Pre LCI F10/F11 Carplay options
Discussion
I seem to have a disease at the moment. I've bought myself yet another BMW. This is the fourth large petrol engined estate car I've owned since the start of the year. If I'm still married in 2024 we can all start believing in miracles. This time a 2011 F11 535i Touring.
It should be taking us to France in about 3 weeks and I'd love to get carplay installed before we go.
On my old E61 and current E91, I have bought the Andream replacement screen and been really, really pleased with it.
Any reason why I shouldn't just go for the F11, CIC version of the same for £305 or are there other systems I should be considering?
https://www.andream-eu.com/product/1010/
It should be taking us to France in about 3 weeks and I'd love to get carplay installed before we go.
On my old E61 and current E91, I have bought the Andream replacement screen and been really, really pleased with it.
Any reason why I shouldn't just go for the F11, CIC version of the same for £305 or are there other systems I should be considering?
https://www.andream-eu.com/product/1010/
I've seen Xtrons mentioned before on BMW groups
https://xtrons.co.uk/made-model-year.html?find=bmw...
https://xtrons.co.uk/made-model-year.html?find=bmw...
Martyn76 said:
I've seen Xtrons mentioned before on BMW groups
https://xtrons.co.uk/made-model-year.html?find=bmw...
Many thanks. Looks pretty good. Maybe still inclined towards the andream as I’m familiar with them. https://xtrons.co.uk/made-model-year.html?find=bmw...
Similar to you I've had an Andream unit in two cars now (both E91s) and been really pleased with them. I did consider a full Android unit (i.e. one that can run its own apps in addition to CarPlay) but aside from them being more expensive, what really put me off is the start up time. With the CarPlay-only unit, usually by the time I've started the car, put it into gear, handbrake off and driven out of the driveway, the phone has wirelessly connected and the map/music app or whatever else is displaying on the screen.
I believe many of the full Android units take 20-30 seconds to start up and get you to the point where you can start using the apps, which could get quite tedious. I don't know if this applies to all units, but I'd certainly check the start-up time of any that you're considering.
I believe many of the full Android units take 20-30 seconds to start up and get you to the point where you can start using the apps, which could get quite tedious. I don't know if this applies to all units, but I'd certainly check the start-up time of any that you're considering.
pmorg4 said:
Similar to you I've had an Andream unit in two cars now (both E91s) and been really pleased with them. I did consider a full Android unit (i.e. one that can run its own apps in addition to CarPlay) but aside from them being more expensive, what really put me off is the start up time. With the CarPlay-only unit, usually by the time I've started the car, put it into gear, handbrake off and driven out of the driveway, the phone has wirelessly connected and the map/music app or whatever else is displaying on the screen.
I believe many of the full Android units take 20-30 seconds to start up and get you to the point where you can start using the apps, which could get quite tedious. I don't know if this applies to all units, but I'd certainly check the start-up time of any that you're considering.
Cheers. As it happens, I ended up ordering another Andream earlier this week. For similar reasons to those you give really. I can see that having a full android system is ultimately more adaptable and capable but I don't need the complication of mini computer in the car. I like to just get in and go and Andream fulfils that brief nicely. I'll perhaps report back once it's installed with some feedback as I haven't found quite so much info online for F10/F11 installs as I have for earlier cars. I believe many of the full Android units take 20-30 seconds to start up and get you to the point where you can start using the apps, which could get quite tedious. I don't know if this applies to all units, but I'd certainly check the start-up time of any that you're considering.
You’ve already done it, but I’d have said A dream too. They’re really good value for money, work well with decent enough support if needed.
The thing that irks me with most of the Android jobbies is that they’re pretty much all the same but the pricing varies massively. You may as well just buy on Ali Express or whatever.
The thing that irks me with most of the Android jobbies is that they’re pretty much all the same but the pricing varies massively. You may as well just buy on Ali Express or whatever.
Installed the Andream unit yesterday. Many things on the F11 are far easier that previous installs but I had the usual headache of there not being enough room to get the block out of the way when refitting the head unit. Got it in in the end but what a headache!
One weird thing. I have no sound if I use aux channel. Aux in on the car does work so I don't think I've messed up the fibre optic connector. I did wonder if I should have routed a cable to the aux in but I haven't had to do that on the CCC installs I've done before so assumed I certainly wouldn't need to on CIC.
I have a satisfactory work around though in that I can just play music through the cars bluetooth instead and arguable that is a better arrangement anyway in terms of sound quality.
Thumbs up so far but yet to test it properly.
Pleased with my usb port solution.
One weird thing. I have no sound if I use aux channel. Aux in on the car does work so I don't think I've messed up the fibre optic connector. I did wonder if I should have routed a cable to the aux in but I haven't had to do that on the CCC installs I've done before so assumed I certainly wouldn't need to on CIC.
I have a satisfactory work around though in that I can just play music through the cars bluetooth instead and arguable that is a better arrangement anyway in terms of sound quality.
Thumbs up so far but yet to test it properly.
Pleased with my usb port solution.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Saturday 12th August 18:39
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