Carplay third party retrofit

[andywil13]

Had a search and cant see any duplicate threads on this. Wondering if anyone has tried out the third party retrofit of CarPlay/Android Auto from unique-ad.co.uk.

It seems to be a really good solution for adding CarPlay etc without the massive cost of the MIB2

Anyone tried it out?

Its on offer for £335 at the moment but not seen any reviews of it

 

[DJAlix]

Tested one of these a while ago. Integration was nice but the sound quality sucked. Ended up refunding it.

 

[andywil13]

Tested one of these a while ago. Integration was nice but the sound quality sucked. Ended up refunding it.

Was the sound via 3.5mm input or though USB connection?

 

[DJAlix]

Was the sound via 3.5mm input or though USB connection?

The "box" connects to the vehicles MMI loom and "sits" in-between the MMI unit and the MMI screen video wise. Only tested using Apple CarPlay, which requires a USB connection to work, so USB. I tested another version which uses the vehicles AMI Port to inject both Video and Sound in to the MMI, this sucked also.

If you are keen on this type of solution I would order some from amazon or eBay, from a seller with a a friendly return policy so you can send it back if needed. This is what I did These boxes seem to have gone up in price. I remember paying £150.00 for the AMI based solution 6/7 months ago.

 

[andywil13]

Thanks for the info - strange about the price increase.

I'd consider the MIB2 retrofit if it was around the £1500 point, but ive heard that it also requires the B&O amp replaced and totals up to £2500 for the lot!!!!

 

[Kondax]

Just curious, does anybody know of any wireless carplay receivers? The only ones I can find come with a screen as opposed to video and audio out.

I have the iPhone X that charges wirelessly on my dash - would be a shame to have to plug it in for carplay.

 

[DJAlix]

Thanks for the info - strange about the price increase.

I'd consider the MIB2 retrofit if it was around the £1500 point, but ive heard that it also requires the B&O amp replaced and totals up to £2500 for the lot!!!!

Does not require a B&O amp change out

 

[DJAlix]

Just curious, does anybody know of any wireless carplay receivers? The only ones I can find come with a screen as opposed to video and audio out.

I have the iPhone X that charges wirelessly on my dash - would be a shame to have to plug it in for carplay.

BMW hold the exclusive licence for wireless Apple CarPlay. It’s expiring soon so might start to see wireless options pop up.

 

[andywil13]

BMW hold the exclusive licence for wireless Apple CarPlay. It’s expiring soon so might start to see wireless options pop up.

I've heard that doing it wirelessly rinses your battery and you end up at your destination with a flat battery.

Wireless Android auto coming soon also but same story. And ive no idea why BMW dont want to offer Android Auto!!! just lost out selling a car to my mrs!

 

[andywil13]

Does not require a B&O amp change out

Ive looked at your website - do you offer an upgrade service on this one? any idea on what parts are needed and what the cost might add up too?

 

[Kondax]

BMW hold the exclusive licence for wireless Apple CarPlay. It’s expiring soon so might start to see wireless options pop up.

Doesn't the 2019 A Class have wireless? I read that it does.

I wonder if it would be possible to macguyver something up.

 

[DJAlix]

Doesn't the 2019 A Class have wireless? I read that it does.

I wonder if it would be possible to macguyver something up.

Don't know, don't care, hate merc's

 

[Kondax]

Don't know, don't care, hate merc's

Haha, understandable

 

[DJAlix]

Ive looked at your website - do you offer an upgrade service on this one? any idea on what parts are needed and what the cost might add up too?

I can supply MIB2 Technology Pack, complete system including:

• MIB2 Unit
• Screen
• Controls
• Cabling
• USB ports
• New Armrest Box

... Genuine OEM new parts with 2 year warranty, supplied and fitted for £1850.00 at the moment. This would include all features bar Audi Connect.

 

[andywil13]

I can supply MIB2 Technology Pack, complete system including:

• MIB2 Unit
• Screen
• Controls
• Cabling
• USB ports
• New Armrest Box

... Genuine OEM new parts with 2 year warranty, supplied and fitted for £1850.00 at the moment. This would include all features bar Audi Connect.

