Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Retrofit

[derbo]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

Google maps introduced this feature in August. Since Google owns waze it was only a matter of time.

Funny, I'm on the beta group. It works but you can't report anything with it.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by GTiceman

I meant the other pieces like dash trim but thanks for the feedback. My car isn't silent by any means but I meant no squeaking. I hit the door seals with 303 and keeps them quiet. Did you hide your module above/around the glove box?

I followed the Bimmertech installation video closely. My module is behind the HVAC panel. Those panels all are pretty rigid, no indications of anything flexible or flimsy enough to squeak.

[icanturn]

Got my Carsara box in today. I tried to open it to look inside but there is a sticker with a manufacturing date on the seam that I don't wanna cut/remove incase it voids a warranty (does it even have one?).

[Yom]

Originally Posted by Enzoloco

Got my Carsara box in today. I tried to open it to look inside but there is a sticker with a manufacturing date on the seam that I don't wanna cut/remove incase it voids a warranty (does it even have one?).

Attachment 2468888

Attachment 2468889

Where did you buy? I want to buy the same CIC version B unit (with AUX cable and mic splitter). Could you post a photo about the main menu of the box and SW version after the installation?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Enzoloco

Got my Carsara box in today. I tried to open it to look inside but there is a sticker with a manufacturing date on the seam that I don't wanna cut/remove incase it voids a warranty (does it even have one?).

Attachment 2468888

Attachment 2468889

I pulled my box open. It's a GPLink main processor.

[davedNconfused]

When I last looked into a CarPlay solution, only the Anvin units were available but I wasn't convinced enough to go for it. Over the summer, I learned about bimmertech's MMI Prime and sort of figured I'd go that route when I was ready. I also thought the community would be using these as well so I was surprised to learn about Kremersino and Carsara and their price points and popularity here.

I've read the last 10 pages or so of this thread to try to arrive at my own conclusion as to which route to go but it seems there's little reason to go with bimmertech over say, Carsara but I'll still ask the question. Is there any argument to go with the more expensive bimmertech option over Carsara?

From what I've read (and I admit I need to do more reading to understand) the answer seems to be "no." It's hard to know for sure as there are a lot of edge cases to work through but fundamentally, these units appear to be comparable in every way except price. I'm open to paying for a superior solution (after all, this is why we're all driving M3s right?) but if there are no discernible differences, I don't see why any of us would do that.

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by davedNconfused

When I last looked into a CarPlay solution, only the Anvin units were available but I wasn't convinced enough to go for it. Over the summer, I learned about bimmertech's MMI Prime and sort of figured I'd go that route when I was ready. I also thought the community would be using these as well so I was surprised to learn about Kremersino and Carsara and their price points and popularity here.

I've read the last 10 pages or so of this thread to try to arrive at my own conclusion as to which route to go but it seems there's little reason to go with bimmertech over say, Carsara but I'll still ask the question. Is there any argument to go with the more expensive bimmertech option over Carsara?

From what I've read (and I admit I need to do more reading to understand) the answer seems to be "no." It's hard to know for sure as there are a lot of edge cases to work through but fundamentally, these units appear to be comparable in every way except price. I'm open to paying for a superior solution (after all, this is why we're all driving M3s right?) but if there are no discernible differences, I don't see why any of us would do that.

Other than support I don't see any reason paying the premium for bimmertech, especially if you get the Carsara unit, which is pretty much identical.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by davedNconfused

When I last looked into a CarPlay solution, only the Anvin units were available but I wasn't convinced enough to go for it. Over the summer, I learned about bimmertech's MMI Prime and sort of figured I'd go that route when I was ready. I also thought the community would be using these as well so I was surprised to learn about Kremersino and Carsara and their price points and popularity here.

I've read the last 10 pages or so of this thread to try to arrive at my own conclusion as to which route to go but it seems there's little reason to go with bimmertech over say, Carsara but I'll still ask the question. Is there any argument to go with the more expensive bimmertech option over Carsara?

From what I've read (and I admit I need to do more reading to understand) the answer seems to be "no." It's hard to know for sure as there are a lot of edge cases to work through but fundamentally, these units appear to be comparable in every way except price. I'm open to paying for a superior solution (after all, this is why we're all driving M3s right?) but if there are no discernible differences, I don't see why any of us would do that.

I was in the exact same boat as you, each unit seemed to have quality issues or inconsistencies, so I thought I'd try the carsara and I can see no areas other than documentation and instructions that could be improved. ESP since folks got the aux working via the head unit to improve the audio.

Certainly not $500+ reasons.

[icanturn]

Originally Posted by Yom

Where did you buy? I want to buy the same CIC version B unit (with AUX cable and mic splitter). Could you post a photo about the main menu of the box and SW version after the installation?

Yes I can. I got mine on sale here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...56744c4d3sDNd9

It came with the mic splitter and the aux cable. But im gonna code out the aux as discussed earlier.

Black friday sale is active so id suggest you buy now.

[icanturn]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

Other than support I don't see any reason paying the premium for bimmertech, especially if you get the Carsara unit, which is pretty much identical.

The thing is you dont really need to contact anyone with the Carsara unit. It has little to no bugs. So paying the extra $ for support you dont need is kinda dumb.

