Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Retrofit

[Rid3r]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

I tried disconnecting the BMW bluetooth connection during a Carplay call, per Michael from Kremersino's recommendation, but it didn't improve the call quality. Michael suggested I move the mic location to the mirror on the driver's side, as the OEM mic can supposedly interfere, but I haven't tried this yet. I wonder if moving the mic will remove the need to disconnect the BMW bluetooth, since I like having the factory bluetooth connection as well.

You can probably move the oem mic to other side where the aftermarket mic is, Ive been switching to factory Bluetooth for calls, I wouldn't completely disconnect it.

Another issue I'm having is Siri doesn't hear me sometimes and keeps timing out but sometimes it does so not sure if it's a mic issue or a unit issue.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

I tried disconnecting the BMW bluetooth connection during a Carplay call, per Michael from Kremersino's recommendation, but it didn't improve the call quality. Michael suggested I move the mic location to the mirror on the driver's side, as the OEM mic can supposedly interfere, but I haven't tried this yet. I wonder if moving the mic will remove the need to disconnect the BMW bluetooth, since I like having the factory bluetooth connection as well.

IIRC, the E93 factory mic location is on the steering wheel column. It should be where this little cover is in the pic below. Perhaps you can set up a way to use that area? I don't know if that will improve anything as I feel that the area might introduce even more noise.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by Rid3r

You can probably move the oem mic to other side where the aftermarket mic is, Ive been switching to factory Bluetooth for calls, I wouldn't completely disconnect it.

Another issue I'm having is Siri doesn't hear me sometimes and keeps timing out but sometimes it does so not sure if it's a mic issue or a unit issue.

I have the aftermarket mic in the overhead lighting console in the empty slot, opposite where I thought the OEM mic was. Are you saying to move the OEM mic into that same location? What would that do?

Siri hears me, but when I reply to texts w/my voice she sometimes gets it wrong.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by derbo

IIRC, the E93 factory mic location is on the steering wheel column. It should be where this little cover is in the pic below. Perhaps you can set up a way to use that area? I don't know if that will improve anything as I feel that the area might introduce even more noise.

Yeah, I could possibly try that, though I agree that might introduce more noise. Michael was recommending the mirror on the driver's side, but that seems pretty close to the OEM E92 mic as well.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

Yeah, I could possibly try that, though I agree that might introduce more noise. Michael was recommening the mirror on the driver's side, but that seems pretty close to the OEM E92 mic as well.

Experiment!

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by derbo

Experiment!

LOL. I will, as soon as I get some time...too much summer goin' on!

[Rid3r]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

I have the aftermarket mic in the overhead lighting console in the empty slot, opposite where I thought the OEM mic was. Are you saying to move the OEM mic into that same location? What would that do?

Siri hears me, but when I reply to texts w/my voice she sometimes gets it wrong.

If you switched spots for oem mic and aftermarket mic it might work better, the aftermarket mic will be closer to you and will hear you better. Oem mic is already pretty good so even on the other side it will still be able to hear you fine.

I'll try it once I get my car back from the shop.

Also did you leave the foam on the mic or removed it?

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by Rid3r

If you switched spots for oem mic and aftermarket mic it might work better, the aftermarket mic will be closer to you and will hear you better. Oem mic is already pretty good so even on the other side it will still be able to hear you fine.

I'll try it once I get my car back from the shop.

Also did you leave the foam on the mic or removed it?

Interesting. I'll be interested to hear if it makes any difference. I had left the foam cover on the mic.

[MJBO]

I wouldn’t expect the foam to have much effect on call quality, mainly there as a pop shield if it was directly in line with your mouth, which is unlikely in any of the usual places you’d mount it.

I currently have mine tucked between the bottom of the dash panel and centre control, below the start/stop and rear blind buttons. Haven’t really make any calls yet to test quality, been away. At some point I’ll put in in the overhead light panel.

Good to hear you can use the CarPlay system with the factory bluetooth, the phone quality in my car is excellent.

Got a few friends with CCC and CIC iDrive cars that are super interested in this since I sent them pics

[AcidSun]

FWIW I recently installed the Kremersino unit on my 2013 F10 for NBT.

I got everything working the way it should. I had to change the review camera setting to PDC rather than reverse to get it to activate when i manually pressed the PDC button. Reverse works as it should.

It seems that I am unable to use the scroll wheel to advance the track. I get a ""Aux active operation not active on steering wheel" message on my gauge cluster as well as the HUD. Do others have this issue as well?

During calls using the mic through carplay the people on the other end of the phone hear an echo as well. I have it mounted just to the right of the rearview mirror with the POP filter on.

