Android app using bluetooth for gauges

335m · 06-05-2014, 04:35 PM

I recently heard from a friend that there are android applications that allow you to connect to your car via bluetooth and can show you useful information (boost/oil temp/etc)

Does anyone currently have a setup like this? I have a 2011 e92 M-sport with no navi.

I am looking to do the following:

Mount a 7" android tablet without any cables
Use the android app for gauges
Use a bluetooth adapter in my armrest to stream music from the tablet
Connect the tablet to my phone's internet so it can stream pandora and use gps

I know these questions have been asked before but I have not been able to find anyone with this exact setup.

ctuna · 06-05-2014, 05:23 PM

The bluetooth adapters are very cheap now.
You can get the elm327's on ebay now for about 10 to 15 bucks.
The torque app for your smartphone is 5 bucks.
The only downside is there is a constant 12 volts at the OBD
so the module never turns off and is always drawing current.
There is also a diag app called BMWhat that is suppose to read
all the BMW fault codes.

ferocity02 · 06-05-2014, 06:34 PM

I've been using the Torque app with ELM327 for a couple years now. Haven't tried it on the 335 yet though, but I've yet to find a car it didn't work on. It's a great little app, lots of cool features and gauges. Careful about trying to log too much data, it will really slow down the refresh rates. The OBD module does stay powered as mentioned if you leave it in the OBD port, but I've left it on for several days on accident and the battery was fine.

335m · 06-06-2014, 08:05 AM

Thanks guys. I will take a look into that adapter and the torque app.

Has anyone attempted to mount a small tablet using the Steelie mount? I would prefer not to use velcro because it would look a bit cheap if the tablet wasn't actually mounted at the time.

mathematics · 06-06-2014, 08:24 AM

assuming you don't have iDrive?

335m · 06-06-2014, 08:28 AM

Nope

mathematics · 06-06-2014, 08:29 AM

darn. i'm afraid there's no real non-ugly way to mount a tablet unless you replace your radio with it.

xijonix · 06-06-2014, 08:56 AM

ELM327 Bluetooth Adapter from eBay ($7 - $12) (Mini - Normal)..

Android Apps:
Torque Pro
hobDrive
CaroO Pro
OBD Car Doctor
OBD DROIDSCAN PRO

335m · 06-06-2014, 09:31 AM

There are very few tablet mounts I have seen that look okay. But I still think something like this would be much cleaner than some aftermarket double din install. I just don't know how bad the glare will be...

jwong77 · 06-06-2014, 08:45 PM

Hey Op, I'm currently in the middle of installing my Nexus 7 using the oem BMW Garmin mount. The cool thing about it is, that it comes with a powered USB source on the mount and it looks good. It uses the standard garmin ball mount that you can get a cheap adaptor online to make work with your tablet. It went this way mostly because it was easily reversable since its an OEM part.

Here is a generic pic I found online.

With all that said, I'm stuck on the wiring part, I can't understand BMW's instructions

335m · 06-09-2014, 11:34 AM

Hmm, do you have a link for that garmin/nexus adaptor? Any pictures of an actual install in a e9x?

I wonder if this would restrict the movement more than just using a normal ball mount. It would be nice for the passenger to be able to tilt it towards himself/herself as well as tilting up/down to avoid glare.

steveindabmer · 10-27-2014, 06:17 PM

jwong77,
have you finished this install? Id also love to see pics of this.

WilliamS · 10-27-2014, 06:38 PM

If you have Idrive, this is the king!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=williams

