Replacing PCM 2.1 with aftermarket. What do I need to know?

[brisel]

I have a 2006 997.1 Turbo with the useless PCM 2.1. The proper PCCM+ units are on back order so I thought I’d go with Alpine/Pioneer/etc. The current setup has a 6 CD changer, DVD nav and Bose.

Single or double DIN?
Fibre optical output needed?
Any other special additions needed?

Ideally, I need 2x USB so I can use an iPod as a music database and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay so I can use my phone for navigation, calls too. I live in the countryside so DAB reception is patchy.

Any recommendations for units please?

[Discombobulate]

Double din. Easy switch but Bose bit needs additional cable. Suppliers do complete package with wiring, Bose adapter, blanks for shutting off CD and Nav etc. eg https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/porsche-997-boxste...

Have you considered the new Porsche unit? Get's around needing a DAB aerial on the screen. But expensive.

Edited by Discombobulate on Thursday 21st September 08:45

[Vee12V]

If I were you, I'd wait for the PCCM+ unit.

[Philvrs]

I have the 996 version on my ebay watchlist and noticed there was a slight price drop recently, maybe most who wanted pccm+ for the previous generation have got it by now and the same will happen to 997 version.

Just depends how long you are prepared to wait

[bluetigerandy]

I"m not that into tech in 997s, partly as the car isn't my daily, but I have a kenwood unit installed by the previous owner. It looks as if it was always supposed to be there, has no CD changer compatibility but if you have spotify or similar that is not an issue. Connectivity is excellent. The volume and skip buttons on the wheel do work with it, the phone and menu ones do not. The dab aerial installation was very neat on the windscreen. In summary, you do lose some original functions but the navigation and music are bang up to date.
It's a Kenwood DMX8019DABS, and there are some good deals around now the model has been replaced.

[brisel]

Thanks for the replies.

PCCM+ is the preferred option but I've been waiting since June for one with my local independent Porsche garage. Given that demand exceeds supply, I can't see the price dropping anytime soon! My time frame is a driving holiday with Mrs B to southern France in 3 weeks time...

No one seems to want to return calls or email enquiries for genuine or aftermarket supply & fit, so a FM transmitter might be a cheapo option for using an iPod as a music source then the phone for navigation. I already have a Brodit phone holder installed in the car.

[braddo]

The Dynamic Sounds link above is for a place in Wandsworth SW London. I used them to install a carplay headunit in a 997-era Merc. They have the stuff in stock and can fit in a few hours.

The Bose might need an extra cable that can be £200 on its own... You will lose front/rear fade; not much of an issue in a 911. You will definitely want to keep FM reception too because DAB coverage in France is very patchy indeed. Virtually nothing on the autoroutes, nothing in the far south west and even on the Cote d'Azur there were only a couple of options (mostly Radio Capsao for constant Brazil/Cuban beats ).

[andyglos]

“The Dynamic Sounds link above is for a place in Wandsworth SW London. I used them to install a carplay headunit in a 997-era Merc. They have the stuff in stock and can fit in a few hours.”

+1 for Dynamic Sounds in Wandsworth too. Have used them a couple of times and have been very good to deal with. Plenty of parking too.

[VladD]

brisel said:

Thanks for the replies.

PCCM+ is the preferred option but I've been waiting since June for one with my local independent Porsche garage. Given that demand exceeds supply, I can't see the price dropping anytime soon! My time frame is a driving holiday with Mrs B to southern France in 3 weeks time...

No one seems to want to return calls or email enquiries for genuine or aftermarket supply & fit, so a FM transmitter might be a cheapo option for using an iPod as a music source then the phone for navigation. I already have a Brodit phone holder installed in the car.

I bought mine from here and fitted it myself.

I used this as a guide. I also fitted a reversing camera using the guide in the same link.

Edited by VladD on Sunday 24th September 11:31

[GTSjohn]

I've got a 997.2 which I think has the next gen PCM, but obviously not carplay. Is the upgrader unit also compatible with the gen 2?

[VladD]

GTSjohn said:

I've got a 997.2 which I think has the next gen PCM, but obviously not carplay. Is the upgrader unit also compatible with the gen 2?

Not yet as far as I can see.

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

[FriedMarsBar]

GTSjohn said:

I've got a 997.2 which I think has the next gen PCM, but obviously not carplay. Is the upgrader unit also compatible with the gen 2?

There are aftermarket option available to upgrade 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0.
JoyeAuto, NMAutomotive and MR12Volt are a few of the biggest options.

To install you remove the PCM, open it and fit a daughter board. The process is similar to installing a video card in PC, if that's something you've done before.

