No carplay ?

Dells · July 16, 2023

Just found out that a 17 plate luxury saloon this one (Lexus IS300h advanced saloon) that I am picking up on Wednesday doesn’t have carplay, that’s ridiculous , what’s the sat nav like ?

if anything like other manufacturers it’s three years out of date, that includes my current Mercedes.

Dell

IS300FSPORT · July 16, 2023

Welcome & Lexus use old tried & tested tech nothing fancy unless your buying the later models that will come with the upgraded media. The IS is no longer sold in the UK.

2017 is now around 6 year old at the time of release it wasnt great but it wasnt deemed as an ancient.

Work around is get a mini USB and put your music on there or upgrade it at a cost though a few people have done it.

Dont let this be a show stopper for you because as an overall package its fantastic choice.

Gaurav Bhandari · July 16, 2023

1 hour ago, Dells said:

Just found out that a 17 plate luxury saloon this one (Lexus IS300h advanced saloon) that I am picking up on Wednesday doesn’t have carplay, that’s ridiculous , what’s the sat nav like ?

if anything like other manufacturers it’s three years out of date, that includes my current Mercedes.

Dell

Same on plate 18 as well :(. I got the Android one, but did not work with my car😞 )

Dells · July 16, 2023

Been having a google anyone fitted this ?

https://bavarian-automotive.co.uk/products/lexus-wireless-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-mmi-retrofit-interface

Mr_Groundhog · July 17, 2023

There are a couple of threads in this forum about it (apple carplay fitting) and it certainly works with the right installation and wiring etc. It is feasible.

I guess most of us just can't be bothered given the workarounds (I listen to music in the car via Bluetooth just the same, from my phone), and in my particular case, the fact that I would have to get someone else to dissassemble the dashboard to fit it etc. I can think of better things to do with 600 quid and the carplay isn't a must for me. Actually, if you get the Maps update (do you have the big or the normal screen?) the Lexus maps work pretty well and they tell you about upcoming gas stations, tolls etc that the apple carplay does not.

Notamech · July 17, 2023

Agree with the above. I too use my phone. Once you connect it via Bluetooth both map and music audio streams through the car speakers. I tried using the inbuilt maps both in a merc and in the lexus but couldn't get used to it. They dont have important things like speed limits etc. Also my lexus doesn't even have 3d view. So i dont bother with it and just use the phone. You can upgrade the screen in your lexus with a 10inch android based chinese device that vastly improves what it can do for ~£400 if you DIY. I personally cant be bothered as that £400 can cover the next service or tyres or something more important than getting a device that does what my phone does already.

wharfhouse · July 17, 2023

+1 with the two comments above - I use a phone mount that plugs into the CD player slot and then Google maps on my phone. Sometimes run the car sat nav to see upcoming information on the roads (as above) but rarely use it to actually navigate with unless I have no phone signal and so can't use Google maps on my phone like when in the hills (and haven't downloaded the Google maps for out of coverage use). My in car maps are still the original that came with the car - so from 2014 era. I can also use Google voice assistant to instruct Google maps or other apps on the phone.

Dells · July 20, 2023

Thanks for the replies, now I have the car and used the sat nav to get home I think it will do for the very few journeys I do although I have just updated to the latest 2022 map 100 minutes to install, one thing I was impressed with was the voice direction, it is certainly much better than the one I had in the Mercedes because it almost sounds like a human being talking, I need to work out how to setup the voice commands though.

Dell

Jgtcracer · July 20, 2023

51 minutes ago, Dells said:

Thanks for the replies, now I have the car and used the sat nav to get home I think it will do for the very few journeys I do although I have just updated to the latest 2022 map 100 minutes to install, one thing I was impressed with was the voice direction, it is certainly much better than the one I had in the Mercedes because it almost sounds like a human being talking, I need to work out how to setup the voice commands though.

Dell

I’ve got an 18’ RC and although the dealer initially told me it was upgradable to CarPlay it seems it isn’t. Ended up spending £300 on the Icebox CarPlay and fitted it myself. Would never go back, use it for every journey and it’s been really good. Can fit it yourself too!

lexuST7 · October 20, 2023

Just wanted to say that I recently installed the Carlinkitlife Wireless CarPlay (and Android Auto) Kit £250 and absolutely love it. Works perfectly (once you get it set up) in my 2015. Install is 100% plug and play. No cutting wires or modifications needed to existing harness. That 0 complaint from me doesn't lag, doesn't crash, retain steering wheel controls, easy to switch between AAuto and Carplay, factory unit look. 100/100 would highly recommend."

