Buying a 981, red flags?

[DJMC]

GT3Manthey said:

Tks, having been around in Porsche circles now for over 30 years i suspected that might well be the case. That said would the entire warranty be invalid or just anything related to the PCM unit ?

I think I'll look for a unit I can attach somehow without making a mess of the interior .

As an aside, my car has the front grills which I suspect are an aftermarket item and not permissible under the terms of the Porsche warranty so i guess come warranty time I'll have to pop those out .

Edited by GT3Manthey on Friday 29th March 06:03

If you bought it from an OPC with warranty the same OPC would have a hard time arguing you couldn't extend the warranty surely?

Another OPC may say the grilles have to come off if aftermarket.

Having said all that, my Cayman is fitted with Zunsport grilles all round. My OPC extended the warranty two years with them fitted and then at the next warranty renewal said they'd have to come off. The absolute rule is that no Porsche can have an extended warranty with any aftermarket add-on. So OPCs should remove aftermarket items before sale. Often they don't.

Now the ad has gone, are you able to give us the spec? You can get a full spec sheet from your supplying OPC.

[DJMC]

elan362 said:

I added a Mr12volt carplay module to my PCM3.1 and haven't looked back. The newer ones also have oem mic integration which my older one does not have.
Yes, you have to open the PCM up to install the additional pcb and connect a few ribbon cables. Daunting... Yes, hard... No.
I also cloned the onboard HDD in the PCM and swapped it out for a SSD. The original HDDs are at the end of their serviceable life and are beginning to fail. I you do this before it starts to fail then it is straightforward , but if you delay and only think about it once it starts to play up, it's too late and your PCM will die,and a clone done at this point will also be corrupted.

Did you have any experience taking PCMs apart prior to fitting the CarPlay module or HDD swap?

Are there any videos you referred to? Or did you just follow written instructions?

Please post any links to where you bought the module or SSD.

Thanks.

[elan362]

DJMC said:

Did you have any experience taking PCMs apart prior to fitting the CarPlay module or HDD swap?

Are there any videos you referred to? Or did you just follow written instructions?

Please post any links to where you bought the module or SSD.

Thanks.

No, this was my first time taking a PCM apart - I used this guide from Daz at testdrivescotland YouTube channel as a guide https://youtu.be/d_OiB6B7GlU?si=jtvXyhKO32ZtB9Gc
Daz used a different module, but principal is the same.


Re. Cloning the HDD to a SSD - see this thread here https://www.boxa.net/topic/91463-2013-981-pcm31-ha...

[DJMC]

Thanks for those links.

Did the changes cause any increase to your insurance premium?

I'm just thinking about an "unknown" (to them) brand module, DIY fitted, and the insurer's view of this mod.

[GT3Manthey]

Armitage.Shanks said:

Quite a few places do supply and fit for c£700 and are well regarded on taking the car apart with care. Once installed to the uninformed is undetectable as you can default back to the normal display so unless OPC went looking for it they wouldn't know. That said doing a full scan via the OBD 'can' pick up anomalies when it comes to firmware updates and I don't know if the install in PCM3.1 is affected. However as mentioned any warranty claim on the PCM unit would be voided. Only issue I know of with the PCM3.1 are reports of hard drive failures as mentioned. Usual upgrade is to install a SSD replacement at the same time the unit is opened up if you're risk averse.

We can't be far off Porsche offering a new upgrade PCM in line with their upgrades for classic car series.

Note CarPlay will not show maps etc in the RH instrument binacle. I've a 718 which as PCM4 so CarPlay install can be done by remote for £50 and running waze through it is a gamechanger. Whoever does the install has to go th extra mile so it won't show when Porsche do a scan of the car - many don't. On my 981GT4 I never bothered because I didn't use it enough

Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Friday 29th March 13:20

That's great many tks for your post.

I'm a bit useless ! Any idea in the Essex area I can get this done pls ?

Once again , many tks

[Armitage.Shanks]

nmautomotive.co.uk are the go-to I believe for the kit (if you don't want a Joyeauto from Ali Express). If you contact them they will recommend a local installer. NMA are in Guernsey so they're out

[GT3Manthey]

Armitage.Shanks said:

nmautomotive.co.uk are the go-to I believe for the kit (if you don't want a Joyeauto from Ali Express). If you contact them they will recommend a local installer. NMA are in Guernsey so they're out

Cheers will take a look now

[elan362]

Or Mr12volt unit https://www.mr12volt.com/en-gb/collections/hallowe...
The benefit of this is it uses the MOST output and has a DSP.
Reportedly a better audio quality

[GT3Manthey]

elan362 said:

Or Mr12volt unit https://www.mr12volt.com/en-gb/collections/hallowe...
The benefit of this is it uses the MOST output and has a DSP.
Reportedly a better audio quality

Looks great .

I take it this just sits behind the current PCM ?

[elan362]

GT3Manthey said:

Looks great .

I take it this just sits behind the current PCM ?

There is limited space behind the PCM - it is a squeeze to fit in the additional connectors blocks - but they do go - there is no space for the additional comms box behind the PCM tho - Ive got the box tucked up and velco’d above / behind the driver side footwell trim
You could also get it behind the glove box

[GT3Manthey]

elan362 said:

There is limited space behind the PCM - it is a squeeze to fit in the additional connectors blocks - but they do go - there is no space for the additional comms box behind the PCM tho - Ive got the box tucked up and velco’d above / behind the driver side footwell trim
You could also get it behind the glove box

Tks I've got my feelers out for someone to do the fitment

[testdrive]

Pcm4 with Bose is possible it's just more expensive. I have found an economical way to make it work with an adapter but it's by no means a perfect solution but I remain to be convinced that retaining Bose is essential.

