In the end I went for the AliExpress-sourced CarPlay kit, which cost about £90 including postage from China. It arrived in 10 days and, as suggested in this thread, it is obviously the genuine (and probably only) article. I bought a reversing camera from MX5parts to install at the same time as I reverse into my narrow garage and wanted one.
I bought a kit of 11 pry tools from Halfords and these helped a lot. The YouTube videos tend to show the ‘no tools’ approach but in my view, on a previously untouched car, having the tools really can help to shift tightly-fitted parts. I found that with one of the tools I could remove the plastic studs almost instantly; otherwise it is a slow and painful business using finger-nails.
If you have plenty of time and are careful both installations are not difficult and both really transform the driving experience. I really enjoyed installing these items and felt a huge sense of achievement when they both worked.
In spite of quite a bit of tugging and prying I didn’t break anything. Obviously the various parts are designed to be removed quickly. Really I can’t see the need to shell out £350 for a dealer to install CarPlay unless you’re very short of time or, unlike me, enjoy dealing with Mazda service departments.
Whilst the centre console was out I took the opportunity to adjust the handbrake too.
Incidentally, the MX5parts reversing camera gives a super HD image on the car’s display - far sharper and clearer than that in my 2019 Mazda 6 with its factory-fitted camera.
Don’t forget that it is easy to swap between CarPlay and MZR Connect by holding down the home button for 2 seconds.
Total cost for CarPlay, Reversing Camera and Pry Tools was about 60% of the £350 Mazda charge to install just CarPlay.
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