[BigKutta]

Hello - I have a 2012 528i (US system) and want to add CarPlay functionality. I do not need to update the head unit or anything, just integrate into the iDrive.

Does any one have experience with this unit?

https://hifimaxnavi.com/products/app...x1-x3-x4-x5-x6

Seems straight forward enough, but want to know if anyone has experience with this.

Thanks

[rogerkiu]

The device in your link is not recommended, I will suggest you replace an NBT EVO head unit and have it encoded. It is just a swap of your old head unit, nothing else needed to add or change. Do you have 10.25 inch CID? If you don't, then you need to replace.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

The device in your link is not recommended, I will suggest you replace an NBT EVO head unit and have it encoded. It is just a swap of your old head unit, nothing else needed to add or change. Do you have 10.25 inch CID? If you don't, then you need to replace.

Hello. Thank you. I have the larger screen on my F10, not sure about CID. How do I check that? Also could you link the product you are referencing?

Why do you say the product I linked isn't recommended? Just curious.

Thanks for your information.

[BigKutta]

So, no one has done this without swapping the head unit? I dont want to go nuts here, so looking for a module that will work instead

[ErnestHouse]

Generally speaking, the device you linked is a Carplay MMI device installed by many. Search on "MMI Prime" and you will find those who've done it.

As for the specifics for your 2012 528, take a look at bimmertech.com. You put your VIN into their page and they give you your product options. You can find the stuff on the cheap at Amazon and others but what you are paying for at Bimmertech is support. They have installation videos specific to each car and they seem to do a good job at maintaining the firmware.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by ErnestHouse

Generally speaking, the device you linked is a Carplay MMI device installed by many. Search on "MMI Prime" and you will find those who've done it.

As for the specifics for your 2012 528, take a look at bimmertech.com. You put your VIN into their page and they give you your product options. You can find the stuff on the cheap at Amazon and others but what you are paying for at Bimmertech is support. They have installation videos specific to each car and they seem to do a good job at maintaining the firmware.

Very helpful, and I found the correct one. I will likely get someone to install this for me. Thank you!

[BigKutta]

Guys anyone have a preference between these two products, or has used either of these? These seem to be the only choices for a 2012 (for 2013 and after, there are many choices and even cheaper ones)

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/products...i-cic-retrofit

https://cartizan-direct.com/products...oaAht8EALw_wcB

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Guys anyone have a preference between these two products, or has used either of these? These seem to be the only choices for a 2012 (for 2013 and after, there are many choices and even cheaper ones)

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/products...i-cic-retrofit

https://cartizan-direct.com/products...oaAht8EALw_wcB

You can get sane thing from eBay for $250

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

You can get sane thing from eBay for $250

I hear people say that, but no link. As i mentioned this has to be for a 2012 528i. if you have a link, please share. Thank you!

[n3985]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I hear people say that, but no link. As i mentioned this has to be for a 2012 528i. if you have a link, please share. Thank you!

https://www.android-car-dvd.com/coll...32066140471432

[BigKutta]

Quick update for anyone who's interested, Bimmertech MMI prime got installed. I'm happy to report that it works really well, even has screen mirroring for playing videos on screen. Actually the CarPlay interface really brings the screen to life, and makes the interior of the car feel so much more modern. Makes our screens feel huge, because CarPlay really brightens it up, and maximizes the use of the screen. Feels like new car!!

[BigKutta]

Looks good

[ErnestHouse]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Quick update for anyone who's interested, Bimmertech MMI prime got installed. ... Feels like new car!!

If you think about it, in a 2012 you were running the CIC version which was developed way before that. I remember waiting for the NBT Professional in the LCI so I'd utilize the full screen and get the latest (ID4). I can imagine how jumping forward 10 years in telematics makes it seem like a new car, especially after 10 years of the old old stuff.

One question I keep asking and don't get answered is "If you have a Carplay Navi running and are also listening to the iDrive radio with the iDrive screen showing, will you hear the audio alerts from your Navi running in Carplay?"

[OnlyGerman]

For audio, the aux cable still needs to be ran to the center console? I need to add this to my 2012 as well, the CIC is getting old.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by ErnestHouse

If you think about it, in a 2012 you were running the CIC version which was developed way before that. I remember waiting for the NBT Professional in the LCI so I'd utilize the full screen and get the latest (ID4). I can imagine how jumping forward 10 years in telematics makes it seem like a new car, especially after 10 years of the old old stuff.

One question I keep asking and don't get answered is "If you have a Carplay Navi running and are also listening to the iDrive radio with the iDrive screen showing, will you hear the audio alerts from your Navi running in Carplay?"

I'm not sure, but can check that for you. And you are right, the CIC is so old that this makes a huge upgrade, and frankly I think this brings the car up to par with most modern BMWs. I know its a reach but you know what I mean

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by OnlyGerman

For audio, the aux cable still needs to be ran to the center console? I need to add this to my 2012 as well, the CIC is getting old.

Yes it does.

[varunshah638]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Looks good

Looks great! Thinking of doing this in my own car which has iDrive 4.2 and the 10" screen. Was it easy to install?

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by varunshah638

Looks great! Thinking of doing this in my own car which has iDrive 4.2 and the 10" screen. Was it easy to install?

It took an installer who does this for a living about 3 hours to install. There are videos out there to do this, but I dont have the patience and skill I'd need.

[dronky]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

The device in your link is not recommended, I will suggest you replace an NBT EVO head unit and have it encoded. It is just a swap of your old head unit, nothing else needed to add or change. Do you have 10.25 inch CID? If you don't, then you need to replace.

Is it complex if I already have an NBT? I heard that it requires pinout change...

[saad2605]

Originally Posted by varunshah638

Looks great! Thinking of doing this in my own car which has iDrive 4.2 and the 10" screen. Was it easy to install?

Originally Posted by dronky

Is it complex if I already have an NBT? I heard that it requires pinout change...

So I actually just finished the upgrade this past weekend as well and I did this with my cousin for an extra pair of hands. The entire process from start to finish took us just under 2.5 hours which includes about a 15 minute break. The longest part was getting the NBT module to fit back in to the cavity with the added wiring. Besides that everything was super simple. Even getting the unit in was not difficult just more so required patience and many many attempts. If we dont count the extra time with the break and the time spent with the NBT unit I would say the total time was about 1.5 hours.

Also as a side note I installed the Andream system which is almost exactly the same system and requires the same exact process.