Retrofit the Multimedia system with Android based system.

pchansen · 03-13-2019, 11:48 AM

Hi all. I have a 2013 with the base, non-nav head unit. I've been researching some of the newer plug and play Android based head units from China. They all seem to have the same basic setup and I'd bet they're all made in the same factory. I'm not an Android guy and I certainly don't want to go down some rabbit hole programming these things. I most definitely won't be changing the Kernal or whatever you call it. I just want a more modern looking and functioning HU. Does anyone have any experience with these things and if so, are there certain specs (like 8.1 Oreo vs 7.1) that you'd recommend? These are a few I've been looking into.

https://avinusa.com/bmw-x3-x4-series...on-system.html

http://www.carnaviplayer.com/bmw-x3f...upgrade-p-1155

There seem to be a bunch of others as well.

pchansen · 03-14-2019, 08:46 PM

Anyone??

chadrandom · 03-15-2019, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchansen

Hi all. I have a 2013 with the base, non-nav head unit. I've been researching some of the newer plug and play Android based head units from China. They all seem to have the same basic setup and I'd bet they're all made in the same factory. I'm not an Android guy and I certainly don't want to go down some rabbit hole programming these things. I most definitely won't be changing the Kernal or whatever you call it. I just want a more modern looking and functioning HU. Does anyone have any experience with these things and if so, are there certain specs (like 8.1 Oreo vs 7.1) that you'd recommend? These are a few I've been looking into.

https://avinusa.com/bmw-x3-x4-series...on-system.html

http://www.carnaviplayer.com/bmw-x3f...upgrade-p-1155

There seem to be a bunch of others as well.

Also curious to learn more about this.

NikoS3 · 03-15-2019, 03:19 AM

I fitted an 8.1 unit about a month ago and have been very satisfied with the upgrade. Had the small OEM screen so the 8'' screen made a huge difference. Also fitted a rear view camera and a 4G usb wifi stick. The 8.1 system is very fast, the UI is almost a copy of the OEM and am using several navigation apps (googlemaps, Waze, Igo primo). FInally coded idrive for a big screen and get OEM split screen and functions! The only problem is that the screen has a glossy finish/film and not mate are the OEM one and get glare from the sun (with sunroof shade retracted).

Am trying to upload some photos without success so far...

Nikos

NikoS3 · 03-15-2019, 03:33 AM

Hope the photos can be seen.

Nikos

pchansen · 03-15-2019, 09:21 AM

Great! Looks awesome! This is just what I'm looking for!
Did you code the widescreen using BimmerCode?
Which vendor did you use?

NikoS3 · 03-15-2019, 01:28 PM

Yes, coding made using Bimmercode. I bought from Witson. From what I understood all are she same, just choose the latest 8.1 Android system. I am located in Europe so chose them. Have bought from them in the past and never had a problem with the units.

Nikos

pchansen · 03-15-2019, 06:51 PM

Thank you so much for your input!

neptun1980 · 03-17-2019, 03:48 PM

Hello, the factory navigation does it work after the installation of the android monitor?
What about the factory Bluetooth ?

NikoS3 · 03-18-2019, 05:18 AM

The two systems (i-drive and android) work in parallel and you choose which one is displayed on the screen. OEM navi and bluetooth work as normal, there is even the ability to choose for the android system to use the OEM bluetooth (that is what i am using) and the OEM pdc and camera if the car has one.

Nikos

NikoS3 · 03-18-2019, 08:38 AM

Have a look at the two videos. The UI is the same, android 8.1.

Hope it helps.

Nikos

03-13-2019, 11:48 AM	#1
pchansen Private 27 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 19 X7 50i13%C2%92 X328i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	Retrofit the Multimedia system with Android based system. Hi all. I have a 2013 with the base, non-nav head unit. I've been researching some of the newer plug and play Android based head units from China. They all seem to have the same basic setup and I'd bet they're all made in the same factory. I'm not an Android guy and I certainly don't want to go down some rabbit hole programming these things. I most definitely won't be changing the Kernal or whatever you call it. I just want a more modern looking and functioning HU. Does anyone have any experience with these things and if so, are there certain specs (like 8.1 Oreo vs 7.1) that you'd recommend? These are a few I've been looking into. https://avinusa.com/bmw-x3-x4-series...on-system.html http://www.carnaviplayer.com/bmw-x3f...upgrade-p-1155 There seem to be a bunch of others as well.
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03-14-2019, 08:46 PM	#2
pchansen Private 27 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 19 X7 50i13%C2%92 X328i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	Anyone??
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03-15-2019, 03:19 AM	#4
NikoS3 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Bmw X3 F25 Lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	I fitted an 8.1 unit about a month ago and have been very satisfied with the upgrade. Had the small OEM screen so the 8'' screen made a huge difference. Also fitted a rear view camera and a 4G usb wifi stick. The 8.1 system is very fast, the UI is almost a copy of the OEM and am using several navigation apps (googlemaps, Waze, Igo primo). FInally coded idrive for a big screen and get OEM split screen and functions! The only problem is that the screen has a glossy finish/film and not mate are the OEM one and get glare from the sun (with sunroof shade retracted). Am trying to upload some photos without success so far... Nikos Last edited by NikoS3; 03-15-2019 at 03:26 AM..
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03-15-2019, 03:33 AM	#5
NikoS3 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Bmw X3 F25 Lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Hope the photos can be seen. Nikos Attached Images
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03-15-2019, 09:21 AM	#6
pchansen Private 27 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 19 X7 50i13%C2%92 X328i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	Great! Looks awesome! This is just what I'm looking for! Did you code the widescreen using BimmerCode? Which vendor did you use?
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03-15-2019, 01:28 PM	#7
NikoS3 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Bmw X3 F25 Lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Yes, coding made using Bimmercode. I bought from Witson. From what I understood all are she same, just choose the latest 8.1 Android system. I am located in Europe so chose them. Have bought from them in the past and never had a problem with the units. Nikos
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03-15-2019, 06:51 PM	#8
pchansen Private 27 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 19 X7 50i13%C2%92 X328i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	Thank you so much for your input!
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03-17-2019, 03:48 PM	#9
neptun1980 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M sport Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	Hello, the factory navigation does it work after the installation of the android monitor? What about the factory Bluetooth ?
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03-18-2019, 05:18 AM	#10
NikoS3 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Bmw X3 F25 Lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	The two systems (i-drive and android) work in parallel and you choose which one is displayed on the screen. OEM navi and bluetooth work as normal, there is even the ability to choose for the android system to use the OEM bluetooth (that is what i am using) and the OEM pdc and camera if the car has one. Nikos
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03-18-2019, 08:38 AM	#11
NikoS3 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Bmw X3 F25 Lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Have a look at the two videos. The UI is the same, android 8.1. Hope it helps. Nikos
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