[neilr_]

I’ve been chatting with someone on the FB group about adding CarPlay to a base 2018, possibly using the kit that Suncoast sells, and trying to understand what the different factory options add.

My 2018 base has the Bose upgrade, but does not have navigation or CarPlay. In my center console, I have a 12V power outlet, and I believe there’s a USB port in the glovebox (I’ve been using BT audio, so I’m not 100% on that point).

Looking at the configurator today, the “Navigation including Porsche Connect” option explicitly states that it would replace the 12V outlet in the center console with a USB interface and remove the AUX from the glovebox. The “Apple CarPlay incl. Siri” option says nothing about USB in the center console.

If I had navigation, but not CarPlay, what would the center console USB interface be good for? Just another USB in addition to the one in the glovebox? If I had CarPlay, but not navigation, would I have to connect to the USB in the glovebox or would I have gotten the center console USB thought it isn’t called out? What is that extra hardware that Suncoast says is required since I don’t have navigation?

I’m hoping there are enough people here with a variety of options to get some insight. I’d like to add CarPlay to my Cayman, but for now I’m helping this other owner who’s in the thick of it.

Thanks for your help/guidance.

 

[grasmere]

First, Do you have the armrest behind the centre console?
My USB socket is in there and is the one to use for BT etc, the USB in glovebox is power only, as I understand it.

 

[CaymanMatt]

I have a 2018 w/o CarPlay w/Nav. I have the 12V outlet in the armrest. If I had purchased Carplay, that 12V socket would have been replaced with the USB port for Carplay. The USB port in the glove box will not work for that purpose.
I hope this helps.
MOO

 

[jimmuller]

First, Do you have the armrest behind the centre console?
My USB socket is in there and is the one to use for BT etc, the USB in glovebox is power only, as I understand it.

I am the last person to ask for this kind of stuff but I believe you are mistaken on one small point. At least on my car the USB port in the glovebox, besides being a power source, will recognize a memory stick and can play audio from it or transfer audio to the Jukebox.

I'm not sure I can answer the original question reliably. When I read other peoples' answers to questions like this it sometimes seems their terminology is different or their cars had different configuration options when they purchased it.

My car came with "Porsche Connect" but no navigation. Without navigation Porsche Connect would seem pointless but that is what gave it the armrest USB port and CarPlay capability. CarPlay must run through that USB port. I had seen the Aux port in the glovebox on an S model and was disappointed to see that my car didn't have it. I can see a use for it but it's not a big loss.

My only real wish is that the PCM could run CarPlay through the USB port while my Android phone is connected via Bluetooth. The manual says it won't and in fact won't. When I first got the car it did it occasionally then just started dropping the Bluetooth connection exactly like the manual says. If there is a way to keep it connected I'd like to know.

On a related issue, after I've started the car and it recognizes the iPhone in the USB port it asks whether it to treat it as an iPhone to run CarPlay or as an iPod to play audio. Once I say iPhone it will not re-assign it as an iPod so that the Bluetooth connection will work again. The manual says you can re-assign it but it always reverts back to iPhone/CarPlay anyway. I have to reboot the PCM to restore my Bluetooth connection. So I have to decide at the start of a trip whether I am likely to want to use my phone (hands-free usage is required here) or run CarPlay. I can reboot the PCM to regain the phone but it takes half a minute.

 

[JazzCatGab]

I have a base 2019 Cayman that I had built without navigation but with CarPlay. The center console armrest has a USB in the armrest box, required for plugging in the iPhone to make CarPlay work, and I suspect that would be the extra hardware to which Suncoast refers.