BimmerTech Blog is dedicated to BMW technology retrofits.
Did you know that the first vehicle with Bluetooth was released in 2000? (No, it wasn’t BMW, just a Chrysler). And 18 years later this technology is still one of the most important means of bringing your phone’s features into your favorite car. In BMWs there are two types of features you can get depending on the package or on the vehicle configurations you choose: 1) Basic Bluetooth & 2) Enhanced Bluetooth (EBT). Please keep in mind that the EBT features strongly depend on your model, your phone and even the network operator. Some cars equipped with Basic Bluetooth may…
Tuesday, 15 January 2019 15:40
BMW Original Apple CarPlay vs BimmerTech CarPlay MMI
Written by Anastasiia Husieva
Integrating an iPhone with your BMW is one of the best things that could happen to the owner of 2 of the most popular brands out there, and it’s all possible thanks to a BMW Apple CarPlay upgrade. Stats say that Apple CarPlay, together with Android Auto, “were available in 46% of new vehicles sold in Europe in Q1 2018 and 52% of new vehicles sold in the US.” And it’s great news, but what about BMWs with older iDrive systems that are not compatible with BMW CarPlay activation? For those who are not aware of this fact and have…
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Friday, 21 December 2018 13:46
Do I Have CIC, NBT or NBT Evo? Navigation System Professional
Written by Anastasiia Husieva
BMW is constantly working on iDrive interface changes, as well as introducing newer, more advanced hardware and faster processors to support new features. The iDrive system (or the head unit, which is its main element) in each BMW defines not only the availability or absence of these very features, but also its price. And sometimes the financial difference is so drastic that you make an immediate decision – a 200 GB hard drive or full screen zoom for video playback may not be an absolute necessity for you. However, there are some key distinctions between the iDrive versions that will…
Wednesday, 21 November 2018 12:51
Your BMW, but more Googley: Google Assistant, Android Auto and more
Written by Paul Smith
How easy is it to get your BMW playing nicely with your Android phone? Well, it's an Apple world — if you drive a BMW, at least. From Siri and CarPlay integration with the iDrive to BMW ConnectedDrive features unique to iOS, the Bavarians have gone out of their way to make iPhone-users feel at home in their cars. But what if you're on Team Google? The kind of person with the latest Android phone and a smart home controlled by a small army of Google Home speakers, and you're only looking to bring all that Googley goodness into your…
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Wednesday, 10 October 2018 14:39
How To Solve Automatic Tailgate Problems in Your BMW
Written by Paul Smith
Having automatic tailgate to your BMW adds some real convenience. But, depending on your usage, it might cause a few headaches, too. We take a look at a few issues you might be having with the motorized trunk in your BMW, and show you how to solve them. Opening your BMW's trunk unlocks all your doors So you're at home, and you just need to grab something from your car quickly. So you pop out to your driveway, open the trunk... and all the doors unlock. Well, that's a bit of a pain! Or maybe you're heading out somewhere with…
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Thursday, 13 September 2018 15:15
4 Satellite Radio Stations Worth Activating SiriusXM In Your BMW For
Written by Paul Smith
So you've got SiriusXM in your BMW. Or maybe you haven't yet, but that's an easy fix. In many of the latest BMWs, activating SiriusXM Satellite Radio is now as simple as plugging in a USB stick thanks to our innovative coding method. Compared to adding satellite radio to a BMW at the dealership or through a remote coding session, our USB installation takes only a few moments, so you'll have your SiriusXM subscription active in your BMW in no time. So now what? You need some tunes! Or talk, or sports, or whatever else takes your fancy; with 150…
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Friday, 24 August 2018 12:58
Bluetooth vs AUX vs USB: What's the Best Way To Stream Audio to your BMW?
Written by Paul Smith
You're a reasonable, 21st century person. Chances are that means you access most of your music collection through your smartphone, either to play the mp3s you've downloaded or to stream straight from Spotify, Apple Music or one of those other ones nobody really uses. But how do you go about bringing all that mobile musical joy into the most joyously mobile thing you have, your BMW? The short answer is to connect your smartphone to your BMW, and play your music through the car's stereo speakers. With so many wired and wireless connection options to choose from, though, each with…
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Apple CarPlay lets you connect your iPhone to your BMW and use the iOS apps on the built-in display. You can listen to music, make calls, get directions, send texts and more — all while staying focused on the road. With the help of Siri, you can do all these things without taking your hands off the wheel. It’s a very useful feature that enhances your driving experience. For BMWs, CarPlay is quite a recent thing. It’s only available for 2017 and newer models, leaving many BMW owners left without an option to enjoy it in their car. If you're…
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What is DVD in Motion? If your BMW has the option of playing videos via DVD and/or USB while parked, it’s possible to unlock DVD in Motion (Video in Motion), allowing your passengers to watch movies while you are driving. It’s a very useful upgrade if you have a long journey ahead of you or simply want to keep your passengers entertained — perfect for family road trips or when traveling with children. In addition, BimmerTech can also unlock services like Office Messages, Online Entertainment, Bluetooth Pairing and the User Manual for use while driving if they are already available…
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Thursday, 07 June 2018 09:58
BMW F30 328i Speaker & Subwoofer Upgrade — The Complete Guide (320i, 335i, ...) Featured
Written by Bart Donda
BMW F30 328i Speaker & Subwoofer Upgrade — The Complete Guide (320i, 335i, ...) *This guide is also compatible with other F30 models such as the 318i, 320xi and more. You drive a 2012-2018 BMW F30 328i (or different engine). Fantastic choice. For whatever reason, you’ve decided to explore the different audio upgrade options to make your F30 even better.bmwv With all the different sound system upgrades and technical specifications out there, we created a complete simple-to-understand guide to making your BMW’s audio system sound amazing. 1.) Find out your current sound setup and available upgrades: Before we get into…