06-05-2014, 04:35 PM	#1
335m Major 124 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	Android app using bluetooth for gauges I recently heard from a friend that there are android applications that allow you to connect to your car via bluetooth and can show you useful information (boost/oil temp/etc) Does anyone currently have a setup like this? I have a 2011 e92 M-sport with no navi. I am looking to do the following: Mount a 7" android tablet without any cables Use the android app for gauges Use a bluetooth adapter in my armrest to stream music from the tablet Connect the tablet to my phone's internet so it can stream pandora and use gps I know these questions have been asked before but I have not been able to find anyone with this exact setup.
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06-05-2014, 05:23 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1992 Rep 13,281 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The adapters are very cheap now The bluetooth adapters are very cheap now. You can get the elm327's on ebay now for about 10 to 15 bucks. The torque app for your smartphone is 5 bucks. The only downside is there is a constant 12 volts at the OBD so the module never turns off and is always drawing current. There is also a diag app called BMWhat that is suppose to read all the BMW fault codes.
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06-05-2014, 06:34 PM	#3
ferocity02 Colonel 547 Rep 2,085 Posts Drives: 2013 135is Join Date: May 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (8)	I've been using the Torque app with ELM327 for a couple years now. Haven't tried it on the 335 yet though, but I've yet to find a car it didn't work on. It's a great little app, lots of cool features and gauges. Careful about trying to log too much data, it will really slow down the refresh rates. The OBD module does stay powered as mentioned if you leave it in the OBD port, but I've left it on for several days on accident and the battery was fine. __________________ 2013 135is DCT Carbon Black Metallic
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06-06-2014, 08:05 AM	#4
335m Major 124 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys. I will take a look into that adapter and the torque app. Has anyone attempted to mount a small tablet using the Steelie mount? I would prefer not to use velcro because it would look a bit cheap if the tablet wasn't actually mounted at the time.
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06-06-2014, 08:24 AM	#5
mathematics Captain 71 Rep 994 Posts Drives: 08 328i e93 alpine white Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	assuming you don't have iDrive? __________________ iPhone 6 Plus (iTunes library/iTunes radio/Waze, etc) to Airport Express via AirPlay. Toslink out of Airport Express to Helix P-Six DSP. PHD AF 1.C tweeters, PHD FB 4.1 midranges. Jehnert Door Cards and mid-bass'.
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06-06-2014, 08:28 AM	#6
335m Major 124 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	Nope
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06-06-2014, 08:29 AM	#7
mathematics Captain 71 Rep 994 Posts Drives: 08 328i e93 alpine white Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	darn. i'm afraid there's no real non-ugly way to mount a tablet unless you replace your radio with it. __________________ iPhone 6 Plus (iTunes library/iTunes radio/Waze, etc) to Airport Express via AirPlay. Toslink out of Airport Express to Helix P-Six DSP. PHD AF 1.C tweeters, PHD FB 4.1 midranges. Jehnert Door Cards and mid-bass'.
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06-06-2014, 08:56 AM	#8
xijonix Private 17 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2010 3 Series xDrive Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	ELM327 Bluetooth Adapter from eBay ($7 - $12) (Mini - Normal).. Android Apps: Torque Pro hobDrive CaroO Pro OBD Car Doctor OBD DROIDSCAN PRO __________________ BMW E90 LCI
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06-06-2014, 09:31 AM	#9
335m Major 124 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	There are very few tablet mounts I have seen that look okay. But I still think something like this would be much cleaner than some aftermarket double din install. I just don't know how bad the glare will be... Attached Images
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06-06-2014, 08:45 PM	#10
jwong77 Captain 409 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 2018 530e Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pleasanton iTrader: (7) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] 2018 BMW 530e [10.00] 2007 BMW 328i Coupe ... [10.00]	Hey Op, I'm currently in the middle of installing my Nexus 7 using the oem BMW Garmin mount. The cool thing about it is, that it comes with a powered USB source on the mount and it looks good. It uses the standard garmin ball mount that you can get a cheap adaptor online to make work with your tablet. It went this way mostly because it was easily reversable since its an OEM part. Here is a generic pic I found online. With all that said, I'm stuck on the wiring part, I can't understand BMW's instructions __________________ 2018 BMW 530e Alpine White \| Black Napa Leather \| Bone Stock
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06-09-2014, 11:34 AM	#11
335m Major 124 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	Hmm, do you have a link for that garmin/nexus adaptor? Any pictures of an actual install in a e9x? I wonder if this would restrict the movement more than just using a normal ball mount. It would be nice for the passenger to be able to tilt it towards himself/herself as well as tilting up/down to avoid glare.
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10-27-2014, 06:17 PM	#12
steveindabmer Private First Class 48 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2019 440i Xdrive M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Allentown iTrader: (0)	jwong77, have you finished this install? Id also love to see pics of this.
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10-27-2014, 06:38 PM	#13
WilliamS GoofBall 54 Rep 1,055 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 N54 Xdrive Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (2)	If you have Idrive, this is the king! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=williams
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