Differences in CIC Android based products

[Slanski62]

Hi everyone. After a few years out of BMWs and driving new VWs, I just bought a 2013 M3. I love the car of course, but I admit I miss the nav/entertainment/phone technology of the newer cars. So I’ve been looking at retrofits. The Avin CIC android system is the front runner, but Avinusa doesn’t have the android v7.1 in stock. Aliexpress.com has a number of units that appear identical to the Avin at various prices. What are the differences between them? Is there a particular seller or brand that’s better or worse? I appreciate any advice.

[dpaul]

Many people seem to be happy with the AVIN unit - I was not.

For me, the problem was not Android version level; it was the poor level of integration with the vehicle.

For one example, the I-drive control only worked at the top level of menus- anything beyond required using the touch screen which is not easy in an E90 installation.

For another, the Apple CarPlay implementation is horribly buggy, freezes or just mysteriously comes and goes.

Perhaps worst of all, audio quality from the Android was terrible compared to OEM bluetooth streaming. The Android audio output must be routed to the analog aux-in jack.

"Technical" support from AVIN (who of course have nothing to do with the design and manufacture of these things) is laughable.

There are quite a few threads/post about the AVIN devices - find them and read them carefully before you decide. I realize your post was directed at differences between AVIN and other "unbranded" Android headunits. Upgrades in terms of memory, processor and Android levels may be starting to appear but 1) I suspect that all the hardware is coming from the same factory in China and 2) hardware (except for the very earliest releases of these things) is really not the problem.

I sold mine after a few months, another expensive, failed experiment.

[Slanski62]

My timing is real bad -- I just ordered the Avinusa v7.1 last night. I am especially interested in Carplay, but now I'm worried. Did you have the 7.x version or the 4?

I'm completely lost trying to understand all the options out there. Bimmerretrofit had what looked to be a good solution, but it was over $2 grand and even with that system you lost some functionality of some of the M controls. Maybe the best solution is to get a double-DIN player that will output video to the CIC screen.

[dpaul]

From my point of view best solution is probably to pay the $2K+ for a more or less OEM solution. I have not done that yet but it’s on the list. Others don’t share my feelings. I guess it all depends on what you really need the system to do and what you can live without.
I was personally very unhappy to pay $600 to AVIN and receive a system put to shame in every way by one that comes standard in a Nissan Versa

[Redd]

I have an aliexpress unit. No issues. Basically the same thing as avinusa, whatever new software updates avin got, like ID6, I got it too.

That said, I haven't seen an aliexpress unit for our cars with Android 7.1.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by Redd

I have an aliexpress unit. No issues. Basically the same thing as avinusa, whatever new software updates avin got, like ID6, I got it too.

That said, I haven't seen an aliexpress unit for our cars with Android 7.1.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/328905...t.32890591304&

I have an Android 6.0 PX5 unit in my work car (2018 QASHQAI) and it has been excellent. Tempted to install something like this in my M3, but haven't felt motivated yet. Already have nav and Bluetooth streaming, so the pressure isn't there like my other car that only had a basic audio system.

[Slanski62]

If I could get something like that and have it feed the video to the CIC screen, I think that would work great. Is the video in to the CIC screen propriety?

[Bomiz]

Android 7.1 units are available from Ali, and i'll prob pick one up soon. Only like $370 for the full unit.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by MJBO

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/328905...t.32890591304&

Screenshot images look exactly like my Android 4.4 unit with the ID6 update. So not sure what all new features Android 7.1 will bring, if any.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Slanski62

If I could get something like that and have it feed the video to the CIC screen, I think that would work great. Is the video in to the CIC screen propriety?

The Android device replaces the entire iDrive screen. It's a much higher resolution panel than CIC iDrive, so even iDrive will look better with the new panel.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by Redd

Screenshot images look exactly like my Android 4.4 unit with the ID6 update. So not sure what all new features Android 7.1 will bring, if any.

That's essentially a launcher, lot of updates and app support changes under the skin between 4.4 from 2013 and 7.1 from 2016.

No way I'd be buying a 4.4 unit now when a later model is available.

[dpaul]

Originally Posted by Redd

The Android device replaces the entire iDrive screen. It's a much higher resolution panel than CIC iDrive, so even iDrive will look better with the new panel.

Yes it will look better - but brightness was a problem for me. Just another example of the poor software integration. Brightness was not adjustable through I-drive and only partially through the settings menu on the Android screen.

I'm sure everyone gets that I really don't like these Android headunits so I'll shut up now.

[BayE30]

i have an Android 7.1 headunit that i recently installed in my E53 X5. I really really like the unit, its very modern and was super easy to install. Now that being said, its a HUGE upgrade for the X5, but i dont really feel the urge to install into my e90m3. As others have mentioned, the BT streaming quality isnt great, but not as bad as the plug in units that use AUX-in. Havent figured out all the features of the unit yet, but for what i paid ($260 ebay XTRONS) i am beyond happy with the product.

[Redd]

For me the Android unit just freshens up the car's usability by 10 yrs. Screen mirroring, Waze/Spotify in car, etc. I don't feel like my 2009 M3 is missing anything compared to modern cars anymore. For the price I paid, this is the best upgrade I've ever done.

[Bomiz]

Ordered the Android 7.1 unit. I'll let you guys know how it goes

[svinfinity]

Originally Posted by Bomiz

Ordered the Android 7.1 unit. I'll let you guys know how it goes

Have you installed it yet? Interested in your thoughts.

[6ixSpd]

I wonder if the newer 7.1 units have better audio quality. Look at this for my 328i (non-iDrive) but if the SQ sucks, that's a deal breaker for me.

[Redd]

As long as its via aux, sound quality will suffer.

[Dave07997S]

cant you still use the OEMs bluetooth streaming for audio?

[MJBO]

I’d hazard a lot of people don’t have factory Bluetooth streaming, either because their car is too old or it wasn’t optioned.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

I wonder if the newer 7.1 units have better audio quality. Look at this for my 328i (non-iDrive) but if the SQ sucks, that's a deal breaker for me.

Pretty sure I’ve read the newer 7.1 units have substantially better audio quality.

The quality on my 6.0 unit in my Nissan is excellent, powering the factory speakers it sounds noticeably better than the OEM unit.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by Bomiz

Ordered the Android 7.1 unit. I'll let you guys know how it goes

Interested to hear your thoughts. I’m getting more tempted as I’m driving the M3 a lot more often than I expected.