Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Retrofit

[jame92r]

Originally Posted by brettcp

The Kremersino unit that works via CIC COMBOX Bluetooth audio is this one (its the one I have, and I just pulled up this link from my order history):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...31824c4dOr0g2l

So this is the best one seems like ? I have combox Bluetooth

Also when you start car does it automatically bring up car play?

[brettcp]

Originally Posted by jame92r

So this is the best one seems like ? I have combox Bluetooth

Also when you start car does it automatically bring up car play?

(Kremersino unit)

It should auto-connect and bring up carplay.. mine often does not, but from what I've read this even occurs with the BMW factory carplay in newer cars.. apparently there can be issues auto-connecting to carplay if you're already connected to your home wifi.

Also keep in mind that siri/messages do not currently work with the factory mic. They claim to be working on that with a software update. Telephone calls do switch over to the factory mic (this was resolved with a software update from a couple of months ago), but siri/messages still do not trigger the factory mic as of today. Michael from Kremersino told me there would be a new software update a couple of weeks ago, but it still doesn't appear to be released yet.

[jame92r]

Originally Posted by brettcp

(Kremersino unit)

It should auto-connect and bring up carplay.. mine often does not, but from what I've read this even occurs with the BMW factory carplay in newer cars.. apparently there can be issues auto-connecting to carplay if you're already connected to your home wifi.

Also keep in mind that siri/messages do not currently work with the factory mic. They claim to be working on that with a software update. Telephone calls do switch over to the factory mic (this was resolved with a software update from a couple of months ago), but siri/messages still do not trigger the factory mic as of today. Michael from Kremersino told me there would be a new software update a couple of weeks ago, but it still doesn't appear to be released yet.

Thanks Brett! Appreciate the response. I think I'm gonna go with that one. How is maps and Waze ? Works out of Bluetooth just fine for navigation

[brettcp]

Originally Posted by jame92r

Thanks Brett! Appreciate the response. I think I'm gonna go with that one. How is maps and Waze ? Works out of Bluetooth just fine for navigation

Maps/Waze work fine as far as the display goes, but don't give you any audio alerts via BT audio - only via AUX. Perhaps that will be addressed in a future software update.

[LT2424E90M3]

just received my Kremersino unit, anybody have link to install instructions for an E90?

[MJBO]

https://we.tl/t-xbbSUdbfw0

Took me less than 30 mins to install, though make sure you set the dip switches correctly or you will get scary warnings on the iDrive screen.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by MJBO

https://we.tl/t-xbbSUdbfw0

Took me less than 30 mins to install, though make sure you set the dip switches correctly or you will get scary warnings on the iDrive screen.

Is this for the Kremersino wireless carplay OEM integration unit?

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by brettcp

Maps/Waze work fine as far as the display goes, but don't give you any audio alerts via BT audio - only via AUX. Perhaps that will be addressed in a future software update.

How is the bass response with this latest Kremersino unit over AUX?

[brettcp]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

How is the bass response with this latest Kremersino unit over AUX?

Bass is great over AUX.. this is how I'm using it now. I'll try to post my EQ settings within the next day or two.. I have it very close to BT quality at this point.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by brettcp

Bass is great over AUX.. this is how I'm using it now. I'll try to post my EQ settings within the next day or two.. I have it very close to BT quality at this point.

Awesome, thanks! I have one of the early models with the weak bass response and was wondering if it was worth upgrading it. And call quality over Carplay with factory mic is OK?

[PACarGuy]

Oh and Bimmer Tech now has their version of the kit available for CIC and NBT: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/products...i-cic-retrofit

Wonder how it compares to the latest Kremersino kit.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Oh and Bimmer Tech now has their version of the kit available for CIC and NBT: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/products...i-cic-retrofit

Wonder how it compares to the latest Kremersino kit.

Nice. Hoping we will finally have a fully baked product. Looking forward to reviews on this.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Oh and Bimmer Tech now has their version of the kit available for CIC and NBT: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/products...i-cic-retrofit

Wonder how it compares to the latest Kremersino kit.

Interesting.

CarPlay MMI Prime supports devices running iOS up to version 13;
Play music through the BMW stereo system with the help of the AUX input.
Our CarPlay retrofit also uses the factory car microphone for Siri voice commands; This means that you can access your iTunes library, get the latest news or send texts hands-free. For this feature to work, your BMW has to have Bluetooth or Voice Control;
The installation is completely plug & play and 100% reversible.

