2009550iMSport wrotethis looks interesting. I don't see a piggyback connector for the oem mic in any of the pictures. they include a mic in the kit. keep us posted on the install. if this unit works with the oem mic and audio over Bluetooth via the built in MOST, then I'm definitely on board.I was perusing through some German BMW forums and discovered my issue with the individual audio system isn’t that uncommon. Many folks over in Deutschland suggested adding an amp to power the individual audio subs. I think I may give that a try, as I have an extra one lying around.
Also, I just ordered this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-O-S-T-Android-Auto-CarPlay-interface-BMW-CIC-MID-E90-E92-X5-X6-Z4-/255070820273?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.
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2009550iMSport wroteThat looks very promising, I was always wondering why no one figured out how to tap into the MOST bus, it is far superior than using an analog signal to pass the audio (aux).Also, I just ordered this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-O-S-T-Android-Auto-CarPlay-interface-BMW-CIC-MID-E90-E92-X5-X6-Z4-/255070820273?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.
Let us know how it works once you get it set up, I think i'll be ordering it also for my CIC car.
bighindu79 wroteThe audio would be streamed over WiFi, not bluetooth. That’s how the Carsara box does it as well. This is a good thing though, as Bluetooth audio is heavily limited by compression. Even with combox’s A2DP, the audio quality is inferior to a digital connection via USB or even a high quality aux source. So, in theory, this new CarPlay MOST box would have an even higher quality wireless audio connection than I’ve had so far, OEM or aftermarket. It’d be pure digital without the limitations of Bluetooth audio compression. I’m excited!this looks interesting. I don't see a piggyback connector for the oem mic in any of the pictures. they include a mic in the kit. keep us posted on the install. if this unit works with the oem mic and audio over Bluetooth via the built in MOST, then I'm definitely on board.
Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.
2009550iMSport wroteThe OEM mic is transmitted over MOST so there would be no need to mess with any mic connections. The unit with talk to it over the bus MOST bus. That's in theory of course depends on how they implemented it.Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.
2009550iMSport wroteThe listing says it uses the car's CD Changer mode (which makes sense given that BMW has accommodations for this as a MOST input).. I wonder if any coding is required to tell the car you're now using a "CD Changer", or if the car detects this box as a CD Changer (and no coding is required) ? Will be curious to hear you feedback regarding this!I was perusing through some German BMW forums and discovered my issue with the individual audio system isn’t that uncommon. Many folks over in Deutschland suggested adding an amp to power the individual audio subs. I think I may give that a try, as I have an extra one lying around.
Also, I just ordered this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr12volt-M-O-S-T-Android-Auto-CarPlay-interface-BMW-CIC-MID-E90-E92-X5-X6-Z4-/255070820273?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
It’s a new CarPlay box with built-in MOST connection. Looks promising.
2009550iMSport wroteNice find, let us know how it works out. Not sure I'd swap units at this rate but if this can tap the MOST bus for audio that would certainly answer everyone elses gripes as long as this supports the main software functions.The audio would be streamed over WiFi, not bluetooth. That’s how the Carsara box does it as well. This is a good thing though, as Bluetooth audio is heavily limited by compression. Even with combox’s A2DP, the audio quality is inferior to a digital connection via USB or even a high quality aux source. So, in theory, this new CarPlay MOST box would have an even higher quality wireless audio connection than I’ve had so far, OEM or aftermarket. It’d be pure digital without the limitations of Bluetooth audio compression. I’m excited!
Also, I believe the mic splitter from the carsara kit will work for this as well. They use the same kind of connector.
Using the existing Mic Pigtail from the Carsara box should be easy, nothing fancy about that input.
I must say I’m fascinated by this device. There’s supposed to be a video installation guide, my guess is the instructions will have a website listed. It says it’s 100% plug & play, and that the CD changer must be already disabled in iDrive. I’m starting to think that the box might be best installed in the glove box where the blank space is for a CD changer! It looks about the right size, and that’s right next to a MOST terminal (at least it is for the E60).
I contacted the vendor for my current carsara CarPlay box and was able to buy an extra OEM microphone harness for $15. I’m not sure if the new box will connnwxt to the mic via MOST or what, so I just want to be prepared. This will allow me to keep the Carsara kit all in one piece so I can resell it.
