Upgrades (head unit / grills)…?!

[stagmark]

I have recently bought a 997 C4S cab, and thinking about sorting a few little jobs that were picked up in the pre inspection, and potential upgrades…so thought I would ask others for opinions / suggestions around what you have done and / or suggested routes…

The bits I am thinking about:

- it has a Bose speaker system, though the head unit feels very dated. It would be great to install a large head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, and something that can make the most out of the Bose system. There seems to be loads of options around - ranging from about £500 to £2k. It would be nice to install something that is completely reversable and could go back to stock if needed. Has anyone done this? There seems to be fascia and wiring kits to allow universal double din units to go in as well… Any recommendations of what has worked well (or not!).

- I am thinking of getting grill inserts for the front bumper as a way of protecting the radiators, and think it could improve the look. Again, there are quite a few options around (design911 have a few options) - though would prefer not to have double sided sticky tape installation, nor to have to drill into the bumper.

- are there any other key upgrades I should be doing/thinking about as a new to 911/997 ownership…?!

Thanks
Mark

 

[jim_maitland]

Check out Zunsport grilles, they clip in, no drilling or sticky tape. Not the cheapest but very good quality.
Mine is a 997.2 C4S cab, I haven’t upgraded the head unit but connect my iphone via the iPod/Aux ports in the centre console and a Y cable and it comes up on the iPod setting on the PCM, works just fine with track info, Google Maps directions coming through the head unit.

 

[Brisel]

There are various threads on upgrading the archaic PCM 2.1 infotaniment system, if you have a Gen 1.. Search PCCM+ in any Porsche forum and have a large box of popcorn handy. You’ll be a while reading through all the posts.

I had the PCCM+ installed last autumn, at vast expense! Great piece of hardware though, and it integrates well with everything in the car, as you would expect. There are cheaper aftermarket alternatives worth considering.

The previous owner of my 997 fitted grilles on the lower intakes, screwed into place. I’m not sure double sided sticky stuff would withstand any car wash or manual cleaning.

 

[Lancerlot]

There's a useful article on radiator grills in the Members Only "Technical" sub forum which unfortunately hasn't yet migrated over from the old forum to the new. Contact andygardiner@porscheclubgb.com to have it reinstated.

I used this to fix grill mesh to my 992 quite satisfactorily.

Regards,

Clive

 

[Eldavo]

I have recently bought a 997 C4S cab, and thinking about sorting a few little jobs that were picked up in the pre inspection, and potential upgrades…so thought I would ask others for opinions / suggestions around what you have done and / or suggested routes…

The bits I am thinking about:

- it has a Bose speaker system, though the head unit feels very dated. It would be great to install a large head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, and something that can make the most out of the Bose system. There seems to be loads of options around - ranging from about £500 to £2k. It would be nice to install something that is completely reversable and could go back to stock if needed. Has anyone done this? There seems to be fascia and wiring kits to allow universal double din units to go in as well… Any recommendations of what has worked well (or not!).

- I am thinking of getting grill inserts for the front bumper as a way of protecting the radiators, and think it could improve the look. Again, there are quite a few options around (design911 have a few options) - though would prefer not to have double sided sticky tape installation, nor to have to drill into the bumper.

- are there any other key upgrades I should be doing/thinking about as a new to 911/997 ownership…?!

Thanks
Mark

If you look on AliExpress (yes seriously) you can find direct replacement units complete with the Bose optical connection boxes for under £400 - such as this one: LINK

 

[martin.kuipers]

I have recently bought a 997 C4S cab, and thinking about sorting a few little jobs that were picked up in the pre inspection, and potential upgrades…so thought I would ask others for opinions / suggestions around what you have done and / or suggested routes…

The bits I am thinking about:

- it has a Bose speaker system, though the head unit feels very dated. It would be great to install a large head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, and something that can make the most out of the Bose system. There seems to be loads of options around - ranging from about £500 to £2k. It would be nice to install something that is completely reversable and could go back to stock if needed. Has anyone done this? There seems to be fascia and wiring kits to allow universal double din units to go in as well… Any recommendations of what has worked well (or not!).

- I am thinking of getting grill inserts for the front bumper as a way of protecting the radiators, and think it could improve the look. Again, there are quite a few options around (design911 have a few options) - though would prefer not to have double sided sticky tape installation, nor to have to drill into the bumper.

- are there any other key upgrades I should be doing/thinking about as a new to 911/997 ownership…?!

Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,

I have just fitted the Zunsport centre grill mesh on myC4S coupe and it looks amazing.
Word of warning, when the instruction say "put masking tape on", please do so as the clips that hold the thing in place WILL scratch your paintwork.
HTH.

Martin