[MTCD  Android Head Units Q&A] Pattond:
Last month, I found this this Android 5.1.1 Headunit on Aliexpress for $227 shipped. I decided that the price was low enough to take the risk and purchased. The vendor's store is TONGTAI HONGKONG INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD I am not endorsing the vendor, I didn't need them for any support yet, but I assume people will ask due to price.

Today was the first nice day since I got it, so I did the install this morning. I'm not going to recreate the install here, as there are already many for the Eonon, Dynavin, Avin, and others. This is just like those. I will note where I came across anything I wasn't expecting below.

A couple of points, I did not install a backup camera. My E46 is a Cabrio, and visibility is fine, I just don't think the benefits are there for me. Additionally, DVD is not important so I didn't check that out. I do want a working Radio, Bluetooth Calling and streaming and Navigation. This unit is doing all of that.

Opened Box

Retail box - I've seen other units that have the identical packaging

As Packed

Parts laid out

Parts laid out 2 - Note- connectors for the early and late radio's and early and late antennas. My car is one of the 2006 330's, and one of the last off the line.

Closer pic of unit - These look exactly like every other unit on the market.

Navigation SD card included - I read a lot of different solutions on where to put the GPS antenna. I was going to put it in the spot behind the instrument cluster, but BMW already had a factory installed antenna there. I guess by 2006, it was cheaper to put the antennas in all cars (like the factory Bluetooth). I used the metal cross bar above the radio. The antenna has a magnet on the base and i just sat it on top, it won't move. Reception, for me, is fine.

Back of unit. Cleaner than many - Note On many of these units the can-bus plugs into the back. I have been told that that makes fit difficult because of the amount of wires back there. The can-bus came off a pigtail on the mail unit and was easily tucked out of the way.

Another pic of the back of the unit - Note the white input plug under the antenna in. Those were for the RCA connectors for pre-amps. It wasn't needed it this install, the factory harness took care of everything, left those pigtails out.

Top with wiring diagram - All I did was remove the screws and plug it in, I didn't have to refer to any wiring. I will say I had trouble getting the adapter to line up with the factory plug. I almost broke the harness side. Not sure why it was so hard to align, but eventually it did.

Climate controls moved to the lower spot -Here are the climate controls moved into the lower section. I got a used navigation bracket off eBay for $20. The lighter clips were broken on one side, but not off. I had to use a cable tie to "lock" it in. If I had caught that before install, I would have swapped the lighter for a USB

Unit Installed

Radio Screen

Bluetooth Phone Screen

System Screen - Originally this was on a July MCU release, when I went into the about screen, it offered an update. An old ROM was on the Nav Card, and I overwrote the newer ROM with the older version. I sent the vendor a message to see if they can send me the link to the newer one. That said, I am not having an issue with this one.

Here is a walkthrough of it live. The video stops when I use bluetooth, not because of the headunit, but my phone stopped recording when making a call.

https://youtu.be/Vtv2tJte5oQ

All said and done I am very happy with this unit based after installation. I have been reading many people who have issues, so maybe I got a "good" one, or maybe issues are yet to come. If you have any questions, fire away.