🚗 Upgrade your Mini Cooper’s tech game—wireless, smart, and effortlessly sleek!
The Road Top Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Retrofit Kit is designed exclusively for BMW Mini Cooper NBT systems (2014-2018). It enables wireless and wired CarPlay and Android Auto, supports Mirrorlink, and integrates with factory and aftermarket cameras. Installation requires dashboard removal and wiring to the original CD host, preserving the car’s original system while adding modern connectivity and voice control features.
Wattage | 5E+1 |
Number of Channels | 4 |
Output Wattage | 50 Watts |
Video Encoding | mp4 |
Audio Output Type | Speakers |
Wireless Technology | AirPlay, Bluetooth |
Internet Applications | YouTube |
Control Method | App |
Connector Type | USB, 3.5mm Jack |
Audio Output Mode | Surround |
Number of Audio Channels | 4.0 |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB |
Controller Type | Android |
Additional Features | Apple CarPlay |
Compatible Devices | Smartphone, Speaker |
O**A
Works very well once you understand some of it's character flaws UPDATED 6/2023
UpdateJust wanted to offer an update to my almost 1 year experience with the Road Top box I installed in both my Mini F57 and Mini F54.Originally I pointed out that that this product works very well as long as it's character flaws are understood. Well, working through character flaws/design limitations/bugs is defined by the level of customer service a company offers to manage such issues. The level of complexity that electronics and the software that runs atop those electronics inevitably brings along bugs. Software is all about maturity through iteration and not perfection out of the gate- this is especially true for consumer electronics that are built to a cost. Therefore an interface like the Roadtop Carplay/AA box, where you're dealing with complicated interoperability can live or die based on long-term support IMO. And I'm happy to say that despite a few issues, the team at Roadtop (specifically Sarah) have provided STELLAR/FANTASTIC/ PEARLESS after sales customer support. They (Sarah) never once ignored my inquiries or failed to provide a fix or answer to the many post dales questions I asked. Here are some issues that Sarah and team helped me manage through over the past year regarding how the RT box interfaced with my Mini NBT/NBT Evo head units.- New software to improve overly aggressive transition form MIni UI to CP/AA.- Hand-holding me through some of my ignorance about how the interface operates and it's limitations.- helping me through physically reversing the Left and Right Audio AUX pins for my Clubman install (turned out that BMW/Mini did not properly document which of the two Aux pin on the Quadlock connection was R/L, so my F54 Clubman had a channel swap issue, whereas the same year F57 Cooper did not. They also provided me a new harness at a discounted cost when I messed up the pin swap on the original RT harness.- worked with me to clear up the fact that I could not swap the LVDS cables (as mentioned in my original review it caused blank video)Sent me a replacement USB/Video interface cable, when I thought that the original cable maybe faulty (turned out the connector into the RT box wasn't fully seated due to the tricky CLuman install I mentioned in my original review).- And most recently (like yesterday) they provided a software patch to the MCU that fixed a bug where Bimmercode failed to communicate or allow parameter changes to various ECUs, including the headunit and Amplifier. This particular bug has been widely discussed on various BMW forums over th epast couple of years and Even my inquiry to Bimmer Tech respective to whether it was an issue with their relabeled "MMI" version of this box (I'm pretty sure RT, BimmerTech and Adream all use the same basic platform, but unsure if there is any unique features that separate them).In summary, it's been a great experience. Many thanks to Sarah and the team at Roadtop for making the $600 I sent on their product well worth it both from a CS and long-term improvement to my beloved Minis!Purchased this product twice, once for my spouses 2016 Mini Cooper F57 "Justa" convertible with the base 6-inch NBT system and then again for my 2016 Clubman F54S with the upgraded 8-inch NBT EVO Harman Kardon Stereo system. The most complicated part of installation was finding a place for the Roadtop box. As others have done, I located the back box over the glovebox in the F57 and behind the HVAC controls in the F54. The F54 was by far the most challenging given it barely fit in a diagonal area that had barely enough clearance with the bottom edge of the NBT system. Wire management was OK and I located the BT/Wi-Fi antenna under the empty center speaker location in the F57 and on the metal cross-brace just above the NBT EVO unit in the 54. Make sure you are certain of where you want to place the antenna before setting it, because once it sticks it isn't coming off.One of the reasons for installing the roadtop unit in my spouses F57 was to also install a back-up camera. I purchased the Natika camera and because Minis (i.e. BMW) interiors area assembled like a complex puzzle, I had to rip out the backseat, trunk trim and rear seat trim. of the F57 to run the cable along the passenger door sill and up into the area behind the glovebox. It was time intensive but satisfying and the little mini's interior went back together as tight as it was