BPM Sport and Benvo strike again: Combox Retrofit + BMW Live Review

[DKM3]

• Quick summary: Called Mike, got retrofitted, love it, and if you have a CIC and/or combox DO IT NOW! I’m serious especially with iOS6 making office usable for us iPhone folk. Better audio, faster syncing, WAY more features, and of course AMAZING service from Mike.

• Intro: I’ve been a Benvo fan for along time ever since he tuned, coded, and retrofitted my car with a full U.S. Spec CIC. Now I’ve got my end user tuning cable but more on that later. I called up Mike and decided to get my combox retrofit going. Mike had everything available on the spot and as always made it dead simple. Sunday morning I was having breakfast with him which has become customary before any retrofit I’ve had with Mike. Once again Mike proved to me again why I trust him with my car and how knowledgeable he truly is.

• Install: It’s ridiculous to think that in 30 minutes Mike had the entire thing done but it’s true. Mike showed me his new documentation on how to do the actual retrofit and I have to say the documentation is easy to follow and simple. Mike had custom made retrofit harnesses which made the installation in the trunk plug and play. Out came the floor lining of my trunk, my tcu, mulf, and center console USB connector. In went my combox, harness, new USB cable, and new USB connector and back went my trunk floor.

• Coding: Mike worked his magic and coded my CIC to know my combox was there, next he coded my combox and updated it to the most recent firmware, and worked even more magic to enable BMW LIVE and Internet access which I elected to also do. It works faster than in my friends car - and he pays for the BMW convenience plan from BMW, and still doesn't have all of the features I do. In fact it almost angers me that BMW deprives people of this feature. Deprive might be a bit strong say that BMW owes use something but it is a great feature.

• Audio: I’ve been astounded by the quality that the CIC puts out. My Enhanced Premium Sound system has always been great with my CCC but it was leaps and bounds better with my CIC. I thought this might have been the best I could do audio wise (except with a few tweaks I’ve seen around the forum). The combox took it to the next level and I can say that the Bluetooth streaming is incredible. Pandora, Grooveshark html5, and Spotify are great to have. It sounds way…way.. better. It feels like the difference between analog and digital which is very well is with my old iPod using my AUX + USB.

• Office: How has this been in BMW cars since 2010 and now only our iPhone works with it? I know that it’s Apple’s fault for not including a MAP Profile but I think I’m just in awe of how great it really is (and will be after a few bugs are worked out of ios 6 and the combox). SMS works, and contacts are a given but it looks and operates great.

• Live: Wiki local, street view, weather, web browser, RSS ect.. It’s awesome. If you’re doing the combox already or already have one you need to unlock this feature. Seeing where you need to go via street view has honestly saved me from hunting around trying to find destinations

• In sum: The retrofit is completely worth the money. I‘m still astounded by the quality of the sound and I’m also lucky to have gone to BPMSport (Benvo & co.) to have everything done.

Thanks Mike!

P.S. Looking forward to seeing what Mike comes up with next.

[mark896]

So THAT'S where the combox is... Excellent, he does great work.

[spr]

What year do you have and cost? I have an 09 and want this plus other coding!

[KmndntKlink]

IT'S IN THE SMUGGLERS HOLD!??!! (what I call the trunk stash area) I HAVE GOT TO GO CHECK THIS. I love what BMW is doing with connecteddrive, this is definitely a must have. How much was it to get the parts? how about install? God I wish I lived in Cali just so I could have all these awesome guys upgrade my car T_T. I guess the weather would be nice too... mostly the car thing though.

Does it do all the fancy new stuff like read text messages to you and better recognition of voice commands (I think they're using Dragon?) I was gonna use this app called Robin that does all this stuff, but if my car can do it, even better! I guess getting the new hardware would let you upgrade to all the fancy new software as it rolls out in 2013 huh? Really wish BMW would just not be such tools and upgrade software for free. Seems like a great way to enhance customer loyalty, course people would be less inclined to buy new cars.

You also said you had all of the convenience stuff that your friend had? Even the concierge stuff?
TIYA!
Want SO BAD

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by spr

What year do you have and cost? I have an 09 and want this plus other coding!

The car above is an 08. All this can be done on your car as well. PM, email or call me for more info.

[GOVCO]

Okay..okay...I read all this stuff about the Combox, CIC, etc, and realize, fuk, I need it in my M. I bought an 09 E90 without the bells and whistle. How can I tell what I have...better yet, what I don't have? I don't even have BT. WTF was I thinking....

[spr]

How do you not have bluetooth if you have CIC? I have an 09 e92 and have bluetooth. My car came with access though.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by spr

How do you not have bluetooth if you have CIC? I have an 09 e92 and have bluetooth. My car came with access though.

A CIC does not have anything to do with Bluetooth. It is a different module.

[0-60Motorsports]

Excellent review. Mike Benvo is a great guy

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Excellent review. Mike Benvo is a great guy

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Excellent review. Mike Benvo is a great guy

Thank you sir! I try my best

Eric: Good to hear everything is working out for you. Thanks for shooting me the pics the other day of the iOS 6 Email integration working in your car! I can't wait until my new iPhone gets delivered on October 5th. Cmon Verizon, hurry up!!

