Bremmen Android Head Unit question

[VTkicker44]

2002 M5 with S752 individual audio (dsp + nav)
Radio sits in the trunk along with the DSP AMP.

Question is... do these aftermarket headunits utilize the factory bmw dsp amp or does is bypass it?

I am trying to see if I can keep the amp and run this headunit with bluetooth, etc.

Ive tried unplugging the factory radio metra 9003 and plugging the andriod headunit to it while running the blue/while (amp-con) wire to the white wire pin#4 on the dsp amp. Headunit powers up but no sound.

Ive read where the factory radio can only operate the factory dsp amp via canbus or something of that nature. So if the factory radio is disconnected, one would need to bypass the dsp amp to power the existing speakers.

Any help would be appreciated! I can find too much on the DSP amp and andriod hu.

[//m320is]

There is a ton of information on this subject, but yes, you are correct the DSP amp requires "Data" to work. Most of the "better" android units are compatable and include boxes that will turn on and control the amp itself. I have 2 units, one in my X5 and the brand name starts with D and one in my e38 and the brand name starts with A, both of them have worked flawlessly with the DSP system. The Metra plug is inteded for vehicles without the DSP system, if that is what your asking.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

I guess you mean this range from Turner Motorsport - https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...imedia-system/

As per above, there's lots of information over the BMW forums etc about the Android driven Chinese replacement units. The ones which are known to be compatible with the OEM DSP amp are the Dynavin N7 and the Avin Avant 4. You'll need to speak to Turner motorsport and ask them if their units are able to accept the Resler USB interface stick and run the ibus app (both of which are extra purchases). If so, you should then be able to get the 'data' needed to keep the OEM DSP amp switched on. There's a few other brand units that can, and there's others which don't.

It's a mixed bag overall, owners like M320is above have got units that work whilst others have got the same units but have had issues/problems. At least if you get the one from Turner, if it turns out to be a problematic unit, you should be able to get your money back!

Cheers, Dennis!

[Perern]

That Bremmen unit has the curve of the X5 console, looks weird in an E39. Get a Xtrons PQ7939BIP and a Resler stick: http://www.reslers.de/IBUS/index_de.html

[rlordjr]

Hi Perern how did you decide on that XTRONS unit? So many choices!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[DennisCooper]

Hi Perern how did you decide on that XTRONS unit? So many choices!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Get the one you feel luckiest about !

But that one supports use of the Resler Interface and iBus app, which you'll purchase on top. Some people have installed and found the unit ok, other's have and have had problems/issues.

VTkicker44 - As per Perern, the unit shown is the E53 X5 version, it has a more curved front fascia to match the dash shape of that car. People do put them into E39's and of course, they don't match and just look 'off' Not sure if they stock an E39 shaped unit.

Cheers, Dennis!

[mapkrk]

Hi there,


Does anybody know how tricky it is to replace a genuine Business CD with DPS unit ( without navigation ) with an Xtrons unit in a E39 ? I would like to have an I-Bus functions as well. I wrote an email to Xtrons support team for some info and they came back to me with this : "These PQ7039B and PBX7039B heads units fit your vehicle, but we suggest you to refer to the important note in the description for further confirm." , and another email "those unit are not compatible with your vehicle, and we have to be sorry to you as we don't have a proper unit to recommended to you" . I'm confused now however I'd like to install an Xtrons it seems to be the best replacement for the stock unit. Please advice, thanks in advance.

Regards,
Matt

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

The usual low quality support response there!

Do you have a CD player with the MID display panel in the dash ? it's the one with the larger rectangular display with buttons underneath for which you can show Range/Cosnumption 1 &2 etc?

If so, you'll need to remove those modules, and most likely have to buy better mounting brackets (some enthusiasts 3D print them) to mount the xtrons physically - the standard brackets are known to be rubbish/garbage !

You'll need to purchase the Resler Interface and the iBus app separately as well. You'll connect the wiring harness loom that contains the wire for the iBus data to the Resler interface. Have a search around for posts for these aspects and also, to determine if there's +12V/ground/speaker connections/Antenna plug etc at the dash area currently, or, if you'll need the 5M harness extension which extends those connections from the back of the car to the dash area/front.

After all that, 'hopefully' the unit you buy will work for you well and longer term! good luck for that !

Cheers, Dennis!

[mapkrk]

Yes it is a CD player with MID display and DSP module. Are you saying the Xtrons unit is unreliable ?

Thanks mate !

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

I met and spoke to representatives of Xtrons and a few more Chinese electronics 'brands' at SEMA, also spoke to a number of UK importers over the years who sold chinese replacement type head units as well as the established supply chain importers/distributors/local car audio specialists as well as talking to actual owners who'd decided to purchase such a unit. On top of that, you can also take a look through forums like this one and other BMW forums as well as facebook too.

