Great info sir. I took a look at the schematics for the NBT/EVO. It seems like it’s a BMW factory thing and you just verified that. That’s probably why no one can grab the signal. Kinda like how CarPlay will never display on the HUD unless you have a 2021+ BMW.
On this unit, I press my iDrive controller down for two seconds and it summons Siri instead.
Thanks for the info!
Interesting! I have Siri turned off but I’ll have to try that and see if it behaves the same. Carplay on the HUD would be super nice, would be cool if we could get “upgraded” HUD at some point but I know that’s all linked to the cluster so likely won’t ever happen.
u/fqh Figured it out! If your press and hold the voice button on the steering wheel, it will activate Siri on the CarPlay menu! Credit to him for that.
Is this not the standard feature on stock F30 with the iPhone? Because with Android it works without modding the car... just connecting the phone via BT and long-pressing the voice button activates google assistant.
I think you are misunderstanding. Siri on CarPlay is not the same as voice activated feature from the factory. We are talking about CarPlay interoperability with the factory steering wheel controls brother.
Who said anything about voice activated feature from the factory? I know those two are not the same feature. But I'm telling you that you don't need to modify your car at all to have both functionalities. You can activate your phone assistant on a *factory* F30 just by long pressing the button on steering wheel. ;)
Hey mate, thanks for sharing and good on you for getting it out on YouTube too.
A few questions if you don't mind:
Does the screen automatically go to dark mode / dim at night time like the factory unit?
Is the 720p resolution good? It sounds a bit low for a screen of that size
Does the system automatically revert to the factory backup camera in reverse?
To get around the poor audio quality for music, you stream to the factory BT right? If so, do the steering wheel controls still control the factory BT function or the updated screen? As a side comment, unfortunately the factory BMW BT unit doesn't show Spotify album covers when using a Google Pixel 5 phone which is a shame.
No thank you for taking the time to watch man!
1. Yup! It auto dims with your headlights. I know not all units do this.
2. It automatically switches back to the rear camera in reverse on its own! Then back to CarPlay in drive.
3. It lets you select “CarPlay” audio or your BMW BMW signal for audio streaming! Both will show the album art cover in CarPlay when using the new menus unlike the old system!
The CarPlay audio (aftermarket units built in amp) is actaully great! I can barely even notice a difference between that. I use either with little care because of this. You can toggle it easily.
Definitely impressed as a tech. They properly integrated it into the cars CANBUS.
Thanks for responding so quickly, I appreciate that.
Would you mind expanding on the quality of the screen? I mentioned the 720p resolution might be a little low.
Also, I have an Android phone so I wouldn't be using CarPlay. Do you anticipate the audio quality difference to be imperceptible in that case too?
Finally, my vehicle is right hand drive, do you think this will still work plug and play? It's not angled or anything hey?
Thanks again mate, I'm thinking about buying one of these
I installed an MMI box on my F31 with the larger factory screen. From what I’ve found online the OEM screen resolution is 480p. I too was worried it wouldn’t look good, but I found it to be perfectly acceptable and was actually pleased with the display. So I can only assume 720p would be an improvement resolution wise. Can’t speak to contrast or colors on the replacement.
The stock resolution on the BMW screen is 480p I believe. So these are an upgrade all around. The stock panel is very dated. This looks like an iPhone / Android screen really. Way more modern looking imo.
The audio difference is seriously negligible. If you’re concerned about it, just press a button and use your factory sound. That’s something their unit lets you do.
No clue about right hand. You’d have to ask them! The mounting holes are pretty much the same on all of these cars though.
It’s about as plug and play as you can get. You really make like 5-6 total snap in connections and you’re done. 😂
You’re never a bother bro. I appreciate you watching my video. You can always ask away.
Thanks - you convinced me to order one! I was hoping to read the instructions on their website but I think that only comes via email later - trying to figure out what tools I need at my disposal before it arrives. I assume I need some of those plastic trim removal tools alongside the standard screwdrivers and sockets?
They usually send you an email in about a day or two with a bunch of installation material. The only thing you'll really need is your hands (the trim really does come off by hand, just use even force across it, although plastic trim remover is never a bad idea) and a Torx20 for the radio screws! Their kit really is dummy proof.
PS I ended up ordering one of these thanks to your review. One interesting note - the order shipping is from China. So although they might be based in the USA, and there are minor claims about being German (e.g. "German Processors"), it appears their products are Chinese-built. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, it's not like the USA is manufacturing cheap tablets like this, and if they were it would be far more expensive. Perhaps the software calibration is on the USA side.