Mr_Groundhog · October 20, 2023

1 hour ago, lexuST7 said:

Just wanted to say that I recently installed the Carlinkitlife Wireless CarPlay (and Android Auto) Kit £250 and absolutely love it. Works perfectly (once you get it set up) in my 2015. Install is 100% plug and play. No cutting wires or modifications needed to existing harness. That 0 complaint from me doesn't lag, doesn't crash, retain steering wheel controls, easy to switch between AAuto and Carplay, factory unit look. 100/100 would highly recommend."

That looks pretty good. Not sure it’s worth in my case given the yearly mileage but it looks better than other Kits I’ve seen… who installed it? Was it yourself or someone else? If so, how much for the install?

Does anyone know if, when time comes to sell, not being stock increases or decreases the value of the car?

Notamech · October 20, 2023

2 hours ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

That looks pretty good. Not sure it’s worth in my case given the yearly mileage but it looks better than other Kits I’ve seen… who installed it? Was it yourself or someone else? If so, how much for the install?

Does anyone know if, when time comes to sell, not being stock increases or decreases the value of the car?

Yes it does decerease the value. Even official upgrades barely make a difference to prices. Most dealerships for example use a software to determine prices which is based on trim level age and mileage of a particular make and model. They rarely deviate from this price. Dealerships / private buyers will use any excuse they can to lower the amount they have to shell out and unofficial mods is one such excuse they will use. I mean you could argue that you've actually improved the car but the fact that its an unofficial accessory and is most likely not professionally installed will be a point that can be used to try and lower the price. Had it been an original lexus accessory installed by them with receipts to prove it... would have been a different story. In either case I doubt any accessory would increase the value of your car best case scenerio the price will remain unaffected.

Mr_Groundhog · October 20, 2023

1 hour ago, Notamech said:

Yes it does decerease the value. Even official upgrades barely make a difference to prices. Most dealerships for example use a software to determine prices which is based on trim level age and mileage of a particular make and model. They rarely deviate from this price. Dealerships / private buyers will use any excuse they can to lower the amount they have to shell out and unofficial mods is one such excuse they will use. I mean you could argue that you've actually improved the car but the fact that its an unofficial accessory and is most likely not professionally installed will be a point that can be used to try and lower the price. Had it been an original lexus accessory installed by them with receipts to prove it... would have been a different story. In either case I doubt any accessory would increase the value of your car best case scenerio the price will remain unaffected.

Yeah actually that makes sense, thank you.
When I picked up my IS300 I had cleaned my part-exchange Honda, and made sure it was all OK, thinking they'd inspect closely to find faults, and I was surprised they didn't care. They didn't look. Just checked the mileage and that was it.

I was fond of that car. I do wonder where it is and whether it is having a good life. 🙂

matt8 · October 20, 2023

9 hours ago, lexuST7 said:

Just wanted to say that I recently installed the Carlinkitlife Wireless CarPlay (and Android Auto) Kit £250 and absolutely love it. Works perfectly (once you get it set up) in my 2015. Install is 100% plug and play. No cutting wires or modifications needed to existing harness. That 0 complaint from me doesn't lag, doesn't crash, retain steering wheel controls, easy to switch between AAuto and Carplay, factory unit look. 100/100 would highly recommend."

Looks great. How long did it take to install? And where do you situate the unit they provide?

matt8 · October 20, 2023

Price now up to £270!

Notamech · October 20, 2023

10 hours ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

Yeah actually that makes sense, thank you.
When I picked up my IS300 I had cleaned my part-exchange Honda, and made sure it was all OK, thinking they'd inspect closely to find faults, and I was surprised they didn't care. They didn't look. Just checked the mileage and that was it.

I was fond of that car. I do wonder where it is and whether it is having a good life. 🙂

Haha I wonder about cars i used to own as well. I do look up their mot from time to time to get a sense of how they are doing. An 05 honda civic i used to own at 70k is now at 150k and sounds like its rusting away from the advisories I see.

Mr_Groundhog · October 21, 2023

12 hours ago, Notamech said:

Haha I wonder about cars i used to own as well. I do look up their mot from time to time to get a sense of how they are doing. An 05 honda civic i used to own at 70k is now at 150k and sounds like its rusting away from the advisories I see.