I’m going to add to the suspense and say that this also apparently adds A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming in addition to the CarPlay functionality… Since this hijacks the CD changer input, I suppose that means it could also display track data on the OEM side. Now I already have this feature via combox, but this could be a major upgrade for anyone still on TCU and/or MULF.
One thing I’m not sure about is whether or not the rear view camera interface will have dynamic guidelines like the carsara box does. This isn’t a deal breaker, but I am curious how the camera interface will be set up…
To be completely honest with y’all, the whole reason I bought the CarPlay box in the first place was for the backup camera functionality!
Unlike the E9x and E7x platforms where if you want to add a rear view camera you can simply install a RVC emulator to the CIC, this method does not work on E6x’s. 
unlike those platforms, E60s were never available with RVC as a factory option, so there’s no functionality available to “emulate”, basically. The only option for OEM-like RVC integration is to install an MMI box. It was only a couple more bucks to get an MMI with CarPlay versus a simple camera interface. 
and look where it’s gotten me. 
I contacted the vendor for my current carsara CarPlay box and was able to buy an extra OEM microphone harness for $15. I’m not sure if the new box will connnwxt to the mic via MOST or what, so I just want to be prepared. This will allow me to keep the Carsara kit all in one piece so I can resell it.
I’m going to add to the suspense and say that this also apparently adds A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming in addition to the CarPlay functionality… Since this hijacks the CD changer input, I suppose that means it could also display track data on the OEM side. Now I already have this feature via combox, but this could be a major upgrade for anyone still on TCU and/or MULF.
One thing I’m not sure about is whether or not the rear view camera interface will have dynamic guidelines like the carsara box does. This isn’t a deal breaker, but I am curious how the camera interface will be set up…
To be completely honest with y’all, the whole reason I bought the CarPlay box in the first place was for the backup camera functionality!
Unlike the E9x and E7x platforms where if you want to add a rear view camera you can simply install a RVC emulator to the CIC, this method does not work on E6x’s. unlike those platforms, E60s were never available with RVC as a factory option, so there’s no functionality available to “emulate”, basically. The only option for OEM-like RVC integration is to install an MMI box. It was only a couple more bucks to get an MMI with CarPlay versus a simple camera interface. and look where it’s gotten me.
So i found a video with about a minute-long demo of the Mr12Volt interface, and
hoooooly sh*t
Keep in mind this video is of it installed in an Audi, but that’s not important as they all have the same GUI. There was an install video for an F01 with CIC, but it only showed the interface for like 2 seconds.
Start the video at 7:45 and get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor.
Mr12Volt is a game changer.
hoooooly sh*t
Keep in mind this video is of it installed in an Audi, but that’s not important as they all have the same GUI. There was an install video for an F01 with CIC, but it only showed the interface for like 2 seconds.
Start the video at 7:45 and get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor.
Mr12Volt is a game changer.
tdott wroteThe OEM mic is transmitted over MOST so there would be no need to mess with any mic connections. The unit with talk to it over the bus MOST bus. That's in theory of course depends on how they implemented it.
2009550iMSport wroteLooking at the install in more detail, I see that a mic is included, so I guess they aren't using the OEM mic over MOST.I contacted the vendor for my current carsara CarPlay box and was able to buy an extra OEM microphone harness for $15. I’m not sure if the new box will connnwxt to the mic via MOST or what, so I just want to be prepared. This will allow me to keep the Carsara kit all in one piece so I can resell it.
That is probably the only down side I can see with this unit, but the improvement in sound quality over MOST compared to aux should be worth the trade off.
Once you have this unit set up, might be a good idea to create a new thread in this section for it.
It’s here 😈 and looks high-quality
2009550iMSport wrotePlease let us know after the install! I just retrofitted CIC into my e60 M5 so really interested in how yours turn out.It’s here and looks high-quality
SocalM3 wroteI will! I plan on doing a little write-up with photos. It’s packaged very well. You can tell they really put some work into this kit.Please let us know after the install! I just retrofitted CIC into my e60 M5 so really interested in how yours turn out.
Noooo!!! I dont need to see this Mr 12 Volt upgrade!! Looking forward to thoughts on it! Edit: Looking closely at the ebay ad this looks like it's the same as the original Carsara unit apart from the MOST connector which would make installation a breeze - only thing would be re-plugging the optical loop...damn
2009550iMSport wroteDoes this come with a quadlock?I will! I plan on doing a little write-up with photos. It’s packaged very well. You can tell they really put some work into this kit.
