[aspenj]

Hey All - I'm a returning Bimmerpost member, I had an E90, then went to an Alfa Romeo Giulia and now just got a 2018 M240.

Here's my question - is there a definitive "best" solution for Carplay activation? There seems to be lots of options out there including:
- EasyBimmerCoding software (price seems almost too good to be true)
- Bimmertech - software or MMI hardware (expensive)
- BimmerRemoteCoding - software (also pretty inexpensive)
- etc.

A software update seems like the right way to go and EasyBimmerCoding appearing to be the most popular, but I could use some help from the brain trust.

Thanks in advance.

[Dom147]

I'm not sure I fully understand. What do you mean by activation? if you have a 2018 model, your car should already support carplay. Is your car not equipped with the larger display screen meaning you don't have navigation?

[aspenj]

Originally Posted by Dom147

I'm not sure I fully understand. What do you mean by activation? if you have a 2018 model, your car should already support carplay. Is your car not equipped with the larger display screen meaning you don't have navigation?

Hey Dom147 thanks for chiming in. My car does have the larger screen and nav but does not have CarPlay. From researching the 2018 order sheets it looks like CarPlay was still a standalone option and must have not been checked for this build.

I’ve gotten very used to it on my Alfa so now looking for the best solution to get it on the drive.

[MarcoZandrini]

I highly recommend you find a reputable indie shop that specializes in bimmers to install the CarPlay software. I tried the DIY route and the supposedly "compatible" software corrupted some things. I had to have my go to shop (J & F Motors in s Arlington) restore the car's software. Try www.bimrs.org to find a shop in your area.

[aspenj]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

I highly recommend you find a reputable indie shop that specializes in bimmers to install the CarPlay software. I tried the DIY route and the supposedly "compatible" software corrupted some things. I had to have my go to shop (J & F Motors in s Arlington) restore the car's software. Try www.bimrs.org to find a shop in your area.

Thanks MarcoZandrini that’s good perspective I was a little worried about doing it myself. I live in MoCo not to far from you but in Maryland so if you were happy with that shop I may try them out.

If you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay to get it done?

[MarcoZandrini]

Likely the shop will charge you $350 to install CarPlay. My circumstance was that the corrupt CarPay software required that other modules be reprogrammed.

Give them a call. Charlie will answer your questions.

[aspenj]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

Likely the shop will charge you $350 to install CarPlay. My circumstance was that the corrupt CarPay software required that other modules be reprogrammed.

Give them a call. Charlie will answer your questions.

Awesome thanks !!

[kirkywhite]

I had a similar situation. I bought a 2018 this fall. I used Bimmer Remote for coding. They are a sponsor on another forum with lots of positive reviews. It was $59 and I had to buy a cord to connect a laptop to OBD module on car. I got that on Amazon. It was like $20. You will also need a wifi antenna. I got an OEM antenna from an online BMW parts store because I saw some complaints about the cheaper ones on Amazon. It was $25. You have to pull out the head unit to plug in the Wi-Fi antenna, but it is easy job.

It’s been 3 months and no problems. If you use any non-dealer for the coding, including reputable indie shop you could potentially have problems when BMW updates the software. Bimmer Remote says it’s lifetime activation, and you can redo if the dealer resets.

[aspenj]

Thanks kirkywhite I’m debating doing it myself vs going to an Indy shop. Did you compare Bimmer Remote vs Easy Bimmer Coding? Both solutions seem the same and the price is the same not sure if there’s any reason to go for one over another.

[kirkywhite]

I didn’t compare those two. I thought it was easy to do myself.