Great Carplay Retrofit for E70

[CarFan]

Originally Posted by ebisu8

I ordered min last month, installed it and just took it out today. I may have a bad one or something but i had issues with my screen going black intermittently, crackling/static on phone calls and my phone wouldn't/couldn't connect for carplay. I worked with their "support" and it wasn't great at all, no real help other than update the firmware. I did, i still had issues. It was enough for me to take it out all together.

Did it require a new microphone and use of the aux input?

[ebisu8]

Yes. I believe they all require the aux input unless you're going to do a complete retrofit. Music streaming worked just fine without issues. The secondary mic was included and you need to use it if you're in car play mode. In my experience it made call quality poor back on the oem side and the car play side.

I may have just had a bad unit. Either way it's on it way back for a full refund. Hoping the AVIN will be better. For a couple hundred more I at least get a better screen.

[CarFan]

Originally Posted by ebisu8

Yes. I believe they all require the aux input unless you're going to do a complete retrofit. Music streaming worked just fine without issues. The secondary mic was included and you need to use it if you're in car play mode. In my experience it made call quality poor back on the oem side and the car play side.

I may have just had a bad unit. Either way it's on it way back for a full refund. Hoping the AVIN will be better. For a couple hundred more I at least get a better screen.

What unit are you getting instead? Could you provide a link?

[ebisu8]

https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...s-e70-e71.html

So far it's pretty good. Much happier with this compared to unichip.

[Spyro235]

Maybe at some point I'll splurge for the better screen, and wireless carplay. I wish I knew about this when I was doing mine about 8 months ago. I like my unichip unit but sometimes I wish I didn't have to have it plugged in.

Is the Avin unit a touch display? Does touch work in carplay?

Also- does it switch seamlessly to the backup camera in reverse like the unichip unit did? Or are you required to get the cameras from them? I'd love to continue using the OEM cameras, as they are pretty well set up with the top down view.

[ebisu8]

Everything is seamless, screen is touch for android side which includes CarPlay and everything works like it should. I never got the Unichip as part of the group buy so my unichip was 435 shipped, waiting on full refund (monday). AVIN was 639 shipped and worth it, at least for me.

OEM side works like OEM with the CIC controller, once you touch the screen in OEM side, it flips to Android side. From there you can use touch or the CIC controller.

[ncmoore12]

Is there a Unichip or OEM like solution that can use Wireless apple Carplay? Or do I have to go the Avin and replace the screen. I enjoy the oem look.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ncmoore12

Is there a Unichip or OEM like solution that can use Wireless apple Carplay? Or do I have to go the Avin and replace the screen. I enjoy the oem look.

Things've sure come a long way since this thread got started way back in 01/2019.
Unichip has been caught and passed up now, price wise and technology wise.

Here's what you need: a Andream kit or similar clone, just make sure it's for a CIC HU: https://www.android-car-dvd.com/coll...32066140471432

Also, if you need more info on installation or adjustments, the F30 guy's really know this system well: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929

[moroca]

Do you need the cable to connect your iPhone or it could be done via Bluetooth?
I have been always want to have Carplay in my car

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by moroca

Do you need the cable to connect your iPhone or it could be done via Bluetooth?
I have been always want to have Carplay in my car

Wireless or USB, you can use it either way. Wireless is more convenient, but wired can charge the phone and/or be used to update the firmware without taking the dash apart to find the USB plug.

[ncmoore12]

So went to install the Avin 10.25" android 10, w/wireless carplay.

Couple things:

Good:
New Screen Looks Good

Bad Notes:
Glovebox felt bottom thing was PiA
Getting cables tucked away behind the radio was incredibly difficult
Startup is slower then OEM
Stupid Avin splash screen as well (Has anyone removed this?)

Current Issues:
Couldn't access factory settings, passcode 1314 isn't working for me. (anyone have any hints here?)
-Can't update camera, so can't select use OEM camera.
-Can't update OEM screen sizing (Scaling is messed up and can't select the idrive options)

Performed factory reset, it wiped carplay off the unit (probably just use a hotspot and redownload from google play store) - thought this would update the factory setting password to 1314, was incorrect

Anyone have any ideas, emailed AVIN support...

TiA!

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by ncmoore12

So went to install the Avin 10.25" android 10, w/wireless carplay.

Couple things:

Good:
New Screen Looks Good

Bad Notes:
Glovebox felt bottom thing was PiA
Getting cables tucked away behind the radio was incredibly difficult
Startup is slower then OEM
Stupid Avin splash screen as well (Has anyone removed this?)

Current Issues:
Couldn't access factory settings, passcode 1314 isn't working for me. (anyone have any hints here?)
-Can't update camera, so can't select use OEM camera.
-Can't update OEM screen sizing (Scaling is messed up and can't select the idrive options)

Performed factory reset, it wiped carplay off the unit (probably just use a hotspot and redownload from google play store) - thought this would update the factory setting password to 1314, was incorrect

Anyone have any ideas, emailed AVIN support...

TiA!

Here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1699764 or here: https://discord.com/invite/fddgDn8

[ncmoore12]

Update since my last post.

Current Issues:
Couldn't access factory settings, passcode 1314 isn't working for me. (anyone have any hints here?)

Use passcode: 2846
if you can't get in with 1314

Updated camera in settings, just overlooked it

-Can't update OEM screen sizing (Scaling is messed up and can't select the idrive options)
Actually used setting #3 for my 2013 X5M, i guess this was the fullscreen option
[03] NBT_F30/F20/F15/F22/F48(8.8"10.25")

https://support.avinusa.com/hc/en-us...Drive-settings

Had to use wifi hotspot and download google drive to redownload the apk for Autoplay (Carplay)

So OEM audio works but from the Avin/carplay isn't working, this is because i didn't follow instructions and route the Aux out to the OEM Aux in in the center console. Didn't understand why till now.

I'm surprised they didn't figure out a way to push audio through with the bus. now i have to retake everything apart and run this Aux cable all the way up the center console.

Has anyone done this already, was there an easier way that doesn't have the cable sitting out and running along the passenger side foot well? Do you run underneath console trim on the tranny tunnel?

TiA!

[ncmoore12]

Update since install.

Got the aux cable ran, kinda of a PiA.

Quick DIY guide for that if you don't want the aux cable showing.
1. Open glove box
2. Take off front AC vents (trim tool)
3. Take out AC display and radio surround (Trim tool)
4. Take out radio (4 Philips head)
5. Remove lower panel in passenger foot well (3 T20 or T25 Torx screws)?
6. Remove passenger foot well transmission trim (1 T20/25 torx screw), pull end closer to front to remove from pop nut and then slide/pull forward toward front of vehicle to remove.
7. Remove surround around shifter and idrive selector (trim tool)
8. Remove shifter (4 T30 torx screw)
9. Pop out Aux/USB/Cigarette outlet trim in center console can push from open side of the shifter area
10. install Aux cable and check audio functionality (bluetooth audio through avin unit wasn't very good (tinny at the top end), but carplay audio sounded better and plan to use that.
11. I used a box cutter and cut into the plastic trim of the Aux/USB/Cigarette outlet to let the Aux cable run through there. Wrapped the contact area with electrical tape.
12. run aux cable through trim so it isn't showing, check functionality.
13. Ensure radio fits back in and reassemble

Things to note:
Wireless carplay seems to connect, but i need to go to settings within apple car play on the avin unit and come back out and it connects right away. Otherwise doesn't connect automatically when i enter the vehicle.

Still wish i could figure out how to get rid of the Avin splash screen and car lights blinking animation and have it auto default to start up apple car play