You and I must be the overly-sentimental buddies of this forum 😄

Mr_Groundhog · October 24, 2023

I just got the latest SD card update (2023-2024 v1) for the lexus sat nav, replacing the previous one (2022-2023 v2). So if anyone wants it, I'm happy to give it away. Let me know 🙂

I think you can only use an SD card if your satnav is the one with the large(er) screen and has a joystick instead of a round knob.

matt8 · October 24, 2023

3 hours ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

I just got the latest SD card update (2023-2024 v1) for the lexus sat nav, replacing the previous one (2022-2023 v2). So if anyone wants it, I'm happy to give it away. Let me know 🙂

I think you can only use an SD card if your satnav is the one with the large(er) screen and has a joystick instead of a round knob.

Nice gesture! Are you sure you don’t want anything for it? I’d put it to use, I have the joystick and my car has an SD card, albeit an old version now!

Mr_Groundhog · October 24, 2023

1 hour ago, matt8 said:

Nice gesture! Are you sure you don’t want anything for it? I’d put it to use, I have the joystick and my car has an SD card, albeit an old version now!

Well, then this may be more recent than the one you have. Write me via PM with details and I will send it over (yes, free).

Mr_Groundhog · October 27, 2023

When it comes to installing these CarPlay kits like the one above, would you people know of any good garages/installers that would do it? (driving distance from Kent)
I would not want to have it done to then have to live with all types of rattles on the dashboard and things like that.

matt8 · October 27, 2023

1 hour ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

When it comes to installing these CarPlay kits like the one above, would you people know of any good garages/installers that would do it? (driving distance from Kent)
I would not want to have it done to then have to live with all types of rattles on the dashboard and things like that.

I imagine that, if reasonably competent and not afraid you will break a clip, that you’d do a more careful job, and therefore an arguably better job, than most tradesmen. After all, it’s not them that will have to live with a rattle. They’d also likely dispute they caused any rattle as well, even if you accused them so.

Mr_Groundhog · October 29, 2023

On 10/27/2023 at 5:59 PM, matt8 said:

I imagine that, if reasonably competent and not afraid you will break a clip, that you’d do a more careful job, and therefore an arguably better job, than most tradesmen. After all, it’s not them that will have to live with a rattle. They’d also likely dispute they caused any rattle as well, even if you accused them so.

Ufff....I'm sure you're right BUT I shiver at the idea of doing it myself....I'm a coward!!! I'm not sure I'd know where to start and terrified at breaking something that would have me call the dealer and have the car towed away for repair.... but what's true is that finding professionals who care for their craft is sadly rare....

corpjones · November 3, 2023

On 10/20/2023 at 4:05 AM, lexuST7 said:

Just wanted to say that I recently installed the Carlinkitlife Wireless CarPlay (and Android Auto) Kit £250 and absolutely love it. Works perfectly (once you get it set up) in my 2015. Install is 100% plug and play. No cutting wires or modifications needed to existing harness. That 0 complaint from me doesn't lag, doesn't crash, retain steering wheel controls, easy to switch between AAuto and Carplay, factory unit look. 100/100 would highly recommend."

Thank you for the link, do you know if it will work with a late 2013 with the mark levinson sound system? Theres no way I would be able to do this myself so think I'd have to find a specialist.

Herbie · November 3, 2023

On 10/29/2023 at 3:41 PM, Mr_Groundhog said:

Ufff....I'm sure you're right BUT I shiver at the idea of doing it myself....I'm a coward!!! I'm not sure I'd know where to start and terrified at breaking something that would have me call the dealer and have the car towed away for repair.... but what's true is that finding professionals who care for their craft is sadly rare....

These, along with other units like them, are very easy to install - they're just plug and play. All you do is to unplug a connector from the factory unit, plug it into the new one, and then plug in a harness from new to factory. It's basically a process of 'teeing in' the new unit between the car and the factory unit, so instead of wiring going from car > factory unit it now goes car > new unit > factory unit.

The most difficult process is getting the trim off and getting to the connectors in the first place, which is where YouTube comes in. No matter what you're doing, whether that be plumbing, painting, changing a water pump on the car, fitting a new laptop screen or whatever, someone will have done it before and uploaded a 'how-to' video to YouTube that you can follow.