Well I've took the plunge but that radio will have to go!

[stephenowen]

Well I've put a deposit down on a cobalt blue, 07 3.6 auto cabriolet. It's got all the bits I wanted on it PAS, active sport seats, carbon pack, reverse sensors with dipping mirrors, multi function steering wheel and exhaust note changer . The only thing is the PCM is pants, sim card telephone prep [] What have the member, there must be an abundance of you , replaced your head units for? I am quite handy when it comes to radio fitting, anyone replaced theirs? Any recommendations or experiences welcome

 

[Nasdacbull]

I have replaced the PCM with the highest end pioneer unit ( I forget the model number) and also added a rear reverse camera too.
This brings a huge sound upgrade to the car ( those Bose speakers now dont sound flat), AirPlay, Waze, DaB+ etc.
You can also add a front camera if you wish.
You do lose a little PCM functionality but it is minimal compared to the huge upgrade of the sound system.
Always been mystified but Porsche not fitting a decent hi-fin system in a car that is worth over £130k new.

 

[stephenowen]

Thanks for the reply, what was the total cost, if you don't mind me asking? To be honest the pcm on the way home kind of grew on me. I've got a SIM installed and I do like the sms feature. The wife thinks I am quite posh having a dedicated car phone []

 

[Nasdacbull]

Hi,
the total cost including the camera, head unit and installation was £1100.
i know it’s expensive but the unit has a Wi-Fi facility. It connects directly to your phone once you get into the car while have the phone still in your pocket.
I would encourage you to enquire and see the unit. It makes a world of difference

 

[stephenowen]

Hi, I know I am a total pest but have you got the model number of your head unit? I think £1100 is a good price fitted for what you've described, where are you located? I emailed a mobile fitting company and they quoted £2k! When you add the parts together thats £1k for fitting, totally unacceptable. I would tackle it myself but I get myself in a total flap about damaging the trim. My 924 Ive had in numerous pieces, must be getting older. I was in a flap this morning when I removed the engine compartment lens cover and a tiny piece fell off into the engine bay.
I was wondering if you have the model number? Is this the one? https://www.pioneer-car.eu/uk/products/avic-z920dab
That head unit is £900 and the camera is £60 so its probably a different unit. What surround did they install? Have you any pictures?

 

[Nasdacbull]

Hi Stephen,
i found that Dynamic Sounds in Wandsworth, London where the cheapest and the best informed. They have a website which you can Google.
They have a good range to replace your PCM. I chose Pioneer as I know that quality wise i would be getting the best. Really modernises the car.

 

[DarkVerse]

Hi

Just seen your post but if you havent already pushed the button then I would look at an HL-8815GB.

its full Andoid and has a fascia designed for the 997 / 987. I've fitted x3 of these in my previous Boxsters and have just ordered one directly from the manufacture for my 997. I'd brought secondhand one but it's Windows CE....not Andoid.

Its certainly and infinitely better the the garbage PCM and CDR units and as good as the Pionner unit I've taken out With fascia surround....I just think these like an after market bodge.

Fitting is honestly easy peasy....there are plenty of guides....my advice is before you chuck £1000 at fitting...have a go yourself....the units are largely plug and play...if I can do it anyone for sure can.

if your in the North Mids / North Staffs. happy to lend a hand.

 

[DarkVerse]

Hi

Just seen your post but if you havent already pushed the button then I would look at an HL-8815GB.

its full Andoid and has a fascia designed for the 997 / 987. I've fitted x3 of these in my previous Boxsters and have just ordered one directly from the manufacture for my 997. I'd brought secondhand one but it's Windows CE....not Andoid.

Its certainly and infinitely better the the garbage PCM and CDR units and as good as the Pionner unit I've taken out With fascia surround....I just think these like an after market bodge.

Fitting is honestly easy peasy....there are plenty of guides....my advice is before you chuck £1000 at fitting...have a go yourself....the units are largely plug and play...if I can do it anyone for sure can.

if your in the North Mids / North Staffs. happy to lend a hand.

 

[Hoops]

I've also decided the PCM has to go!

Just need to get a wiring harness and it will be in. Looks easy enough to fit, just which harness to fit [8|]

I'll most probably do a post when its all done.

