SteveC4GTS
New member
Being new, I had no idea where best to post this (so apologies in advance), but I wanted to briefly share my experience of the Porsche Connect + service
When I picked up my C4GTS I was asked by Porsche Chester if I wanted to subscribe to the service(s) and being a bit of a tech freak, I took the lot. The bit I was most interested in was the ability to throw a sim card into the PCM and also have Google maps (well Porsche's hybrid kinda version of it)
The remote services - find my car, remote lights, remote horn - were of little interest. The tracking was only of interest to keep the insurers quiet (or quieter!).
As for the tracking, for anyone that doesn't know, you get a little plastic Vodafone Automotive 'tab' that you are told NOT to keep with your keys, but to make sure you have it on you at all times. Anyway, long story short, was driving over in north Wales looking for my hotel and the dash kept showing a low battery warning for the key card. In my typical style, it was a 'get to that when I can' thing. I pulled over, fueled up and started driving off.
I hadn't reached 3rd gear when my phone rang. Some 0330 number that I was about to block thinking it was another PPI thing, but answered anyway. After 3 security questions, Lloyd from Porsche/Vodafone Assist asked me if I was with my car as it was flagged as unauthorised movement. I explained that it will no doubt be the battery had gone dead and he said he 'will stand it down' before we continue. He asked when I can change the battery and having no idea where in north Wales I was and it was dark, I was tired and really needed to get to the hotel - it may not be 'till tomorrow. He said they'd monitor and try not to bother me again
Being pretty tired and not exactly thinking, I stopped at two Asda's and a Tesco's trying to find watch batteries to replace the damn thing. Each time within 30 seconds, my new best mate Lloyd would call me again, with each call following the same script....
Hi Steve, its Lloyd from Porsche/Vodafone. I just wanted to check you are still with your vehicle and everything is okay
Yes Lloyd, still me, still driving, still haven't got a new battery, still tired. Speak later mate
Anyway, got a new battery on the 4th try = thanks Tesco's and replaced it. Lloyd stopped calling
That was that for a few weeks until I was back at Porsche Chester for a follow up familiarisation visit. The contact there (Tommy) asked if I'd like to see the underside of the car 'out of interest'. Sure why not
The car was positioned for the lift and was raised. Tommy and I then just started to walk underneath and my phone rang. I was about to decline when I noticed it was an 0330 number.... surely not
It was! Porsche/Vodafone, although not Lloyd this time. Security questions. Then I got - are you with your car? Yes. Have you just parked in a multistorey? Nope. Okay, its just that your car alerted us to a 'sudden change of altitude' so we needed to check
I kid you not.... Altitude change. Tommy from Porsche Chester was in stitches listening, I was speechless
The Connect + service, in my opinion, is fantastic.... apart from being able to beep or flash the lights remotely to scare the c*** out of people getting close, the tracking facility is incredible
Just thought I'd share the experience
p.s. If anyone else has it, please say hi to Lloyd from me. Haven't spoken in a while!
When I picked up my C4GTS I was asked by Porsche Chester if I wanted to subscribe to the service(s) and being a bit of a tech freak, I took the lot. The bit I was most interested in was the ability to throw a sim card into the PCM and also have Google maps (well Porsche's hybrid kinda version of it)
The remote services - find my car, remote lights, remote horn - were of little interest. The tracking was only of interest to keep the insurers quiet (or quieter!).
As for the tracking, for anyone that doesn't know, you get a little plastic Vodafone Automotive 'tab' that you are told NOT to keep with your keys, but to make sure you have it on you at all times. Anyway, long story short, was driving over in north Wales looking for my hotel and the dash kept showing a low battery warning for the key card. In my typical style, it was a 'get to that when I can' thing. I pulled over, fueled up and started driving off.
I hadn't reached 3rd gear when my phone rang. Some 0330 number that I was about to block thinking it was another PPI thing, but answered anyway. After 3 security questions, Lloyd from Porsche/Vodafone Assist asked me if I was with my car as it was flagged as unauthorised movement. I explained that it will no doubt be the battery had gone dead and he said he 'will stand it down' before we continue. He asked when I can change the battery and having no idea where in north Wales I was and it was dark, I was tired and really needed to get to the hotel - it may not be 'till tomorrow. He said they'd monitor and try not to bother me again
Being pretty tired and not exactly thinking, I stopped at two Asda's and a Tesco's trying to find watch batteries to replace the damn thing. Each time within 30 seconds, my new best mate Lloyd would call me again, with each call following the same script....
Hi Steve, its Lloyd from Porsche/Vodafone. I just wanted to check you are still with your vehicle and everything is okay
Yes Lloyd, still me, still driving, still haven't got a new battery, still tired. Speak later mate
Anyway, got a new battery on the 4th try = thanks Tesco's and replaced it. Lloyd stopped calling
That was that for a few weeks until I was back at Porsche Chester for a follow up familiarisation visit. The contact there (Tommy) asked if I'd like to see the underside of the car 'out of interest'. Sure why not
The car was positioned for the lift and was raised. Tommy and I then just started to walk underneath and my phone rang. I was about to decline when I noticed it was an 0330 number.... surely not
It was! Porsche/Vodafone, although not Lloyd this time. Security questions. Then I got - are you with your car? Yes. Have you just parked in a multistorey? Nope. Okay, its just that your car alerted us to a 'sudden change of altitude' so we needed to check
I kid you not.... Altitude change. Tommy from Porsche Chester was in stitches listening, I was speechless
The Connect + service, in my opinion, is fantastic.... apart from being able to beep or flash the lights remotely to scare the c*** out of people getting close, the tracking facility is incredible
Just thought I'd share the experience
p.s. If anyone else has it, please say hi to Lloyd from me. Haven't spoken in a while!
