987.2 stereo upgrade query

[MatHaz]

Hi, I’ve just got my first Porsche- a 2010 Boxster. Love the car but stereo could be better. I want to upgrade to an Apple CarPlay compatible double DIN unit. Have been looking at the usuals- Kenwood, Pioneer Etc. One question- the current stereo shows radio stations & other info on the dashboard central dial, ifI change to an after market unit will this information still be available on the central dial? Any answers/ stereo recommendations gratefully received.

 

[Mike1960]

Hi, I also have a 2010 car and changed the audio for a Xtrons unit.

Can I ask, do you have a multifunctional steering wheel and is the system the one with the optical amp?

Mine was no to both. The controls on the steering wheel are a must if you go for anything with a touch screen for controlling the volume or changing tracks etc. Controlling a stereo when I was in motion was a nightmare and probably dangerous before I fitted steering wheel controls.

If you have the optical amp system then you may need an adaptor to convert your aftermarket audio to work with the current setup.

I am really pleased with my new audio. I also fitted a reversing camera while I was in there.

Its not a big job as long as you do some homework first. I don’t think the info on the dashboard will also update with an aftermarket system, but a specialist installer might be able to get that working.

good luck

Mike

 

[Chappelle]

I’ve done it in a Gen 1 car but it is very challenging if you have Bose. Easiest option was to replace the amp as there was a fibre loop from head unit to amp to CD stacker.

Optical adapters if I recall we’re stupid money

To answer your question, yes you’ll lose info in the dash display. It'll either be blank or dashes

 

[MatHaz]

Thanks for all the tips. My car has PDK transmission, no steering wheel controls & a non Bose standard stereo without an amp. Certainly plenty to think about there with different head unit options & the safety aspect of operating a new head unit whilst on the move was something I hadn’t thought of.

 

[malarcy]

I think that CarPlay would give you a better user experience for using the touch screen for track selection etc. And Siri works well on car play for various things. I would however suggest the you look at one with physical buttons for volume. I have a pioneer sph-da230dab in the daily driver does the job fine ( although I never fitted a dab aerial since fun is fine for my occasional radio usage )

pretty sure none of them will drive the display in the dash. think the required interfaces are too car specific for anyone to make the adapters

if more original equipment looks are important that xtrons or dynavin might be worth a look but doible check on the car play support. Works with iPhone isn’t the same as “does carplay“.

 

[MatHaz]

Many thanks for that advice. That pioneer unit is the same one which has been recommended by a local independent installer who does lots of work for OPC East London. I think I’ll probably go for that option & add a reversing camera. The dynavin units seem to lack DAB radio which makes them not very future proof IMHO, they look good but are twice the cost of the Pioneer & you mainly seem to be paying for built in Sat Nav which is redundant with Apple car play. I think the dynavin units would communicate with the dashboard display- is anyone able to confirm this? xtrons no longer seem to do a 987 Boxster compatible stereo from my research. Do their units also communicate with the dashboard display.

 

[Mike1960]

Hi Matt,

I think the xtrons pq80cmpl is the custom fit one for the boxster.

I looked at the Dynavin and almost had one fitted, but the place I went to have it fitted were convinced mine had had got the optical amp and wouldn’t fit it. I don’t think it would have linked into PCM so would not have given dashboard info.

To cut a long story short I decided to fit the xtrons one myself.

it’s a doddle to fit. Put a USB in the footwell next to the existing power plug and the other 2 USB plugs in the glove box along with the SatNav aerial. The operations manual is only about 10 pages and it was a case of working out how to operate it by guess work. I probably only use about 5% if it’s capability.

Loaded Sygic as the SatNav, a few other apps, a reversing camera and a Porsche splash screen. I was really pleased with the look of it. The down side was controlling it on the move. I got a Chinese steering wheel control that was wireless and operates with a small watch battery and this is mounted on the steering wheel. It’s a bit naff but better than crashing the car and only cost about £15. That was over a year ago and I still pleased with it.

Not sure I would give it a rave review because of the controls. I can alter the volume, change tracks and radio stations and do the basics. Putting a destination in the SatNav other than a saved one would require me to park up.

What else can I say, for a few hundred quid I got a SatNav, hands free, reversing camera and music box. It does what it says on the tin and is head and shoulders better looking and more useable than the original.

 

[MatHaz]

Hi Matt,

I think the xtrons pq80cmpl is the custom fit one for the boxster.

I looked at the Dynavin and almost had one fitted, but the place I went to have it fitted were convinced mine had had got the optical amp and wouldn’t fit it. I don’t think it would have linked into PCM so would not have given dashboard info.

To cut a long story short I decided to fit the xtrons one myself.

it’s a doddle to fit. Put a USB in the footwell next to the existing power plug and the other 2 USB plugs in the glove box along with the SatNav aerial. The operations manual is only about 10 pages and it was a case of working out how to operate it by guess work. I probably only use about 5% if it’s capability.

Loaded Sygic as the SatNav, a few other apps, a reversing camera and a Porsche splash screen. I was really pleased with the look of it. The down side was controlling it on the move. I got a Chinese steering wheel control that was wireless and operates with a small watch battery and this is mounted on the steering wheel. It’s a bit naff but better than crashing the car and only cost about £15. That was over a year ago and I still pleased with it.

Not sure I would give it a rave review because of the controls. I can alter the volume, change tracks and radio stations and do the basics. Putting a destination in the SatNav other than a saved one would require me to park up.

