How do I identify my head unit before ordering?

Check the software version screen in the vehicle's infotainment settings, or photograph the main menu. Platform names differ per brand — CIC / NBT / EVO on BMW, NTG generations on Mercedes-Benz, MMI 2G / 3G / MIB on Audi — and model year alone is not reliable because platforms changed mid-cycle.

Should I choose a wired or a wireless decoder?

Choose a module that supports both. Wireless is what end customers ask for, but wired mode still matters for charging during navigation-heavy trips and for maximum connection stability in congested RF environments.

What should I verify before buying from a factory?

Confirm platform-level QC against the real head unit, ask for the fitment table and installation manual, check the warranty and firmware policy, and request a sample box before committing to volume.

What is the difference between a CarPlay decoder and an aftermarket head unit?

An aftermarket head unit replaces your factory screen, which on a BMW, Mercedes or Porsche means losing the OEM menu, controller and often the amplifier integration. A decoder keeps everything factory and adds CarPlay as a second layer you switch into — cheaper, reversible and it preserves resale value.

Why do two decoders for the same car cost very different amounts?

The difference is usually the wireless module, the CAN-bus firmware and the power design. Cheap units drop the 5 GHz Wi-Fi link, ship with a generic CAN library that misses models, or omit voltage protection and run hot behind the dashboard. Ask which head units a supplier's firmware is verified against — that answer tells you what you are buying.

Buyer's guide · 19 brands · 39 modules

CarPlay Retrofit Buying Guide — Choosing the Right Decoder

How to identify the head unit you are dealing with, choose between module types, and verify a supplier before you commit to volume.

1. Identify the Head-Unit Platform First

Everything else follows from the platform. Two cars of the same model year can carry different infotainment generations, so the registration year is a starting point, not an answer. The reliable signals are the software version screen in the vehicle settings and the look of the main menu — menu styling and screen resolution give the platform away quickly.

Platform families by brand: BMW / MINI — CIC, NBT, EVO. Mercedes-Benz — NTG4.0, NTG4.5/4.7, NTG5.0, HU6. Audi — MMI 2G, MMI 3G/3G+, MIB2/MIB3. Porsche — CDR, PCM 3.1, PCM 4.0. Land Rover / Jaguar — JR-1 (Bose), JR-2, JR-3 (Harman).

2. Confirm What Stays Working

Factory screen, resolution and touch behaviour
iDrive / COMAND / MMI rotary controller and steering-wheel buttons
Factory rear-view or 360-degree camera and reverse trigger
Factory microphone routing, or a supplied microphone where required
Original radio, CD and factory navigation, switchable from the OEM menu

3. Decide Between Wired, Wireless or Both

Every module we manufacture supports wired and wireless CarPlay, Android Auto and Huawei HiCar. Wireless is what end customers ask for; wired remains important for charging during long navigation sessions and for connection stability in crowded RF environments.

4. Verify the Supplier

Ask for the fitment table, the installation manual, the warranty terms and firmware policy, and whether QC is done against the real head unit rather than a generic simulator. A sample box is the cheapest way to validate all of it.

Platform & Module Reference Table

Brand	Decoder modules	Years covered
BMW	CIC, NBT, EVO	2008–2025
Mercedes-Benz	NTG4.0, NTG4.5/4.7/5.0, HU6	2007–2025
Audi	MMI 2G, MMI 3G, MIB2/3	2009–2025
Porsche	CDR 3.0, PCM 3.1, PCM 4.0–5.0	2010–2024
Land Rover / Jaguar	JR-1 (Bose), JR-2 (Harman 8"), JR-3 (Harman 10.25")	2012–2021
Volvo	VO-1, VO-2, VO-3	2010–2022
Lexus	LE-1, LE-2	2013–2020
Rolls-Royce	RO-CIC, RO-NBT, RO-EVO	2006–2018
Bentley	BE-1, BE-2	2011–2020
Lamborghini	LP610, LP700	2011–2018
Aston Martin	AS-1, AS-2	2016–2020
Nissan / Infiniti	NI-1, NI-2	2009–2019
Toyota	TO-1, TO-2	2014–2018
Maserati	MA-1	2014–2016
Alfa Romeo	AL-1	2017–2019
Ferrari	FE-1	2015–2018
McLaren	MC-1	2013–2018
Volkswagen	VW-1	2013–2018
Honda	HO-1	2018–2022

Each module page lists the exact models and model years. Run the Fitment Checker if you are unsure.

Supplier Checklist

Platform-level bench testing against the real head unit ⬜
Published model-year fitment table ⬜
Printed manual plus wiring diagram and video guide ⬜
12-month warranty and free firmware updates ⬜
Sample order available before volume commitment ⬜
Private label and OEM options documented ⬜

Related Resources

Official Platform References

These are the manufacturers' own pages for the phone-projection platforms our modules implement — useful when you are explaining CarPlay or Android Auto to your own customers.