Does DIYCarPlay supply the parts described in "How to Identify Your Head Unit (CIC, NBT, EVO, NTG, MMI, PCM) Before Ordering"?

Yes — the modules referenced in this guide are from our own catalogue, covering 19 vehicle brands and 39 head unit variants. If you are sourcing for resale, ask us for the wholesale and private label terms.

Can I ask a question about my specific car?

Yes. Send us your VIN (last 7 digits) and a photo of your factory screen on WhatsApp (+8613418827141) or email jerry@diycarplay.com, and we will confirm the correct module and what the installation involves.

Can you confirm this applies to my model year?

Head unit generation matters more than model year, because manufacturers phased each generation in over overlapping years. The compatibility table in this article lists the generations we have verified; anything outside it we will confirm case by case.

Published 2026-09-15 · DIYCarPlay Engineering Team · 3 min read

How to Identify Your Head Unit (CIC, NBT, EVO, NTG, MMI, PCM) Before Ordering

Wrong-platform orders are the number-one cause of returns in the CarPlay retrofit business. This guide gives your sales team a 30-second identification workflow.

The Three-Question Workflow

1. What does the main menu look like? Tile-style (BMW EVO, MBUX, MIB3) vs list-style (CIC, NBT, NTG, MMI) narrows the generation instantly.
2. Does the control knob have touch? Touch-capable knob = NBT or later (BMW), NTG4.5+ (Mercedes), MMI touch (Audi).
3. What is the exact model year? Transition years (2012 BMW F30, 2013 Mercedes W204 facelift, 2017 Audi C7.5) can carry either platform.

Brand Cheat Sheet

BMW: CIC = 2008–2014, boxy menu. NBT = 2012–2016, wide list menu. EVO = 2015+, tiles. Mercedes: NTG4.0 = small screen 2007–2013. NTG4.5/5.0 = widescreen 2013–2019. HU6 = MBUX 2019+. Audi: MMI 2G/3G = pop-up screen. MIB = 2017+ tile interface. Porsche: CDR = base radio. PCM 3.1 = nav, older UI. PCM 4.0/5.0 = wide touchscreen 2017+. Land Rover / Jaguar: split by screen size — Bose, Harman 8", Harman 10.25". VW: RCD = radio, RNS = +nav, MIB = wide touch era. Toyota / Lexus / Nissan / Infiniti: model line and build year first, dashboard photo second.

Platform-by-platform identification guides with the visual checks: BMW CIC vs NBT vs EVO, Mercedes NTG generations, Audi MMI generations, Porsche PCM generations, Land Rover & Jaguar head units, Volvo Sensus variants, VW RCD / RNS / MIB, Toyota & Lexus and Nissan & Infiniti.

When in Doubt: Two Photos

Ask the customer for (1) a photo of the powered-on main menu and (2) a photo of the control knob. Send both to us via WhatsApp — our engineers confirm the exact module within 12 hours, free. Use our online Fitment Checker for instant preliminary matching.

Why This Matters for Distributors

Every product page on this site includes a per-generation fitment table. Link your customers to the relevant page — for example BMW NBT or Mercedes NTG4.5 — so they self-verify before ordering. Fewer returns, higher review scores.

Need the Module From This Guide?

Wholesale from 10 pcs (mixed models OK), samples in 7–15 days (DHL/FedEx express). Fitment confirmation within 12 hours.

Request Pricing Check Fitment