Update 2016 ND to Apple Car play

[Cylon2007]

I'm sure no-one is really interested but I've just added Apple Car play / Android Auto and a reversing camera to my 2016 2.0 Recaro Sport in 2 hours at a total cost of £228 - £120 for the Apple Carplay / Android Auto kit from Amazon and £108 for the plug and play reverse camera kit from MX5parts.

Straight forward job just a bit fiddly

[Simon Owen]

Interested thank you, particularly CarPlay !! Was that bit an easy fit ?

Cheers, Simon

[Cylon2007]

It's quite straightforward but needs a fair bit of the dash taking apart but it comes apart well - the clips are robust. I watched a couple of Youtube videos of the install first (both LHD cars) that show what needs to be removed. Then it's just a case of threading the cables down from behind the display to the back of the USB inputs (new box) and tidying up the excess cables. I did the reverse camera as well which involves threading a cable back into the boot (needs the boot liners removed and drilling a hole in the rear bumper. I did the lot on about 2 hours without rushing.

Works well too

[Cylon2007]

Oh one thing though, I noticed after a couple of days the clock was showing the wrong time and once on start up the Carplay didn't connect. Reset the clock, checked it as set to get time via GPS and the next day time was nearly an hour out - yep you've guessed it I didn't reconnect the GPS antenna cable (idiot). So dash back apart fished the lead out plugged it into the Infotainment unit (and checked all the other connections) all fine now.
I've also added a Quadlock Wireless carplay adapter (I use Quadlock on the bike so decided I may as well use the kit in the car as well).
It's a bit slow booting up but works fine and removes the need to plug a cable into the phone so it can stay in my pocket.

[SunsetZed]

I'm interested in doing the carplay as well, any top tips on things to watch out at before I start pulling up videos on YouTube?

[em177]

Does anyone have a link to the Amazon CarPlay kit?

[fushion julz]

Just been quoted £467 from Mazda Guildford...parts labour and VAT
Includes the parts and the software update...can be done in approx 1.5hrs labour.

Does that sound reasonable? Not sure I have the time (or patience) to disassemble the dash to that extent!

[Mr-B]

Both of these pages quote £350 inc vat, no idea if those prices are current and no experience of either dealership group and no affiliation
to either.

https://www.snows.co.uk/mazda/servicing-offers/ret...

https://www.nortonway.com/mazda/service-parts-offe...

[fushion julz]

Mr-B said:

Both of these pages quote £350 inc vat, no idea if those prices are current and no experience of either dealership group and no affiliation
to either.

https://www.snows.co.uk/mazda/servicing-offers/ret...

https://www.nortonway.com/mazda/service-parts-offe...

Just booked a date @ Snows in Portsmouth for £350 all inclusive.

[rix]

Old thread bump...

I'm thinking of taking the plunge into an ND but carplay/ android auto are essential for me. Whether dealer fit or DIY, will all ND cars be compatible with this upgrade or does it need to be equipped with a certain type of Mazda infotainment system from the outset?!

I gather the standard upgrade requires a wired connection (livable) but wireless (ideal) is also possible?

[Cylon2007]

rix said:

Old thread bump...

I'm thinking of taking the plunge into an ND but carplay/ android auto are essential for me. Whether dealer fit or DIY, will all ND cars be compatible with this upgrade or does it need to be equipped with a certain type of Mazda infotainment system from the outset?!

I gather the standard upgrade requires a wired connection (livable) but wireless (ideal) is also possible?

AS far as I am aware all ND MX5's will take the upgrade as they all use the same infotainment system, ND2 I believe (may be spec dependant) have it built in.

[Sublime]

rix said:

Old thread bump...
I gather the standard upgrade requires a wired connection (livable) but wireless (ideal) is also possible?

When they released the special edition Sport Venture in 2021 across the whole range the MX-5 featured wireless Apple Carplay as standard. For reference they mention this in the press release of that edition. I can confirm my one is indeed wireless which even the dealer didn't know about!

[rix]

Thanks for the info both - if I take the leap I had planned for it to be an early model, although a bit of research has led me to the ND1 v ND2 debate and all that brings - the power increase appeals! Heart is suggesting ND2 so budget creep already!