Though a £350 retrofit if you want it, on new models shortly.
Allegedly available as a free upgrade in the US…
https://fleetworld.co.uk/mazda-rolls-out-apple-carplay-upgrade/
Won’t bother, the phone makers try to monitor everything we do already, don’t want to add the car as well
Nor me. I don’t know if I read it right, but either alternative seems to rely heavily on using a phone to do all the work. I don’t have such a clever phone.
I have a “retro” fit system in my MK 3.5 and it’s a great system, with limitations using apple!!! I now have full navigation and can play all my music stored on my phone. Is it worth 350 pounds extra is another question? as the unit I fitted cost less than that… and much more than the OEM model.
John
Anyone know if it works via Bluetooth or requires the phone to be plugged in? If it needs to be plugged in (into a mount etc) I certainly won’t be bothering, I like my phone out of sight and not visible in the car when driving.
I have it in a non MX5 and it does need the phone plugged in, it doesn’t work via Bluetooth. Not sure why that is other than I suspect it may put quite a load on the phone battery. May be different in the MX-5.
It duplicates in terms of phone, navigation, etc. what a car already does via bluetooth prep, but as its syncing directly with your google account (in my case) if for instance you look up a destination via google maps on your PC when you next get in the car and plug in the phone the destination will already be there to select, no searching needed.
Cheers, nail in the coffin for me, I don’t want phone mounts etc in the car. I’m quite happy with the Mazda Bluetooth connectivity and Sat Nav.
I don’t want to be bothered with any of that stuff, I don’t even have a smart phone. I just enjoy driving the car
I just keep my music on a USB stick plugged into the dash
https://www.mazda-press.com/eu/news/2018/mazda-adds-smartphone-control-to-mzd-connect-/
supposed to be available today, but local dealer didn’t know anything about it. Would be gutted if it costs more than £100
can’t wait for phone mirroring !
wonder if spotify will be voice controlled at some point
This annoys me. Kia did this with my particular year of Cee’d (my boring practical other car ). Free upgrade in US and European markets; not offered by Kia UK. Booooo!
Updates? Has anyone taken the plunge yet?
Yes, I fitted it to mine a couple of weeks ago. I’ve not used the car since but from what I have used of it, it does seem to be very, very good. I ended up running a USB cable (discreetly) between the ports and the storage box between the seats, I’m happy with that and its very useful having the ability to have a decent charging system for the phone. It cost me £147 for the parts, however most seem to be being asked to pay £190 for some reason.
Wow, thanks Gareth. I anticipated a firmware upgrade and possibly another cable somewhere. Your installation looks a bit beyond my limited DIY skills! Did the garage give you a fitted price too?
I never enquired about a fitted price, I avoid having other people work on the car at all costs as I’ve not had good experiences in the dealers (car has been damaged etc) and I knew I could do it myself (probably better!)
Out of interest, did you update the CMU software? If not, which version are you on?
I have this fitted on my 1.5L SE-L Nav.
Did a self install - parts were £147.40 including VAT from my local dealer - EMG Cambridge.
The required software update took a little under an hour and fitting the new parts - new AUX/hub and USB cables - took about one and a half hours.
My car looked like Gareth’s when I had stripped the dashboard down for access. Note that you have to completely remove the CMU/display assembly to run the cables.
The software - 70.00.021A - can be downloaded from the usual places. There are some PDF’s that cover cabling and trim removal on the Mazda 3 forums - includes the guides for the MX-5 ND.
I really like the system - it integrates with Siri so you can control it using your voice .
But I wouldn’t have paid the £350 for a dealer install.
Got the system installed by a dealer yesterday.
I have an Android phone, so have not tried Apple Car Play, but am very pleased with Android Auto.
Navigation with Google Maps or Waze and Music via Spotify/Doggcatcher (podcasts) work very well, use of the car hardware controls or voice button very intuitive.