Throw out those cables! In this video I'll show you how to install wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay in your F series BMW. The Bimmertech MMI Prime updates your BMW with the latest technology allowing you to use your Android or Apple phone wirelessly. This is easily one of my favorite upgrades for the F33 🔥🔥🔥 Bimmertech MMI Prime: www.bimmer-tech.net/category-android-auto-mmi-retrofit Bimmertech MMI Pro: www.bimmer-tech.net/category-bmw-carplay-mmi-pro-retrofit 🛠️Tools Needed 🛠️ Pick Tool Set: amzn.to/3DBpywI Trim Tool Set: amzn.to/3rXA3HS Dewalt Mechanics Tool Set 247pc: amzn.to/31CHbcf
Thank you for putting this video together on install. I was hesitant to order this for my 2016 F87 until you demonstrated how easy this job will be. I'm placing my order now!
I used your "under the glove box" portion to finish up wiring my console accent lights and ashtray lights. Note: re-installing the airbag portion and trim was tricky; screwing in the airbag FIRST to the mount and then the trim was the key. Thanks again Steve
Hi Steve, I don't know if I like your videos....they always seem to cost me money!!! hahaha. Well I went out and bought this (not the bimmertech mmi prime, but another brand which works exactly the same)and I love it!! Thank you so much for your instructions!! Just one question, is it possible to not always have the Maps come on by default? Thanks again Steve.
Thats a great question! I was wondering the same thing but haven't found a way to do that. I think it's a default of how android auto / apple carplay is configured. Glad you enjoy the videos! 👍
You mentioned you have to have the audio set to aux under idrive to get sound from the MMI. Does that mean I have to have an aux cable connected to my phone in order to use Spotify under CarPlay? Or does this support Bluetooth audio directly from the MMI?
No cables needed 😀 it's just how the mmi is connected to the rear of the radio. It doesn't actually hook up to your aux port, however the aux port volume does have an effect on how loud the mmi is.
This is definitely on my radar. How streamlined is actual use? The install looks not bad, but is there any weird/quirky stuff that happens? Does the audio from Android Auto sound the same/as good as native bluetooth through the headunit? Also, can the MMI Prime accept a rear view camera (I don't have one on my F30) or would I still need the other MMI box?
Use is super easy. It connects right away when you start the car. Never had an issue. The install was really straightforward without any gotchas. The only hard part was trying to get the headubit back in because of all the cables back there. This one does accept additional cameras, so you should good there. 👍
I am thinking about buying this, but I am reserved. I have the Harmon Kardon sound system and I am worried about the aux volume affecting it. How is the sound quality?
Aoind quality it great. Obviously CD will always be the best, but the quality out of spotify is hands down better than satellite radio. I had the HK system but have since replaced it with Bavsound speakers and AMP. I've got no complaints with the quality at all and I'm pretty picky about sound.
I'm trying to understand the reason why all the instructions I've read and the steps in this video always remove the LVDS cable from behind the screen? Given you have to pull out the whole Head Unit, couldn't you just unplug the LVDS from the back of it and plug this into the MMI box's LVDS output instead? This would save on the additional step to dismantle the screen just to unplug the LVDS. Then you could connect the Head Unit to the MMI LVDS input with the cable that comes with the MMI couldn't you? Or is there something different about the connections on the original cable?
The installer lied it is not a simple install and will take a lot of time and headache. Things do not come out as easily as he showed and certainly do not go back in easily. If you can get someone with experience to do it. Do that. It is a painful install for the average Joe.
I'm sorry that you experienced issues with the installation. I did NOT lie about the difficulty, and every part of the installation was filmed. I had zero issues even with the larger head unit. It just takes a little patience when trying to fit the wires back in.
Throw out those cables! In this video I'll show you how to install wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay in your F series BMW. The Bimmertech MMI Prime updates your BMW with the latest technology allowing you to use your Android or Apple phone wirelessly.
This is easily one of my favorite upgrades for the F33 🔥🔥🔥
Bimmertech MMI Prime: www.bimmer-tech.net/category-android-auto-mmi-retrofit
Bimmertech MMI Pro: www.bimmer-tech.net/category-bmw-carplay-mmi-pro-retrofit
🛠️Tools Needed 🛠️
Pick Tool Set: amzn.to/3DBpywI
Trim Tool Set: amzn.to/3rXA3HS
Dewalt Mechanics Tool Set 247pc: amzn.to/31CHbcf
Thank you for putting this video together on install. I was hesitant to order this for my 2016 F87 until you demonstrated how easy this job will be. I'm placing my order now!
