Android headunit or keep bmw unit?
 

Iv just bought my 2005 x5 and loving it but just cant get bluetooth connected properly ..got it paired but only for calls via bmw scanner v4.0 just sits there forever on please wait!

Got me thinking about the android units and wondering how easy it is to connect and is everything plug an play?

Is it worth the hassle?

Thanks

From my experience on some of the android units the quality for me is just not there or worth it for me (too many glitches). I know that some others on the board will find the quality acceptable but its subjective. If you can find someone with a BMW nearby that has done the retrofit I would suggest meeting up with them and evaluating for yourself.

Thanks for the reply mate

I feel like the android units look kinda cheep. Look into the aftermarket Bluetooth modules that plug in to the radio. I have the media bridge MBR1500 and, it works like a charm. You can do more than just Bluetooth. It also has USB, SIRIUS, headphone jack aux. The best part is that you are able to keep the stock head unit without any functionality loss. i.e(On board computer)

I have the AVIN Avant 2 for the e53. It definitely looks better than stock but it is pretty glitchy. Don't expect it to do everything the website advertises. You may be able to but you will be spending so much time configuring the unit to work as you want it, then when it requires a hard reboot you lose everything! However if you're a simple person like me and just really need navigation and enhanced music options, then it works pretty well. I use google maps on it and spotify. I also stream my music through Bluetooth. Although the Bluetooth is horrible, my phone has to be stationary by the ashtray or will skip so bad.

Really the problem with the AVIN avant is that they use cheap components and it doesn't keep up with the software ROM. The software is great but it demands more resources than the hardware can provide. The developer, Tommy, is a great guy and will provide endless support. Their after-sales support is excellent. But there's a point where you just say fuck it and deal with what you got. Spent way too much damn time trying to configure this thing to get certain apps to work. Apparently they may be working on an AVIN Avant 3, which claims to have better and faster components.

At the end of the day I still get more than what my e53 navigation system provided. I did not have DSP audio, which is not compatible with this unit. As I mentioned I run google maps, which requires a constant internet connection. The great thing about this is it reroutes you based off of construction or traffic and you don't need to pay for updates. The other downside with this unit is you lose your OBC functions, unless you reroute your MID or navigation system somewhere else. Doesn't bother me much because I can still cycle through range MPG, etc.. with the BC function on the stalk. Just cant get to the screen to reset MPG.

Hope this helps. I posted a thread about this somewhere on this forum...

Thanks for the info, I've decided to just stick with the standard unit seeing as I got the Bluetooth working with phone book 'that was a nightmare'..probably going to get an aux cable setup somewhere now an that will do me.

I've been fiddling for days don't think I could be bothered as I think my 1 will need all kinds of wires rerouting and stuff .

Just wanna get the gearbox 2.1 Jerk sorted out now need updated files ,even then might not work but overall very happy with the car

I would suggest just installing the aux cable kit since you have a 2005 it is plug and play. Here's a DIY step by step guide video to get you started!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxAGSuHMSVE

I have a 2005 with DSP, BMW aux kit, and BMW iPod kit. I think it sounds great. Bluetooth doesn't transmit data at a high enough bit rate to match the quality of the sound system. I tried a Bluetooth aux link and it was substandard. The stock DSP system is better than most music sources you will use. The AM radio reception sucks. All told, I am very happy with it.

You have Nav too, right? If so, how well does the aux kit work? My 2005 is a 12/04 build date (in case this matters for the aux kit to work.

No, I don't have Nav. Just DSP which is the high end sound system. The aux kit was put in at the dealer by the PO. It's simple and works well for attaching my iPhone. I keep a dedicated iPod in the glovebox attached through the iPod kit. That was put in by the dealer also, but requires disconnecting the cd changer.

The DSP system uses an MID head unit with the big amp in the left trunk area. There are dedicated processing channels to each of the 11 speakers. The amp can delay each signal to replicate different venues.