by Rygel XXV

By any chance does anyone with an E70 or E71 M version have this installed? If so, are you having any mechanical problems?

I have an X6M and installed this in November of 2023. I'm ok with the non touch screen interface and really love the access to Apple CarPlay, but since that time my car has randomly started popping into neutral while on the freeway. Kinda bad. My mechanic is a well-regarded indy in my area, and he suggested that the MMI might be interfering with the ECM. He suggested before starting to throw money at possible solutions that I first uninstall the MMI and see if the problem recurs since that's the only aftermarket component I have on the car.

Would appreciate any thoughts about this. I've also read replacing the IVM (Integrated Supply Module) is a relatively cheap possible solution so having my indy replace that too.

Contact BimmerTech, they would know, i have not ever seen this and I've had them on my X5 and also 750, but i wasn't a fan of the stability and other issues.

[CarFan]

I'm still enjoying it in my 2013 X5. Bimmertech released last month an update that makes its MMI work even smoother and faster.

[Rygel XXV]

Thanks for the info- I spoke with BimmerTech and they’re certain it’s not MMI, which is certainly not surprising. According to them:

“The only thing that MMI does is read specific car's CAN commands so it can execute some actions like displaying an RVC image when you put the car in reverse.
However, that doesn't interfere with the engine or transmission.”

They did also suggest doing the update, so I’ll give that a try but 🤷🏻‍♂️

[nealsil]

I know this post is old but thought I’d ask anyway… my MMI performance has degraded over the past 6 months or so where it’ll hang the idrive screen and the only way out of this is by resetting the MMI. it seems to me like the handshake between the iPhone and MMI is flaky. I’ve been in touch with BimmerTech who’ve tried to help but so far no luck. I’m thinking of trying the AAwireless bt adapter to see if I have any joy. Just curious if any changes in the MMI, car or phone were needed? Did you simply just plug in the adapter to the MMI usb and then pair the phone to the adapter? Thanks so much in advance.

Originally Posted by CarFan

Update:

I recently received a AAWireless Adapter from IndieGogo. I bought it for our Mercedes but its actually not driven much and I wondered since the device worked so well in the Mercedes, how would it work in the X5?

Amazingly. This device turns the Bimmertech device into the thing Bimmertech advertised it could be. Plugging in the adapter makes the Bimmertech device think that you're hard-wired changing the performance markedly better!

Within seconds of getting in the vehicle -- even before you can get the phone out of your pocket Android Auto is up and running.

No need to do anything to the phone at all. It just works. I'm using velcro to hold the device in place in the passenger footwell just under the glove box area.

With AA Wireless, I now give the system an A!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My experience since September has been quite similar. I too was sent a replacement model when I had complaints about the lack of a seamless experience like I've had on rental cars. Their promotion implies that the device will simply allow you to enter the vehicle, start and drive away and for me that just isn't the case.

And I would have preferred if the wired option were a real option that they plan for the the USB cable to come through the center console instead of just poking out the dashboard. I've moved mine to a discreet area in the footwell as I prefer an OEM look.

One difference with yours is that I use an Android phone.

I've come up with a work around for the delay at initial start which can sometimes take up to 10 -15 mins at a time to activate in my case -- as soon as I start the engine I pick up my phone and manually select the MMI Prime system on bluetooth. In less than 10 secs the system starts including music.

This works about 95% of the time or better and even though it's an extra step, by making the connection regular it comes across as seamless. Passengers don't notice that this isn't a regular feature of my X5. If I could get this function to work - connecting to MMI Prime on Bluetooth manually -- before I'm actually in the vehicle I'd likely less notice the extra step.

I've also discovered that instead of pressing the voice activation command button on the steering wheel, I press the jog switch for about 5 secs and the MMI prime prompts me to speak a command and carries it out. If I use the voice activation switch on the steering both the MMI Prime and the BMW system tries to respond.

As for the sound I did a lot of adjustment with the MMI prime audio settings and the BMW's to get a sound experience that I'm very satisfied with.

My up switch on the steering wheel does play the previous song and the down plays the next song -- which to me seems counter-intuitive.

As for extra phones, my X5 comes with an "additional phone" option allowing two phones to be connected at one time and I use this approach for the "other" regular passenger. My situation is unique in that the vehicle is almost never driven without me being in it as either a driver or passenger.

I'd give the system overall a B+. It does work, it's just that it promised to be more.

[CarFan]

Just plugged it in to the MMI USB port near the passenger side floorboard. I had to delete the MMI so that I could get a fresh start. But I'm now going on nearly 5 years and the MMI is now one of the favorite things I like about my X5.

You could also ask Bimmertech for a firmware update. I've been so satisfied with my AAWireless (first edition) that I haven't done a firmware update since 2022.

The UI is fast and easy for the jog dial to select even while driving. Can't say enough good things about the MMI Prime. If you're a set it and forget it guy like me, AAWireless with the MMI Prime is the way to go.

We have a 2018 Mercedes E-class sedan and the MMI prime using the jog dial on the X5 is worlds faster and simpler to use. The only thing faster would be a touch screen.

[nealsil]

Hi and thanks for the quick reply. I tried a different (highly rated bt adapter) and couldn’t get it figured out. When you say you deleted the MMI can you explain more about that? I definitely think the new bt adapter was getting confused (or most likely I was ) between the bmw, iPhone or MMI. Thank you again in advance.

[CarFan]

I went into my phone's list of bluetooth devices that it had listed and deleted the MMI. Then followed the steps for AAWireless. FYI, the X5 can connect to a primary and a secondary phone so I have my phone connected to the BMW as a secondary phone. For some reason when the cell phone is connected to the AAWireless adapter and to the BMW as a primary, there can be some connection issues. Not sure why.

As I said, I'm a set it and forget it guy. It is possible that isn't an issue after 4 years, but since things are working at the superlative level, I see no reason to change anything.

[nealsil]

Thanks again. Did you also delete the MMI from the WiFi networks on the phone or only Bluetooth?

[CarFan]

No I didn't delete MMI from the Wifi networks. But I guess it wouldn't hurt. I'm not a techie, but I was under the impression that the Bluetooth is what gave the wifi passcode to the phone and without the bluetooth it didn't matter.

You having connection issues?

[nealsil]

I finally connected and it’s somewhat working but not correctly. It only plays audio via bmw Bluetooth audio. If CarPlay is the output source I get no sound. That’s changeable via the music app but not for Waze or other map apps. They all default to CarPlay and are not configurable. I’m trying another adapter tomorrow in the hopes it’s a better option. Thanks again for checking in.

[CarFan]

You have a 1st Gen AAWireless? Do you have your Iphone connected as the 2nd Phone on your BMW and the AAWireless as the first?

[nealsil]

No I don’t have any AAwireless. I have a different Bluetooth adapter. Regarding 1st and 2nd phone options, I don’t see any way to add my BT adapter to the bmw Bluetooth connections as the first phone. Maybe AAwireless has s/w built in for that but the adapter I have only knows about my iPhone not about the bimmer. How would you add AAwireless as a connection to the BMW?

[CarFan]

AAWireless has an app for phone set up. I didn't realize that you didn't have the 1st gen AAWireless adapter. You mine saying what CarPlay wireless adapter you have?