[Fluffuser]

I couldn't find a Display Resolution type setting, thoroughly looked thru CIC and COMBOX modules.

I assume ESYS and it's search feature might help here? I do have a OBD to Ethernet cable somewhere.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Fluffuser]

Ah but you are a legend on here!

No HU_NBT module listing under Headunit.

Perhaps i'll go out and record the bimmercode session at the weekend. so perhaps someone might see what i's missed

I also just noticed the bimmercode app has a search available now under Expert mode.

 

[Fluffuser]

I contacted bimmertech and they have confirmed with me I can use their CarPlay MMI Prime Retrofit for BMW with both a cic champ2 source and 8.8 inch display as well as the standard res 6.5 inch.

It sounds too good to be true, but I read their tech support is very well regarded.
Life is short, so I just ordered it, I see paypal converted this to £483.51 GBP.

Thanks for your awesome knowledge Marco here and throught the site. If it works reliably with 8.8, I'll contact you to arrange how to send you the 6.5 inch L7 Mid glass-to-edge 9292244 as I think that'll solve your Tomy challenge for your champ2!

Thanks,
Rob.

 

[Fluffuser]

Bimmertech order still showing as paid, not dispatched.

I rechecked the car with bimmercode using the search. Definitely no resolution option on a cic champ2:

Search of Headunit for resolution:

 

[Fluffuser]

Got an update from bimmertek yesterday, seems it is not the magic that will allow me to use 8.8 with champ2:

Your Champ head unit will not support the OEM 8.8" screen. Although MMI might still work, your head unit will not display the iDrive image on this screen properly.
---
I took a closer look at your car spec and I can see your have Navigation and Combox.
EntryNav would require special activation codes for the navigation to work. For Bluetooth you would need to add additional wiring to the head unit because the Combox won't be used anymore.
----

I am impressed with their attention to detail and honesty.

I'll see how CarPlay works with the 6.5. They noted it is very popular and gives me access to real-time traffic with google maps and others, which I understand will disappear from the 3G based provnav models once the mobile providers switch off 3G to make way for 5G.

I am still likely to try it with 8.8, depends if the MMI digitises the head unit output or just uses a relay to pass-thru.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Fluffuser]

So, I think my reasonable options are to try the bimmertech mmi prime add-on.

This is very unlikely to work with pass-thru to the 8.8 screen, so i will give carplay on the 6.5 a try.

If i like carplay for nav, the I might try a droiduk android 10 screen. This looks to have champ2 res resolution pass-thru, has built in google maps and the option to add a usb CarPlay dongle, although without carplay it achieves the bigger screen with navigation with realtime traffic that was why I regretted not speccing pronav for.

I also see droiduk have low priced options for a reversing camera and gps cable splitter so the android nav can use the car's built-in gps antenna which they say is more accurate. I certainly notice that the business nav has better response than google maps on my iphone when it comes to roundabout exits. Looks like £465 with screen, camera and gps cable.

Both the above options have cheeper alternatives on ebay, aliexpress, etc.

 

[Fluffuser]

I think I am prepared to fit the bimmertech MMI Prime box tomorrow. The pdf instructions that arrived are very detailed an 39 pages long (including front and rear camera installs that I dont have) including how to remove all the trim with diagrams.

I was surprised i have to replace the headlining mic connection, but thinking about that it probably goes to the boot mounted Combox and becomes redundant as you don't seem to pair phones with the car, just the MMI box for calls, bt music and carplay.

It also includes an aux plug that must to to the aux input in the armrest. Hope it sounds ok, although i will still be able to play music from the car cic over usb, i just assume without carplay audio.

Rob.

 

[Fluffuser]

I did a test fitment of the bimmertech MMI Prime box.

Indeed it won't work with champ2 and the NBT 8.8 screen (dip switch for 8.8 when fed input from a NBT headunit though)

Seemed to work well with idrive controls. First time the voice steering wheel button has worked on the car.

A big showstopper for me was sound quality via AUX input. It is dull and loses the bottom octave of low bass that the built in system and USB does ok with, via the Harmon Kardon speakers.

I tried via carplay streaming and via a USB drive plugged in to the MMI. Both poor an dull, i now realise why some describe it as underwater on the F30 forums. I think the AUX input is poor on the F20 (and F30 from what i gave read), only adjustable for input level.

I just couldn't use it for music playback, so I wouldn't get carplay nav instructions or see carplay album art when using built-in idrive audio.

All back to standard now. I have arranged a return to bimmertech who charge a 20% restocking fee.

I have been in contact with Neil at Vehicle Install Solutions in Sutton Coldfield (who have a great facebook page) and have booked in for a while-you-wait ID6 8.8 screen upgrade in a few weeks time.

Wish me luck!

 

[Fluffuser]

Hi Marco,
I think i've got used to the NBT id6 and 8.8 screen, thanks to Neil at Vehicle Installation Solutions who did a great job and on a Saturday too. Quite odd having BMW voice, Apple CarPlay and Siri available in the car now.

Are you still looking for a 6.5 glass-to-edge. If so, drop me your address and I can send it to you. You seem to have switched off pm's on here.

I also see my bimmertech MMI Prime return finally cleared Dubai customs after many weeks there bimmertech promptly refunded the 80% of the price.

Cheers,
Rob.

 

[Fluffuser]

Hi Marco, I just posted the 6.5 glass-to-edge screen to you 1st class royal mail tracking: WD040777005GB

If it doesn't work for you, please send it back.

cheers,
Rob.

 

[Fluffuser]

Hi Marco, I just posted the 6.5 glass-to-edge screen to you 1st class royal mail tracking: WD040777005GB

If it doesn't work for you, please send it back.

cheers,
Rob.

We have lift-off! Many thanks Rob, incredibly kind and generous of you, very much appreciated.



Please let me know if I can ever return the favour in any way. M

Nice, finally!
Cheers.

 

[Fluffuser]

I had a 2018 pronav id6 head unit, new screen and idrive controller fitted by a specialist in Birmingham: Vehicle Installation Solutions.

They added front sensors and rear camera at the same time. That was done on a saturday and look to be a 2 manday job, also included coding the headunit to the car vin#. All oem bmw parts used.

Only caveat is that the 2014 HK hifi needs a radio-turn-on feed that the later id6 bmw units do not provide.

So if the engine isn’t running (even stop/start at lights) the sound cuts out. I went straight back and the installer took a feed from the engine bay fusebox, but this means its always powered, so i get a warning about something was drawing power each morning.

I think taking the trigger feed from the aux socket under the glovebox will solve that as that goes onto powersave 20 mins if drivers seatbelt is undone and exiting and locking the car, but it hasn’t bothered me enough to change it yet (15 months since upgrade)

I also had an audison amp to replace the the HK amp, but the issue remains.

Sounds great though, avoid the mmi devices as aux sound is terrible. The screen and carplay are a joy everytime i get in the car. The newer id6 head unit seems fine with a 128GB usb stick, so i have all my music in flac lossless, even 24-bit albums.

 

[Fluffuser]

Only caveat is that the 2014 HK hifi needs a radio-turn-on feed that the later id6 bmw units do not provide.

So if the engine isn’t running (even stop/start at lights) the sound cuts out. I went straight back and the installer took a feed from the engine bay fusebox, but this means its always powered, so i get a warning about something was drawing power each morning.

I think taking the trigger feed from the aux socket under the glovebox will solve that as that goes onto powersave 20 mins if drivers seatbelt is undone and exiting and locking the car, but it hasn’t bothered me enough to change it yet (15 months since upgrade)

I did the trigger feed change a few months ago and confirm the issue has gone, stop/start seems happier than ever!