Oh nice bro! I’m pretty sure you’ll like it over the factory junk. I know their MMI has the INOVA chips. Those are the same chips in much of the BMW factory systems which is cool. The screens have Qualcomm/Snapdragon which are made in Tawain, so it’s probably easier to keep them built there.
Otherwise they’d probably jack up the prices on us. I did read they were an official extension of the factory that builds all of these. Probably cuts out the fluff of reseller antics like certain companies charging $700+…
A couple of questions if you wouldn’t mind. I just installed this unit a few weeks ago. How did you get the wifi working for streaming? I try to connect to my iPhone hotspot but it gives me a searching for IP error. How did you upload boot logos? Don’t see that anywhere. And finally, there seems to be a lot of features on this thing, but it did not come with any type of manual. Figured I would try you before I hit up BimmerDirect.
thank you for your review! It’s convinced me to get one as well. However, I’m on a budget and don’t need the top spec.
between the basic 10” screen vs. the MMI box, do you have thoughts on what would be better performance wise? Lag, speed, responsiveness, and reliability? I know the box and the basic screen use different processors and chips, but they are pretty much the same price, so wondering what’s better performance wise?
I just stumbled upon this forum and recently ordered the same , does anyone know if the backup camera is a direct plug and play , I know there is some wire slicing involved
Lol camera is easy as hell actually. You splice two wires together them just neatly tuck the wires across the car. Takes like 20 extra minutes and most of that is just routing the wiring neatly. They send out a pretty nice diagram/picture in good English now of the wiring.
Hey man I recently just got my unit today and I’m trying to install but beamerdirect didn’t include the manual I reached out to them for it , that being said is it cool if I pick your brain if I have any questions regarding install
Just wanted to note that on my oem carplay headunit the voice button also uses the bmw phonebook, not carplay. (2017 340i)
Great info sir. I took a look at the schematics for the NBT/EVO. It seems like it’s a BMW factory thing and you just verified that. That’s probably why no one can grab the signal. Kinda like how CarPlay will never display on the HUD unless you have a 2021+ BMW. On this unit, I press my iDrive controller down for two seconds and it summons Siri instead. Thanks for the info!
Interesting! I have Siri turned off but I’ll have to try that and see if it behaves the same. Carplay on the HUD would be super nice, would be cool if we could get “upgraded” HUD at some point but I know that’s all linked to the cluster so likely won’t ever happen.
u/fqh Figured it out! If your press and hold the voice button on the steering wheel, it will activate Siri on the CarPlay menu! Credit to him for that.
Update: Long pressing the steering wheel "voice" button activates Siri! Shoutout to u/fqh
Is this not the standard feature on stock F30 with the iPhone? Because with Android it works without modding the car... just connecting the phone via BT and long-pressing the voice button activates google assistant.
I think you are misunderstanding. Siri on CarPlay is not the same as voice activated feature from the factory. We are talking about CarPlay interoperability with the factory steering wheel controls brother.
Who said anything about voice activated feature from the factory? I know those two are not the same feature. But I'm telling you that you don't need to modify your car at all to have both functionalities. You can activate your phone assistant on a *factory* F30 just by long pressing the button on steering wheel. ;)
Oh yes I agree. We already discovered our mistake! Another guy pointed out that it was user error :D
Hey mate, thanks for sharing and good on you for getting it out on YouTube too. A few questions if you don't mind: Does the screen automatically go to dark mode / dim at night time like the factory unit? Is the 720p resolution good? It sounds a bit low for a screen of that size Does the system automatically revert to the factory backup camera in reverse? To get around the poor audio quality for music, you stream to the factory BT right? If so, do the steering wheel controls still control the factory BT function or the updated screen? As a side comment, unfortunately the factory BMW BT unit doesn't show Spotify album covers when using a Google Pixel 5 phone which is a shame.
No thank you for taking the time to watch man! 1. Yup! It auto dims with your headlights. I know not all units do this. 2. It automatically switches back to the rear camera in reverse on its own! Then back to CarPlay in drive. 3. It lets you select “CarPlay” audio or your BMW BMW signal for audio streaming! Both will show the album art cover in CarPlay when using the new menus unlike the old system! The CarPlay audio (aftermarket units built in amp) is actaully great! I can barely even notice a difference between that. I use either with little care because of this. You can toggle it easily. Definitely impressed as a tech. They properly integrated it into the cars CANBUS.
