Modern Head Unit Carplay + Steering Wheel Controls + Stock Mic/Chime/PDC Integration

[kasheed]

Howdy,

I'm still waiting for my car to get some dents pulled and a proper wash before I post pictures, but in the meantime I've been hard at work with a couple minor updates to the audio system to get a solid baseline established. I have a 2012 135i M-sport with the 676 HiFi audio, non-iDrive, with factory Bluetooth (calls-only), and have updated the under seat subwoofers with a pair of Morel IP-BMWSUB82 and the amp with the Alpha One plug-and-play option, both of which work great.

As I look at the CarNaviPlayer, Joying/Chinesium/other solutions that many before me have used with varying levels of success, I see a lot of out of production units with slight variations of required cutting of tabs from the AC controls, slight fitment issues, and super crappy external speakers and/or mics to retain alert chimes. I have little to no appetite for compromise if I'm going to spend a bunch to upgrade the infotainment on this car, so I'm hoping someone has recently done a Carplay head unit install that can give me some feedback.

Are there any modern units that retain use of the BMW onboard microphone without major wiring changes? Anything I install needs to be easily reversible.

Are there any modern units that retain the BMW chime and park distance control beeps?

Steering wheel controls seem to be much easier to adapt. I recognize that pretty much no modern solution will allow me to integrate with the factory AUX/USB connectors under the armrest, which is fine. I'm more concerned with the other items listed above.

[cjb762]

This isn't exactly what you are asking about, but have you considered an airplay screen like the CarpodGo Mini? I personally have no problem with the stock head unit as far as sound quality or volume (I almost always drive with the radio off and the windows down anyway). And keeping the stock radio eliminates all the issues you mentioned with chimes and the microphone.


I picked up one of these for another car, but it works really well in the E82. The screen is high resolution and very bright too, and it doesn't look half bad mounted. It has a magnet on the back that can attach to a magsafe mount, or a metal ring that it comes with. The magnet is very strong - it does not come off easily. You use a bluetooth aux adapter (I have a Tunai Firefly), and all audio plays directly from your phone instead of through the CarpodGo.

https://www.carpodgo.com/products/mini







I used this mount from Rennline. It takes a little bending to get it to fit right, but it also works really well. It is held in place by the dash trim, and mounts directly centered between the two center dash vents.

https://www.rennline.com/exactfit-ma..._query=PM01.73

[kasheed]

Originally Posted by cjb762

This isn't exactly what you are asking about, but have you considered an airplay screen like the CarpodGo Mini? I personally have no problem with the stock head unit as far as sound quality or volume (I almost always drive with the radio off and the windows down anyway). And keeping the stock radio eliminates all the issues you mentioned with chimes and the microphone.


I picked up one of these for another car, but it works really well in the E82. The screen is high resolution and very bright too, and it doesn't look half bad mounted. It has a magnet on the back that can attach to a magsafe mount, or a metal ring that it comes with. The magnet is very strong - it does not come off easily. You use a bluetooth aux adapter (I have a Tunai Firefly), and all audio plays directly from your phone instead of through the CarpodGo.

https://www.carpodgo.com/products/mini

Attachment 4009088

Attachment 4009089

Attachment 4009090

I used this mount from Rennline. It takes a little bending to get it to fit right, but it also works really well. It is held in place by the dash trim, and mounts directly centered between the two center dash vents.

https://www.rennline.com/exactfit-ma..._query=PM01.73

Attachment 4009091
Attachment 4009092

That's a pretty good looking solution, though at that point I'd probably just mount my cell phone on that magnet mount. I'm currently using a pretty robust CD slot mount with the BMW Lightning-to-USB-A+3.5mm connection because the Airfly Pro BT TX/RX unit I have is pretty awful for sound quality, and I still enjoy my iPhone 14 pro. The Tunai Firefly doesn't look to be available so I need to find a decent high-bandwidth AAC BT receiver to test. The other issue is my 135 is a non-smoker's version, so the only 12V adapter is under the armrest, requiring more wiring to reach the dash. I did look under the glove box where others have mentioned finding a 12v plug, to no avail.

I really like the attachment point of that magnetic mount behind the trim piece, I wonder if I could snake a wire behind the dash to go with it and hide a power supply safely behind the dash. Either way, it's out of the way of the radio controls but also doesn't look like it blocks airflow.

EDIT: Did you buy that actual one you linked, the one meant for the MB SLK, and were able to modify it to fit the 1er? Looks like Rennline doesn't make a 1-series specific mount. I don't mind doing a bit of modification, just want to know which one to start with.

Love the alcantara/light stitched dash trim. I just ordered some black leather/silver stitching trim pieces to replace the wood trim, and I was second-guessing the silver stitching I ordered, thinking I should've just done black/black. Now I'm excited to see what it looks like.

