DIY Carplay/Android Auto Carsara Install and Setup Tips

[2009550iMSport]

I was perusing through some German BMW forums and discovered my issue with the individual audio system isn’t that uncommon. Many folks over in Deutschland suggested adding an amp to power the individual audio subs. I think I may give that a try, as I have an extra one lying around.

Also, I just ordered this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-...-127632-2357-0

It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.

[2009550iMSport]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDXDNM1...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

In my experience, no the signal through the pre-amp wasn't better than the Quadlock, but I tested it for about 30 minutes before realizing it wasn't sustainable as a solution. If you can also run something that will isolate the charge noise give it a shot, but I am concerned that's more closely tied to the power circuit of the pre-amp I chose itself, so you'd have to experiment.

Malek's settings cranked the treble like I said - they also sounded terrible to me, once I turned that down a lot more I got closer to something I preferred.

I tried this setup last night with the USB isolator. It worked like a charm. The sound is about 9% better than the quadlok connection. It cleaned up the sharpness of the treble a bit. It may just be something I can hear and nobody else really can, idk. : My hearing is very sensitive to higher frequencies. That’s what’s driving me nuts about this individual audio system. To get any sort of thumpin’ going, I have to turn the volume up way too high. I’m going to try adding an external amp to power the underseat subs and see where that takes me.

But to reiterate for those who don’t have a quadlok connection and want a clear, clean aux signal: The combination of a portable preamp + USB isolator for the preamp’s USB power supply worked great. I used this preamp from amazon ($23.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDXDNM1...ing=UTF8&psc=1

And this USB isolator (~$18): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QKYYCD8...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

I was perusing through some German BMW forums and discovered my issue with the individual audio system isn’t that uncommon. Many folks over in Deutschland suggested adding an amp to power the individual audio subs. I think I may give that a try, as I have an extra one lying around.

Also, I just ordered this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-O-S-T-Android-Auto-CarPlay-interface-BMW-CIC-MID-E90-E92-X5-X6-Z4-/255070820273?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46 890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.

this looks interesting. I don't see a piggyback connector for the oem mic in any of the pictures. they include a mic in the kit. keep us posted on the install. if this unit works with the oem mic and audio over Bluetooth via the built in MOST, then I'm definitely on board.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

Also, I just ordered this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-...-127632-2357-0

It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.

That looks very promising, I was always wondering why no one figured out how to tap into the MOST bus, it is far superior than using an analog signal to pass the audio (aux).

Let us know how it works once you get it set up, I think i'll be ordering it also for my CIC car.

[2009550iMSport]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

this looks interesting. I don't see a piggyback connector for the oem mic in any of the pictures. they include a mic in the kit. keep us posted on the install. if this unit works with the oem mic and audio over Bluetooth via the built in MOST, then I'm definitely on board.

The audio would be streamed over WiFi, not bluetooth. That’s how the Carsara box does it as well. This is a good thing though, as Bluetooth audio is heavily limited by compression. Even with combox’s A2DP, the audio quality is inferior to a digital connection via USB or even a high quality aux source. So, in theory, this new CarPlay MOST box would have an even higher quality wireless audio connection than I’ve had so far, OEM or aftermarket. It’d be pure digital without the limitations of Bluetooth audio compression. I’m excited!

Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.

The OEM mic is transmitted over MOST so there would be no need to mess with any mic connections. The unit with talk to it over the bus MOST bus. That's in theory of course depends on how they implemented it.

[brettcp]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

I was perusing through some German BMW forums and discovered my issue with the individual audio system isn’t that uncommon. Many folks over in Deutschland suggested adding an amp to power the individual audio subs. I think I may give that a try, as I have an extra one lying around.

Also, I just ordered this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-...-127632-2357-0

It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.

The listing says it uses the car's CD Changer mode (which makes sense given that BMW has accommodations for this as a MOST input).. I wonder if any coding is required to tell the car you're now using a "CD Changer", or if the car detects this box as a CD Changer (and no coding is required) ? Will be curious to hear you feedback regarding this!

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

The audio would be streamed over WiFi, not bluetooth. That’s how the Carsara box does it as well. This is a good thing though, as Bluetooth audio is heavily limited by compression. Even with combox’s A2DP, the audio quality is inferior to a digital connection via USB or even a high quality aux source. So, in theory, this new CarPlay MOST box would have an even higher quality wireless audio connection than I’ve had so far, OEM or aftermarket. It’d be pure digital without the limitations of Bluetooth audio compression. I’m excited!

Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.

Nice find, let us know how it works out. Not sure I'd swap units at this rate but if this can tap the MOST bus for audio that would certainly answer everyone elses gripes as long as this supports the main software functions.

Using the existing Mic Pigtail from the Carsara box should be easy, nothing fancy about that input.

[2009550iMSport]

I must say I’m fascinated by this device. There’s supposed to be a video installation guide, my guess is the instructions will have a website listed. It says it’s 100% plug & play, and that the CD changer must be already disabled in iDrive. I’m starting to think that the box might be best installed in the glove box where the blank space is for a CD changer! It looks about the right size, and that’s right next to a MOST terminal (at least it is for the E60).