Congrats on the purchase! []

 

[stephenowen]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I have owned and drove my car daily for the past four months now. I decided to give the unit a chance and now I don't think it will be coming out. I have a sim installed and my phone on divert to the car if I don't answer within a certain number of rings. Call quality is good and I have master the stalk now. Audio quality is excellent with the Bose amp. I purchased an FM transmitter for my streaming services, that's if I ever use them. The quality is excellent from these new units , not like the technology from 20 years ago, sounds like Bluetooth connectivity , after all it's all MHz ! I have have my top six albums of all time in my multichanger and it sounds fantastic. I have owned Arcam everything in the past, I can hear the MP3 difference were the software drops pieces of the music to compress the files. I have replaced the buttons because they were sticky at minimal cost. To be honest, the exhaust loud button is the best track in the car at 6000 rpm! Give the pcm 2.1 a chance like I did and you will come to love it. Porsche have an uncanny knack of making you love their cars a little bit more each day . You notice or discover something new and it makes you think wow, this car is a masterpiece!

 

[Ninjastu]

I had a Dynavin n7 in my 997s cab, I agree the original is pants in this day an age. I chose the Dynavin ,the fit was spot on, colour of shroud(silver) And buttons...loads of features, Porsche logo slash screen,full Bluetooth phone prep, hands free, dab radio, cd ,dvd playback, decent sat nav, iPod dock with full search and control from the head unit. I also fitted the very neat and effect rear view camera that worked along side the parking sensors.
it came with most adapter to link into the Bose . i had a multi function steering wheel, which it still controlled the new head unit .
basically plug and play( one wire cut on the Bose amp,no permanent damage,easy to reverse)
I took it out to sell the car in about an hour.... I was going to put in my next 911 however, new car has pcm3 ,so the Dynavin is going to be sold if any one fancies it, I paid over £1000 open to sensible offers, including any advice on fitting

 

[JaseGT4]

I also had a top end Pioneer fitted with dash cams front and back, included harness for BOSE. Huge difference, this was last year approx £1500.

 

[Nasdacbull]

I also had a top end Pioneer fitted with dash cams front and back, included harness for BOSE. Huge difference, this was last year approx £1500.

Really cannot understand why Porsche put a poor quality sound system in car costing £100k +.

 

[johnbroad]

Hi all,
Following on from the above posts, I have seen an Alpine head unit in a 911 which looks pretty neat, it's currently for sale on a well known auction site if you want to check it out. My questions are; does any one have any knowledge of this unit suitable for a 911, also with regards to rear parking cameras, are they blue toothed or hard wired.

 

[Ninjastu]

Hi all,
Following on from the above posts, I have seen an Alpine head unit in a 911 which looks pretty neat, it's currently for sale on a well known auction site if you want to check it out. My questions are; does any one have any knowledge of this unit suitable for a 911, also with regards to rear parking cameras, are they blue toothed or hard wired.

I can’t speak about all reversing camera systems.... but all the ones I have used tested seen etc , have all been hardwired.
the dynavin n7 certainly was... it was a lot easier to get the single wire from the back to the front on 997cab that I had the system fitted to( obviously there was careful routing around the cab roof mechanism)than I expected. no more than half an hours work, on a first time try.
it worked really well on the n7... adjustable lines the user could set up.. and worked in conjunction with the Porsche pdc , a very neat camera that needed a 20mm hole drilled in the bumper, centrally above the rear number plate.
i miss the feature on my new steed

 

[stephenowen]

Did you pick up the alpine head unit? I could not locate it on the bay . What model was it out of interest?

 

[johnbroad]

Hi,
Managed to find one with a reversing camera, and C D player made by pioneer. the Alpine one is in a 911 997 on E bay Number; 392689347368.

 

[stephenowen]

Thanks , no wonder I could not find it. I am bit of an alpine fan. I am really torn with swapping my head unit though,but thanks for the info []

 

[johnbroad]

Have decided to opt for a pioneer unit as it does look quite nice. Been quoted £750 for the whole job including camera, I have noticed several posts quoting almost two grand fitted, so £750 seems a bargain.

 

[stephenowen]

That is a good price , very reasonable. I was quoted £1500. Where are you in the UK ?