Edited by testdrive on Sunday 31st March 22:17

[paulguitar]

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

[HighwayStar]

paulguitar said:

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

Warranty coverage for Porsche vehicles up to an age of 15 years, with the possibility to conclude the warranty for vehicles of up to 14 years of age / 125,000 miles – even without prior warranty coverage.

The car would need to pass their 111 point check to qualify for warranty coverage. Good detailed info here:

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/p...

[paulguitar]

HighwayStar said:

paulguitar said:

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

Warranty coverage for Porsche vehicles up to an age of 15 years, with the possibility to conclude the warranty for vehicles of up to 14 years of age / 125,000 miles – even without prior warranty coverage.

The car would need to pass their 111 point check to qualify for warranty coverage. Good detailed info here:

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/p...

Thanks.

[981Boxess]

paulguitar said:

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

It is easier (£) if the extended warranty hasn’t expired yet, but keep in mind it does commit you to OPC servicing + warranty cost.

[ATM]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

It is easier (£) if the extended warranty hasn’t expired yet, but keep in mind it does commit you to OPC servicing + warranty cost.

They have some crazy rules too.
Like branded Porsche battery - 500 - compared to 150 for unbranded but still a premium brand like Bosch.
N rated tyres - slightly more expensive and less choice.
And so it goes on.

If they inspect the car out of warranty [or during if you claim] and it has anything like the above or any other none Porsche branded - or incorrect in their eyes - parts on the car these all need to be switched out before they will give you the warranty [they will not honour a warranty claim].

Re advisories - if they tell you it needs changing / fixing then it need changing / fixing. I dont think you are allowed much discretion.

Not first hand experience - just what I have read on here.

My Last Porsche with Warranty was in 2005 and it was basically a brand new car. They even expect you to use their branded screen wash. Obviously they cant enforce this but at service they charge you for a bottle, a new bottle, if none provided by you or in the car, even if they only use a tiny bit. The bottle with the remaining is left in the car. I think in 2005 this was something stupid like 11 quid.

They also used to do extras at service like cleaning crud out of the brake disc holes. It was not cheap too. I didn't have to do this dance so maybe my discs were clean enough on arrival.

So in my experience they really take the Pee at service times. And with warranty you have to get them to service. As the car gets older and more stuff needs replacing not covered by the warranty you get bent over more and more.

So you need to consider these additional expenses in order to have the warranty.

I believe you can do some servicing elsewhere but you need to be sure to use branded parts. Consider brake discs and pads. Branded parts are probably 2 or 3 times more expensive. Some people with newish Panamera type cars are paying [guessing] 2000 for new discs and pads fitted. This guy paid £1,111 inc VAT for just rear discs and pads at OPC So fronts would be more obviously - maybe it would be 2500 for all 4. I'd assume 200 to 250 in pattern parts for rears only if you were to do yourself or go elsewhere.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[paulguitar]

I think the warranty is not a good idea, having looked into it and some good advice here. I am also a very long way from trusting OPCs. I have a friend who's about to finally get rid of a Porsche he bought new 2 years ago. The incompetence of the OPC he's dealt with has been genuinely shocking. Having to have two replacement engines in a 2022 car is not very impressive either. He's bought an M5 and I doubt he'll ever consider getting a Porsche ever again.

[GT3Manthey]

DJMC said:

If you bought it from an OPC with warranty the same OPC would have a hard time arguing you couldn't extend the warranty surely?

Another OPC may say the grilles have to come off if aftermarket.

Having said all that, my Cayman is fitted with Zunsport grilles all round. My OPC extended the warranty two years with them fitted and then at the next warranty renewal said they'd have to come off. The absolute rule is that no Porsche can have an extended warranty with any aftermarket add-on. So OPCs should remove aftermarket items before sale. Often they don't.

Now the ad has gone, are you able to give us the spec? You can get a full spec sheet from your supplying OPC.

Sorry have just seen your post.

Full spec -

• 7 Speed PDK Gearbox With Paddleshift
• Carmine Red
• GTS Interior Package – Black Leather With Alcantara And Carmine Red Stitching Extending To Doors & Dashboard & Carbon Trim
• 20 Inch Carrera S Alloys In Satin Platinum
• Sport Chrono Package Plus
• PSE - Porsche Switchable Sports Exhaust
• PCM 3 SatNav
• 18 Way Adaptive Sports Seats Plus
• BOSE Surround Sound System
• Instrument Dials In Carmine Red
• 2 Zone Auto Climate Control Air Conditioning
• Telephone Module For PCM
• Heated Seats
• Light Design Package
• Isofix for passenger
• Autodim Mirror With Rainsensor
• Roll-over Bar Painted Carmine Red
• Front And Rear Park Assist
• Online Services
• Black Convertible Hood
• 981 Model Boxster GTS 3.4 DFI Engine With 330 BHP
• Full Porsche Main Agent Service History
• 1 Year Fully Comprehensive Bumper To Bumper Guarantee & An Independent Multipoint Inspection By A Qualified Technician Is Included
• 23100 Miles

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

I think the warranty is not a good idea, having looked into it and some good advice here.

The majority of people seem to think it is worth having:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

If I go ahead with the Aqua blue 981S I could get the warranty. It's about £2k for 3 years plus the cost of the 111-point check. My problem is that I'd then be dealing with having to use an OPC to service the car, along with silly advisories and clowning about buying unnecessarily expensive batteries, etc.


I think for a £25k car it will make more sense for me to use a respected independent.