Droid UK BMW MMI CarPlay Review 

I think it's challenging to do a review on a unit that is faulty. Be interested if you got the replacement. I got one of these a couple of weeks ago and installed into my 5 series (2013). Just done a 300 mile round trip my impressions (I use Android auto btw) With Android auto you can get it to start the media and that does work fine. The Bluetooth connection was solid throughout the two journeys. When you start the car it goes into android auto pretty quickly, I don't get the hissing you experienced but I have the basic BMW audio so could be my expectations but I did put it loud to see. Phone wise, I have the phone connected to BMW's phone handling and that was fine - I wonder if you echo was yours trying to do both (try disabling the BMW phone connection?) Negatives As you say if you put the car into reverse it pushes back to BMW's management. It's irritating but you just long press and it's about 20 secs to get back to the unit. Back would be no point as you are in the BMW system at that point. Likewise if you turn the car off say for petrol and then turn in it needs the long press to get back and the delay for that. Radio I've not figured (or probably won't be bothered to figure) how to get BMW's radio to work at the same time, I use the ones on the phone but that means it is using your phone's data. The aux issue, I have aux in my car, I was disappointed that this is to allow the audio to work not to use with the unit (you need a separate aux they supply for that) but I'm fairly sure it makes it clear you need an aux for it to work and mine worked for the audio. It would be nice to have the controls other than idrive and back working but that was ok. All in all I think it's a good solution using your cars existing screen but it's not as good as an OEM unit

I have one of this from them on my 4 series and its work spot on wit android auto. No issue with google maps, spotifay work fine, going back from reverse camera to android auto etc

Also, roadtop mmi boxes go into reverse and once you aren’t in reverse it switches right back to CarPlay or whatever was on last. Where did you guys get your crappy boxes from? Mine was perfect from roadtop and I can use my cars Bluetooth for everything. No aux connection on idrive.

Check to make sure your display out cord isnt lose. Also there is an update that lets you use the cars blutooth for everything

Did you try changing the setting in the setup menu for using the cars Bluetooth? You don't have to use usb then.

thanks ! so I think i'll stick to using the phone on the dash/vent holder

how did you fix your issues regarding the screen going black or the unit cutting out for a few seconds? was it by replacing the MMI box?

Mine has been absolutely spot on for over a year now. Seems like you've just got a bad unit with the no signal stuff. they were very helpful when I had an issue with my camera best to speak to them and they would help you out. For sound I don't get any hissing at all on mine and I've got the HK speakers same as yours. I didnt need to run any cable to the centre for the audio on mine either. For the echo in calls, I had the same thing, but spoke to droid and it was literally just 1 setting change which completely solved that for me and calls have been perfect since then. When going in reverse and then not being able to go back to the mmi menu, mine is the same too. However its never really been an issue for me because when I'm done reversing I'm then either going to turn the engine off and get out, or continue driving, both of which give you access back for the mmi, would only be an issue if you're just sat in the car parked up with engine running and want to access the mmi, which is solved by just turning the engine off really But yes the no signal stuff looks like its a bad unit you got, they would for sure replace it for you if you asked them or it might even be a settings issue for your car maybe, and for the settings for the echo in calls definitely ask them that too as I had the same thing and it was just 1 setting for me which completely solved that

Maybe you need to reinstall the unit. The screen flickering seems tonbe a problem with the lcd cable. Check the quadlock is seated properly

How did you link up the Audio? My 2019 m140i doesn’t have an aux cable so how did you manage to get sound?

why would you even install the mmi in you btw that has the ID system that you can update and get CarPlay on it without the need of mmi box???

You only reviewed a faulty unit? That's a bummer mate

I’m thinking of getting this box for my MINI. Is the MMI not touchscreen??? My unit is touchscreen

You dont need an MMI box, you can code directly your headunit to get carplay !

What a disappointment, but it looks like you just got a complete dud. That being said, thanks for the faulty review. I've already got car play, but need Android Auto. Was hoping this would solve my issue