Apple Carplay in M2

[therag3]

Is there any easy way to know if a particular M2 has Apple Carplay. ie any rules like: if it's before year XXXX it definitely wont have it; if its after year YYYY and has this version of iDrive it definitely will have it etc?

As far as i can tell, Autotrader isn't 100% reliable in reporting whether a car has it or not.

thanks in advance!

[Pincher]

I remember that I had to pay for it in my 2020 M2C (about £100 from memory) - standard in the new M2.

[therag3]

thanks. And sorry, i should have clarified: i'm looking at previous generation M2 only.

I've read that certain cars have it, others don't have it but are compatible and you just have to pay (like you from the sounds), and then there are others that simply don't have the compatible hardware and aftermarket is the only option.

I don't mind paying extra to add it, just don't want to end up with one that isn't even compatible.

[Pincher]

Just checked old emails and it was a £265 set up fee and you needed both 609 Professional Media and
6NW Enhanced Bluetooth in the car.

[therag3]

Pincher said:

Just checked old emails and it was a £265 set up fee and you needed both 609 Professional Media and
6NW Enhanced Bluetooth in the car.

I just updated my previous message while you were responding, but i think your response probably gives me the answer i need anyway. Thanks!

[95JO]

therag3 said:

I just updated my previous message while you were responding, but i think your response probably gives me the answer i need anyway. Thanks!

The obvious giveaway in advertisements (unless they photograph the actual iDrive showing Apple CarPlay - although it could be aftermarket) is the wireless phone charger in the armrest. That indicates it has the enhanced bluetooth package etc.

However, even if a car doesn't have this as standard (which a lot of OG M2's don't) it's very easy to retrofit. It requires a Wi-Fi antenna to be fitted, the iDrive to be updated to later version (if required) and obviously Apple CarPlay loading on to it. "Coders" do this for £150-£250. You can do it yourself (plenty of YouTube videos available) for sub £100 with the Wi-Fi antenna and cable for your laptop included.

A lot of M2's will have aftermarket Apple CarPlay nowadays, the giveaway is that it will be full screen. The genuine BMW Apple CarPlay for this generation only fills 2/3 of the screen which is annoying.