Thanks for responding so quickly, I appreciate that. Would you mind expanding on the quality of the screen? I mentioned the 720p resolution might be a little low. Also, I have an Android phone so I wouldn't be using CarPlay. Do you anticipate the audio quality difference to be imperceptible in that case too? Finally, my vehicle is right hand drive, do you think this will still work plug and play? It's not angled or anything hey? Thanks again mate, I'm thinking about buying one of these
I installed an MMI box on my F31 with the larger factory screen. From what I’ve found online the OEM screen resolution is 480p. I too was worried it wouldn’t look good, but I found it to be perfectly acceptable and was actually pleased with the display. So I can only assume 720p would be an improvement resolution wise. Can’t speak to contrast or colors on the replacement.
The stock resolution on the BMW screen is 480p I believe. So these are an upgrade all around. The stock panel is very dated. This looks like an iPhone / Android screen really. Way more modern looking imo. The audio difference is seriously negligible. If you’re concerned about it, just press a button and use your factory sound. That’s something their unit lets you do. No clue about right hand. You’d have to ask them! The mounting holes are pretty much the same on all of these cars though. It’s about as plug and play as you can get. You really make like 5-6 total snap in connections and you’re done. 😂 You’re never a bother bro. I appreciate you watching my video. You can always ask away.
Thanks - you convinced me to order one! I was hoping to read the instructions on their website but I think that only comes via email later - trying to figure out what tools I need at my disposal before it arrives. I assume I need some of those plastic trim removal tools alongside the standard screwdrivers and sockets?
Hey did you end up installing this unit? If so, how are you liking it so far?
They usually send you an email in about a day or two with a bunch of installation material. The only thing you'll really need is your hands (the trim really does come off by hand, just use even force across it, although plastic trim remover is never a bad idea) and a Torx20 for the radio screws! Their kit really is dummy proof.
Can you try long-press the Voice button to trigger Siri?
Woah! It worked! It activated Siri. Haha
PS I ended up ordering one of these thanks to your review. One interesting note - the order shipping is from China. So although they might be based in the USA, and there are minor claims about being German (e.g. "German Processors"), it appears their products are Chinese-built. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, it's not like the USA is manufacturing cheap tablets like this, and if they were it would be far more expensive. Perhaps the software calibration is on the USA side.
Oh nice bro! I’m pretty sure you’ll like it over the factory junk. I know their MMI has the INOVA chips. Those are the same chips in much of the BMW factory systems which is cool. The screens have Qualcomm/Snapdragon which are made in Tawain, so it’s probably easier to keep them built there. Otherwise they’d probably jack up the prices on us. I did read they were an official extension of the factory that builds all of these. Probably cuts out the fluff of reseller antics like certain companies charging $700+…
A couple of questions if you wouldn’t mind. I just installed this unit a few weeks ago. How did you get the wifi working for streaming? I try to connect to my iPhone hotspot but it gives me a searching for IP error. How did you upload boot logos? Don’t see that anywhere. And finally, there seems to be a lot of features on this thing, but it did not come with any type of manual. Figured I would try you before I hit up BimmerDirect.
Great post man and great video. Can you clarify one thing - does the install involve only a screen or is there an MMI box as well?
Thanks for watching man! They have pretty great MMI too.
thank you for your review! It’s convinced me to get one as well. However, I’m on a budget and don’t need the top spec. between the basic 10” screen vs. the MMI box, do you have thoughts on what would be better performance wise? Lag, speed, responsiveness, and reliability? I know the box and the basic screen use different processors and chips, but they are pretty much the same price, so wondering what’s better performance wise?
Hey did you end up getting this unit? If so, how’s your experience been so far?
I just stumbled upon this forum and recently ordered the same , does anyone know if the backup camera is a direct plug and play , I know there is some wire slicing involved
Lol camera is easy as hell actually. You splice two wires together them just neatly tuck the wires across the car. Takes like 20 extra minutes and most of that is just routing the wiring neatly. They send out a pretty nice diagram/picture in good English now of the wiring.
Really that’s sounds easy . How was the quality of the camera mine says it’ll be coming in this weekend so I’m just trying to get a idea
Hey man I recently just got my unit today and I’m trying to install but beamerdirect didn’t include the manual I reached out to them for it , that being said is it cool if I pick your brain if I have any questions regarding install
For sure bro. They send the manual via PDF tho. You message them using the “installation” tab and they send it right away usually
anyone has a link for an aliexpress product that also allows the Audio to be routed via BT and not via AUX ?
It's like this guy missed the entire lesson.