prior to tear down. You just need to take your time and think about how the puzzle comes apart and goes back together. It took me about 6 hours all together taking my time across to mornings.The F54 also took some time, but not because of having to take stuff apart. It was due to a bad assumption on my part. Given the challenging placement of the roadtop box and connector configuration, I decided to take the longer roadtop supplied LVDS cable and run it from the headunit to the roadtop box and take the shorter BMW cable and use it between the roadtop box and screen. I didn't for a moment think the pin-outs were different. This resulted in no video to the display and after a day of believing that the roadtop box was faulty, I thought, well maybe the cables are different. And they were. swapped them back and viola, everything worked.After using the systems for almost 3 months I have to say that I am very pleased with the results- especially in my F54 with the 8-inch screen. I also find that the Android Auto (via Samsung Note 20 Ultra in my set-up) seems to be less finicky than Carplay (via iPhone XR in my wife's set-up), especially when your using wireless connections. It could be that my wife's XR is a little too old for the latest carplay version, but unless you specifically turn off the phone's Wi-Fi and BT you'll find the video going black if you are connected via cable. By comparison my Samsung/AA set-up is much more reliable and has never dropped out. It can also be quite irritating if both the Samsung and Apple phones are in the same car, as they both end up fighting for dominance over wireless. So I either use my phone in my wife's car, or disable my wireless connections and use my wife's iPhone. The other annoyance is how aggressive the Roadtop box is about taking over the NBT system. If I try to exit into iDrive to, say, check tire pressures or change a car setting, the Roadtop box will interrupt and pull the NBT system back under its control. SO it takes a few cycles to finally get the roadtop box to "let go".But with the exception of those easily worked around issues. I have to say the roadtop box works very well and in fact fixes the Mini's "backward" rotary knob control. And Sarah (Roadtop Technical support) was excellent and replied within 12 hours (I believe she is located in China).So very much recommended.
M**V
Need customer support / Screen problems
The media could not be loaded. Well I managed to install this and everything was working well for about 5mins and then afterwards the screen keeps getting pixelated and staticky. This happens every time. Works for about the first 5 minutes and then the screen goes like that. I’ve doubled check everything, cables are connected properly, wifi antenna in correct spot, etc. but the issue won’t go away. There is no way to contact customer support. If you see this please reach out to me!!! Very frustrating!
**Y
Nice unit
It was easy to install and worked great in my F55 Mini
N**K
CarPlay for 2017 Mini Cooper Base Model
I recently purchased this device for my 2017 Mini Cooper Base Model and I am quite satisfied with its performance, albeit with a few caveats.Installation and setup were straightforward, but it did require some tweaking in the settings menu to optimize its fit on the screen. Once adjusted, the display and interface integration were quite impressive.However, it's important to note that the sound settings needed some adjustments. The default loudness levels were not ideal, so I had to spend some time in the settings menu to get the volume back to what I was accustomed to without the device. This might be a minor inconvenience for those not too tech-savvy.The most significant drawback, however, is the echo experienced during phone calls. The quality of the call is significantly diminished due to this echo, which is more pronounced on the receiver's end. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on hands-free calling while driving.Overall, while the device works quite well with the 2017 Mini Cooper Base Model and enhances the overall driving experience, but users should be prepared for some initial setup adjustments and be aware of the less-than-ideal call quality. Despite these issues, it's a worthwhile addition for those looking to upgrade their car to carplay.
C**E
It's great, when it starts up correctly
I have a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman S with the base system. Install was very straightforward with the included instructions as well as a couple of youtube videos that I used as a supplement.When it wants to start correctly, it's great & works correctly. About half of the time, I get a black screen. Sometimes, I can long press the Menu button on the iDrive & push it back to my old GUI to play the radio or my USB stick, but other times, it's just a blank display. The only way to fix it is to stop the car, put it in park, trun off the car entirely & force it to "reboot" essentially. Kind of an inconvenience when I've already pulled into traffice before noticing that it's decided not to push the display to my screen. I've pulled it out & double checked the cables, all are connected properly. It's almost as if the display portion of the unit just doesn't want to work sometimes & not firing completely during startup. Good, given the price but I would've paid a little more to get something that's more reliable.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
1 month ago