The $6VC Combox and the E60 - Install review
02-09-2011, 12:04 PM
#1
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My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
The Combox is BMW's new TCU replacement with a lot of additions. I won't tell you all the stuff that you can expect using the Combox. But all I knew was I wanted it.
A point to note is that the E60 was never released with the Combox from factory. So even with a working NCS set-up you can't add 6VC to your Vehicle Order. So I was basically stuck. But all I knew was I wanted it.
I did a lot of research on the topic and found that there were Russians who worked out a way to get the Combox working on the E60. It gave Internet in the car, Mobile Office, Cover Art, Smartphone integrated. I tried contacting them but they didn't reply, because they probably didn't care or didn't understand me. But all I knew was I wanted it.
This is when I came across Patryk. This guy is based in Poland but there is probably not a single BMW forum where he isn't registered. I made contact with Patryk over email. I then must have exchanged not less than 100 emails with him on the subject because I wanted to be absolutely sure that I will get what I want after I hand over my cash. All I can say is that Patryk, took the time to reply to every one of my emails. That convinced me that the guy knew what he was doing and talking about. All I knew was I wanted it.
Patryk provides a complete hardware and software kit that I would highly recommend to get from him. DONT look at buying the parts separately and then trying to get the software side of things from him. It will work out more expensive and may not even work. Buying the entire thing from him ensures he gives you a working set up. So I got the Combox from him and installed it in the car. I finally had it in the car but it still wasn't working!
There are two variants of the Combox, the Telematics and the Media. If you don't have Assist and don't intend to get it, you can take the Media. It does everything except the Telematics. When you buy the Combox from Patryk, you need to ensure your CIC is programmed to the latest version. I understand that since Jan 2011 all kits he has sold have been updated. Otherwise you need to send the CIC to him for update, it cannot be done remotely.
What you get from Patryk is the Combox itself and the plug required. The Combox perfectly replaces the TCU in the back, all that you need to do is swap the wires from the plug of the TCU into the plug of the Combox. Besides bluetooth, the Combox also gives you USB, iPOD, AUX-IN, Smartphone integration etc. So you get quite a lot from this small device.
Once installed you need to set up a date/time with Patryk to get this set up in the car. He will send you some software to download and install on your laptop in advance. You need to do that before hand itself because these are large downloads. Its best if you have two devices on the day, one for Patryk to use and the other to talk to him on Skype. Patryk then takes over your PC, you must have a stable internet connection that he can use while you are in the car. He then works his magic. How he does it, is understandbly a BIG secret but all I can say is that it works.
I now have Internet in my car using my HTC HD2, using my wife's old SE W980 I have seen all the Office features. I haven't finished installing everything in the car the way I want it but USB and ipod work fine as well.
Yes its a scary thought to know that I now have a module connected to the car that none of the normal diagnostic software can see, or one that was ever installed in an E60. - All I know is that I love it. BMW seem to have introduced a fairly exciting platform and Patryk seems to have worked out how to give it to us.
Contact Patryk and see what he can do for you. You'd be plesantly surprised.
A point to note is that the E60 was never released with the Combox from factory. So even with a working NCS set-up you can't add 6VC to your Vehicle Order. So I was basically stuck. But all I knew was I wanted it.
I did a lot of research on the topic and found that there were Russians who worked out a way to get the Combox working on the E60. It gave Internet in the car, Mobile Office, Cover Art, Smartphone integrated. I tried contacting them but they didn't reply, because they probably didn't care or didn't understand me. But all I knew was I wanted it.
This is when I came across Patryk. This guy is based in Poland but there is probably not a single BMW forum where he isn't registered. I made contact with Patryk over email. I then must have exchanged not less than 100 emails with him on the subject because I wanted to be absolutely sure that I will get what I want after I hand over my cash. All I can say is that Patryk, took the time to reply to every one of my emails. That convinced me that the guy knew what he was doing and talking about. All I knew was I wanted it.
Patryk provides a complete hardware and software kit that I would highly recommend to get from him. DONT look at buying the parts separately and then trying to get the software side of things from him. It will work out more expensive and may not even work. Buying the entire thing from him ensures he gives you a working set up. So I got the Combox from him and installed it in the car. I finally had it in the car but it still wasn't working!
There are two variants of the Combox, the Telematics and the Media. If you don't have Assist and don't intend to get it, you can take the Media. It does everything except the Telematics. When you buy the Combox from Patryk, you need to ensure your CIC is programmed to the latest version. I understand that since Jan 2011 all kits he has sold have been updated. Otherwise you need to send the CIC to him for update, it cannot be done remotely.
What you get from Patryk is the Combox itself and the plug required. The Combox perfectly replaces the TCU in the back, all that you need to do is swap the wires from the plug of the TCU into the plug of the Combox. Besides bluetooth, the Combox also gives you USB, iPOD, AUX-IN, Smartphone integration etc. So you get quite a lot from this small device.
Once installed you need to set up a date/time with Patryk to get this set up in the car. He will send you some software to download and install on your laptop in advance. You need to do that before hand itself because these are large downloads. Its best if you have two devices on the day, one for Patryk to use and the other to talk to him on Skype. Patryk then takes over your PC, you must have a stable internet connection that he can use while you are in the car. He then works his magic. How he does it, is understandbly a BIG secret but all I can say is that it works.
I now have Internet in my car using my HTC HD2, using my wife's old SE W980 I have seen all the Office features. I haven't finished installing everything in the car the way I want it but USB and ipod work fine as well.
Yes its a scary thought to know that I now have a module connected to the car that none of the normal diagnostic software can see, or one that was ever installed in an E60. - All I know is that I love it. BMW seem to have introduced a fairly exciting platform and Patryk seems to have worked out how to give it to us.
Contact Patryk and see what he can do for you. You'd be plesantly surprised.
does it display the artworks in the ccc ?
02-09-2011, 12:28 PM
#4
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My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
02-09-2011, 01:55 PM
#6
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My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
02-09-2011, 06:46 PM
#9
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[quote name='nomis_nehc' timestamp='1297295884' post='1304263']
Pics review?
And what was the total cost for the entire project?
i want to know that too!!
Pics review?
And what was the total cost for the entire project?
i want to know that too!!
02-09-2011, 08:00 PM
#10
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My Ride: 2005 530i Silver Gray/ Gray Leather. SP,PP
Great write up Bruce!! I received my combox yesterday 
For those inquiring about the price, check out this thread https://5series.net/forums/topic/996...1#entry1186540
For those inquiring about the price, check out this thread https://5series.net/forums/topic/996...1#entry1186540