Eventually got around to installing my new android headunit in my car- upgraded the centre console to the LCI and swapped over the manual aircon to LCI black controls as well.. (couldn't find the exact LCI air con controls I needed - so the new one is missing the switch for the front fog lights - but will do until I can find the exact unit) - overall, very happy - sounds amazing compared to the stock unit and wireless carplay works flawlessly... currently waiting on a OEM USB port arriving and then I'll be swapping out the factory AUX port for a factory USB port linked directly to the new headunit (the other USB cable from the head unit has a DAB tuner connected):

 

Looks like the unit I put in mine. TopNavi is the brand I got. I know several brands sell the same unit. I have been happy with it. I REALLY needed the backup camera since you cannot see hardly anything out the back of a Coupe.

BTW, I purchased Agama Car Launcher for mine. I like the interface with it much better. I do not use Android Auto as I haven't figured out how to change some of the settings and it will not let me use some apps that I want. I installed the apps on the head unit and just enable hotspot on my phone and run them from the head unit. Only hinky thing is the turn signal indicator noise. The blinker blinks at a steady rate but the funky noise is off beat.

 

AFAIK TopNavi is just a reseller… the manufacturer of these units is a company called HLA/Hualingan - this particular model is the HL-8835GB:

http://a0.leadongcdn.com/attachment/...p=GvUApKfKKUAU

I’ve been really happy with the unit as well! - just wanted to sort the usb cable dangling down with something more factory looking! 👌🏻👍🏻

 

I purchased an after market USB/audio in that is just a little smaller than the stock and it plugged in no problem. I have the second USB cable in my glove box and use it with a KD-CAN cable and BimmerLink installed on the head unit to read error codes.

 

this is what i did:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...head-unit.html

 

Mine was a dual port plug with USB/Video in but same concept.

 

interesting... how do you switch between the different launchers i.e. if you wanted to go back to the stock one?

 

In the head unit settings. It is really easy.

 

Depending on what I want to see, I use either Agama's screen or Torque Pro with a cheap ELM BT device.

 

I've been looking at various Android head units for the R56, and this one seems to be the nicest. A few questions:

• Is this completely plug-and-play, or do you need to splice wires?
• Do you know if this plays nice with the Harman/Kardon system?
• Do the warning chimes sound like hot garbage?

Thanks for any input!

 

awesome!! How is the speed read through agama - is it through the canbus like the stock interface or is it through gps?

 

1. It’s completely plug and play no splicing required
2. not sure - I don’t have the HK system - supplier would be able to confirm though
3. the chimes sound different from factory - I wouldn’t necessarily say hot garbage… just different - I’m more interested in how the system sounds as opposed to the chimes 😂

 

Via GPS, I like that better as it is closest to real speed. I set it up that way in both screens. It actually has GPS Spd in the Torque Pro window.

 

The turn signal indicator chime is "funky". It is a different sound than stock but what cracks me up is it isn't a steady beat or rhythm. Your turn signal indicator light is blinking at the normal steady speed but the sound is off beat.

I do not have the HK either. If I remember correctly, there was a way to do it in the settings. I will dig through some of my old links and see if I can find it. I installed mine 9-10 months ago.

Personally, the audio quality of the radio is fine. I love having a backup camera. Not sure if you ever sat in a Coupe but your rear vision is extremely limited.

 

@cerberus Much obliged for your reply - I appreciate the info. I like the stock chimes, so it's too bad the new ones are off-time and sound weird. Oh well, a small price to pay for CarPlay/Android Auto in a 10+ year-old car.

@DogfaceSGM If you can find that HK install info, that would be great. I have yet to contact the company, but I'll do that soon. And I also own an R58, so I know exactly what you mean by limited rear vision.

 

I found the link that talks about it. Mine didn't have a HK.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...options-5.html

Read from beginning to end. A lot of issues were corrected later on.

 

BTW, the speedo can be either CAN or GPS. I prefer GPS as it is more accurate.

Also using the K+DCAN cable and having Bimmerlink installed on it, I always have my scan tool with me. Threw a code yesterday, plugged the K+DCAN cable into the ODBII port and USB in the glove box, opened BimmerLink, read and cleared codes. Looks like I might have a cam sensor going out.



The only thing I haven't confirmed is setting the time on the Mini. I haven't had an issue from it but, I know some spoke of it in the link above.

I also put my phone in hotspot mode and can email the results to myself from Bimmerlink. When I get where I can look up the errors I use bmwfault.codes to see what it is and possible solutions to the problem.

 

Thanks for that link @DogfaceSGM. It gave me a lot to think about, and answered my other questions that I had.

 

No problem. I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger on the unit I got. That thread was the most informative I had seen.

 

Just installed my unit and volume seems to be stuck continuously going up , turn it and down and as soon as I let go it turns all the way up , anyone else have this problem or find some sort troubleshooting guide /manual

thank you

 

Have you checked your steering wheel buttons? the volume buttons work with mine, if one is stuck it could cause an issue. I haven't had the problem but that would be the first thing I would check.

 

I don’t have any steering wheel buttons

 

thank you , could be a wire for them that I need to take care of

 

That is the only thing I can think of. Otherwise, email the manufacturer would be my only suggestion

 

How responsive are the menus on touchscreen? I've heard that these Android units have a bit of lag, and I'm debating whether to get an Android unit, or a more traditional double DIN which of course will require a kit that reconfigures the lower dash.