Tigamilla wroteIt send audio over the optical MOST bus - so no need for quadlock technically, it only needs to pic up the CAN signals fr the control knob and reverseeDoes this come with a quadlock?
FINALLY someone made a version that didn't rely on AUX audio. Very curious how this ends up behaving in real world use. Keep us updated!
They had a setup video for a CIC f10, and it does look like you can keep the OEM mic. Shows the integration in the CIC system in the video. This appears to be the holy grail.
Install video on our cars.
Looks like the are adding a mic, but we can use a mic splitter like in Andream/Carsara.
I have the carsara unit at the moment and have been using combox over BT - which sounds nice but lacks nav audio and occasionally wont connect.
Just pulled the trigger on this box - seems like the best integration so far with no compromises.
Will report back once I get and install it.
Looks like they make a Mr12volt M.O.S.T for CCC... how would that work to have carplay come through the CCC screen!? I'd imagine it'd look terrible on such a low resolution screen.
Maybe they can pair that with a screen upgrade?
Maybe they can pair that with a screen upgrade?
gozmanyoni wroteIt would be great if we can use a mic splitter and take advantage of the oem mic. I don't like those external mics at all
Install video on our cars.
Looks like the are adding a mic, but we can use a mic splitter like in Andream/Carsara.
I have the carsara unit at the moment and have been using combox over BT - which sounds nice but lacks nav audio and occasionally wont connect.
Just pulled the trigger on this box - seems like the best integration so far with no compromises.
Will report back once I get and install it.
It seems really odd they didnt use the OEM Mic. Definately let us know if you can get it to work. Also they didn't really seem to mount the unit anywhere in the video and just left it hanging, which seems odd.
Just got it all installed!
While this is not an install in one of “your cars”, my car is an E60, which is very similar to E9x in regards to electronics architecture. The E9x platform’s electronics are actually based on the E60. One of the main differences is I save VO to CAS & LMA, versus CAS & FRM/NFRM.
First impressions:
- This is a NICE kit. It is so well integrated, the only way to tell it’s not OEM is the fact that you have to select CD1 as the source.
- Confirmed this box allows for wireless streaming of Apple Music at lossless 16-bit/44.1 kHz ALAC - this is a huge deal in regards to sound quality. Speaking of the devil…
- Sound quality is jaw-dropping. It’s exponentially better than Bluetooth Audio via Combox. I attribute this to the audio source being streamed over wifi, thus allowing a higher bitrate than Bluetooth can provide. The improvement over quadlok is immense. As those with top hifi sound systems, individual audio in particular, will tell you, no aux source is very good at high volumes. This is.
- The backup camera interface is far superior to Carsara’s. Sometimes when I would go into reverse with the previous box, it wouldn’t switch over to the backup camera, especially if I just started the car. This box delivers the picture instantly and there’s no hesitation in the steering guidelines.
- This box has a much faster processor. Everything works very fluidly and without lag. The Mr12Volt screen has an impressive GUI with a nice scrolling effect. I dig it.
- It mimics the CD changer to communicate with the car via MOST.
- You do not need to have a CD changer for this to work.
- You do not need to have CD changer preparation for this to work.
- You do not even need to have any MOST components for this to work. Yes, that’s right. If you do not have MOST infrastructure in your car, you can connect this box directly to the MOST port on your CIC.
- It includes a MOST splitter to connect to the back of the head unit if you do not have a CD changer or the preparation for one in the glove box.
My only complaints so far are:
- it mutes the music when in reverse. There’s no setting to override this. I contacted the manufacturer to try to get access to the “advanced settings” menu thinking it might be in there. I’m supposed to hear back on Monday.
- it’s a bit aggressive about staying in CarPlay mode. If you switch back to the iDrive interface for whatever reason, it will automatically switch back to the Mr12Volt interface after 20 seconds or so. And if you switch it back again to iDrive, it loses your place in whatever menu you were adjusting, meaning you have to click through the various menus back to where you were before. This isn’t that big of a deal, but still a bit annoying if you’re trying to adjust something like the EQ.