The seller (Terry) has been responsive. So I see no downsides of going with the "off brand" units. If anything the only downside is if you shelled out the $ for the BimmerTech box for no reason.

[Fooksdaddy]

Originally Posted by icanturn

Yes I can. I got mine on sale here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...56744c4d3sDNd9

It came with the mic splitter and the aux cable. But im gonna code out the aux as discussed earlier.

Black friday sale is active so id suggest you buy now.

Just bought, nice heads up! $225 shipped

[admator]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Check the output volume on the Carplay unit and the Aux volume on the CIC. Theres a chance of interference from somewhere else in the system but make sure those volumes both aren't maxxed out. Then see if it reduces or eliminates the buzz.

The sound is still buzzing. In CIC, the aux is set right in the middle. Carplay's audio options have made no change. Do you think HU AUX coding could help? Or another Carplay unit? I think the buzzing is related to the car lights..

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by icanturn

The thing is you dont really need to contact anyone with the Carsara unit. It has little to no bugs. So paying the extra $ for support you dont need is kinda dumb.

The seller (Terry) has been responsive. So I see no downsides of going with the "off brand" units. If anything the only downside is if you shelled out the $ for the BimmerTech box for no reason.

I agree but if you read a few pages back where I had issues with the Kremersino unit. It was frustrating to have the car's interior in pieces for weeks and they wouldn't send a replacement unit until I uninstalled the defective unit, ship it back to them on my own dime and wait for it arrive back at their facility and then they would ship a replacement unit to you. Then you would have to wait another week or two for the replacement unit and no guarantee that the replacement unit would resolve the issue. Also, during the troubleshooting, all the burden was left on me to prove that the unit was in fact defective. That's the point I was trying to make.

[zcp312]

Can anyone comment on how the Carsara unit is for Android Auto? From this thread it seemed like the Kremersino was the way to go for Android users and haven't seen much feedback around Android for Carsara. Any feedback appreciated, I'm in the same boat trying to figure out which one to buy that's best for Android.

[danzio2020]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Did you get it to code without the IDrive extension cable just by using the white loop to terminate the connection instead of hooking it to the can at all? I didn't quite understand the comment.

How do you guys feel about the audio quality going through the HU now?

I picked up a cable for coding but haven't had any time to tear the interior apart again.

Coding only enables the aux through the quad lock t-harness without using the Carsara aux cable.

The iDrive controller extension cable is not required as per the terribly worded instructions haha. Remove D# (CAN terminator loop) and connect A# to B#. This enables iDrive control through the factory CANbus without the extension. I attached a picture to this post to show the correct connection. The only caveat with this method that you will not be able to code or access the CIC using coding/diagnostic tools.

Audio quality is different than using Combox. It required some adjustment in the Carsara EQ to bring some of the bass back. I have my aux volume set to 17 on Carsara and the CIC set to middle for aux volume.



Overall for the price I paid ($260 CAD on 11.11) I’m super happy with the unit and would recommend it to anyone. Install is fairly simple and straight forward and I prefer the factory mic and aux integration over the Kremersino units.

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by danzio2020

Coding only enables the aux through the quad lock t-harness without using the Carsara aux cable.

The iDrive controller extension cable is not required as per the terribly worded instructions haha. Remove D# (CAN terminator loop) and connect A# to B#. This enables iDrive control through the factory CANbus without the extension. I attached a picture to this post to show the correct connection. The only caveat with this method that you will not be able to code or access the CIC using coding/diagnostic tools.

Audio quality is different than using Combox. It required some adjustment in the Carsara EQ to bring some of the bass back. I have my aux volume set to 17 on Carsara and the CIC set to middle for aux volume.



Overall for the price I paid ($260 CAD on 11.11) I’m super happy with the unit and would recommend it to anyone. Install is fairly simple and straight forward and I prefer the factory mic and aux integration over the Kremersino units.

thanks for the picture. I currently have mine hooked up this way as well but someone posted earlier that you can code without the idrive extension by hooking up the terminator loop. Are you able to determine where to hook up the terminator loop to allow coding without the idrive extension?

[pbonsalb]

I bought the Andream unit for CCC plus back up camera. It is en route from China.

[danzio2020]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

thanks for the picture. I currently have mine hooked up this way as well but someone posted earlier that you can code without the idrive extension by hooking up the terminator loop. Are you able to determine where to hook up the terminator loop to allow coding without the idrive extension?

Oh yes sorry that was me. Connect the loop terminator D# to B# on the harness when you need to code the CIC. I have my cables and carsara module in the top right of the drivers footwell on my E70 to make it easy to access if I ever need to put the loop terminator to code it.

[icanturn]

Can you code for HU aux pre-carsara install? then install per normal?

[danzio2020]

Originally Posted by icanturn

Can you code for HU aux pre-carsara install? then install per normal?

Yes.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

Other than support I don't see any reason paying the premium for bimmertech, especially if you get the Carsara unit, which is pretty much identical.

Has anyone actually installed the bimmertech unit? Do we even know anything about it.

[GTiceman]

Originally Posted by danzio2020

Yes.

When you do this the aux is traveling through what, the fiber connectors? there isnt an aux port on the head unit connector right so if you go the coding route do you need to connect the aux from the carsara into anything?