[tbogdane]

Hello! I have my 11' E91 with CIC Nav Professional. The nav has bluetooth only for calling, not audio streaming. I've tried to code EBT but with no succes.

I am an Android phone user, and i try to find the best way of bluetooth streaming. Right now i have some bluetooth module that goes under the armrest, and it's connected between the wires for 12V and AUX. The sound is okeysh, not great, and I start dumping music on USB drive so i have better audio quality, but I'm tired of updating my playlist once a week.

Right now i have to do a decision, and i need your help.

I'm thinking of buying one of this, but it should work like this:
- if it's carplay module, i want both wired and wireless Android Auto, and to be able to use oem microphone, not the aftermarket one;
- stream music even with just the key inserted in slot( with ACC off, right now my BT module don't work until ACC is on);
- have good sound quality, at least the quality from USB in armrest;
- control the music via steering wheel (next, previous);
- optional, not mandatory: display song name on screen;

i don't have too big buget, to buy like Mr12Volt carplay module with MOST audio interface, and i was thinking of this:

1) Carplay Module, i found one really cheap on Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...=sd&aecmd=true.
Do you have any other recommandation in this range?


I know the sound is given via 3.5mm jack, but how is the quality? It will sound at least as the USB Drive in the armrest?

2) I've just found out about the Tune2Air module, which is kind of pricy for what it does. But how is the sound quaity? Does it work with ACC Off? Do the buttons on the steering wheel work? Any alternatives that works like this?

3) This bt module https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006980247778.html it's not much difference than what i already have in my car, but it's powered by the USB. Will this work with ACC off? How is the sound quality?

Thanks!

[gaze2]

I have a bonroad linux unit from aliexpress, was 190$ during sale, replaced my M-ASK
does everything you want, except for using OEM microphone, I think most aftermarket units dont use the OEM one, as some cars dont have one and its easier to just configure it for its independent mic.

I have the thing in your 3rd point, used it before I got the linux head unit, it needs ignition to turn on, as it takes power from the USB (so the 12v plug in your arm rest). So your music will instantly stop when you turn off engine. I think there are ones that wire directly to the AUX, maybe they will work with ignition off?

EDIT: sound from aux to phone, aux to bluetooth and aux to headunit is the same - good

[tbogdane]

Thanks for your reply! It's a bit pricy, but I will take count on it.

[DavesZed]

The cheaper you go the crappier it'll be!

So I've had the Tune2air before when I had the standard radio at the time. With an Android phone you can control it via the steering wheel buttons, but you don't have track info on the radio screen.
Now, as I have a YouTube channel for my BMW, I've now tested one with my iDrive, still no track info is displayed with my Android but the steering wheel buttons don't work for it! Everything works as it should with an iPhone, track info and button control.

The mmi boxes are OK, but you've got to appreciate that they aren't cheap, or if they are then you could end up with quality issues and a total lack of after sales service, especially as a lot of sellers on places like Aliexpress are simply "Drop Shippers", where they don't hold any stock themselves and simply your order is fulfilled via a warehouse somewhere else. This can also be the case on more expensive ones as well.
When you see the likes of Mr12volt selling in the region of $450, you are not just paying for a good quality box, you're paying for the service, the updates, the after sales back up. Don't get me wrong, there isn't any problem with paying cheap, but when it breaks you'll know why!
I appreciate we all have a limit as to what we want to spend and what we can afford, that's the way of the world, but this also reflects on what we can get. This is one reason for why I set my youTube channel up, I don't like to waste money where I don't need to and if I can find a good way to achieve the end result that I want for a lesser cost then I will. Alas my channel is for the E89 community, so not a lot of use here on e90post.