E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > ConnectedDrive / I-Drive / Navigation Related Discussion > Which combox is best, Media or Telematics?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-17-2011, 03:58 PM   #1
alpina527
Banned
United Kingdom
60
Rep
638
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England

iTrader: (1)

Which combox is best, Media or Telematics?

I'm looking at the combox retrofits and am getting confused as to the pro's and cons of the media and telematics units.

Do both units allow BMW live and what are the main advantages of each type?

Anyone got one and wishes they had the other?

I understand the telematics is trickier to fit. Can someone explain in everyday terms what extra hardware is needed.

Do both types of combox replace the unit that sits under the trunk carpet? I saw a pdf that states it goes in the dash

Anyone got a link to a combox retrofit in a 2008 e92 that has a cic retrofit already?

pm's welcome if this is sensitive
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2011, 04:56 PM   #2
DieselDiner
Lieutenant Colonel
DieselDiner's Avatar
486
Rep
1,614
Posts

Drives: 335d
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Home

iTrader: (2)

Contact the vendor that originated this thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507471

He can explain your options.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2011, 05:09 PM   #3
alpina527
Banned
United Kingdom
60
Rep
638
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDiner View Post
Contact the vendor that originated this thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507471

He can explain your options.
I already have, but I want some real time user experiences if possible.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2011, 06:04 PM   #4
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpina527 View Post
I already have, but I want some real time user experiences if possible.
Combox Media = 6FL, 6NR, iPod Out, dual-channel Bluetooth, BMW Live, Internet = only Media

Combox Telematics = Combox Media + Telematics = Media + Assist

I have installed both and those are the differences.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2011, 03:30 AM   #5
alpina527
Banned
United Kingdom
60
Rep
638
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Combox Media = 6FL, 6NR, iPod Out, dual-channel Bluetooth, BMW Live, Internet = only Media

Combox Telematics = Combox Media + Telematics = Media + Assist

I have installed both and those are the differences.
Thanks Technic. I already have Assist, so maybe it will be best to go for Telematics.

Is there much difference in the fitting process for each type? The BMW pdf shows it fitting in the dash, but I thought it replaced the unit on the trunk floor.

Will I need to run any cables up the car and does the armrest area need to be pulled apart?
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2011, 06:52 AM   #6
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpina527 View Post
Thanks Technic. I already have Assist, so maybe it will be best to go for Telematics.

Is there much difference in the fitting process for each type? The BMW pdf shows it fitting in the dash, but I thought it replaced the unit on the trunk floor.
The Combox dash install is when there is no Telematics (TCU) unit in your car at all. The Combox trunk install is when there is a TCU in the car: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560216

Quote:
Will I need to run any cables up the car and does the armrest area need to be pulled apart?
You need to get the CAN wires to the Combox harness. I use the iDrive Quadralock CAN wires for that. I do not remove any armrest parts unless a Video port is to be installed and then I only replace the existing OEM USB port with an OEM USB/Video composite port.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2011, 10:35 PM   #7
cptcrunch
Captain Crunch
cptcrunch's Avatar
168
Rep
548
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Cincinnati

iTrader: (0)

I've done some research on the different Combox retrofits, and have been told that with the media version, you have to deactivate it before your car goes in for service due to an issue with programming. I'd get the telematics version just to not have to deal with that hassle.
__________________
On Order (in transit): BMW iX 50, Oxide Grey
Retired: BMW Welt Delivery 4/14/16: European Delivery - 2016 340i EBII/Saddle - ZMP | ZCW | ZDA | ZLP | ZTP | M Adaptive | Rear Shades | MPPSK Before and After Dyno
Retired: 2011 335D Space Grey/Black - ZSP | ZPP | ZCW | 6FL | Sat Radio | Nav | $600 Base Audio Upgrade
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2012, 11:29 AM   #8
mpeng98
Private First Class
13
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: 2010 E71
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Milwaukee,WI

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Combox Media = 6FL, 6NR, iPod Out, dual-channel Bluetooth, BMW Live, Internet = only Media

Combox Telematics = Combox Media + Telematics = Media + Assist

I have installed both and those are the differences.
With Combox Media you lose BMW Assist ?
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2012, 01:23 PM   #9
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpeng98 View Post
With Combox Media you lose BMW Assist ?
That's what I wrote.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 09:11 AM   #10
robertcohen
New Member
0
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: E93 320d Convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

6NR & Android

It been announced that Samsung and BMW have got together and the new S3 will be the first Android phone to get the same apps as the iPhone has from March 2013. Now I agree it time to consider getting this retrofitted to my car.

BMW Remote App is now already out but unlike the iPhone version I cannot set my heating or A/C to come on ten minutes before I decide to fire her up, shame really it a nice feature.

I wonder if there an app that would allow you to start you car and put your hood down / back up again at the touch of a button, that would be really cool.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:49 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST