14.9" screen

[iamvanja]

Now that I've decided to keep the car for a year or two or three more, I am fiddling with the idea of upgrading the screen.

Driving vehicles with ID7 systems (and even NBT Evo ID6), I've noticed a much better refresh rate, something I've never noticed before using a LCI screen and a CarPlay box combo with my NBT system.

Was able to find many 12.3" Android screens, but since I am modernizing the vehicle, why not go all the way in and install the 14.9" one? Trouble is, I was only able to find it for F10 (5 series), not our 6 series.

Anyone had more luck?

Any experience with these Android systems? Perhaps wishful thinking, but can these systems display both surround view and a rear view camera at the same time?

[iamvanja]

I did it!

Before and after

[M6coupeS2]

Where did you purchase it from

[Bavariane31]

That’s a big screen! Is this the F10 screen or is it a 6 series one? Any issues with it? Cameras work?!

[M6coupeS2]

Originally Posted by Bavariane31

That’s a big screen! Is this the F10 screen or is it a 6 series one? Any issues with it? Cameras work?!

f10/f11 is different, i tried to purchase a xtrons unit from amazon, they told me it was not compatible, or at least the mounting is different on m6.

i have a android 11 12.3 on my e70 35d from aliexpress and everything works flawlessly. people seem to forget that this is just a screen replacement, and everything factory gets plugged in, so everything is retained on the idrive side.

with that said, carplay/android auto and bluetooth side of the screen was problematic, i ended up using my phones hotspot to connect to wifi on the android screen and to run the screen like a tablet, and used the factory bluetooth. steering wheel and idrive controls work with both idrive and android side.

the trick to these screens is getting into the screens factory settings ( need password from distributor if not provided) and enabling the options that pertain to your vehicle. For instance backup camera needs to be switched to oem, and not the aftermarket one, initially i had to change the screen preferences until i found that fitted the idrive side to the android screen, time and date needs to match with your phone in order for wifi to work properly. Most of this info can be found by searching youtube, and facebook.

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by M6coupeS2

Where did you purchase it from

Alibaba

Originally Posted by Bavariane31

That’s a big screen! Is this the F10 screen or is it a 6 series one? Any issues with it? Cameras work?!

I believe they are the same screens, with different brackets to hold them in place. What makes a difference is the system in your BMW (usually a CIC or NBT).
Cameras do work, but for whatever reasons most systems come with the setting to default to aftermarket camera systems. Then it needs to be reverted to the OEM.

[PixelVogue]

I think if they used the OEM frame and not just made it a side-ways tablet rectangle shape it would look miles better!

Whats the back of it look like in the car?

[iamvanja]

There's no such thing as OEM "frame", it's part of the screen. Even pre-LCI and LCI have different screen housings.

[PixelVogue]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

There's no such thing as OEM "frame", it's part of the screen. Even pre-LCI and LCI have different screen housings.

I know, I meant the style of it.

[LA640WS]

Originally Posted by PixelVogue

I know, I meant the style of it.

The UI or user interface

[PixelVogue]

Originally Posted by LA640WS

The UI or user interface

lol the look of the bloody thing, it doesnt match the rest of the interior but as long as the geezer is happy........

[Bavariane31]

I would tend to agree although when I bought mine (expecting it any day now), I was under the impression the fitment would be better as it does on the promotional photos. Hoping it will be. The rectangle screens are what’s on modern BMWs these days. Feels cheaper although that’s what the aftermarket company models their most updated units to be; following the current gen design language.

There’s a YouTube video I watched that makes the screen in person look a lot better than the OPs pics. In fact it made the F30 screen look dingy

[dream54ing]

How difficult was the install? is it plug and play? also a link? my screen is somewhat scratched up, would consider if its worth while

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by Bavariane31

I would tend to agree although when I bought mine (expecting it any day now), I was under the impression the fitment would be better as it does on the promotional photos. Hoping it will be. The rectangle screens are what’s on modern BMWs these days. Feels cheaper although that’s what the aftermarket company models their most updated units to be; following the current gen design language.

I have no objections about the fitment or the screen quality. It reminds me a lot of the latest ID8 screen. The angle I took was lower than the driver's POV due to the harsh sunlight. And the screen brightness difference is due to the different times of day when the pics were taken for each screen.

The problem however is the CarPlay not running in the screen's native resolution. Most people probably wouldn't notice, but it is driving me nuts and will have to go back.

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

How difficult was the install? is it plug and play? also a link? my screen is somewhat scratched up, would consider if its worth while

It is subjectively an easy install.
I will be returning mine so if you are interested, I can sell it to you.
The link is https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...026140255.html

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

It is subjectively an easy install.
I will be returning mine so if you are interested, I can sell it to you.
The link is https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...026140255.html

Maybe, depends how much you are looking to get for it why are you returning it?

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

It is subjectively an easy install.
I will be returning mine so if you are interested, I can sell it to you.
The link is https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...026140255.html

How do the factory NBT menus look?

[Bavariane31]

I got the 14.9” screen the other day. I cannot get the factory NBT menu to look good. The native resolution is way off and looks way too zoomed in. Cannot use the cameras like this. All of the other programs (android and CarPlay) look fine. I don’t see a factory option like they had for the older 12” screens to change. Anyone know how to fix? Might also return mine if there’s no solution.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found the resolution change options. It's listed under "Car Info" on Android 13. Got the OEM 360 and rear cameras to work and the NBT resolution is perfect. Going to run this for awhile before I make judgement. I think I will dremel the mount so the screen can sit 1cm lower. Right now the fitment is a little high and at a certain angle you can see into the car under the screen. But as OP said, this doesn't bother you while driving.

[kfollowwill]

Originally Posted by Bavariane31

I got the 14.9” screen the other day. I cannot get the factory NBT menu to look good. The native resolution is way off and looks way too zoomed in. Cannot use the cameras like this. All of the other programs (android and CarPlay) look fine. I don’t see a factory option like they had for the older 12” screens to change. Anyone know how to fix? Might also return mine if there’s no solution.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found the resolution change options. It's listed under "Car Info" on Android 13. Got the OEM 360 and rear cameras to work and the NBT resolution is perfect. Going to run this for awhile before I make judgement. I think I will dremel the mount so the screen can sit 1cm lower. Right now the fitment is a little high and at a certain angle you can see into the car under the screen. But as OP said, this doesn't bother you while driving.

Did you also get yours from Alibaba?
Mind providing the link if different?
Thanks!

Edit: That link he provided, it would be delivered for another 2 months.....yikes

[Bavariane31]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256807130440544.html

Really smooth. Seller communicated through WhatsApp too to guide you through any problems and installation. Really smooth. Got it pretty quick. Would recommend.

[iamvanja]

YMV, but these screens are not a good idea. I really liked the idea of modernizing the car with it, but Android running there is asking for trouble. It's so over complex. Long term functionality/support is questionable.
Also, these units do not run Android 13. It's 10 (fake 13). They run some exotic SoC (not Snapdragon) that will leave you with no support for a custom ROM or any mods offered in the forum (I opened couple diagnostic apps so can post if anyone interested).

I strongly strongly recommend against the Alibaba route that I took. They fought me hard on a simple return and offered "full" refund except it was 20% because of random fees that allegedly they do not refund. Not to mention return shipping that came out of my pocket.
My credit card company obviously thinks differently and is still fighting them. I doubt AliExpress is significantly different.

if you're in the market for a bigger screen, I would recommend a Linux screen from a reputable marketer like Amazon. It's basically an MMI box with a screen - there is no overcomplexity of an Android, just much faster boot time and only Carplay/AA/Screen mirror, although I don't think they offer 14.9" (yet?). And they also don't have that horrible over-scaled low resolution in CarPlay that the 14.9" Android unit has. The hardware is obviously not able to drive CarPlay in full resolution.

[Bavariane31]

I wish I knew the above I made my purchase, but overall I am still happy with the 14.9" option. It added a lot more capability to my car. Maybe someday I'll upgrade again but for now I needed Carplay.