It is something to think about - my mrs is getting a new car soon so will check out how it all works on that as I've not actually played with the features properly yet.

I already have the tech pack with the large screen - does it still need replacing?

 

[DJAlix]

I already have the tech pack with the large screen - does it still need replacing?

No, can reuse your existing screen, so a saving to be had there. No idea how much tho, would need to work it out.

 

[AudiNutta]

Car Play isn’t all that, I find I spend enough time looking at my phone without it being mirrored in the car... I prefer the Audi MMI setup, I wouldn’t be paying £100 for it forget £300, but that’s just me.

I found in my S3 the sound quality was appalling with Car Play when connected with the USB, same connection in the normal MMI playback was perfect. Never used Car Play in the RS.

 

[andywil13]

Car Play isn’t all that, I find I spend enough time looking at my phone without it being mirrored in the car... I prefer the Audi MMI setup, I wouldn’t be paying £100 for it forget £300, but that’s just me.

I found in my S3 the sound quality was appalling with Car Play when connected with the USB, same connection in the normal MMI playback was perfect. Never used Car Play in the RS.

I find the OEM sat nav naf compared to google maps. Drove down to Cornwall last month and most of the way down it estimated it was going to take 12 hours to drive when google maps estimated 5 hrs! plenty of other times when the car NAV suggests a ridiculous diversion for "traffic" but if you just follow google maps on your phone you get there without issue

 

[Chris43]

Car Play isn’t all that, I find I spend enough time looking at my phone without it being mirrored in the car... I prefer the Audi MMI setup, I wouldn’t be paying £100 for it forget £300, but that’s just me.

I found in my S3 the sound quality was appalling with Car Play when connected with the USB, same connection in the normal MMI playback was perfect. Never used Car Play in the RS.

I use Android auto and have a similar 'yeah it's ok, nothing special' view The only advantage I can see over the Audi MMI is you can use Whatsapp via voice as long as the car hasn't got its 'cloth ears' on. I prefer the Nav on the MMI to Google maps but just my view.

I use Spotify via USB connection with Android Auto and don't detect any difference in sound quality than high bit rate music streamed from an SD card.

 

[Ormesome]

Gutted just seen this! just forked out about a million pounds for my Sat nav to be activated in my base model MMI! would have gone this route if I had known!

 

[AudiNutta]

I find the OEM sat nav naf compared to google maps. Drove down to Cornwall last month and most of the way down it estimated it was going to take 12 hours to drive when google maps estimated 5 hrs! plenty of other times when the car NAV suggests a ridiculous diversion for "traffic" but if you just follow google maps on your phone you get there without issue

I get what you mean there, the pro-Nav is Google Maps supposedly though.

If you want a good Sat Nav, get Waze on your phone That’s what I do for any long trips now, I’ve seen the Audi Nav do some silly things in the three 8V’s I’ve owned.

 

[AudiNutta]

I use Android auto and have a similar 'yeah it's ok, nothing special' view The only advantage I can see over the Audi MMI is you can use Whatsapp via voice as long as the car hasn't got its 'cloth ears' on. I prefer the Nav on the MMI to Google maps but just my view.

I use Spotify via USB connection with Android Auto and don't detect any difference in sound quality than high bit rate music streamed from an SD card.

It’s useful if you use Spotify etc, I like how the Apple Music library is near identical on the Car Play but again the MMI version is great too... just wish it would stop having stupid little glitches.

 

[GeoffT]

I get what you mean there, the pro-Nav is Google Maps supposedly though.

If you want a good Sat Nav, get Waze on your phone That’s what I do for any long trips now, I’ve seen the Audi Nav do some silly things in the three 8V’s I’ve owned.

The routing on any VAG OEM sat nav I've had is poor. I love the graphics, it's easy to use, great that you can send destinations to the car from the MMI connect app, but if it takes you down a lane where your mirrors are scratching bramble both sides it's no good. This has happened a couple of times in my current A3 and loads of times in my previous Golf. I think the problem is that the mapping data doesn't distinguish between a pretty good B road and a farm track. So if the farm track route is a few metres shorter, it will try and take you down it. I made an official complaint about it to VW, but they just passed the buck to the mapping company, who then passed it back to VW.