I contacted the vendor for my current carsara CarPlay box and was able to buy an extra OEM microphone harness for $15. I’m not sure if the new box will connnwxt to the mic via MOST or what, so I just want to be prepared. This will allow me to keep the Carsara kit all in one piece so I can resell it.

I’m going to add to the suspense and say that this also apparently adds A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming in addition to the CarPlay functionality… Since this hijacks the CD changer input, I suppose that means it could also display track data on the OEM side. Now I already have this feature via combox, but this could be a major upgrade for anyone still on TCU and/or MULF.

One thing I’m not sure about is whether or not the rear view camera interface will have dynamic guidelines like the carsara box does. This isn’t a deal breaker, but I am curious how the camera interface will be set up…

To be completely honest with y’all, the whole reason I bought the CarPlay box in the first place was for the backup camera functionality! Unlike the E9x and E7x platforms where if you want to add a rear view camera you can simply install a RVC emulator to the CIC, this method does not work on E6x’s. unlike those platforms, E60s were never available with RVC as a factory option, so there’s no functionality available to “emulate”, basically. The only option for OEM-like RVC integration is to install an MMI box. It was only a couple more bucks to get an MMI with CarPlay versus a simple camera interface. and look where it’s gotten me.

[2009550iMSport]

So i found a video with about a minute-long demo of the Mr12Volt interface, and

hoooooly sh*t

Keep in mind this video is of it installed in an Audi, but that’s not important as they all have the same GUI. There was an install video for an F01 with CIC, but it only showed the interface for like 2 seconds.

Start the video at 7:45 and get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor.

https://youtu.be/p3ucO9KlLng

Mr12Volt is a game changer.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by tdott

The OEM mic is transmitted over MOST so there would be no need to mess with any mic connections. The unit with talk to it over the bus MOST bus. That's in theory of course depends on how they implemented it.

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

I contacted the vendor for my current carsara CarPlay box and was able to buy an extra OEM microphone harness for $15. I’m not sure if the new box will connnwxt to the mic via MOST or what, so I just want to be prepared. This will allow me to keep the Carsara kit all in one piece so I can resell it.

Looking at the install in more detail, I see that a mic is included, so I guess they aren't using the OEM mic over MOST.

That is probably the only down side I can see with this unit, but the improvement in sound quality over MOST compared to aux should be worth the trade off.

Once you have this unit set up, might be a good idea to create a new thread in this section for it.

[2009550iMSport]

It’s here 😈 and looks high-quality

[SocalM3]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

It’s here �� and looks high-quality

Please let us know after the install! I just retrofitted CIC into my e60 M5 so really interested in how yours turn out.

[2009550iMSport]

Originally Posted by SocalM3

Please let us know after the install! I just retrofitted CIC into my e60 M5 so really interested in how yours turn out.

I will! I plan on doing a little write-up with photos. It’s packaged very well. You can tell they really put some work into this kit.

[Tigamilla]

Noooo!!! I dont need to see this Mr 12 Volt upgrade!! Looking forward to thoughts on it! Edit: Looking closely at the ebay ad this looks like it's the same as the original Carsara unit apart from the MOST connector which would make installation a breeze - only thing would be re-plugging the optical loop...damn

[Tigamilla]

Originally Posted by 2009550iMSport

I will! I plan on doing a little write-up with photos. It’s packaged very well. You can tell they really put some work into this kit.

Does this come with a quadlock?

[ygoz]

Originally Posted by Tigamilla

Does this come with a quadlock?

It send audio over the optical MOST bus - so no need for quadlock technically, it only needs to pic up the CAN signals fr the control knob and reversee

[drwankel]

FINALLY someone made a version that didn't rely on AUX audio. Very curious how this ends up behaving in real world use. Keep us updated!

[drwankel]

They had a setup video for a CIC f10, and it does look like you can keep the OEM mic. Shows the integration in the CIC system in the video. This appears to be the holy grail.

[ygoz]

Install video on our cars.
Looks like the are adding a mic, but we can use a mic splitter like in Andream/Carsara.

I have the carsara unit at the moment and have been using combox over BT - which sounds nice but lacks nav audio and occasionally wont connect.

Just pulled the trigger on this box - seems like the best integration so far with no compromises.

Will report back once I get and install it.

[Z K]

Looks like they make a Mr12volt M.O.S.T for CCC... how would that work to have carplay come through the CCC screen!? I'd imagine it'd look terrible on such a low resolution screen.

Maybe they can pair that with a screen upgrade?

[Rochen_00]

Originally Posted by gozmanyoni

Install video on our cars.
Looks like the are adding a mic, but we can use a mic splitter like in Andream/Carsara.

I have the carsara unit at the moment and have been using combox over BT - which sounds nice but lacks nav audio and occasionally wont connect.

Just pulled the trigger on this box - seems like the best integration so far with no compromises.

Will report back once I get and install it.

It would be great if we can use a mic splitter and take advantage of the oem mic. I don't like those external mics at all