Their installation video shows they use AUX but somehow use the OE Mic for Siri?

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by derbo

Interesting.

CarPlay MMI Prime supports devices running iOS up to version 13;
Play music through the BMW stereo system with the help of the AUX input.
Our CarPlay retrofit also uses the factory car microphone for Siri voice commands; This means that you can access your iTunes library, get the latest news or send texts hands-free. For this feature to work, your BMW has to have Bluetooth or Voice Control;
The installation is completely plug & play and 100% reversible.

Their installation video shows they use AUX but somehow use the OE Mic for Siri?

Yeah, it's definitely interesting. They install a splitter cable that goes to the OEM mic. I had thought the OEM mic was accessed via the Quad lock harness but I guess not.

But the price is double the other kits...

[derbo]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Yeah, it's definitely interesting. They install a splitter cable that goes to the OEM mic. I had thought the OEM mic was accessed via the Quad lock harness but I guess not.

But the price is double the other kits...

I wonder how the splitter works. Maybe we can do the same for our existing kits. I'm guessing it might just have two diodes

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Awesome, thanks! I have one of the early models with the weak bass response and was wondering if it was worth upgrading it. And call quality over Carplay with factory mic is OK?

I too have one of the early ones, and have considered upgrading to the latest one, but haven’t been bothered.

The software updates fixed the connection issues I was having, and I worked around the crap sound using my factory Bluetooth audio streaming.

Still love having it in the car, so good!

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by derbo

I wonder how the splitter works. Maybe we can do the same for our existing kits. I'm guessing it might just have two diodes

Here's a screen grab of it. Maybe a simple two wire cable? But would the CP unit be able to process the signal? And I would imagine it would need a software update to handle it.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Here's a screen grab of it. Maybe a simple two wire cable? But would the CP unit be able to process the signal? And I would imagine it would need a software update to handle it.

It literally is just two wires with positive and a ground like every other mic. My original intention with the external mic was to remove the existing mic and solder in a second OE mic. I may still do that down the line since the BT on the kremersino is finicky.

[Jonzny]

Originally Posted by brettcp

Maps/Waze work fine as far as the display goes, but don't give you any audio alerts via BT audio - only via AUX. Perhaps that will be addressed in a future software update.

So somehow the other day I got Waze audio alerts over BT. Though I am not sure how i did it....

I am using Tune2Air as my BT adapter.

Like you mentioned typically nav audio doesn't come through but for some reason i was able to get it.

Thinking out loud here- I believe if i use just tune2air (no carplay installed) Waze audio works. So maybe if i connect to that first (tune2air) then connect to carplay it will work?

Like i said i got it working but no idea how i did it.

[derbo]

brettcp

Have you updated to the latest software? The file I downloaded said BMW 200725 folder but the files were dated 4/25/2020 for MCU and the boot update is 01/09/2020 which is odd since the original April update I got was dated 04/01/2020.

https://kremersino.com/files-download-area/ pw:1234

Version2 box at the bottom.

I do the autoupdate with the recovery#110 file, my idrive controller does not work with the ACP unit.

I reverted back to the April update that he gave me back in May with the BT switching to Siri issue (Siri always uses Carplay instead of BT Audio for OE Mic)


On another note, their version 2 installation shows a mic adapter that looks like the BimmerRetrofit one.

[MJBO]

I hadn’t seen that download site before, thanks Derbo!

I need to have a look at my car and see what version I’m running, though it’s been quite solid for ages so don’t think I’ll be messing with mine even if there is an update. Since the lacklustre audio issue is hardware-based (and I work around it with Bluetooth), feels like a if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix situation!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by MJBO

I hadn’t seen that download site before, thanks Derbo!

I need to have a look at my car and see what version I’m running, though it’s been quite solid for ages so don’t think I’ll be messing with mine even if there is an update. Since the lacklustre audio issue is hardware-based (and I work around it with Bluetooth), feels like a if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix situation!

I think you might have Version 1?

Anyways, I ended up running the included aftermarket mic to my OEM mic location and running the AUX now. At least I will have Siri and Nav directions. Music is slightly poorer on Aux but I am messing with AUX gain + EQ to see if I can get close to the OE BT Audio quality.