Cool differences in this box vs Carsara:
- All seek track buttons now control CarPlay. With the carsara box, you could only change the track playing via the steering wheel controls. With Mr12Volt, the head unit’s previous & next buttons also function.
- This box includes Bluetooth audio functionality not related to the use of CarPlay or android auto. Unlike the carsara box and it’s bare-bones interface, this has a high quality interface with scrolling graphics effects and actual functionality. It basically adds all of the things OEM combox has and more. It’s really a huge upgrade for those who don’t have combox. Huge.
- This box makes better use of the OEM CIC screen. The picture looks like a higher resolution than the carsara box.
- there is no “hold down menu button for 3 seconds to switch interfaces” with Mr12Volt. You select CD and then CD1 in the list. And to switch between the interfaces you can simply just press in the volume knob on the head unit. This switches between iDrive and Mr12Volt with zero lag.
- there is no quadlok connector on CIC versions. There is one for CCC-equipped cars. This box taps into canbus via the iDrive controller. It also gets its power from the iDrive controller. This, in my opinion, is a very smart and minimalist solution and I’m not sure why others haven’t designed their devices this way.
- The actual box itself is a smaller form factor than the Carsara. I was able to mount it affixed to the top of the driver’s cup holder housing behind the dash. The kit includes some 3M mounting tape.
I’ll admit that I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to aftermarket tech, but I really am very happy with the Mr12Volt box.
I’m lucky that i saw it when it first was released on eBay because it’s now sold out, and they hiked up the price. I paid $299 for it and now it’s going for $379. The CIC version sold out within 3 days. You can pre-order it directly on their website for a 20% discount. I would order it ASAP because they really underpriced these. I would’ve paid $600 for a kit of this quality, if not more. It won’t surprise me if the price goes up more than it already has.
It’s just wonderful. This box will put all the others out of business.
Oh, I almost forgot:
I do not know for sure if the mic splitter will work with this box. I have it wired up that way right now, but I have yet to try it out yet. The reason I’m not sure is because the 3.5mm male plug is different on this box vs carsara. The carsara plug only has one little rib on the end, this mic’s has 2. It may still work, but I’m not sure yet.
Some connection-related tips:
- make sure you really push with some force when you plug in the splitter to the iDrive controller. Mine didn’t work at first and left me very frustrated until I realized it wasn’t plugged in fully.
- my car wouldn’t recognize the device on the MOST bus at first. I know it was all hooked up correctly because I had sound, which indicates there are no breaks in the MOST loop or in the K-CAN loop. I went through a trial and error process and I’m not sure which thing I did made it finally work, but here’s what I did:
- disconnected MOST from Mr12Volt and put the MOST terminator on it.
- plugged in the diagnostic MOST connection into Mr12Volt. This may not be an option for some of you because I believe the E90 has this located in the driver’s footwell. In the E60 it’s located in the glove compartment.
- with the car on, i unplugged the other connectors from Mr12Volt but left the MOST connected. Then all of a sudden iDrive popped up with CD1 in the CD menu. Before that, everything was greyed out. It worked perfectly. I reconnected the MOST connector coming from the splitter on the head unit and put away the diagnostic MOST connector.
Pictures:
While this is not an install in one of “your cars”, my car is an E60, which is very similar to E9x in regards to electronics architecture. The E9x platform’s electronics are actually based on the E60. One of the main differences is I save VO to CAS & LMA, versus CAS & FRM/NFRM.
First impressions:
- This is a NICE kit. It is so well integrated, the only way to tell it’s not OEM is the fact that you have to select CD1 as the source.
- Confirmed this box allows for wireless streaming of Apple Music at lossless 16-bit/44.1 kHz ALAC - this is a huge deal in regards to sound quality. Speaking of the devil…
- Sound quality is jaw-dropping. It’s exponentially better than Bluetooth Audio via Combox. I attribute this to the audio source being streamed over wifi, thus allowing a higher bitrate than Bluetooth can provide. The improvement over quadlok is immense. As those with top hifi sound systems, individual audio in particular, will tell you, no aux source is very good at high volumes. This is.
- The backup camera interface is far superior to Carsara’s. Sometimes when I would go into reverse with the previous box, it wouldn’t switch over to the backup camera, especially if I just started the car. This box delivers the picture instantly and there’s no hesitation in the steering guidelines.
- This box has a much faster processor. Everything works very fluidly and without lag. The Mr12Volt screen has an impressive GUI with a nice scrolling effect. I dig it.
