[Stebro]

My 2018 Boxster S has factory navigation but no Apple carplay or live traffic information. My dealer wants about $3000 parts and labor for carplay and voice control. My car is leased so I would get no return. Thinking instead of getting the new iPhone X max and using it for navigation and traffic information. The question is how to mount the phone so it’s easily visible for navigation while driving. Some phone mounts position the phone next to the console, which would require looking down. The CD slot mounts look possible but may cause the phone to obscure some
controls (?). Vent mounts might work but some are kind of flimsy and its hard to say which one holds best other than trial and error. My ideal mount would keep the phone in my line of sight, obviously hold the iPhone X max, include wireless charging and not require removing any trim, using adhesive or doing anything else which might damage the interior. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Viffermike]

Questions:
- Did you buy the car new or used?
- Does your car have a smartphone tray and USB socket in the center console?
- Was OEM Nav added to the car after manufacture, or was it a factory option?

CarPlay should be included in all 718 models inside PCM4, the car's OS. That doesn't mean that it's activated; it's just included as part of the OS. Activation shouldn't cost $3k; it should be more like $300, the majority of which is a license fee to Apple. If you have a USB socket in your center console armrest, that will mean that CarPlay is present and just needs to be activated.

Also, CarPlay does not need Voice Control to work. The reason Porsche doesn't make VC standard (and hides this from the options sheet in most cases) is because it is so buggy when used with PCM4, particularly with Infotainment and Nav. I seriously wouldn't sweat the lack of VC in your car unless you absolutely, 100 percent have to use voice commands for some reason.

To start, I would get a second opinion from another dealer. I've heard of several cases recently where dealers from at least three marques are attempting to gouge customers regarding CarPlay activation because the customer doesn't understand what CarPlay really is and how it works.

 

[Stebro]

Thanks. I bought the car new and it has factory installed navigation. It does not have a smart phone tray or center console USB plug. In fact, I’m using the cigarette lighter plug in the center console with a USB adapter to power my phone. Does that change your advice about getting CarPlay for a lower price? If so, I’d appreciate any information about a phone mount for the iPhone X max, per my previous post. Thanks again.

 

[Viffermike]

Thanks. I bought the car new and it has factory installed navigation. It does not have a smart phone tray or center console USB plug. In fact, I’m using the cigarette lighter plug in the center console with a USB adapter to power my phone. Does that change your advice about getting CarPlay for a lower price? If so, I’d appreciate any information about a phone mount for the iPhone X max, per my previous post. Thanks again.

Yes, it does change it because your car is not optimized for smartphone usage if it doesn't have the USB connection in the center console. That's basically the CarPlay 'interface' -- but CarPlay is still 'loaded' into PCM4.

Here's the part on Suncoast that is needed to enable CarPlay on 718s without Porsche Connect or above. Note from the dropdown menu that no extra hardware is needed beyond this part on cars with factory Nav. I believe this is because the version of PCM4 used in conjunction with Nav already has the CarPlay software interface included. This 'part' likely includes the smartphone cradle and USB plug for the center console. Your dealer quote likely includes installation of this part as well as CarPlay activation -- both of which can be ordered from other places for a significantly lower price.

So basically you need the hardware that comes with Porsche Connect: the smartphone cradle and USB port.

A side note: only later-model 2018s and 2019s could be ordered with factory-installed Nav and without Porsche Connect and above. Previously (and as was the case on my first-run 2018), one had to order Porsche Connect Plus to get factory-installed Nav at all. I very much wish I had the option you had, because Nav is the only option I wish I'd have ordered on my specific car.

 

[Stebro]

So I guess we’re back to the original question. If I want to get an iPhone x max for traffic and navigation instead of installing CarPlay, can anyone recommend a mount that holds the phone steadily in the drivers line of sight, accommodates the iPhone X max, doesn’t obscure any controls, doesn’t require removing any trim or using adhesives and ideally can do,wireless charging of the iPhone?

 

[DontCallMeShirley]

I don’t know if it is big enough for a Max, but the left cupholder is just about perfect for holding my iPhone X. Sits at a pretty good angle for navigation, tightens to hold the phone firmly, stows away when not in use, doesn’t require installation, and the price is right.

 

[lyricalgeek]

Suncoast has a mount that looks quite good and is specific to the 718. They also have a console mounted version though if you are using the phone for maps I'd suggest the first option. I'd post the links but I'm too much of a newbie to post links yet.

 

[Dan.B-Cayman]

I use a vent mount with a magnet coupled with a flat metal rectangle that either adheres or just sits between the phone and the case. I got mine from Deutsche Autoparts for a VW GTI. Strong enough to hold iPhone X and I can just slip it off the vent and put it on any other vent I want.

Works good for me as the line of sight is good and close enough for the cable extending from the glove box.

Only downside is it has "VW" on the magnet.

Also, you could put two rectangles on a tablet and use two vent magnets at once.

