[TDAdvocate]

Give this video a watch I'm not sure if you've seen it or if it will even be of any help.

. Other thing I may point out is that because of the digital oil dipstick i don't know if it is entirely a great idea to be switching out the entire console just because you don't want to run into any issues in the future with the reader malfunctioning or whatnot. Problem with throwing the original console into the glovebox so that you can still access it is that it may cause issues with the passenger airbag as there still needs to be clearance for the airbag itself.

Thanks for the info. When I was searching I could never find this video for some reason. I'm hoping this might help but since I don't have the stock navigation head unit I'm worried I might be more SOL than ever. I also hadn't thought about airbag clearance so I'll have to look into where they are and which way they open so I know what I can and cannot do if I end up getting very shady with my methods of replacement. Hopefully there is some way that I can get it replaced.

 

[TDAdvocate]

Just in case someone stumbles across this thread looking for info on CarPlay/AndroidAuto head unit replacements in an F56 like I did, here is some info on it. If you have a stock system with NO form of navigation on the head unit, just give up now or trade in your car for one with navigation. The closest you will ever get is a Bluetooth bypass and a phone mount for your dash/windshield. This is still technically possible but the average cost to do it is 3k-5k USD. The reason is because you are building the OEM Mini navigation head unit from scratch to then need to do the below steps. So basically there is no reason to even attempt this unless you like to throw away money. If you have either of the 2 options for the navigation then you're in luck. Unfortunately I don't have any links anymore, but there are some devices you can buy that highjack the signal from you head unit to overlay CarPlay/AndroidAuto onto the stock head unit. There is no way to replace the head unit with anything that isn't Mini OEM. This highjacking box also will require you to get creative inside of your dash with space as there is virtually zero available space inside of the dash to install this. It also seems to but be touch compatible so you will also have to install contains somewhere in your car but typically under your e-brake as that is one of the few spots with any space. Mini is custom built to spec so it is as tight as it can be when it comes to space usage. This will cost around 500-1000 USD on average just in parts because the highjacking boxes are hard to find in the States. If you attempt this then godspeed my friend! This is just what I have come to understand from my research. If you happen to learn anything differently and succeed, please let me know so that I may attempt it as well. Hahaha.