- It mimics the CD changer to communicate with the car via MOST.
- You do not need to have a CD changer for this to work.
- You do not need to have CD changer preparation for this to work.
- You do not even need to have any MOST components for this to work. Yes, that’s right. If you do not have MOST infrastructure in your car, you can connect this box directly to the MOST port on your CIC.
- It includes a MOST splitter to connect to the back of the head unit if you do not have a CD changer or the preparation for one in the glove box.
My only complaints so far are:
- it mutes the music when in reverse. There’s no setting to override this. I contacted the manufacturer to try to get access to the “advanced settings” menu thinking it might be in there. I’m supposed to hear back on Monday.
- it’s a bit aggressive about staying in CarPlay mode. If you switch back to the iDrive interface for whatever reason, it will automatically switch back to the Mr12Volt interface after 20 seconds or so. And if you switch it back again to iDrive, it loses your place in whatever menu you were adjusting, meaning you have to click through the various menus back to where you were before. This isn’t that big of a deal, but still a bit annoying if you’re trying to adjust something like the EQ.
Cool differences in this box vs Carsara:
- All seek track buttons now control CarPlay. With the carsara box, you could only change the track playing via the steering wheel controls. With Mr12Volt, the head unit’s previous & next buttons also function.
- This box includes Bluetooth audio functionality not related to the use of CarPlay or android auto. Unlike the carsara box and it’s bare-bones interface, this has a high quality interface with scrolling graphics effects and actual functionality. It basically adds all of the things OEM combox has and more. It’s really a huge upgrade for those who don’t have combox. Huge.
- This box makes better use of the OEM CIC screen. The picture looks like a higher resolution than the carsara box.
- there is no “hold down menu button for 3 seconds to switch interfaces” with Mr12Volt. You select CD and then CD1 in the list. And to switch between the interfaces you can simply just press in the volume knob on the head unit. This switches between iDrive and Mr12Volt with zero lag.
- there is no quadlok connector on CIC versions. There is one for CCC-equipped cars. This box taps into canbus via the iDrive controller. It also gets its power from the iDrive controller. This, in my opinion, is a very smart and minimalist solution and I’m not sure why others haven’t designed their devices this way.
- The actual box itself is a smaller form factor than the Carsara. I was able to mount it affixed to the top of the driver’s cup holder housing behind the dash. The kit includes some 3M mounting tape.
I’ll admit that I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to aftermarket tech, but I really am very happy with the Mr12Volt box.
I’m lucky that i saw it when it first was released on eBay because it’s now sold out, and they hiked up the price. I paid $299 for it and now it’s going for $379. The CIC version sold out within 3 days. You can pre-order it directly on their website for a 20% discount. I would order it ASAP because they really underpriced these. I would’ve paid $600 for a kit of this quality, if not more. It won’t surprise me if the price goes up more than it already has.
It’s just wonderful. This box will put all the others out of business.
Oh, I almost forgot:
I do not know for sure if the mic splitter will work with this box. I have it wired up that way right now, but I have yet to try it out yet. The reason I’m not sure is because the 3.5mm male plug is different on this box vs carsara. The carsara plug only has one little rib on the end, this mic’s has 2. It may still work, but I’m not sure yet.
Some connection-related tips:
- make sure you really push with some force when you plug in the splitter to the iDrive controller. Mine didn’t work at first and left me very frustrated until I realized it wasn’t plugged in fully.
- my car wouldn’t recognize the device on the MOST bus at first. I know it was all hooked up correctly because I had sound, which indicates there are no breaks in the MOST loop or in the K-CAN loop. I went through a trial and error process and I’m not sure which thing I did made it finally work, but here’s what I did:
- disconnected MOST from Mr12Volt and put the MOST terminator on it.
- plugged in the diagnostic MOST connection into Mr12Volt. This may not be an option for some of you because I believe the E90 has this located in the driver’s footwell. In the E60 it’s located in the glove compartment.
- with the car on, i unplugged the other connectors from Mr12Volt but left the MOST connected. Then all of a sudden iDrive popped up with CD1 in the CD menu. Before that, everything was greyed out. It worked perfectly. I reconnected the MOST connector coming from the splitter on the head unit and put away the diagnostic MOST connector.
Pictures:
