Adding Carplay to basic F55 headunit

JezzBennett · Nov 2, 2024

Hi,

My wife has recently purchased a standard F55 with the basic headunit (6.5 inch, non-touch screen).

I googled whether it is possible to add Carplay and came across the following video which shows how you can install an adapter behind the headunit to display Carplay. The unit in the video seems to be exactly the same as the one in my wife's car.

The video is on the The Official Mini Guy's channel, posted on the 2nd May 2023 (I can't add a link in my 1st post).

The adapter is from roadtop.com

I tried to purchase an adapter but Roadtop told me they don't have a unit that is compatible with my unit which seems odd based on the video unless the one in the video is touch screen.

There seem to be other similar adapters for sale online but I need to know what headunit I have. Could someone in the forum please let me know?

Thanks everyone!

Jezz Bennett

sb2002 · Nov 2, 2024

What year is her car? I can guess based on year, but if you message me the vin, I can confirm.

Aimooo · Nov 6, 2024

I am also struggling with the same exact problem, my vin is WMWXU72030TR62359

JezzBennett · Nov 10, 2024

Hi - apologies @sb2002 for delay in responding - I've been away.
Not being difficult, but why would you need to know the VIN number to understand if the stereo/ entertainment system can be improved with an aftermarket box? Can you not work it out based on the car model, date of registration and the photos above?
Thanks.
Jezz

JezzBennett · Nov 10, 2024

Sorry - photos of vehicle to confirm body shape/ model.
First registered in March 2019.
Thanks for all your help.

sb2002 · Nov 10, 2024

JezzBennett said:
Sorry - photos of vehicle to confirm body shape/ model.
First registered in March 2019.
Thanks for all your help. View attachment 88554
View attachment 88553

JezzBennett said:
Hi - apologies @sb2002 for delay in responding - I've been away.
Not being difficult, but why would you need to know the VIN number to understand if the stereo/ entertainment system can be improved with an aftermarket box? Can you not work it out based on the car model, date of registration and the photos above?
Thanks.
Jezz

I’m able to obtain information from BMW’s systems based on the car’s vin. Basically, with the vin, I’m able to get details on the specific ECUs installed in the car by the factory and the version of firmware installed on them.

In the U.S., we don’t typically date a car based on when it was first registered.

That said, based on the information you’ve provided, I’d assume your car has what’s known as a BIS headunit. MMIs aren’t possible with the BIS headunit because the BIS headunit is basically integrated into the screen. MMIs work by interrupting the signal between the headunit and screen and sending a different signal (like CarPlay), which can’t be done because there’s no way to interrupt the signal on a BIS headunit.

It is possible to retrofit different hardware into a car that came with a BIS headunit, including factory hardware that can natively support CarPlay, but the wiring needs to be adapted, the replacement headunit needs to be appropriately coded, and the headunit itself and screen can be expensive.

I have helped many with this retrofit, but cost can be a barrier.

Adding Carplay to basic F55 headunit

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