BimmerTech Blog is dedicated to BMW technology retrofits.
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. 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…
If you’re in the market for an underseat subwoofer upgrade in your BMW, we’ve covered the main reasons why such an upgrade is a great idea and how you can do it yourself. Why? Stronger and punchier bass One of the most common reasons to upgrade your subwoofers is for powerful bass — especially if you listen to bass-heavy music. It’ll make your songs come alive and the whole listening experience a lot more enjoyable. Clear and accurate sound reproduction Another crucial benefit of swapping your underseat woofers is a more accurate reproduction of bass. Stock BMW speakers (even Harman…
Tuesday, 08 May 2018 08:42
iDrive USB & Cable Coding: What, Why and How
Written by Anastasiia Husieva
Driving a BMW is not just the convenience of getting somewhere with comfort and delight. It’s a way of life - and when you choose to follow it, there are certain expectations lingering in the air. While BMW is pretty good at creating the right image as well as chic and classy design, it also encloses loads of cool features into the factory vehicle configuration … but keeps them locked (we all know why $$$). And that’s why there is a separate domain called BMW coding. What Is BMW Coding and Why Do People Do It? Bimmer coding is tweaking…
Thursday, 19 April 2018 10:16
Harman Kardon vs Hi-Fi vs Aftermarket Upgrade for BMW
Written by Bart Donda
Wondering what the difference is between all the audio options and speakers for BMW? Don’t worry, we’ve explained everything you need to know right here. It’s important to keep in mind that with all the different models available, there may be minor exceptions to the information you’ll find in this post. We’ve compared the three standard factory variants alongside the Bang & Olufsen system, and BimmerTech’s Premium Audio System Upgrade, in case you’re considering going aftermarket.You can check which system you have by going on www.bmwvin.com and finding your audio option. BMW speaker placement. Please note: The base and Hi-Fi…
Wondering if your BMW has Comfort Access installed? Here are the two simplest ways to find out: 1.) Check if your exterior door handles have a few ridges on top of the handle by the lock (2). These raised lines serve as the contact point to touch when you lock the doors. 2.) Another way to see if a BMW has Comfort Access is to look up its VIN (vehicle identification number) on a website such as bmwvin.com, and checking if it has the S322A option. It’s important to remember, however, that this method only tells us if a BMW…
You might think an audio upgrade is usually limited to upgrading the speakers, and maybe throwing in a subwoofer for extra bass. What you might not know is that the car’s amplifier is just as essential in order to achieve HiFi sound. “But what does an amplifier do exactly?” you might be thinking. The primary role of an amp is to increase the amplitude of an (audio) signal, effectively making your music louder. This doesn’t just mean higher overall volume though. For example: outputting more power to the OEM woofers, means stronger bass, without even changing your underseat woofers. In…
Thursday, 22 February 2018 10:03
5 Reasons to Get a Backup Camera for your BMW
Written by Bart Donda
Not sure if you should get a rear-view camera? Worry not, we’ve selected the best advantages of adding a parking camera to your BMW. 1.) Avoid unexpected damage to your car It can be difficult to see every object when you’re in reverse. Bottles, bicycles, basketballs or whatever else you may not expect can end up in the way of your BMW. Even visible objects can sometimes appear further than they appear, which can result in a nasty dent or scratch. 2.) Park straight Maybe it’s just me, but I think there’s something beautiful about a BMW parked perfectly. The…
BMW vs Mercedes-Benz is one of the great rivalries of the motoring world. To luxury vehicle lovers what Mitsubishi vs Subaru is to '90s rally fans, and Ferrari vs Lamborghini is to supercar-obsessed children. Behind the scenes, though, BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler look happy to team up to fight off a greater shared threat: Uber. Though regular drivers might see ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft as something to fall back on when you want a few drinks after work but don't want a DUI, the companies would have us believe that they post a genuine alternative…
Thursday, 04 January 2018 14:08
Why and How To Update Your BMW's Navigation Maps
Written by Paul Smith
There was a time when regular oil changes and a new set of tires once in a while was all the routine maintenance a vehicle needed. But to keep a modern, iDrive-toting BMW at its best, there's a little more to it. Whether updating your iDrive software or uploading the latest maps to the factory navigation system, keeping your BMW's iDrive up-to-date should be a regular task, just like maintaining any other part of your vehicle. In fact, BMW recommend updating your navigation system's maps twice a year, or annually at the very least. To check the map version in…
Tagged under
Wednesday, 20 December 2017 10:29
Upgrading Your BMW iDrive With iOS, Apple TV...and a Blu-ray Player
Written by Greg Kashmer
A SmartView kit from BimmerTech lets you use iOS and Android apps on your BMW's iDrive display. But with a little imagination (and fair bit of perseverance), it can be the foundation for so much more. Virginian BimmerTech customer and tech fanatic Greg Kashmer found a way to add iOS, Apple TV and Blu-ray functionality to his X1's factory iDrive system. And because that definitely sounds like something worth doing, we asked him to give us a step-by-step account of his journey from factory iDrive to in-car multimedia hub. My ‘Perfected’ Journey I have a 2016 BMW X1 F48 that…
