AVIN Android Multimedia System Master Thread

[fmorelli]

So anyone do a deep dive on the 4x4shop system? Get past the 4x4 name misnomer, they have great videos, broad BMW product selection, and a video that shows at least the cosmetically superior product.

I'm also wondering about performance. I've looked at a Nexus 7 install DIY for the E89 Z4. I don't like it because it uses the Timur kernel and the main contributor has basically sunset development and support, but more to the point, integrating near ancient hardware is basically akin to owning BMW hardware in one's car to begin with. I'd rather install something that has some legs ahead of me, not behind me.

I've spoken with Avin about figuring out a retrofit for the E89 Z4. They seemed interested, but follow-through discussion was weak. They sent me E85 Z4 integration photos. I suspect my non-iDrive Z4 is pretty straightforward on electronic integration. I bought the Garmin GPS plastic insert body for the Z4 iDrive space. I suspect one of the units ala X3 or so might be in the zip code for physical installation. I have a full shop, insofar as fabricating brackets and such if needed.

I'm concerned about support with integration, physical performance specs of units - Avin/4x4shop, the possible ability to integrate a cellular connection (don't care to mobile hotspot my car over my phone).

Any bread crumb comments appreciated . I have emailed 4x4shop to see how that conversation goes ...

Filippo

 

[Ask92]

My avin unit is due to deliver today, will post results when I have them!

 

[Ask92]

Well last night I spent some time installing the unit and here are my thoughts. Car is a 07 CCC with idrive.
Cons:
-The Avin install instructions are next to useless for the install. There is some info here and there that helped, but overall you have to definitely guess at a few things and see if it works.
-As others have noted getting the screen to fit takes some "finessing" to get the screws to sit.
-I could not find a way to get the large plug behind the Idrive unit to move far enough back and out of the way so the idrive unit could easily fit in its hole, I had to push the unit in pretty hard to get the screws to sit flush.
-The clip that holds what i assume is the amp power(two big green wires) on my avin plug was broken, so the wires kept falling out and I lost sound(zip ties to the rescue).

Pros:
-The functions the unit has vs my old CCC is insane. There is so much you can do with this unit.
-I did not notice ANY sound quality issues. Yes i know many have had some serious complaints but with my logic 7 system I did not really notice a difference, which is awesome. I will play more with the settings later and see if I have any issues.
-The wired backup camera option is well worth the money imo. Very easy install(just time consuming) and its a really nice feature and has some great software imo.
-The integration the unit has into the car is great, there is a screen that shows a huge amount of info on the car, similar to a newer car.
-While I have not used it yet the JB4 and MHD gauges on the screen are going to be a huge deal. Every modified n54 car has a giant ugly ass tablet hanging off an air vent it seems like(me included) so having the gauges integrated into the screen was a huge selling point for me.


I obviously have not used the unit a ton yet, but I have a feeling it will just get better and better as time goes on and I figure out the quirks to it. All in all for $550 I am very very happy with this unit, it modernized the car tremendously which is exactly what I wanted. If anyone has any specific questions on the unit let me know, id be happy to help.

 

[aus335iguy]

In my experience aftermarket android stuff is buggy and slow. Did you go for the apple play option ? Does it work ok? Have you noticed any bugs, hangs crashes etc?

 

[matthewo]

i updated mine, loaded new applie car play update apk. it helped a little however i was never happy and in the end i returned mine for a refund.

it was just too buggy and not reliable, nothing was automated or worked well enough to do things easy enough.

 

[aus335iguy]

i updated mine, loaded new applie car play update apk. it helped a little however i was never happy and in the end i returned mine for a refund.

it was just too buggy and not reliable, nothing was automated or worked well enough to do things easy enough.

Do you have any videos or examples you can share ? One persons bug is another persons quirky feature. What i find is that im less tolerant of this than others and i dont want to invest $ in something that will irritate me. CIC iDrive doesnt have a lot of features but it does run and doesnt stall, hesitate or crash. I dont want that but i do want the features....ANd im a tight ass that doesnt want to pay too much

 

[Cornfed54]

In my experience aftermarket android stuff is buggy and slow. Did you go for the apple play option ? Does it work ok? Have you noticed any bugs, hangs crashes etc?

My CarPlay feature works 95% of the time with just a little lag on first startup while connecting to the phone. It is totally livable for me, others might not be ok with having it freeze 2-3x/ month. Also, I haven’t done the most recent update, I plan to this weekend. I will report back with any improvements I notice from the new patch.

 

[fmorelli]

This is part of the concern I have - so what are the hardware specs ... is this like buying a 4 year-old laptop?

Filippo

 

[Cornfed54]

This is part of the concern I have - so what are the hardware specs ... is this like buying a 4 year-old laptop?

