CarPlay on older PCM

[h0b0]

I have a 2013 Cayenne GTS which I can’t think of a replacement for as it fits my needs perfectly. The only issue is that it has PCM 3.1 and it’s a bit dated. I don’t use the gps for a couple of reasons including that I have to pay for traffic (US based) and even when it receives the info it seems to just be confirmation that there is traffic so it can be sympathetic instead of driving around it.

I stumbled across a thread on a US based forum where they upgraded their PCM to have wireless CarPlay giving Waze. Some were going through a Uk based retailer. Others discovered the kit on AliExpress for $350 and thought they would give it a try. I’m in the second camp.

The kit I bought was from Joyeauto and was shipped from Hong Kong. Due to having the satellite radio module it was a pain in the ass to fit. But, just over 2 hours later and I double click the navigation button and up pops CarPlay. I have not tried all the functions yet but waze on PCM is fantastic. You lose nothing though as you can toggle between CarPlay and normal PCM.

Not a sponsored post..... was a pain in the ass to do..... other kits from other manufacturers are available at lower prices.

[AJB88]

There is a PCM 3.1 kit that can be bought where you install another motherboard in the PCM and that gives you Apple Carplay / Android Auto. its about £500 iirc.

[russdunkin]

There's a video on YouTube explaining how to install Carplay for PCM 3.1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIdQdn1PoT0&t

[h0b0]

Sounds like the same kit that can be bought for $350

Here are the contents



You have to strip the PCM to put in the additional board and there’s a separate box of stuff that’s gets hidden in the dash.

[h0b0]

One thing to note, if you have Sirius/XM (satellite) and I assume digital in the UK, there’s an extra board already in the PCM which makes installing CarPlay a little more challenging.
The Sirius board is on the left in this pic. The connector sticks up so I had to use stand offs to put the new board in. The next issue is getting the cable out of the PCM. For none Sirius PCMs you simply pull through the hole the antennae cable goes through. In my case this already was in use so I slightly bent the rear of the case to allow the control cable out.

Everything is quickly reversible including the case being slightly bent out.

Edited by h0b0 on Sunday 8th December 19:15

[RSVP911]

Hats off to anyone who can do this sort of thing - I know I can’t and would never try.

I have a 997.2 GTS - is there a good company in the East Midlands who can add DAB to it and get it to work on CarPlay ? Thanks

[Shiverman]

RSVP911 said:

Hats off to anyone who can do this sort of thing - I know I can’t and would never try.

I have a 997.2 GTS - is there a good company in the East Midlands who can add DAB to it and get it to work on CarPlay ? Thanks

Hi Richard. There is a company in Reading who can do this upgrade so I read on another forum. You can buy the kit from a company in The Channel Islands - NM Automotive. Apparently the guys name is Nick and he will know who in the UK has done this upgrade.

https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk

The kist gives you WIRELESS Apple Car Play. My daughter has wireless car play Cooper S and it is great. Why do VAG not offer this when they apparently helped develop it?

Please let me know if you do go for it as I'm interested myself once I'm confident my new to me 991.1 doesn't have any gremlins that I need to claim on warranty.

[jakesmith]

This is fascinating I had no idea something like this exists
Does it completely supersede the PCM apart from IO or does it somehow add Carplay to the PCM system's features - how does that work - new menu structure or additional menus etc?

[RSVP911]

Shiverman said:

RSVP911 said:

Hats off to anyone who can do this sort of thing - I know I can’t and would never try.

I have a 997.2 GTS - is there a good company in the East Midlands who can add DAB to it and get it to work on CarPlay ? Thanks

Hi Richard. There is a company in Reading who can do this upgrade so I read on another forum. You can buy the kit from a company in The Channel Islands - NM Automotive. Apparently the guys name is Nick and he will know who in the UK has done this upgrade.

https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk

The kist gives you WIRELESS Apple Car Play. My daughter has wireless car play Cooper S and it is great. Why do VAG not offer this when they apparently helped develop it?

Please let me know if you do go for it as I'm interested myself once I'm confident my new to me 991.1 doesn't have any gremlins that I need to claim on warranty.

Thanks chap, I’ll drop them an email and let you know

Edited to Add - Just emailed Nick who came back to me immediately, which was great. Bad news is my 997.2 has PCM3.0 not 3.1 and there isn’t a version for this yet - however it may happen next year

Edited by RSVP911 on Sunday 8th December 20:26

[h0b0]

jakesmith said:

This is fascinating I had no idea something like this exists
Does it completely supersede the PCM apart from IO or does it somehow add Carplay to the PCM system's features - how does that work - new menu structure or additional menus etc?

I’m still playing with it due to limited time. But, you can run your PCM as you always have done with no loss of function. If you want to switch to CarPlay just tap the NAV button. If you want to use PCM NAV press it again. You can toggle between the 2.

CarPlay can take care of everything though. You connect to it via Bluetooth (and behind the scenes WiFi but you don’t need to set that up.) it’s all wireless for CarPlay. For Android it uses a usb. For both you can also mirror whatever is on the phone, but I have not tried that.

For phone calls it uses its own microphone which I have next to the mirror. In its current location you would never know it was there which was my goal.

I haven’t played with music but others report that the quality is good.

Edited by h0b0 on Sunday 8th December 21:12

[jakesmith]

h0b0 said:

I’m still playing with it due to limited time. But, you can run your PCM as you always have done with no loss of function. If you want to switch to CarPlay just tap the NAV button. If you want to use PCM NAV press it again. You can toggle between the 2.

CarPlay can take care of everything though. You connect to it via Bluetooth (and behind the scenes WiFi but you don’t need to set that up.) it’s all wireless for CarPlay. For Android it uses a usb. For both you can also mirror whatever is on the phone, but I have not tried that.

For phone calls it uses its own microphone which I have next to the mirror. In its current location you would never know it was there which was my goal.

I haven’t played with music but others report that the quality is good.

Edited by h0b0 on Sunday 8th December 21:12

Sounds like some sort of overlay system that uses the PCM's sound circuits if it uses its own mic
I have to say it sounds brilliant - interested to hear more

[BarrySt]

I have the NM Automotive carplay (pre wireless version) and it works well

[AJB88]

BarrySt said:

I have the NM Automotive carplay (pre wireless version) and it works well

That's what I want for mine but the Android version.

[h0b0]

The latest kit does both Carplay and Android. CarPlay is wireless but I think Android requires the usb cable.

[h0b0]

I’m surprised at the screen resolution as the standard images have always been a bit crap. I didn’t think the screen could display decent images.

[majordad]

Is there anywhere I could get all this as a fitted package?

[h0b0]

Some in the US have spoken to their normal audio installer and asked them to fit.