Awesome, glad I could help! 👍
I used your "under the glove box" portion to finish up wiring my console accent lights and ashtray lights. Note: re-installing the airbag portion and trim was tricky; screwing in the airbag FIRST to the mount and then the trim was the key. Thanks again Steve
Awesome! 👍
Great video Steve, Thanks for taking the time to show us how easy this upgrade is, great job.
Nice video. I’ve got an F30 and definitely buying one for CarPlay. Cheers
Hi Steve, I don't know if I like your videos....they always seem to cost me money!!! hahaha. Well I went out and bought this (not the bimmertech mmi prime, but another brand which works exactly the same)and I love it!! Thank you so much for your instructions!! Just one question, is it possible to not always have the Maps come on by default? Thanks again Steve.
Thats a great question! I was wondering the same thing but haven't found a way to do that. I think it's a default of how android auto / apple carplay is configured. Glad you enjoy the videos! 👍
Do you think placing the Athena on the metal will affect the signal?
It hasn't had any effect so far.
You mentioned you have to have the audio set to aux under idrive to get sound from the MMI.
Does that mean I have to have an aux cable connected to my phone in order to use Spotify under CarPlay? Or does this support Bluetooth audio directly from the MMI?
No cables needed 😀 it's just how the mmi is connected to the rear of the radio. It doesn't actually hook up to your aux port, however the aux port volume does have an effect on how loud the mmi is.
This is definitely on my radar. How streamlined is actual use? The install looks not bad, but is there any weird/quirky stuff that happens? Does the audio from Android Auto sound the same/as good as native bluetooth through the headunit? Also, can the MMI Prime accept a rear view camera (I don't have one on my F30) or would I still need the other MMI box?
Use is super easy. It connects right away when you start the car. Never had an issue. The install was really straightforward without any gotchas. The only hard part was trying to get the headubit back in because of all the cables back there. This one does accept additional cameras, so you should good there. 👍
I am thinking about buying this, but I am reserved. I have the Harmon Kardon sound system and I am worried about the aux volume affecting it. How is the sound quality?
Aoind quality it great. Obviously CD will always be the best, but the quality out of spotify is hands down better than satellite radio. I had the HK system but have since replaced it with Bavsound speakers and AMP. I've got no complaints with the quality at all and I'm pretty picky about sound.
I have a 2016 bmw 550i and I was also looking at the bavsound vs the alpha one.
I haven't heard the alpha ones yet. But I can tell you that the BavSound stage 1 kit with Ghost subwoofers is amazing
Where did you get the screen? Do you have a link?
It doesn't come w/ the MMI Prime.
The screen is original to the car from the factory.
I'm trying to understand the reason why all the instructions I've read and the steps in this video always remove the LVDS cable from behind the screen? Given you have to pull out the whole Head Unit, couldn't you just unplug the LVDS from the back of it and plug this into the MMI box's LVDS output instead? This would save on the additional step to dismantle the screen just to unplug the LVDS. Then you could connect the Head Unit to the MMI LVDS input with the cable that comes with the MMI couldn't you? Or is there something different about the connections on the original cable?
It depends on the angle of the cable. One side is a right angle. It might work, haven't tried doing it that way though.
Did you have a thin audio ground cable coming off the CAN power? Not sure whether I have to connect this somewhere?
I dont remember having any sort of audio grounding cable.
@fthirty3 Does Android Auto open automatically?
Yep, as soon as I start the car
@@fthirty3 Thank you. Really appreciate the response.
How much would you charge someone to install this unit ?
It takes about an hour or 2 to install, not sure how much installation costs are at a shop.
Does it also have apple car play?
Yep, it has both. But I did have an iPhone to show that for the video.
The installer lied it is not a simple install and will take a lot of time and headache. Things do not come out as easily as he showed and certainly do not go back in easily. If you can get someone with experience to do it. Do that. It is a painful install for the average Joe.
I'm sorry that you experienced issues with the installation. I did NOT lie about the difficulty, and every part of the installation was filmed. I had zero issues even with the larger head unit. It just takes a little patience when trying to fit the wires back in.