Is it worth the risk? I've been in contact with several of these vendors and looked on Alibaba and found a couple that look perfect. At this point I don't care about the car info i can get all of that from the apps like bimmercode and obd.

I know this isnt the first thread on this but I wanted to share what I have found out so far from contact with the different vendors.

Seicane.com has what looks like the best headunit but hands down the dumbest customer service I've ever encountered. I sent them a picture of my headunit and they said they didnt have anything that would work even though it's the exact one pictured as comparable. I sent them another message and copy and pasted the exact photo from their own site and they sent the same canned response. So I'm giving up on them.

Bossstar is another vendor and they have been really responsive but there is still a bit of a question as to whether there will need to be anything done for this to work with the stock HK system and amp. They gave me a quote of 334$ which is fantastic.
https://app.alibaba.com/dynamiclink?touchId=62061845120&type=product&schem a=enalibaba%3A%2F%2Fdetail%3Fid%3D62061845120%26ck %3Dshare_detail&ck=share_detail&shareScene=buyer

There has to be someone out there who has done this that can steer me in the right direction.

 

How do you check oil level?

 

Just get the oil changed periodically. I have never once checked the oil from this shitty radio anyway.

 

I can't believe not a single person has attempted this the stock radio is the worst on any car I have ever owned in the past 15 years.

 

it looks like you’re a pioneer. I’d love to hear back with your impressions on this head unit. I’ve been considering it too.

 

I emailed this company and got a response showing the screen that checks fluid levels. Haven't ordered it but someone might want to try it.

http://www.carnaviplayer.com/android...14-2016-p-1188

 

I have a Bosstar unit in my Gen2 Cooper. Good company and provided enough support to help with setting up and rooting the device (they gave me the Engineer code to get into the files).
The amp in mine is far superior to the stock and there was a noticeable improvement in clarity and response with stock speakers. I also fitted a subwoofer to the unit. Tip is not to order their reverse camera but find your own on Ebay and if fitting, get a can-bus filter for the power supply. Mine was truly plug and play with existing BMW connectors. Just confirm before ordering that you are getting exactly what you want, i.e. RAM, Processor (quad or octa), etc.
Lots of Android Play apps to personalize it.

 

Great feedback I'm getting closer to finally buying one. Just going back and forth with sellers on ali Express.

I asked the questions

Will the ambient light ring still work after install?

Will it work with Harmon Kardon system with no issues?

They all answer yes but I thing they say that no matter what.

 

The link given just above by @Minnie.the.Moocher , says this:

 

I finally bought one. I will fill you in when I get it installed.

I chatted back and forth with them for while. They assured me that the ambient light would work on this model.

https://app.alibaba.com/dynamiclink?...areScene=buyer

 

Can't wait to hear! Are you skipping Car Play or Android Auto? Don't see those mentioned on listing.

 

Yes I use an android phone. Android auto doesnt make sense if I have full android running.

I'll have the full versions of all the apps I would use on android auto with out needing my phone plugged in at all

I'll probably use these the most.
Waze
Google maps
Google play music
Sirus xm app

Car specific things like
Bimmercode
Torque pro

Video apps I probably shouldnt use while driving
Netflix
hulu
Disney+
DirecTV
Sunday ticket
YouTube

work stuff
email
Groupme

the only thing I need to figure out is how this will work with phone calls and text messages.

 

I'll have a 4g hotspot that I can leave in the glovebox. I just need to put another power adapter in there for that.

 

I just ordered one from Liandlee on Aliexpress. Wish I would've seen the one Dan ordered first. They assured me that it supports all car functions. Supposed to be NBT EVO type software. I guess we'll see. The display on my original radio sometimes doesn't come on, this is an alternative to buying another crappy stock radio, getting it coded, etc.

 

Another brave soul. Can't wait to see the shootout between the two units.

For some reason I can't get a real dialog going with most of these vendors. I contacted the one that Dan ordered and they asked for a picture of my dash and then I got the silence. Liandlee never answered me either. Must be my email persona that is failing me.

 

Through the alibaba app I got responses back from just about everyone. They all ask for pictures of the dashboard. Several times. But after that they are very responsive. Obviously the time difference means you will get late night answers.

 

The head unit arrives monday . I'm excited / nervous.

 

Old unit coming out

Getting these plugs out from the old radio was a pain the the ***


New display

Control **** . I didnt put this in yet i dont know that ill use it.

Back control ****

Startup screen

Main page . This software is a mess but easily replaced with nova launcher from the app store.

Car information menu

App store

Great display

 

Nice!
So my big question is do the Car Information Screen items work.
Overall how is the quality?
Did you pay asking $ or did they cut a deal?
Seems like you got it installed quickly, other than plugs any issues in putting it in?

Thanks - enjoy. Will have to tackle this soon.

 

So I received the headunit today and installed it. I was really nervous it wasn't going to work at all . Many of the plugs didnt get connected to the new unit I have no idea what I was doing I just connected everything I could to the places they fit. The only thing I could think that wouldn't connect was satelite radio antenna. But there were a bunch of wires that didnt hook up.

I did what I could and turned it on. I was shocked that it worked.

Actually I was really surprised at how well connected to the car this thing is. There is a car info menu with tire and oil check. It shows fuel efficiency and other computer info.

When the car is in reverse the camera screen kicks in. I dont have a cam so it shows black but I can see the tracks and they turn with the wheel. I'll have to order a cam now to use this.

The ambient light ring works and has a bunch of unexpected features. It changes when a notification is read for the nav. It shows rpms rise and changes color. It also change to solid red when brakes are applied hard. All of the original things like volume and heat/ac also change the lighting same as before.

The only thing I need to figure out is an issue when making a call no one can hear me it's all distorted. I'll dig in more tomorrow.

If I can get that fixed this thing will be the best purchase ever

 

Got the microphone issue fixed as well as a couple other little quirks. Anyone with a good amount of android knowledge could probably fine even better ways to make this even more awesome.

 

That's awesome Dan!
I have very little knowledge about this. Is this something I can do myself as well?
what was the solution to your microphone problem? Thanks.

 

Absolutely you could do this yourself the only thing I would caution people on is knowing android well enough to download apps from the play store and install a new home launcher.

Everything is plug and play.

The hardest part was getting the old unit unplugged.

The mic issue wasn't a mic issue as much as it was an app issue. It worked itself out.

 

Thanks for the response. What about coding? Did you need to code the new head unit after the install?

 

No coding was needed