Recommended after market Android Auto upgrade

[Barnbyvilla]

Sorry, yet another “I want to put an after-market upgrade in” question. I’ve got the 2016 Ghibli and the head unit electronics are a bit ****. My FM reception is patchy and most stations are moving to DAB anyway and the sat nav is clunky on a good day (and I’m yet to try @CatmanV2 ’s upgrade folder) so it feels like it’s about time to invest in an upgrade. Now, I’m not going to do this myself - I simply don’t have the skills so I’m going to get a local auto-sparky who does this kind of thing to do it for me. The question is then, what product do you recommend? I’ve seen a couple of options:

Autostyle have this for £350

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto for Maserati Ghibli/Quattroporte (2014-2016)

Buy Maserati CarPlay/Android Auto Module only at Autostyle Blackburn UK. Get Best Dash Cameras, Ghost Immobiliser, GPS Tracking, Lighting, Speed Camera Detector, Vehicle Performance Parts, Oem Retrofit Solutions, Multimedia online at Autostyle

autostyleuk.com

and it broadly looks the same as the one supplied by Unique Auto for £549 (so I have to wonder what you get for an extra £200)

I’ve also seen this from Alli Express which has a bigger screen and replaces the console buttons

For Maserati Ghibli 2013-2016 1280*800 Resolution UIS 7862S Octa-core 8+256gb Car Navigation CarPlay Car Radio Multimedia player - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

I’m open to advice and recommendations before splurging.

 

[CatmanV2]

My upgrade folder won't make your GPS any less clunky, it'll just have more roads

Your quoted options: Number one is a piggyback, so by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel (I think it is) the screen gets co-opted to do the car play. You can't access vehicle settings (like A/C) afaik, while you have the car play on.

Option 2 is a full replacement, as I did earlier this year. Massive upgrade. I don't even use Car Play as the head can do everything I want and more. Bit fiddly to get set up, but completely recommended. Full details of my install here

DIY Head Unit upgrade

www.ghibliforum.com

I'm in Harlow and more than happy to install for you for some suitable remuneration.

C

 

[conaero]

I suppose I should start looking into CarPlay fitted upgrades for these models. I’m still fitting about 1 a week for the QPV and GT version

 

[CatmanV2]

I suppose I should start looking into CarPlay fitted upgrades for these models. I’m still fitting about 1 a week for the QPV and GT version

It's not hard, just fiddly and somewhat nerve wracking the amount of force needed to remove the original

C

 

[Barnbyvilla]

My upgrade folder won't make your GPS any less clunky, it'll just have more roads

Your quoted options: Number one is a piggyback, so by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel (I think it is) the screen gets co-opted to do the car play. You can't access vehicle settings (like A/C) afaik, while you have the car play on.

Option 2 is a full replacement, as I did earlier this year. Massive upgrade. I don't even use Car Play as the head can do everything I want and more. Bit fiddly to get set up, but completely recommended. Full details of my install here

DIY Head Unit upgrade

www.ghibliforum.com

I'm in Harlow and more than happy to install for you for some suitable remuneration.

C

I’d take you up on that but I’m out near Milton Keynes which is a bit of a schlep from Harlow. Given I’ve just had to thrown a couple of hundred ££ at a new battery I suspect an upgrade may have to wait until the new year anyway.

 

[CatmanV2]

I’d take you up on that but I’m out near Milton Keynes which is a bit of a schlep from Harlow. Given I’ve just had to thrown a couple of hundred ££ at a new battery I suspect an upgrade may have to wait until the new year anyway.

It's no distance at all! My mother is in a home in Sandy, and my sister is in Flitwick
Drop me a line in the new year. We can supply coffee

C

 

[SE_123]

I have no regrets of installing an android headunit to my GT. As above, I don't use carplay/android auto as the standalone apps are the same, my phone just provides a WiFi hotspot.

I have an app which launches a WiFi hotspot as soon as it connects to the car Bluetooth. No thinking required.

 

[CatmanV2]

I have no regrets of installing an android headunit to my GT. As above, I don't use carplay/android auto as the standalone apps are the same, my phone just provides a WiFi hotspot.

I have an app which launches a WiFi hotspot as soon as it connects to the car Bluetooth. No thinking required.

My head unit has its own SIM with 25G of data for peanuts from Tesco. All my phone does is bluetooth to the head for calls.

C

 

[SE_123]

My head unit has its own SIM with 25G of data for peanuts from Tesco. All my phone does is bluetooth to the head for calls.

C

I'm too cheap to get another data plan

 

[CatmanV2]

I'm too cheap to get another data plan

I just had no idea how much data I would actually *need*

The answer is 'rather a lot less than 25G a month'

And that's using either BBC Sounds or Rayo since DAB is ****

C

 

[SE_123]

My DAB is decent, I added a DAB aerial, but the apps are much better for sound quality and reliability.

 

[PKM_999]

I've got option (a) the bolt on unit. Like Catman says, you enter it by pressing the < arrow on the steering wheel. You just press it again to get back to the other screen with the Radio/Climate etc on.

When at work, I have my work phone connected to the MTC for calls and my personal phone connected to the CarPlay for Waze. The built in mic is better for the phone that the bolt on one as they have only put it by the steering wheel, not high up. It was fitted by the dealer prior to me buying it. I was previously going to buy a 2017 onwards just for the CarPlay, so it saved me a good few £k by getting an older one with the bolt on.