Filippo

Short answer, yes basically haha, but it’s a HUGE step up from my 11 year old laptop, “CCC I-drive ”. It runs an outdated version of android and doesn’t have the most impressive hardware specs. The boot-up speed is about 15 seconds upon starting the car which isn’t any worse than my OEM nav

 

[Ask92]

Well after playing with it last night I have found a few things that bothered me.
-For one it seems like its throttling the internet connection. IE my phone and laptops will DL from 1-25mb/s from the wifi, where as the Avin is maxing at 100kb/s. Pairing it to the hotspot from my phone yields the same 100kb/s. It just makes updating and downloading apps take so damn long.
-I do have audio issues with certain songs at certain volumes, however its very minute if it is there at all. Its more prominent from my girlfriends iphone than my s9.
-Music turns off when you are in reverse which is annoying, but I am willing to bet there is a way around it.
-The avin supplied GPS antenna does not seem to be working with google maps, so I will need to tie into the OEM GPS i guess.

I still think it is well worth the money for the bluetooth streaming alone. If you can use your phone as a hotspot the sky is the limit with this thing.

 

[fmorelli]

Bluetooth streaming - if you have a Qualcomm APTX HD enabled phone. $26 solution that will quality-wise blow away any traditional A2DP setup. I'm in the middle of integrating it into my aftermarket sound system now. The unit is 1" square by about 1/2" thick, with small button controls if one cares - mount it hidden away or where one can use the controls:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076DCVD13/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I could care less if I can't push a steering wheel button - shitty sounding audio that drops is not a good trade-off.

Filippo

 

[Ask92]

Bluetooth streaming - if you have a Qualcomm APTX HD enabled phone. $26 solution that will quality-wise blow away any traditional A2DP setup. I'm in the middle of integrating it into my aftermarket sound system now. The unit is 1" square by about 1/2" thick, with small button controls if one cares - mount it hidden away or where one can use the controls:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076DCVD13/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I could care less if I can't push a steering wheel button - shitty sounding audio that drops is not a good trade-off.

Filippo

I had a system just like this before and its not a comparison. Its like a piggyback vs standalone engine management system. They do the same thing but they do them a whole different way.

As much as I hate to generalize I think in this case I can. If you have an android smartphone this unit is most likely going to be great for you. If you have an apple be ready to make some adjustments to get used to it. No I don't think apple is better than android or vice versa, but this system is obviously android and old android at that.

 

[doublespaces]

The problem with the AVIN, is that sound goes back into the car and out the speakers using the LINE IN anyway, so you have to select AUX anyhow. And it provides poor results in my experience.

 

[Ask92]

The problem with the AVIN, is that sound goes back into the car and out the speakers using the LINE IN anyway, so you have to select AUX anyhow. And it provides poor results in my experience.

I get that, but unless you are listening to the radio or a CD with the OEM idrive how else would you be getting music? I dont see the Avin taking anything away, just adding. Again I am basing off CCC not CIC.

 

[fmorelli]

The problem with the AVIN, is that sound goes back into the car and out the speakers using the LINE IN anyway, so you have to select AUX anyhow. And it provides poor results in my experience.

Tyler somewhere I saw you mention some "integrated" amp replacement. Are you running a Match/Audiotec-Fischer/bimmertech unit?

Filippo

 

[fmorelli]

As much as I hate to generalize I think in this case I can. If you have an android smartphone this unit is most likely going to be great for you.

Yep ... as my first sentence said, "...if you have a Qualcomm APTX HD enabled phone."

If you have an apple be ready to make some adjustments to get used to it. No I don't think apple is better than android or vice versa, but this system is obviously android and old android at that.

Not sure I understand - are you saying the Avin unit is old Android? If so exactly. Hopefully more modern solutions will arrive. I'm very interested in doing this - but in an E89 Z4 it is a more serious commitment as I have to custom fit a unit from another chassis designation.

Filippo

 

[doublespaces]

I get that, but unless you are listening to the radio or a CD with the OEM idrive how else would you be getting music? I dont see the Avin taking anything away, just adding. Again I am basing off CCC not CIC.

The point I'm trying to make, is that even if you use the built in android unit for sound, be it pandora or Bluetooth streaming to it from your smartphone, the quality isn't going to be any better than a regular bluetooth dongle you plug right into the AUX jack. Assuming your bluetooth dongle is adequate, you're still limited by the sound quality of the AUX input.

Tyler somewhere I saw you mention some "integrated" amp replacement. Are you running a Match/Audiotec-Fischer/bimmertech unit?

Filippo

JL M600/6. It isn't integrated, its just a drop in with the right harness.

 

[Rcboosted2007]

So.... smash or pass on this thing?

 

[Toddyus]

I took a chance and pulled the trigger on this (non-AVIN) unit:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...ceBeautifyAB=0

It is a 32G ROM, 2GB model running Android 7.1. Otherwise, appears to be similar/same unit AVIN is selling including the BMW ID6 interface. It's a gamble. Don't know how their support will be. I'll report in when I receive it.

 

[NoQuarter]

I took a chance and pulled the trigger on this (non-AVIN) unit:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...ceBeautifyAB=0

It is a 32G ROM, 2GB model running Android 7.1. Otherwise, appears to be similar/same unit AVIN is selling including the BMW ID6 interface. It's a gamble. Don't know how their support will be. I'll report in when I receive it.

Seems alright. But like you said about support, will you ever get a fix or update on anything.