Over the last decade, these chinese replacement units are 'still' a gamble as to if you get a good working unit that stays that way longer term. The units are all made in 3/4 factories in China, a brand name added like 'xtrons/erisin/pumpkin/doogee' and more and then flogged to owners.

You 'might' get lucky and get a unit that works well for you longer term, or you likely won't.

if of course you aren't so concerned with aspects like reliability, sound quality, performance etc then do consider one and good luck! If any of those aspects are important to you, I'd say give such a unit a miss as it's likely sooner or later, you'll end up disappointed/frustrated as what's happened to many others who took the gamble over the years!

Cheers, Dennis!

[mapkrk]

I've googled customer reviews for Xtrons and most of them are bad. Thanks for warning me! I don't have good knowledge of this market, however I still would like to replace my basic radio unit. Would you recommend something better ? Worst case scenario, I have whole setup for MKIII navigation system with 16:9 screen which I pulled from a wrecked car (hopefully it works) but it's a big job and I don't have much time for it now.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

You will get those 'relative' few owners with an Xtrons, or any other chinese replacement brand name saying they love their unit/it's been fine/it works and has worked for a year or two+. It all comes down to what each owner wants, some aren't concerned with quality or reliability others are.

For those who do want a reliable and high quality solution, then it's a unit from the likes of Kenwood/Alpine/Pioneer/JVC and there is an OEM look fascia/fitting kit for such units to give a close to OEM look in the dash which can be seen here







Such units don't integrate/support various car's functions/features, so for BMW, there's no OBC support directly. I guess you could relocate the MID display you have to the glovebox and keep a lookout for a solution which may be coming along to incorporate the OEM OBC display to work

You could retrofit the OEM setup you have, but there's more downsides nowadays overall, you'd have to install it all, hope all the modules work, then it'd be more spend to upgrade to the Mk4 DVD based GPS computer, get the Bluebus Bluetooth solution which is the best on the market, more spend to keep all the modules working, more spend to improve the peformance/sound quality and upgrade the OEM speakers etc i.e it's the most expensive route to take.

Cheers, Dennis!

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Hey Dennis, do you have a faceplate that is just like that one, but without the buttons and the knobs?

[DennisCooper]

Hey Dennis, do you have a faceplate that is just like that one, but without the buttons and the knobs?

I don't, no. There's plenty on ebay etc that are blank either side, they've been available for years!

Cheers, Dennis!

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

All the ones that I see are like the one that I got, with the hood that jutts out on the top.i want to find one like yours, but without the knobs and buttons. I will then cut holes to mount the USB and aux inputs on the sides.

[DennisCooper]

All the ones that I see are like the one that I got, with the hood that jutts out on the top.i want to find one like yours, but without the knobs and buttons. I will then cut holes to mount the USB and aux inputs on the sides.

Your ebay search skills are feeble ! look at item number 264538596685 on US Ebay or seller bizbest that has the 'flat' one listed I used to have the better quality one that was made by Connects2, but they discontinued it back in 2011'ish, looked like this




Or, if you can find one, the Janus Design kit, I also used to have one of those, but seems like they're not available anymore/gone out of business a few years ago. I may be able to source one for you though, the guy who bought the one I had may change to an NXG-39 and will want to move it on. I'll ask him and let you know

Cheers, Dennis!

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Ok, great! I saw some of those, last time I looked, but they were priced high with ridiculous shipping, so I just ordered the hooded one from Crutchfield, idea was to just live with it until I decided I really hated it and think about designing one and having my buddy’s machine shop mill it out on aluminum, test the sample, if good, powder coat it black and see if anyone else wanted one.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Ok, I found one out of Ukraine, I’ll look some more, but do find out from your buddy, my other wagon is getting a sound system install in the works too. Thanks!

[Thunderbird008]

Hi there.
I am new here and need some help please.
I installed an PBX9990BL Android 9 Radio GPS 4+64GB 8Core BMW 3 E90 2005 and receiving radio stations is very poor to almost non-existent if you are not close to broadcasting point.
I am using this product in South Africa.
What can be done to rectify radio signal reception if any?
Do I need to see if the AMPLIFIER in the roof receive 12v?
Kind regards.
Frik.

[DennisCooper]

Hi Thunderbird,

The chinese replacement units use low quality internal electronics so it may just be the sensitivity of the Tuner isn't very good. It's possible that your antenna connection isn't so good either so check and ensure that is working/connected well and retry. If you can, find a good working radio and test the signal strength. If that works well/decent when driving around, swap the chinese unit back in. If signal is good then you know it was a antenna issue. if the reception is poor again, well, as I say, these units use low quality electronics and thus, have poor performance all round.

Cheers, Dennis!