Carplay install with Sony XAV-AX8050D

[SimonAW]

I've wanted to get carplay installed in my Coupe for a while and have been searching online for any photos of similar installations so I could get an idea of what it could look like. I'm not really a fan of the chinese radios so I wittled it down to the Sony XAV-AX8050D which is a floating screen type, and the Pioneer AVH-Z7200DAB which is a motorised flip out screen. I was initially set on the Pioneer, but it always niggled me that in it's resting state the actual radio looked to stick out quite far and looked a bit...90's? Also the Pioneer had a lot of cables hard wired to the rear of the unit that looked to be a pain to manage. The Sony looked like a cleaner install but I couldn't find any pictures of it installed in a Z4...which is understandable i guess.

I flipped and flopped in my mind but today seeing Halford had a 10% of deal and had the Sony in stock for immidiate collection, I went for it. So below are a bunch of photos that hopefully will help anyone else who is thinking of installing this Radio, now or in the future, on how it looks.

It was a very straight forward install, pretty much plug and play with an ISO adaptor and DAB antenna which you need to buy extra. It took me about one and a half hours to get it all nicely installed and the good thing is the cables are very minimal in number, there is plenty of space. I am very happy with the results, I was worried that the screen would be too big and "in your face" but it is just right, the vents are covered there is such a gap that they can still blow air up or to the sides with no problems at all, the heater controls are all easy to use as you can adjust the position of the screen before you lock it all down.

For reference my car had the standard buisness radio, so no amp etc to worry about. The audio is really good from this Sony, certainly good enough for me but I am no audiophile. Anyway, hopefully this post will help others..

Now, some pics.

 

[alane29]

looks cool does the screen retract ?

 

[j3nks79]

That’s exactly the set up I have in my coupe.
It’s a great bit of kit

 

[SimonAW]

looks cool does the screen retract ?

No it is fixed.

 

[meitme]

looks cool does the screen retract ?

No it is fixed.

Hi; that looks good. What plate did you use to cover the hole where the old head unit sat?

 

[B21]

Very neat ..looks great

 

[SimonAW]

looks cool does the screen retract ?

No it is fixed.

Hi; that looks good. What plate did you use to cover the hole where the old head unit sat?

I'm not entirely sure what plate it is, it came with the car as another head unit was installed. The cover is not the one that sits flush but is the one that comes out by a couple of cm so it meets the front of a normal style single din unit if that makes sense?

 

[meitme]

No it is fixed.

Hi; that looks good. What plate did you use to cover the hole where the old head unit sat?

I'm not entirely sure what plate it is, it came with the car as another head unit was installed. The cover is not the one that sits flush but is the one that comes out by a couple of cm so it meets the front of a normal style single din unit if that makes sense?

Okay thanks; I've just impulse bought the same head unit(! ) so I guess the support for the screen just fits through any replacement facia panel i.e it's the width of a standard head unit?
Do you have to plug your phone in to use the Carplay?

I bought from Halfords on a 10% deal too and thought I'd just get them to fit it for an easy life so booked an installation slot, only for the shop to call me back and tell me they don't have any audio technicians and they don't know which Halfords stores do! I even spoke to their customer service line and they don't know either, which seems a rather bonkers way to run a business!
I'll get another fitters to do it, and I'm also half considering getting a reversing camera installed too as this unit is set up to work with one. It's a little car but it's a little tricky to see out the back sometimes

 

[SimonAW]

Hi; that looks good. What plate did you use to cover the hole where the old head unit sat?

I'm not entirely sure what plate it is, it came with the car as another head unit was installed. The cover is not the one that sits flush but is the one that comes out by a couple of cm so it meets the front of a normal style single din unit if that makes sense?

Okay thanks; I've just impulse bought the same head unit(! ) so I guess the support for the screen just fits through any replacement facia panel i.e it's the width of a standard head unit?
Do you have to plug your phone in to use the Carplay?

I bought from Halfords on a 10% deal too and thought I'd just get them to fit it for an easy life so booked an installation slot, only for the shop to call me back and tell me they don't have any audio technicians and they don't know which Halfords stores do! I even spoke to their customer service line and they don't know either, which seems a rather bonkers way to run a business!
I'll get another fitters to do it, and I'm also half considering getting a reversing camera installed too as this unit is set up to work with one. It's a little car but it's a little tricky to see out the back sometimes

Yes the screen attaches to the main body of the head unit which is single din and will fit with not problems, and yes you have to plug the phone in for carplay. I routed the USB cable to the glove box, you could route it to the rear cubby between the seats if you wanted to go to the trouble. It is a simple enough unit to fit, an installer should have no problems to do it.

Hopefully you have bought a DAB antenna as it doesn't come with one (presuming you want to listen to the DAB Radio).

I'm sure you will be happy with it!

 

[meitme]

Thank you! Yes I have a DAB antenna already as I currently have one of those DAB tuners which you tune the radio into, but it's pretty rubbish and the sound quality is poor. I have one of those windscreen sticker ones, which it looks like you have too? Maybe the installer will have another suggestion, I'll find out!

 

[meitme]

For reference my car had the standard buisness radio, so no amp etc to worry about. The audio is really good from this Sony, certainly good enough for me but I am no audiophile. Anyway, hopefully this post will help others..

Just to check, how do you know if you have the amp? I have a standard Business radio too, without any kind of equaliser adjustments etc. - is that amp-free?

 

[SimonAW]

Sounds like it..

I believe that the amp would be in the boot near the battery? You could check by running your VIN through one of the VIN checking websites and that will tell you what audio your car came with.

 

[meitme]

Oh wow, I didn't know that was possible, thank you.