What else can I say, for a few hundred quid I got a SatNav, hands free, reversing camera and music box. It does what it says on the tin and is head and shoulders better looking and more useable than the original.

Hi Matt,

I think the xtrons pq80cmpl is the custom fit one for the boxster.

I looked at the Dynavin and almost had one fitted, but the place I went to have it fitted were convinced mine had had got the optical amp and wouldn’t fit it. I don’t think it would have linked into PCM so would not have given dashboard info.

To cut a long story short I decided to fit the xtrons one myself.

it’s a doddle to fit. Put a USB in the footwell next to the existing power plug and the other 2 USB plugs in the glove box along with the SatNav aerial. The operations manual is only about 10 pages and it was a case of working out how to operate it by guess work. I probably only use about 5% if it’s capability.

Loaded Sygic as the SatNav, a few other apps, a reversing camera and a Porsche splash screen. I was really pleased with the look of it. The down side was controlling it on the move. I got a Chinese steering wheel control that was wireless and operates with a small watch battery and this is mounted on the steering wheel. It’s a bit naff but better than crashing the car and only cost about £15. That was over a year ago and I still pleased with it.

Not sure I would give it a rave review because of the controls. I can alter the volume, change tracks and radio stations and do the basics. Putting a destination in the SatNav other than a saved one would require me to park up.

What else can I say, for a few hundred quid I got a SatNav, hands free, reversing camera and music box. It does what it says on the tin and is head and shoulders better looking and more useable than the original.

Thanks for that feedback on the xtron. Looking at the details it seems to be an Android based system. I’m more familiar with Apple products so would prefer Apple CarPlay. I think I want at least a volume control button on the facia of the unit but thanks for the tip regarding a Bluetooth steering wheel button which is something I hadn’t thought of.

 

[WestyMacan]

I've had the Sony XAV-AX100 fitted as I don't have a MF steering wheel, purely for the Volume knob. My car is a non Bose and it was fitted in an hour. The sound quality is good enough for my needs and Car Play is excellent, especially for Navigation. I use Tom Tom Go.

 

[Chappelle]

I went with a Pioneer SPH DA120. Very basic unit as is: basically just an FM/AM radio but CarPlay support so that gives everything else you might need/want.

I'm about to experiment with a device that (hopefully) will give me wireless CarPlay support.

Good you don't have Bose. I had to make two custom looms and it was way harder than I expected

 

[Cozza_987]

Hi there,

I too have the Pioneer unit in my 2010 Boxster S. For the same reasons others have mentioned, I wanted physical buttons for the primary controls as I don't have multifunction (I am trying to retrofit one at the moment - see separate thread). Installation is a breeze when, as previously mentioned, you do some homework and get everything together.

Here's the spec of my install:

[ul][*]Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB[*]Double Din Adaptor Kit, including looms: InCarTec FK-959-SWC (https://incartec.co.uk/product/FK-959-SWC-porsche-boxster-911-radio-kit)[*]Reversing camera, mounted above number plate: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071R3HJ6Q/[*]FM and DAB splitter for in-screen antenna: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XHW8Y2T/[*]USB extension to footwell, mounted above existing 12V socket: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XHV51ZB/[*]AUX in centre console rewired to head unit[/ul]I am really pleased with the install - fantastic sound from stock speakers, although I have since upgraded with some aftermarket ones. I highly recommend tuning the equalisation using the Pioneer CD-MC20 as it makes a massive difference to the spacial sound field (at least when the roof is up!).

The only issue I have is the mic location...I have tried top of A-pillar and top of steering column, but these aren't good enough for call clarity. I am looking for a better solution, but find tucking it under my seatbelt pointing upwards is good enough for now!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Cozza

 

[MatHaz]

That sounds like a great set up & one I may well decide to copy. Many thanks for all the details.

 

[legin]

I have fitted the Kenwood which has wireless carplay. i previously had the Pioneer in another vehicle and marginally prefer it although it wasnt wireless and no physical volume button.

My major beef with the kenwood which i missed when I bought it is that it doesnt have speed/volume compensation which i consider essential in a noisy boxster so im forever adjusting volume - dont fall for this one. Also I would prefer a rotary volume knob but very much secondary.

 

[Cozza_987]

That sounds like a great set up & one I may well decide to copy. Many thanks for all the details.

No worries! Let me know if you need any more advice...

 

[golfboy50]

Hi, i am going for same pioneer head unit and wondered if you had been able to upload a Porsche splash screen too?

 

[Danielkelly]

Can any recommend some one to do this? Preferably in the SE

 

[MatHaz]

Finsbury car audio in London N4 (Islington) would be able to do this for you. I think the local OPC uses them as a subcontractor. https://www.finsburycaraudio.co.uk/

 

[Danielkelly]

Brill thanks!

 

[Cozza_987]

Huets in Shoreham-by-Sea: http://www.huets.com/

Ask for Peter.

He fitted the speakers, crossovers and amp to my car.

 

[cobnut]

Hi Cozza, sorry for coming to this thread late, but I'm just about to carry out the same sort of installation. Can I ask a couple of questions?

[ol][*]Am I right in understanding that the DAB/FM splitter you reference allows the unit to use the OEM FM aerial for DAB? If so, what sort of DAB reception do you get? I really dislike the idea of having to stick a separate DAB aerial somewhere - especially as most of what I listen to will come via Android Auto anyway. [*]I understand replacing the PCM unit removes the info to the dashboard. Does this include MPG/Av Speed, etc. or is it just nav & radio data? [/ol]Jon