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Adding CarPlay to 981 Cayman - options

4488 Views 64 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  bob_5045, 
A
Hi all,

I've been looking at the various options for adding Carplay to my Cayman to replace the CDR-31 base unit.
I've considered the various add-on boxes from JoyeAuto, NMAutomotive and the various similar units on Alibaba and have nearly purchased a JoyeAuto unit several times, but whilst I like the idea of preserving the OEM look, I'm also now drawn to some of the Android head units out there.

I've looked at Xtrons and checked with them, but unfortunately they don't have a unit which will fit the 981 and have no plans to make one. Same goes for Dynavin.

Have also seen other options like this pricey one from Belsee but not convinced it will fit the 981:
Belsee Carplay unit for Cayman

This one caught my eye recently as it also has physical knobs which I like, better screen and supposedly much more modern internals. Of course there's always the chance that this will turn out to be a piece of **** with zero support from the manufacturer, and set fire to my car, but at only about £180 on eBay I figured it might be worth a shot :
Erisin Carplay unit for Porsche Cayman 981

Not being a car audio expert I'm not sure what wiring adapters or other splicing work might be required to fit this unit - here's an image of the rear showing all connections - can anyone tell me how easy difficult fitting might be in terms of wiring?.

Any other options that I've missed for adding Carplay to the 981?

Thanks!

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Aeneas137
5
I installed an Axxess kit and opted for a basic Kenwood non-touch screen for more of an old school unit with Bluetooth. that kit was fully functional, with full steering wheel control support. The volume switches work, and the track switches work flawlessly. I bought both via crutchfield and highly recommend it.
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mm981cs
Hi there - yes it is about the only thing the car lacks to be up to date. I looked at various options myself, but in the end I went to the best rated local shop, asked them to look up the best option that they would stand behind, and I am getting it next week. I will not know the specs or even brand name until I take it. As I recall, the unit is separate and about 800-850 bucks. With 3.5 hours install, it will be 1140.00 bucks total. Yep a lot - but this is my baby and just decided it was too risky to open up the PCM. I have 3.1 version 4.0 and that is all he needed to order the correct parts.

Also - this shop would not install any of the other board parts for me. He would only use what he knows works and will back up. So I felt good giving it a shot.

I started a thread on this over in the Electronics section. I will report back after I get it!
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W
If anyone is interested, I have a CDR 31 Joyeauto Apple / Android CarPlay kit brand new for sale. It was for my 2014 Boxster S. New, unused, complete, and really awesome. Selling for $299 plus comes with new back up camera. My loss is you gain. PM me if interested. Plenty of photos too.
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T-Design
That Erisin unit looks pretty sweet. I wish somebody would install it already!

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A
Yes, I was really tempted by that Erisin unit but just couldn't find detailed enough measurements and info to know whether it would actually fit the 981C. Nearly bought one anyway but the price for these on eBay seems to have shot up to over £500 now and at that price it's just too much of a risk. Shame as they looked quite promising...
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T-Design
I just bought it. $350 shipped to US, and it looks good! With everything on earth included into unit. I did not find a single install DIY for 981/991, but found a few for Cayenne. Looks like it's a solid company specializing in these things...

Can't wait to throw away my absolutely useless CDR3.1

JoyAuto thing looks like no-brainer for easy install, BUT... With CDR3.1 you will get The medieval age resolution of like 200x300. So the whole upgrade will immediately look extremely obsolete. After giving it a thought I decided not to be lazy and do it properly.
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T-Design
I created a new thread for the install:
www.planet-9.com

Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with...

(EDIT: basic installation instructions and short review: Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with... ) I have an absolutely useless PCM3.1 in my 981S, and it was depressing from the get go. Every winter during my Boxster's hibernation I wanted to throw that pathetic POS PCM into...
www.planet-9.com www.planet-9.com
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A
T-Design said:
I created a new thread for the install:
www.planet-9.com

Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with...