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by kasheed

That's a pretty good looking solution, though at that point I'd probably just mount my cell phone on that magnet mount. I'm currently using a pretty robust CD slot mount with the BMW Lightning-to-USB-A+3.5mm connection because the Airfly Pro BT TX/RX unit I have is pretty awful for sound quality, and I still enjoy my iPhone 14 pro. The Tunai Firefly doesn't look to be available so I need to find a decent high-bandwidth AAC BT receiver to test. The other issue is my 135 is a non-smoker's version, so the only 12V adapter is under the armrest, requiring more wiring to reach the dash. I did look under the glove box where others have mentioned finding a 12v plug, to no avail.

I really like the attachment point of that magnetic mount behind the trim piece, I wonder if I could snake a wire behind the dash to go with it and hide a power supply safely behind the dash. Either way, it's out of the way of the radio controls but also doesn't look like it blocks airflow.

Love the alcantara/light stitched dash trim. I just ordered some black leather/silver stitching trim pieces to replace the wood trim, and I was second-guessing the silver stitching I ordered, thinking I should've just done black/black. Now I'm excited to see what it looks like.

You're completely right about just throwing the phone up there. That's what I usually do. I got the carplay screen because the AC was out in my other car, and my phone kept overheating. If I'm being honest though, having a simple carplay interface up there is less distracting and easier to use than my phone.

That kind of sucks about not having a 12v lighter socket up front. I have been thinking about trying to figure out a way to snake a wire up there behind the dash too - just to clean things up a bit. If I figure anything out, I'll let you know...

I actually had a CD slot mount, and then a vent mount for a while also. I ended up getting the dash mount for the exact reasons you mentioned - it doesn't block the controls or the vents.

As for the Tunai Firefly, I think you can still get one on ebay. I've also heard others say good things about the one from UGreen. I really like the Tunai one though, because it has a short cable and fits perfectly under the armrest.

I think you made the right choice with your dash trim. I had the aluminum dash, and switching to Alcantara with the silver stiching made a HUGE difference!

[kasheed]

Originally Posted by cjb762

You're completely right about just throwing the phone up there. That's what I usually do. I got the carplay screen because the AC was out in my other car, and my phone kept overheating. If I'm being honest though, having a simple carplay interface up there is less distracting and easier to use than my phone.

That kind of sucks about not having a 12v lighter socket up front. I have been thinking about trying to figure out a way to snake a wire up there behind the dash too - just to clean things up a bit. If I figure anything out, I'll let you know...

I actually had a CD slot mount, and then a vent mount for a while also. I ended up getting the dash mount for the exact reasons you mentioned - it doesn't block the controls or the vents.

As for the Tunai Firefly, I think you can still get one on ebay. I've also heard others say good things about the one from UGreen. I really like the Tunai one though, because it has a short cable and fits perfectly under the armrest.

I think you made the right choice with your dash trim. I had the aluminum dash, and switching to Alcantara with the silver stiching made a HUGE difference!

Replying with my edit since my edit and your reply crossed paths:

Did you buy that actual one Rennline mount linked, the one meant for the MB SLK, and were able to modify it to fit the 1er? Looks like Rennline doesn't make a 1-series specific mount. I don't mind doing a bit of modification, just want to know which one to start with.

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by kasheed

Replying with my edit since my edit and your reply crossed paths:

Did you buy that actual one Rennline mount linked, the one meant for the MB SLK, and were able to modify it to fit the 1er? Looks like Rennline doesn't make a 1-series specific mount. I don't mind doing a bit of modification, just want to know which one to start with.

Yes, that is the exact one. It was on sale for $59 when I got it, and it looked like it would work, so I just took a chance. I had to bend it a little bit, but it actually works really well. (I have been meaning to paint it since some of of the factory paint cracked off when I bent it, but haven't gotten around to it yet). It is just held on by the trim piece, but I haven't had any problems at all - it is very secure. Just make sure to push it as far right as it will go towards the red clip retainer.

If I still had aluminum trim, I would pad it or put some felt on it so the trim wouldn't get scratched, but no issue with the alcantara.

Here are some pics...

[kasheed]

Originally Posted by cjb762

Yes, that is the exact one. It was on sale for $59 when I got it, and it looked like it would work, so I just took a chance. I had to bend it a little bit, but it actually works really well. (I have been meaning to paint it since some of of the factory paint cracked off when I bent it, but haven't gotten around to it yet). It is just held on by the trim piece, but I haven't had any problems at all - it is very secure. Just make sure to push it as far right as it will go towards the red clip retainer.

If I still had aluminum trim, I would pad it or put some felt on it so the trim wouldn't get scratched, but no issue with the alcantara.

Here are some pics...

Attachment 4009581Attachment 4009582Attachment 4009583Attachment 4009584Attachment 4009585

Very much appreciate the photos! With the limited aftermarket for these, it's definitely worth a shot.

EDIT: Called Rennline today, even though they don't show the wireless charging option via drop-down menu for that SLK-specific model, the guy was super helpful and put together a custom order, matching the pricing of wireless charging options for other vehicle models. Thanks again for referring me their way.

[cjb762]

Glad to be of help!