[cje11]

Very close to pulling the trigger to purchase a Spider as my daily driver. The only thing to hold me back: lack of Apple Carplay. I've seen the DIY tutorials (which appear to be easier with a '17/early '18), but I'm curious if people have experience swapping out the infotainment center all together for a 3rd party like Kenwood or Pioneer. Added bonus if there's one that can be tilted more towards the driver.

And if you've added Carplay yourself... would be very curious to hear how your experience was!

Much appreciated!!

 

[AnClar]

Very close to pulling the trigger to purchase a Spider as my daily driver. The only thing to hold me back: lack of Apple Carplay. I've seen the DIY tutorials (which appear to be easier with a '17/early '18), but I'm curious if people have experience swapping out the infotainment center all together for a 3rd party like Kenwood or Pioneer. Added bonus if there's one that can be tilted more towards the driver.

And if you've added Carplay yourself... would be very curious to hear how your experience was!

Much appreciated!!

Greetings. I added AA/CarPlay to my ‘17 Abarth a couple of years ago. Took about four hours total. Two hours for the software update, two hours to install the upgrade USB hub. Love it. No major issues to speak of. I just added a wireless dongle to my setup and now basically have a fully functional wireless CarPlay setup. Total cost $250.00. $150.00 for the upgrade USB hub, $100.00 for wireless dongle. Software was free. Cheaper and neater than going the aftermarket head unit route for me. The dongle occasionally loses connection at startup, easily fixed with an unplug/replug of the dongle.

I was lucky to have a ‘17 and not have to deal with the serial hack. So I’m happy with my setup.

 

[OilTrader]

I added Apple Carplay to my '18 Abarth a year or so ago. No problems whatsoever. Time for total install was similar to AnClar's experience. I followed the instructions to the letter on Ameridan's web site and the thread on this forum.

 

[Walshy6677]

+1 for Apple CarPlay, plan well, take your time and work through the process. The instructions on here are great, it’s a bit daunting when you first look at it, but the factory interface belongs in the first Spider, of the upgrades I have done, this was the first…and best.

 

[12S4vage_]

While I have not yet done this mod myself, it's in my plans to do it in the near future. Besides being stock and as OEM as possible, I'm not even sure there is any aftermarket Radio Din-dash kits available for the S124/ND-MX5 to install another headunit?

 

[TX_Bandit]

I'm not even sure there is any aftermarket Radio Din-dash kits available for the S124/ND-MX5 to install another headunit?

I think you are correct. As the touchscreen head unit includes system monitoring functions I don't believe there is an aftermarket unit that can replace it.
There is a user on on the Miata forums (ANGUS15) that replaced the base model head unit (the one with that looks like this) and is found in some Spider models

The base model has a standard DIN opening behind it.
They replaced it with THIS aftermarket Alpine 9 inch touchscreen unit. FYI, this unit costs big bucks, $999.00 USD, last I checked.

He mounted it as follows::

You can read about it here:

How to install Mazda's infotainment in to a ND sport? - Page 2 - MX-5 Miata Forum

Page 2- How to install Mazda's infotainment in to a ND sport? ND Infotainment and Electronics

forum.miata.net

starting at post #38

With the touchscreen head unit you would have to give up all the diagnostic, maintenance and system info and not sure the car electronics would like that.
It might just light up all the warning lights on the dash. Let us know if you do this, would be interested to see how it works out.