I've just bought a joyeauto unit direct from AliExpress but not had a chance to fit it.
Most of the car audio companies offering carplay upgrades will be using one of the above unit and adding ££££.
For reference my unit direct from joyeauto was £225 and arrived within a week and no customs costs?

Auto Amateur on Youtube has done a couple of videos and sells them with install support included.

Good luck

[TEKNOPUG]

You can burn mp3s to a CD-R and play then via the standard head unit. Get a dozen or so albums per cd. Maybe more convenient and far better sound quality than using an FM receiver with your phone/iPod?

Can't see many people paying £1300 to update the stereo on a 16 year old Cayenne.....

[Gixer968CS]

I fitted a Pioneer unit to mine. See here:

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

[kingston12]

brisel said:

I have a 2006 997.1 Turbo with the useless PCM 2.1. The proper PCCM+ units are on back order so I thought I’d go with Alpine/Pioneer/etc. The current setup has a 6 CD changer, DVD nav and Bose.

Single or double DIN?
Fibre optical output needed?
Any other special additions needed?

Ideally, I need 2x USB so I can use an iPod as a music database and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay so I can use my phone for navigation, calls too. I live in the countryside so DAB reception is patchy.

Any recommendations for units please?

Did you find a suitable unit?

It's the 2x USB operation that might present a problem. Even if you get a unit that you can hook your phone and iPod up to at the same time, I'm not sure the operation would be that simple.

My Pioneer SHP-DA120 (about six years old) has two separate operating systems, CarPlay and Pioneer's own one. Switching between the two to operate the unit as you describe would be quite a lot of hassle and the Pioneer OS is awful to use. I'm sure the OS is better on later models, but still probably not what you're looking for.

It's a shame that the PCCM+ is out of stock, because it would work well in your case - connect iPod or HDD by USB for music, iPhone by bluetooth for calls and use the built in Porsche navigation. I'm not sure that many aftermarket units do that, but I'd be interested to know if you find one.

It's definitely worth doing though, the whole car will feel more modern. I use the opposite approach, CarPlay for everything, but that is by virtue of only usually having to drive in good signal areas so Apple Music and Nav work directly from the phone.

[brisel]

kingston12 said:

Did you find a suitable unit?

It's the 2x USB operation that might present a problem. Even if you get a unit that you can hook your phone and iPod up to at the same time, I'm not sure the operation would be that simple.

My Pioneer SHP-DA120 (about six years old) has two separate operating systems, CarPlay and Pioneer's own one. Switching between the two to operate the unit as you describe would be quite a lot of hassle and the Pioneer OS is awful to use. I'm sure the OS is better on later models, but still probably not what you're looking for.

It's a shame that the PCCM+ is out of stock, because it would work well in your case - connect iPod or HDD by USB for music, iPhone by bluetooth for calls and use the built in Porsche navigation. I'm not sure that many aftermarket units do that, but I'd be interested to know if you find one.

It's definitely worth doing though, the whole car will feel more modern. I use the opposite approach, CarPlay for everything, but that is by virtue of only usually having to drive in good signal areas so Apple Music and Nav work directly from the phone.

A PCCM+ unit has arrived at the independent I originally booked it in for, so I’m having it fitted next week.

I downloaded a manual from Porsche UK so have seen exactly what it will & won’t do. iPod wired in and the phone via Bluetooth & the existing charging lead I have in a Brodit holder.

Thank you all for your help

[VladD]

brisel said:

A PCCM+ unit has arrived at the independent I originally booked it in for, so I’m having it fitted next week.

I downloaded a manual from Porsche UK so have seen exactly what it will & won’t do. iPod wired in and the phone via Bluetooth & the existing charging lead I have in a Brodit holder.

Thank you all for your help

There are 2 manuals to download. One for the general use and a separate one for using navigation. I'm assuming you've purchased the navigation SD card?

From what I've been told there's due to be a free software/maps upgrade before the end of the year. I don't suppose you could check with your local dealer when they fit the unit could you? It took me numerous emails to try and get any info from Porsche and I still wasn't convinced by the end of the process.

[brisel]

VladD said:

There are 2 manuals to download. One for the general use and a separate one for using navigation. I'm assuming you've purchased the navigation SD card?

From what I've been told there's due to be a free software/maps upgrade before the end of the year. I don't suppose you could check with your local dealer when they fit the unit could you? It took me numerous emails to try and get any info from Porsche and I still wasn't convinced by the end of the process.

I have opted for the SD card too. I will ask about the update. Thank you