Infotainment Upgrades for my Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To

The infotainment system (stereo, GPS, etc.) in my 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe is showing its age. No Bluetooth, no music streaming, no hands free calling, no Android Auto or Apple Car play (not even a defunct iPod hookup!).  I use it as an FM radio – that’s it.  The original Volvo derived Sat Nav system was horrible even back in 2005. As my car is now 18 years old (and nearly graduated high school :>) I figured it was time to invest in some new technology upgrades.

Unlike my Sweeties VW GTI where I can simply go to a website like Crutchfield.com and look at the plethora of upgrade options available (speakers, head units, amps, etc.), we have close to diddly squat in choices for our Aston Martins.  Sure, the media system at its core was from essentially a Volvo XC90 at the time of its design, but the head unit, facias and harnesses are all bespoke to Aston precluding fitting most standard aftermarket bits.

If you look hard enough, there are a few solutions available, and some are really nice.

I am doing a series of videos on my Aston1936 YouTube channel chronicling my upgrade. Hopefully I will circle back one day and write up my usual companion articles to go along with each (there are so many videos to this project I am struggling to get them done first), but in the meantime this one post will be where I link up critical items like suppliers, special tools and supplies, and of course link to the videos so this page can be your one stop shop.

A reasonable question to ask is if I am talking about products I am getting paid to endorse. Nope. Not my style. I want to be able to give you an honest review of what I am trying to use. If it sucks, I get to say so.  If it’s great, I’ll tell the Aston world.  Full disclosure – from time to time I get a discount from the supplier (same as you can usually negotiate).

If I do provide a link to an item that is on Amazon and you purchase that item, I get a tiny kickback from them. You don’t pay more, the price is exactly the same, but they send a fraction of a percent back to me as an ‘influencer’ [gawd – there is a life’s ambition met].  If you buy the items this way, you are essentially supporting the channel and I just pour the dollars back into camera gear, tools or supplies to make the next project better.  Thanks for your support if you use the links.

Now on with the show…

Reference Materials

Parts

Supplies

Tools

While you could wing it with mostly whatever tools you have in your garage now, there’s nothing better than an excuse to get a new tool!  I used these at some points during the overall process.

  • Wiring Connector Crimp Tool
  • Interior Trim Tools
  • Interior Clip Pry Tool
  • Step Drill Bit
  • Drill Index
  • Inspection Light
  • Micro Fiber towels
  • Alcohol Wipes
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Spritz Bottle
  • Brother PTouch Labeler
  • Brother PTouch TZ Labels – White Text on Black 9mm (3/8″)
  • Bore Scope Camera – Autel MaxiVideo MV480

Videos

And here is where I am publishing the details on how to tackle the steps.  I’ve spread it out into manageable sized videos that you can follow along with.

And here is the official YouTube playlist that will play the entire project in order start to finish!

7 thoughts on “Infotainment Upgrades for my Aston Martin DB9”

  1. hakan.dahlquist@telia.com's avatar hakan.dahlquist@telia.com

    Hello Steve,

    I’ve a DB9 2007 and yes, the infotainment system does not have music streaming nor Apple car play but I think it’s ok anyway for me. It was not possible to do pair phone to my iPhone 12 so I was fist disappointed. The Blue tooth versions are not back compatible. Then I remembered I had my old iPhone 4 in a draw. I bought a phone card and then pair phone worked. I have hardly used the hands free calling but I’m glad that it works. We drove back and forth from Stockholm to Menton last autumn and with the CD magazine full everything was alright. Even the Sat Nav system worked fine.

    Best regards,

    Håkan

    Håkan Dahlquist

    Lindaus väg 8

    165 72, Hässelby, Sweden

    +46 70-249 01 32

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    1. Mike Pisano's avatar Mike Pisano

      I have the Bluetooth working on the new iPhone.

      The system used is the Motorola ihf1000, you will notice that it won’t even wait for the 1234 code and says pairing failed….

      The trick is to begin pairing and when it asks for the code, Wait. Let it fail, then begin pairing a send time, then wait around 10-15 second and then push the 1234 code.

      FYI You notice that even when you begin pairing it take around 10-15 seconds for the iphones bluetooth to see “Aston Martin”, that the reason for the second “blind” wait period.

      HTH,

      Mike Pisano

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  3. Matthew Emery's avatar Matthew Emery

    Steve, enjoying your DB9 series immensely. Extremely helpful resource!
    I too have upgraded mine recently. A 2008 DB9 Volante. Sent you a message on messenger a while back with some related feedback.

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  4. Caryl Hathaway's avatar Caryl Hathaway

    Hello Steve – I’m a long time Canadian follower (sorry about the forest fire smoke). I have a 2005 DB9 California Sage (1985)… my question relates to a sagging Headliner…I’ve seen you first post on how to remove certain parts to get at the Headliner….is their one of how to actually repair and glue it in place?
    Many thanks – Caryl

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  6. David Lamoureux's avatar David Lamoureux

    Hi Steve, great list of videos! I Was going through them and your link in your part 4 video doesn’t link to part 5 (installing the control in the ashtray). Can you update the link to your part 5? Also, I don’t see part 5 listed above.

    Thanks again!

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