Putter Whore said:
Failing that, I need to get a Bluetooth solution for phone / music streaming that works with the MFSW. I’ve currently got one plugged into the Aux port and cigarette lighter, but I don’t like having the wires visible. :x
I am using Alexa Car, and have hidden it in the ashtray, and run the wire to the back of the panel with the aux socket. I removed the Aux socket and put it behind the panel so the cable can plug in without being seen. I then got a none aux cable panel, and swapped that so there is no hole. I tapped into a power supply behind the glovebox and ran it through a marine filter to try and avoid any whine.
The Alexa would probably also sit behind this panel, but I wasn't sure if I would need to access it, but so far not needed, so may move it, and replace the ashtray insert which I had to remove for space.
This sort of works, but an ideal solution would be to get Apple Carplay, replace the screen for the factory satnav, but thats probably a big job, lots of headaches and costly etc. My solution cost £50.
It does weird stuff though on occasion. Some voice alerts will go through Alexa, hence perfect audio quality, but then some sat nav apps/speed camera alerts will go through the phone module/bluetooth, so poorer quality. I cant remember which app did that, I was using a combination on my Italy trip in the Summer.
You have to have the radio set to Aux in to get sat nav alerts, I then use the phone as the audio input, eg iplayer, Amazon music etc. When a satnav instruction is played, it reduces the volume of the music. It effectively renders the car radio superfluous. Iplayer was good for listening to UK radio when in Europe using the phone data connection.