apple car play installation

[ian448]

https://youtu.be/6A0zu6wLOMc.

Another company in Bishops Stortford installing the kit

[BiggaJ]

Good find, it looks a very neat install on the DB9 transmission tunnel however, on a V8 Vantage in manual guise I wonder how they do things .... I have just emailed them.

[Del Lardo]

Interested to hear if they can support and the price.

[Riddochg]

I have the Aston Installations version on my manual V8. The control sits directly behind the steering wheel on the dash, out of sight. Once you get the hang of the buttons its very easy to navigate and unobtrusive.

[BiggaJ]

Riddochg said:

I have the Aston Installations version on my manual V8. The control sits directly behind the steering wheel on the dash, out of sight. Once you get the hang of the buttons its very easy to navigate and unobtrusive.

I've spoken to them at Aston Inst. and asked about a higher resolution screen which they claim to be looking into. How do you find the stock screen for resolution when using 'Ways' or 'Google Maps' navigation etc?

The stock screen in the video link given above looks better than the resolution on my screen.

[Snooglefinder]

BiggaJ said:

I've spoken to them at Aston Inst. and asked about a higher resolution screen which they claim to be looking into. How do you find the stock screen for resolution when using 'Ways' or 'Google Maps' navigation etc?

The stock screen in the video link given above looks better than the resolution on my screen.

I have the Aston Installations kit in my 2007 manual V8, stock screen works fine. It's not as pin sharp as a modern one I suppose but it's more than acceptable and works well.

I also managed to install the controls into the ashtray so with the lid closed the car looks completely standard and it's easily to hand to lift the ashtray lid.

[V8V Pete]

Riddochg said:

I have the Aston Installations version on my manual V8. The control sits directly behind the steering wheel on the dash, out of sight. Once you get the hang of the buttons its very easy to navigate and unobtrusive.

Could you post a picture of this installation please as I can't visualise it from your description?

[V8V Pete]

Snooglefinder said:

I have the Aston Installations kit in my 2007 manual V8, stock screen works fine. It's not as pin sharp as a modern one I suppose but it's more than acceptable and works well.

I also managed to install the controls into the ashtray so with the lid closed the car looks completely standard and it's easily to hand to lift the ashtray lid.

That's interesting because I asked Aston Installations if they could do a flush installation of their controller in the ashtray space in 2019 and got this response:

We have looked at the mounting in the ashtray, but… With manual vantages the reason the ashtray is sloping is because the gear control linkage runs directly underneath the ashtray. When we tried to mount our control in there, there simply wasn’t the room to miss the linkage. We also wanted to have a standardised installation for all models, so we’ve kept with the mounting as it is with just a couple of variations for V8 Manual old vs newer and DB9. In that way we can make kits up and know that it will be an easier installation for our overseas clients.

Now you're saying you have installed it into the ashtray and can close the lid on it so it's completely hidden. This is what I would really want as I don't want anything non-OEM visible in the interior when not in use.

So, two questions:

1. Did you have to do any cutting or bending of the interior to fit the controller in?

2. Could you post some pictures of it with the ashtray lid open and closed please? Many thanks.

[Snooglefinder]

V8V Pete said:

Snooglefinder said:

I have the Aston Installations kit in my 2007 manual V8, stock screen works fine. It's not as pin sharp as a modern one I suppose but it's more than acceptable and works well.

I also managed to install the controls into the ashtray so with the lid closed the car looks completely standard and it's easily to hand to lift the ashtray lid.

That's interesting because I asked Aston Installations if they could do a flush installation of their controller in the ashtray space in 2019 and got this response:

We have looked at the mounting in the ashtray, but… With manual vantages the reason the ashtray is sloping is because the gear control linkage runs directly underneath the ashtray. When we tried to mount our control in there, there simply wasn’t the room to miss the linkage. We also wanted to have a standardised installation for all models, so we’ve kept with the mounting as it is with just a couple of variations for V8 Manual old vs newer and DB9. In that way we can make kits up and know that it will be an easier installation for our overseas clients.

Now you're saying you have installed it into the ashtray and can close the lid on it so it's completely hidden. This is what I would really want as I don't want anything non-OEM visible in the interior when not in use.

So, two questions:

1. Did you have to do any cutting or bending of the interior to fit the controller in?

2. Could you post some pictures of it with the ashtray lid open and closed please? Many thanks.

Yes Aston Installations said the same to me but it is possible.