PS: When I code cars for combox, I enable the text to speech. So you can have it read you news, emails, etc.. Pretty cool, and monotone.. haha

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Thank you sir! I try my best

Eric: Good to hear everything is working out for you. Thanks for shooting me the pics the other day of the iOS 6 Email integration working in your car! I can't wait until my new iPhone gets delivered on October 5th. Cmon Verizon, hurry up!!

PS: When I code cars for combox, I enable the text to speed engine options. So you can have it ready you news, emails, etc.. Pretty cool, and monotone.. haha

Mike we need to coordinate by email as I need you to help me with some coding please. Thanks.

[BIGW0RM]

Is that fan stock?

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Is that fan stock?

Yes, stock fan on the 2008 satellite tuner. My car has it too.

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Mike we need to coordinate by email as I need you to help me with some coding please. Thanks.

No problem. I'm about 150 emails behind right now but have them all organized and am getting to them within the next couple days for sure.


On a side note:

EDIT: SOLD - but more on the way

I also have one COMPLETE US SPEC CIC - I should post this in Classifieds
It has every option available from the factory.
-HD Radio
-BMW Apps
-Live and Internet (already pre configured)
-Bluetooth streaming
-Video from snap in cradle to iDrive screen

Comes with the CIC, Controller, Screen, Video Cable, Screen Power connector, FBAS lines for Video from snap in, Combox, Combox Retrofit Harness, Terminator, New USB Port, USB Cable, Activation module, with Plug and Play harness etc..

With a baseplate and snap in cradle this sytem would match a 2013 unit exactly except have more features due to the Internet/Live coding.

Comes with everything you need. Hopefully someone local to LA is interested and I can perform the installation. This is not a cheaper Euro unit without HD radio etc.. This is a unit manufactured in 2011/2012 - and remember, full BMW Apps support Definitely more expensive but if you want the creme of the crop, here it is. This setup matches what is in my personal car exactly. I will post in classifieds when I have time, just wanted to throw it out there as it's been taking up usable space!

[0-60Motorsports]

That looks great......now to find the cash to buy a E90 M3 lol

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

That looks great......now to find the cash to buy a E90 M3 lol

Well I have a lot of parts in stock...

What is pictured above.. plus M3 cluster, Footwell module, full exhaust, steering wheel, floor mats, air conditioning unit, stock 19" wheels, stock intake.. So you could buy all of these parts from me and build your own as paychecks come in.

Ok.. ok.. back to reality Just trying to clear my storage unit! -

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Well I have a lot of parts in stock...

What is pictured above.. plus M3 cluster, Footwell module, full exhaust, steering wheel, floor mats, air conditioning unit, stock 19" wheels, stock intake.. So you could buy all of these parts from me and build your own as paychecks come in.

Ok.. ok.. back to reality Just trying to clear my storage unit! -

Hahaha Nice one Mike. Hopefully by next year i should be able to pick an 09+ E90 M3.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Hahaha Nice one Mike. Hopefully by next year i should be able to pick an 09+ E90 M3.

You won't regret it. It's the best car I've ever owned, and this is my 8th BMW.

I made a Ducatti motorcycle driver upset a few hours ago. Was surprised that the M3 pulled a car on it. Definitely get an 09 so you have the CIC and then add combox and it's basically a '12

[phrozen06]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Yes, stock fan on the 2008 satellite tuner. My car has it too.




No problem. I'm about 150 emails behind right now but have them all organized and am getting to them within the next couple days for sure.


On a side note:

EDIT: SOLD - but more on the way

I also have one COMPLETE US SPEC CIC - I should post this in Classifieds
It has every option available from the factory.
-HD Radio
-BMW Apps
-Live and Internet (already pre configured)
-Bluetooth streaming
-Video from snap in cradle to iDrive screen

Comes with the CIC, Controller, Screen, Video Cable, Screen Power connector, FBAS lines for Video from snap in, Combox, Combox Retrofit Harness, Terminator, New USB Port, USB Cable, Activation module, with Plug and Play harness etc..

With a baseplate and snap in cradle this sytem would match a 2013 unit exactly except have more features due to the Internet/Live coding.

Comes with everything you need. Hopefully someone local to LA is interested and I can perform the installation. This is not a cheaper Euro unit without HD radio etc.. This is a unit manufactured in 2011/2012 - and remember, full BMW Apps support Definitely more expensive but if you want the creme of the crop, here it is. This setup matches what is in my personal car exactly. I will post in classifieds when I have time, just wanted to throw it out there as it's been taking up usable space!

This is what I'm saving up for. Need to upgrade my 08 ///M

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

You won't regret it. It's the best car I've ever owned, and this is my 8th BMW.

I made a Ducatti motorcycle driver upset a few hours ago. Was surprised that the M3 pulled a car on it. Definitely get an 09 so you have the CIC and then add combox and it's basically a '12

Cool, thanks Mike

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by phrozen06

This is what I'm saving up for. Need to upgrade my 08 ///M

I'll be getting a few more units in stock shortly

[Stronie]

Holy Shit. Great work. :Clap: