Some are asking or thinking CarPlay is strictly a software upgrade. That might be true if BMW has coding to enable CarPlay using only an USB connection, which is one of two ways CarPlay can be used. But it looks like the way BMW implements CarPlay requires the head unit to be able connect wirelessly, and so in that case your car needs to have a wifi antenna. CarPlay can be used via USB, or wirelessly over wifi, but not exclusively bluetooth. Bluetooth might be used in the process of setting up your phone and car to use CarPlay wirelessly, but using the service requires a wifi connection. Whichever configuration of navigation system you have installed, it appears the only way it could be compatible is if it includes a wifi antenna, or the head unit is capable of having a wifi antenna somehow retrofitted.
More info:
https://www.bmw.com/content/dam/bmw/...3826507496.pdf
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-JcU6it...e-carplay.html
There's also suggestion that the head unit, in addition to the wifi antenna, but otherwise regardless, requires a certain tier of computer installed (ID5 or ID6 or newer/higher)... suggesting BMW does not have any coding that would allow CarPlay on an older/lower tier head unit/computer:
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...trofit-carplay