You do need to disassemble the ashtray and build in a piece of plastic for the controller to sit on but nothing gets damaged and all fully reversible.

Some photos here.

[V8V Pete]

Snooglefinder said:

Yes Aston Installations said the same to me but it is possible.

You do need to disassemble the ashtray and build in a piece of plastic for the controller to sit on but nothing gets damaged and all fully reversible.

Some photos here.

Thanks for that. Very helpful. I'm still undecided but at least I now know there is an "invisible" option.

What would be even better would be if they made a plate that sat just below the lid of the ashtray with the buttons & dial mounted flush in that plate so it looked less home-made. Fussy, I know, but I'm OK with that.

[EVR]

V8V Pete said:

Thanks for that. Very helpful. I'm still undecided but at least I now know there is an "invisible" option.

What would be even better would be if they made a plate that sat just below the lid of the ashtray with the buttons & dial mounted flush in that plate so it looked less home-made. Fussy, I know, but I'm OK with that.

I am with you, I am very bothered by the homemade look of the controls.

I know it's not possible, but personally, the only way that would make me consider doing it, is a full integration with the existing entertainment controls. And even then, I don't know how comfortable I would be with having half the cabin dismantled for running aftermarket cables. The perfect solution could be switching out the complete screen assembly with a touchscreen one with better resolution and a Bluetooth CarPlay/Android Auto receiver; I have no idea if this is technically possible though.

But this is just how I am, I can totally understand why others are going for it.

Edited by EVR on Thursday 4th March 18:44

[BiggaJ]

ian448 said:

https://youtu.be/6A0zu6wLOMc.

Another company in Bishops Stortford installing the kit

Been in touch with them and they want £1400 to install.

[4Q]

Does anyone know if Aston Installations is trading at the moment? I’ve tried calling but the they don’t answer nor have they returned my call when I’ve left a message.

[Riddochg]

Just spoke with them, open and very much in business.

[BiggaJ]

4Q said:

Does anyone know if Aston Installations is trading at the moment? I’ve tried calling but the they don’t answer nor have they returned my call when I’ve left a message.

Yes they are open and trading.

[Riddochg]

Was thinking about installing the controller in the ashtray. Mine is mounted on the dash but would prefer it in the ashtray. I have had the transmission tunnel in bits a number of times & very straightforward when you know what you are doing.

The ashtray compartment is an aluminium box. I reckon it wouldn't be too hard to adapt it or make a custom one that makes the controller look like it belongs there. Might have a go this weekend, nothing else to do!

On the quality of the installation itself it is in no way a bodge. The guys at AI have even designed a custom loom that plugs in directly to the existing system, no cutting, soldering or things like that. It's a very thoroughly engineered solution.

[The V12 Way]

BiggaJ said:

Been in touch with them and they want £1400 to install.

thats very similar to Aston Installations

[4Q]

Riddochg said:

Just spoke with them, open and very much in business.

I've just got through to them

[shinjuku]

EVR said:

I am with you, I am very bothered by the homemade look of the controls.

I know it's not possible, but personally, the only way that would make me consider doing it, is a full integration with the existing entertainment controls. And even then, I don't know how comfortable I would be with having half the cabin dismantled for running aftermarket cables. The perfect solution could be switching out the complete screen assembly with a touchscreen one with better resolution and a Bluetooth CarPlay/Android Auto receiver; I have no idea if this is technically possible though.

But this is just how I am, I can totally understand why others are going for it.

Edited by EVR on Thursday 4th March 18:44

I should take a photo of mine really, but it is also behind the wheel out of sight for the most part. I would like a nice ash-tray style "plug in" and I am sure it can be done. A nice aluminium retrofit would be great. Thing is, mine already has a parrot module retrofit.

I have BT controls with the Parrot, and it works with Siri etc. I am actually against touchscreens in cars for many reasons, but without a suitable jog dial, Car Play etc would be unusable I think. In theory, it could be wired to one of the other buttons on the radio system I suppose, and use that jog wheel, but that's going to be days of work, and it is a multiple-hour job right now as it is.

For me, the convenience of navigation, and my entire music needs, all at the touch of buttons, is superb. There's no need for an ugly tom-tom or even sticking your phone to the dash; I much prefer this method.