How to retrofit Apple CarPlay to BMW’s Z4 E89
I finally upgraded my Apple CarPlay from the slightly temperamental Unichip to the custom-made MMI box offered through London’s InCarMusic (ICM).
The Unichip served me well for a while but it somehow threw the odd tantrum and would switch on for a couple of weeks or months without issues and then stopped working for a while. I can’t say whether it was the install or the product. What I will say, the guys at Unichip offered great customer support and were always available to chat to despite the time difference between the UK and China.
Anyway, I eventually decided to get a new MMI box and this time professionally installed and the team at InCarMusic was recommended to me.
I booked my car in with ICM and within a couple of hours I received the car back with Apple CarPlay complete with Siri voice commands.
There isn’t much space for additional equipment in the E89 cockpit and I’m no fan of random things being stuck on to my cockpit. The installer found a neat spot for the Siri microphone by placing it above and behind the rear view mirror. It’s elegantly out of sight and almost invisible.
From BMW’s antiquated OS to Apple CarPlay …
As E89 owner, or any BMW owner with a car build before 2016, you will be used to BMW’s clunky and outdated CIC operating system found in all E89’s 2009–2016 with iDrive. By today’s standard, it’s navigation is quite useless and its other features feel either complicated if not unnecessarily.
There have been limited options to upgrade but now owners can choose between an Android or Apple system upgrade.
The solution is a little box referred to as an MMI box. Most MMI’s are equipped with both, Android and Apple out of the box and it’s for the user to decide whether to log on via an Android or Apple device. You cannot access CarPlay with an Android device and vice-versa, your iPhone cannot access the Android system.
This article focuses on Apple and its CarPlay system.
What is Apple CarPlay?
Enter Apple CarPlay (there’s also an Android variant). If you’ve not seen Apple CarPlay in action, it’s essentially an in-car system that allows you to access the features of your iPhone through the car’s built-in display and controls.
You can connect your iPhone to your car in a number of ways, but the most common is via the Lightning port, the one in mine is using wireless Bluetooth to connect.
How does Apple CarPlay work?
The car’s infotainment system is linked to your iPhone, so when you connect your phone to the car, it displays the CarPlay interface on the car’s built-in display.
Get BMW Z4 M-Sport (E89)’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
You control the CarPlay interface using the car’s controls or the touchscreen. Some apps additionally allow control via the phone.
What MMI box and Apple CarPlay do I need for my Z4 E89?
There’s only one Apple CarPlay, so that’s not something to worry about. The main question is what MMI box you will require.
If your E89 doesn’t have iDrive
The first question is to assess whether your car has iDrive. If you don’t have iDrive, you require an MMI and a display.
Installations requiring a new display are a little more complex and will replace the current storage on top of your dashboard with a new display.
At the time of writing this article, aftermarket displays don’t have the folding function and would be static similar to pretty much all BMW’s.
However, while you won’t be able to fold your screen, an advantage is that your new display will be a touch display in addition to using a simplified retrofitted iDrive controller that will come with your MMI package.
If your E89 has iDrive
If your car has iDrive you already have a very capable screen that can fold up or down but doesn’t have touch display. You will control iDrive using your existing iDrive controller in the middle console.
Sure, you can replace the display to a static (aka non-folding) touch screen but being. able to shut the display and enjoy a digital-free pure roadster vibe ride is something not to sneer at. Personally, I prefer the folding function over touch-screen any time of day.
I also find the distance to the screen makes touch screen operation a little annoying but with a bit of practice using the iDrive controller is quicker and certainly safer while driving.
But the good news is that you have choice and in the end it comes down to personal preference.
Apps with Apple CarPlay
Entertainment apps
Navigation apps