[dextersl]

So finally pulled the trigger on this and bought the Kremersino unit. Ended up paying $282.10 Shipped from the Kremersino Store on Aliexpress. So not a bad deal, can't wait till it gets here! Are buyers here in the US normally getting their units in 5-7 days after purchase?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by dextersl

So finally pulled the trigger on this and bought the Kremersino unit. Ended up paying $282.10 Shipped from the Kremersino Store on Aliexpress. So not a bad deal, can't wait till it gets here! Are buyers here in the US normally getting their units in 5-7 days after purchase?

Wow how you get that price? 😎

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by derbo

Wow how you get that price? 😎

Big EVO units are much cheaper

Edit: that’s the USD delivered price for a CIC unit, which matches his E90 LCI avatar.

[dextersl]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Big EVO units are much cheaper

Edit: that’s the USD delivered price for a CIC unit, which matches his E90 LCI avatar.

MJBO is right. But it also looks like you get a slightly cheaper price when you purchase via the app instead of the website.

I believe the original price for the CIC unit was $319 on the website, but I see it listed as $293.10 now. The app had it for $287.10, plus coupon brought it down to $282.10. So the price in general came down, with a little added savings via the app and coupon.

[derbo]

hm I could only get it down to Order Summary

Subtotal
US $319.00

Savings
- US $18.00

Seller Discount
- US $10.00

Seller Coupons
- US $5.00

AliExpress Coupon
- US $3.00

Total
US $301.00

[coniman]

Hi! I've bought the CarPlay Box from Kemersino. I've installed it in my 2012 F30 320d with the 6,5' display. As I have combox in the trunk I've had to connect the AUX cable in the armrest to have sound. The problem is the quality is really bad, it sounds distorted and choppy. I think the problem it's in the box itself, because if I connect my phone with the AUX cable sounds perfect.
Also I've connected the cable that comes out from the box to my headphones and sounds terrible.

So might be a problem from the box or from the wiring.
Anyone of you had this issue?

[dextersl]

Originally Posted by derbo

hm I could only get it down to Order Summary

Subtotal
US $319.00

Savings
- US $18.00

Seller Discount
- US $10.00

Seller Coupons
- US $5.00

AliExpress Coupon
- US $3.00

Total
US $301.00

So this is what I see on the website right now for the CIC/E90 unit:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...5beb4c4dnAh9Ro

[dextersl]

and this is what see when I go through the AliExpress app and choose the CIC/E90 option:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/GqVR5Bi

[dextersl]

I also like the fact that they make sure to confirm that you selected the correct option by checking the VIN and a picture of your nav/entertainment console. However, most folks on these boards are usually pretty knowledgeable about their own car hardware when they start getting into these kind of projects, so it's just an added level of reassurance I guess. But I am assuming that the other vendors may do this as well.

[derbo]

Interesting!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3302...557d3c00QUoeEt

I had this in my cart.. and it shows $319. Wow.



I orderd it at $280 + 2.75% cashback from Ebates.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by coniman

Hi! I've bought the CarPlay Box from Kemersino. I've installed it in my 2012 F30 320d with the 6,5' display. As I have combox in the trunk I've had to connect the AUX cable in the armrest to have sound. The problem is the quality is really bad, it sounds distorted and choppy. I think the problem it's in the box itself, because if I connect my phone with the AUX cable sounds perfect.
Also I've connected the cable that comes out from the box to my headphones and sounds terrible.

So might be a problem from the box or from the wiring.
Anyone of you had this issue?

I found I had to turn the AUX volume all the way down, and that made my audio nice and clear. Was expecting to need to turn the volume up, but it made the quality worse and worse.

So far I haven’t been able to get my phone to auto connect properly when I get in each time, but I reckon it’s something to do with iOS 13 beta. If I toggle this in the Bluetooth settings, CarPlay appears moments later every time.

Definitely some incompatibility with the box though, since wireless CarPlay connects fine with the X7 I’m driving atm.

[coniman]

Originally Posted by MJBO

I found I had to turn the AUX volume all the way down, and that made my audio nice and clear. Was expecting to need to turn the volume up, but it made the quality worse and worse.

So far I haven’t been able to get my phone to auto connect properly when I get in each time, but I reckon it’s something to do with iOS 13 beta. If I toggle this in the Bluetooth settings, CarPlay appears moments later every time.

Definitely some incompatibility with the box though, since wireless CarPlay connects fine with the X7 I’m driving atm.

I’m also using iOS 13 and auto connect works most of the time, not always. Also I’ve tried to lower down the volume and even at 10% sounds bad. So I took my headphones and connected them to the AUX cable that comes out from the box and stills sound bad, so definitely something is wrong with the CarPlay interface. I’ve managed to make audio sound great connecting the iPhone via USB and linking number “8” to that source, sacrificing “wireless” usage.