(EDIT: basic installation instructions and short review: Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with... ) I have an absolutely useless PCM3.1 in my 981S, and it was depressing from the get go. Every winter during my Boxster's hibernation I wanted to throw that pathetic POS PCM into...
www.planet-9.com www.planet-9.com
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Will follow it with interest! Hell, I'm tempted to just get one as well and see how it goes. ;)
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bob_5045
Aqua981C said:
Will follow it with interest! Hell, I'm tempted to just get one as well and see how it goes. ;)
Click to expand...
I have carplay with zz2 on my cdr3.1, but as everyone knows the screen quality is so-so, i thought the same thing, the price is cheap enough
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W
is this it?

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A
westcoastboxster said:
is this it?

Click to expand...
Yep, that's the one!
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W
anxiously awaiting anyone's report on sound quality, connectivity, speed, etc. For all us purists, just keep the OEM on hand for a quick change if you sell the car. This is by far the cleanest solution to date. The CDR 31 screen just looks old world for resolution, Yuck. Also, hope with those with Bose, the sound may be the same, or slightly improved over OEM. We'll find out!
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T-Design
westcoastboxster said:
anxiously awaiting anyone's report on sound quality, connectivity, speed, etc. For all us purists, just keep the OEM on hand for a quick change if you sell the car. This is by far the cleanest solution to date. The CDR 31 screen just looks old world for resolution, Yuck. Also, hope with those with Bose, the sound may be the same, or slightly improved over OEM. We'll find out!
Click to expand...
I don't really see how putting POS CDR31 back will help to sell the car... Nobody gives a damn about that piece of obsolete electronics. Nobody buys 981 for the collectible which requires stock everything... I always do extensive upgrades to my cars and not one time did I hear "oh, where is the stock this and that?" when selling it
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W
Agree it's a total crap bag of a stereo, but when buying a used 981, do you want the sum of someones mods? I can tell you across the board, I would rather buy a stock 981, untouched vs. someones' modified car. Who knows about the quality of the work. That's been my experience, and as these cars age, the total unmodified cars will fetch a better price. Guess you're different, as the dealers I've spoken with agree with the stock build theory. "Here is my car for sale, I replaced the stereo with a $299 Chinese sourced stereo and threw out the old one. I want top dollar for my car... oh, by the way, I have an aftermarket exhaust, spoiler kit, lowering springs, and shift kit, and I managed to do all the work off of Youtube. I'm asking 5k over the stock car", guess the Porsche dealers will be all over that!



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schwinn
T-Design said:
I don't really see how putting POS CDR31 back will help to sell the car... Nobody gives a damn about that piece of obsolete electronics. Nobody buys 981 for the collectible which requires stock everything... I always do extensive upgrades to my cars and not one time did I hear "oh, where is the stock this and that?" when selling it
Click to expand...
Agreed, I was very happy to see the Pioneer HU on my car. Granted, they could have done a better job with the install (it's a Bose setup, but it looks like they didn't get the optical converter), but it works well for the most part, provides Bluetooth, and when tweaked it sounds decent. I need to get in there and see what they did, exactly, but I haven't bothered yet.

That being said, it can't hurt to keep the CDR31 just to "sell with" the car. That way you don't have to do the return-to-stock work, and a "purist" can put the CDR back in if they really want. But I'm with you, I wouldn't bother reinstalling it for the sale.
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W
Just fyi. AliExpress has these on sale. Use promo code HBD40 and $45 off. Enter code in at checkout.
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W
Now just need to find solution for 2014 boxster with Bose... Need optical interface that allows for 2014 models to convert for Bose speaker and amp. Anyone know this solution?
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A
Yep, Erisin seem to have a converter box thing which might do the trick. This is a link to it on their UK store:
www.erisin.co.uk

Erisin PC001 Fiber-Optic Decoder Box for Porsche Cayenne Benz ML/GL/R CLASS W164 W251

Data Box
www.erisin.co.uk www.erisin.co.uk
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W
it does not list the 2014 however. Ugh. Does anyone know if there is a difference, if this will work indeed for a 2014 model?
thanks
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A
I suspect the above unit will work fine with a 2014 model, it's just an optical decoder box which should be pretty standard.
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