Just something to think about.

 

[Blink982]

The T-Design 9 mount should accommodate the XS Max. I use one with my S8 and the only thing it obscures is the (useless) cup holder.


LINK

 

[nineball]

it doesn't offer wireless charging but i always like this mount, though i will be buying it for the console mount and not the upper dash as pictured in this link:


ExactFit Magnetic Phone Mount-Rennline, Inc.

 

[TEST DRyVer]

The T-Design 9 mount should accommodate the XS Max. I use one with my S8 and the only thing it obscures is the (useless) cup holder.


LINK

+1 I've used both t-design9 phone holders. I had the one that holds the phone, now I have the magnetic type. This has been a great company to deal with. He's just a Porsche owner that came up with concept that makes the holder look almost OEM and is placed in a spot to your liking.

 

[Stebro]

Thanks. I contacted T Design and they confirmed that their mount works with the iphone X max. They also said that a wireless charging mount will be available in the next few days.

 

[Blink982]

Thanks. I contacted T Design and they confirmed that their mount works with the iphone X max. They also said that a wireless charging mount will be available in the next few days.

The new wireless charger is out but I'm not a fan of either the look or the price. I know looks are subjective but I'm not a fan of things with great big logos and what is the picture of the Monaco racetrack all about (apart from the clumsy name)? Sorry but it will stick out like a sore thumb in a minimalist Porsche interior.

The price is on the high side but hey, it's for Porsche. I could possibly stomach the price, if it looked plain and understated but its looks are far from OEM.

http://t-design9.com/wireless_charger_porsche.html

 

[Viffermike]

The new wireless charger is out but I'm not a fan of either the look or the price. I know looks are subjective but I'm not a fan of things with great big logos and what is the picture of the Monaco racetrack all about (apart from the clumsy name)? Sorry but it will stick out like a sore thumb in a minimalist Porsche interior.

The price is on the high side but hey, it's for Porsche. I could possibly stomach the price, if it looked plain and understated but its looks are far from OEM.

Monaco Wireless Charger for Porsche

Considering a Belkin wireless charger for the home were $60-plus when they were first released -- and ones like this one from Native Union that I use are still that price -- $130 is not bad at all for what amounts to a bespoke, all-metal, hardwired solution.

You may want to ask if the Monaco graphics can be deleted. Since T-Design tends to make things to order, I bet it can accommodate you.

I'm sure this is in the instructions, but anyone who orders this should be very careful where they place the metal plate on the phone/case. If it interferes with the charge coil in the unit at all, that won't function.

One caveat: You won't be able to use CarPlay with it. All the wireless portion does is charge. No data gets sent anywhere except by Bluetooth and/or (if equipped) WiFi. Just sayin'.

 

[Stebro]

I agree with previous posts—don’t care for the Monaco graphics. I wrote to T Design and they responded that a version without the graphics will be available in several weeks. They are very responsive and helpful. Look forward to ordering the plain model.

 

[roberth]

So I guess we’re back to the original question. If I want to get an iPhone x max for traffic and navigation instead of installing CarPlay, can anyone recommend a mount that holds the phone steadily in the drivers line of sight, accommodates the iPhone X max, doesn’t obscure any controls, doesn’t require removing any trim or using adhesives and ideally can do,wireless charging of the iPhone?

I'm a big fan of the ProClip mounts (proclipusa.com). Their's a 2 piece system: 1 piece is the mount for the car, and one is the mount for the phone. I have the mount with the USB charging cable, and then cable routes into the center console to a fast charger. Works great and is rock solid. This DOES mount is low (by the gearshift), but I happen to prefer is down there. Especially with a larger phone, I've never had a problem seeing the maps. Being out of direct eyesight, I'm also not distracted by every email and txt message that comes through.

Photo attached.

 

[Rjzey]

So I guess we’re back to the original question. If I want to get an iPhone x max for traffic and navigation instead of installing CarPlay, can anyone recommend a mount that holds the phone steadily in the drivers line of sight, accommodates the iPhone X max, doesn’t obscure any controls, doesn’t require removing any trim or using adhesives and ideally can do,wireless charging of the iPhone?

Magnetic Phone Mount (Dash) - 991/981

Check out the deal on Magnetic Phone Mount (Dash) - 991/981 at Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories

www.suncoastparts.com

Take a look. I have navigation in my GTS and still like to have my iPhone in a safe viewing position

 

[alfaguy]

Yea, you may have to settle on fewer requirements to get a 10 Max mounted. The Suncoast part fits most of your requirements, but needs a trim piece removed to install....not a big deal for some here.

 

[Rjzey]

Yea, you may have to settle on fewer requirements to get a 10 Max mounted. The Suncoast part fits most of your requirements, but needs a trim piece removed to install....not a big deal for some here.

The console side panel does need to removed....Is quite a simple task with no risk of screwing it up!