discussion 2016 F22 220i M Sport - CarPlay?

[Urban963]

Hello all,

New here, first post, first BMW

So I just took delivery of a 2016 F22 220i M Sport (N20) with 151,000km.
Pics posted for proof and validation-farming.

The car has new tires all round. Front and rear bumpers and bonnet have been resprayed due to stone chips etc.
FSH at BMW (also just serviced at BMW).
No accident history.
New control arm on the front as well as new front right and rear left lights. (Front was apparently polished and they just burnt it essentially). Rear left had water inside so was replaced.

The car is completely stock and she's an absolute beauty and a pleasure to drive. Being an N20 she has the single exhaust tip at the rear which is my main gripe aesthetically and something I would like to rectify at some point. However, warranty dictates I leave her alone for 2 years, more's the pity.

I'm looking to add CarPlay as I sorely miss it. My previous car was a 2020 Opel Corsa which had it standard and I miss it every time I drive. The BMW Infotainment is...lackluster.

So, I've been looking at options and it seems I can either go the MMI route, or get one of them Android jobbies that replaced the dashtop screen and adds an inline box between the stock system and the screen.

I would prefer the screen replacement option as the stock screen is relatively small with massive bezels which definitely date the car somewhat.

Any recommendations on which unit to go for? Or suggestions as to worthy alternatives solutions?

 

[DRCraig]

Welcome to the forum bud

The F22 is a real looker. Enjoy.

The N20 is not the most reliable engine BMW made, but I have no doubt in my mind that you'll keep your hand on her. They started using the B48 from July 2016 in the F22.

 

[Bugger]

Welcome to the forum and many happy miles in your new car. Brings back memories of when I went from an Opel Astra 200iSE (yes, I am that old) to my first BMW (first of MANY) some 25 odd years ago, wow that's long now.

As far as the infotainment system is concerned, there's many options to replacing the screen with an Android unit. And they're not too badly priced.

As an example:

Buy BMW 2 series car dvd navigation south africa - soundlouder.co.za

Direct plug and play oem satnav systems www.soundlouder.co.za works with BMW 2 Series factory steering wheel controls, usb etc. Features 2 din car radio, car dvd player radio, android car dvd player for cars, car dvd gps navigation system, double din car

www.soundlouder.co.za

You can check on places like Gumtree as well, there's a guy in Durban who specialises in these units for all sorts of BMWs, and they're basically plug and play, use hot spotting on your phone for internet connectivity etc. It makes a HUGE difference to the older infotainment setups in pre-Car Play cars etc. Just shop around really. If you're handy with a trim removing tool and a screw driver this is like an hour DIY job.

Good luck!

 

[Urban963]

Thanks for the responses and info. The link above seems like the way to go so I'll probably spring for that and post back when it's sorted. Likely end of month

 

[Bugger]

No problem!

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

Hey Buddy,

Congrats on the F22, its probably one of the best looking F series designs ever made. Brings back memories of my ex M240i.

Seeing that this is the N20 motor, I hope that the timing chains have been done by the previous owner which is a very common fault with this platform. But seeing that this is a 2016 model, apparently BMW sorted this fault out on the models from 2015+ onwards (I stand to be corrected).

I also have the smaller screen in my 2018 F30 without carplay. Being so use to having pro nav and carplay on my M140i, its like a big shift for me whenever I drive the F30 on a daily basis. I'm also considering options of retrofitting the bigger OEM screen.

If you have any leads, do let me know.

 

[Urban963]

Hey Buddy,

Congrats on the F22, its probably one of the best looking F series designs ever made. Brings back memories of my ex M240i.

Seeing that this is the N20 motor, I hope that the timing chains have been done by the previous owner which is a very common fault with this platform. But seeing that this is a 2016 model, apparently BMW sorted this fault out on the models from 2015+ onwards (I stand to be corrected).

I also have the smaller screen in my 2018 F30 without carplay. Being so use to having pro nav and carplay on my M140i, its like a big shift for me whenever I drive the F30 on a daily basis. I'm also considering options of retrofitting the bigger OEM screen.

If you have any leads, do let me know.

Hey bud,

Thanks man! Yup I believe the timing chain issue has been addressed, though I'm headed to BMW to get a report on what's been done if I can.
I've spoken to a few sound shops. Best bet thus far has just been to order one off Takealot or similar and do the install myself. There's a bunch of videos on Youtube about how to do it, seems fairly straightforward. Other option is to get an inline one without the screen replacement, similar to the BimmerTech MMI one.

I found these for the F22:
10.25 inch Screen BMW 1 2 3 4 Series F30
BMW 1 & 2 Series F20 F21 F22 F23 Android Radio 10.25 inch

There are also F30 specific models
10.25" Android Navigation Touch Screen with Carplay/Android Auto for BMW

 

[msm]

If you have the smaller screen, rather not go for the MMI box - it will work, but IMHO not worth it.

Rather consider one of the Android screen replacement options above. Besides being touch screen, you have so many more native Android apps that you use.

 

[Urban963]

If you have the smaller screen, rather not go for the MMI box - it will work, but IMHO not worth it.

Rather consider one of the Android screen replacement options above. Besides being touch screen, you have so many more native Android apps that you use.

Yea that's my thinking too. The size of the screen is a an issue, but it's the bezels that really age the car IMHO. Coming from an Opel Corsa which came with CarPlay as standard, I miss it every day

 

[Holiman]

So from experience, here is what you can do. Since your car is later model than 2014, you can replace the screen to the 8.8 inch and then code screen resolution. This will work. (I could help if you are in Joburg and already have the screen). Then add the mmi box. Then you are good.

This is the simplest option that stays close to OEM.

If you go the aftermarket route, I recommend you pick a Linux over android unit. The carplay on the Linux units is fast and less finicky. Search for PEMP on YouTube to check them out. Less features than android units but because carplay is what you want, will work perfectly.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk