What's the best Ipod solution for PCM2..?
Discussion
Depends on your warranty status.
Dension and mObridge make devices that interface directly with the PCM and present an iPod like a virtual CD changer. Both will void Porsches extended warranty.
Porsche do an iPod module but it's crazy expensive for what it is (a cable) and you still have to change tracks etc on the iPod itself.
Dension and mObridge make devices that interface directly with the PCM and present an iPod like a virtual CD changer. Both will void Porsches extended warranty.
Porsche do an iPod module but it's crazy expensive for what it is (a cable) and you still have to change tracks etc on the iPod itself.
Dension Gateway works fine - at least, it works fine in my BMW E61. I've got a replacement headunit in my 964 (the joys of having an older Porsche!).
With the Dension, you don't even have to use an iPod. Just copy all your music onto a USB memory stick, and hide it in the glovebox. Replaces the CD changer, so if your car doesn't already have a CDC, it'll probably need coding.
With the Dension, you don't even have to use an iPod. Just copy all your music onto a USB memory stick, and hide it in the glovebox. Replaces the CD changer, so if your car doesn't already have a CDC, it'll probably need coding.
I really struggle with this "voiding OPC warranty" business. If I fit a Dension 500S (which is currently top of my to-do list) to my 997 and the worst happens to the engine, what's to stop me whipping the unit out of the car before having it collected for repair? It would be very simple to unplug it even by the side of the road. Would Porsche refuse to repair the car if they spotted the 3rd party mic in the cabin? Perhaps I'm very naive but I really can't imagine that happening.
How'd you mean?
To be clear - what I meant was, I think fitting a Dension technically voids a warranty, but I think Porsche would, likely, fix a problem that was completely unrelated (such as IMS for example), but, come renewal time, the car won't be OEM, thus they won't offer you a renewal, without at least returning the car to standard. That'd be my guess - particularly as, with something like IMS, how likely would they even be to notice the Dension?
To be clear - what I meant was, I think fitting a Dension technically voids a warranty, but I think Porsche would, likely, fix a problem that was completely unrelated (such as IMS for example), but, come renewal time, the car won't be OEM, thus they won't offer you a renewal, without at least returning the car to standard. That'd be my guess - particularly as, with something like IMS, how likely would they even be to notice the Dension?
Ahhh a "guess" then? You think they'd splash out on a new motor for you, but not renew the warranty? I can't imagine why they'd do that.
Having had a long and specific dialogue with PGB on the voiding of warranty due to an aftermarket device, it left me with no uncertainty that voiding the warranty does exactly that.
Perhaps you'd get lucky, but do you want to bet on that?
Bert
Having had a long and specific dialogue with PGB on the voiding of warranty due to an aftermarket device, it left me with no uncertainty that voiding the warranty does exactly that.
Perhaps you'd get lucky, but do you want to bet on that?
Bert
Oh, absolutely - purely speculation on my part, but yes, I wouldn't want to bet on it - not a chance, not for something like the Dension in particular. Nevertheless, I think you'd probably get away with it - it is, after all, in the dealer's interests to do the work, so I'm not sure they'd 'report you' to PGB.
However, my car is standard, and will stay that way.
However, my car is standard, and will stay that way.
Right, so when it comes to renewal time Porsche may not grant it if the Dension is fitted at time of inspection. However, it could easily be removed for the inspection, so that's not really an issue and, as I think we all agree, Porsche would be unlikely to refuse to fix an unrelated matter should something go wrong. In addition, should any warranty work need to be carried out, the Dension could be unplugged prior to taking it to the OPC as I mentioned in my previous post.
So, with this all in mind, would fitting such a kit really "void" the Porsche extended warranty? I think that's pushing it a bit. At worse you would need to unplug it for the 111-point inspection, services and at any time warranty work was being carried out, but otherwise it should be okay, in other words it's about as risky as fitting a decent battery.
So, with this all in mind, would fitting such a kit really "void" the Porsche extended warranty? I think that's pushing it a bit. At worse you would need to unplug it for the 111-point inspection, services and at any time warranty work was being carried out, but otherwise it should be okay, in other words it's about as risky as fitting a decent battery.
Edited by DYKWIA on Wednesday 19th September 13:14
Would there be any trace of the Dension unit? I'm not familiar with how they're fitted, but if they could be made to vanish completely, fine - though I thought you had to mess around with the MOST BUS for the stereo (or something).
Oh, and Bert, just to muddy the waters, I had a non-OEM Porsche tracker in my Boxster - and it was OPC Hatfield that arranged for it to be installed. Did they therefore void their own warranty? It seems that, technically, they did - but that in practice they might have overlooked it?!?
Oh, and Bert, just to muddy the waters, I had a non-OEM Porsche tracker in my Boxster - and it was OPC Hatfield that arranged for it to be installed. Did they therefore void their own warranty? It seems that, technically, they did - but that in practice they might have overlooked it?!?
As far as I'm aware the Dension plugs into the MOST adaptor behind the CD changer/Navigation module in the boot. You can buy a CD changer retention adaptor for it which I think is essentially is just an add-on to the MOST loop that plugs into the existing connectors and gives you an extra plug for the Dension. Other than that I guess you'd need a discrete power connector and, of course, the microphone.
If you mount the Dension on the side of CD Changer frame with some velcro I would imagine this could be removed in minutes, if not seconds, and the cables could be simply unplugged and tucked in behind the CD changer. You would have to look very hard to spot that. The only real clue would be the 3rd part mic in the cabin.
If you mount the Dension on the side of CD Changer frame with some velcro I would imagine this could be removed in minutes, if not seconds, and the cables could be simply unplugged and tucked in behind the CD changer. You would have to look very hard to spot that. The only real clue would be the 3rd part mic in the cabin.
A lot of mods you could remove yourself before your car goes to OPC. The question of course becomes could you do this at the side of the road after your car has broken down and the Porsche Assist recovery truck is en route to take it to the OPC....
FWIW I disagree with Actus Reus about whether Porsche would willingly honour an engine warranty claim if they could avoid it due to customer malfeasance.. The extended warranty agreement is explicit in stating that any unauthorised modification will void the warranty.
You pays your money and you takes your chances I guess. As with all insurance policies it depends on your penchant for risk. You could argue that intentionally voiding (or significantly increasing the risk of voiding) the warranty defeats the point of having it at all.
FWIW people have reported on here before that an OPC spotting their Dension has been an obstacle to them getting a warranty renewal. One would assume therefore that if it's a bar to warranty renewal it'll also void the same warranty with the same terms & conditions that is already applied.
Depending on your relationship with the OPC they might advise you that they (or you) could remove things before they're instructed to send photos, etc to Porsche GB for warranty approval. Others will play it strictly by the book.
FWIW I disagree with Actus Reus about whether Porsche would willingly honour an engine warranty claim if they could avoid it due to customer malfeasance.. The extended warranty agreement is explicit in stating that any unauthorised modification will void the warranty.
You pays your money and you takes your chances I guess. As with all insurance policies it depends on your penchant for risk. You could argue that intentionally voiding (or significantly increasing the risk of voiding) the warranty defeats the point of having it at all.
FWIW people have reported on here before that an OPC spotting their Dension has been an obstacle to them getting a warranty renewal. One would assume therefore that if it's a bar to warranty renewal it'll also void the same warranty with the same terms & conditions that is already applied.
Depending on your relationship with the OPC they might advise you that they (or you) could remove things before they're instructed to send photos, etc to Porsche GB for warranty approval. Others will play it strictly by the book.
Durzel said:
A lot of mods you could remove yourself before your car goes to OPC. The question of course becomes could you do this at the side of the road after your car has broken down and the Porsche Assist recovery truck is en route to take it to the OPC.
That's kind of my point, the unit itself could certainly be removed in a matter of seconds by the roadside if mounted appropriately so I just don't see it as being a huge risk.The question though is whether you can remove all trace of it having been fitted, not to mention whatever the PCM might've logged in terms of additional equipment being recorded on the MOST bus, etc.
I'm somewhat speculating however there have been instances on here where people have reported their OPCs rejecting a warranty renewal on the basis of wires being followed, etc and it is likely that Porsche GB would demand the fullest diligence when faced with footing a bill for a new engine, for example.
I'm somewhat speculating however there have been instances on here where people have reported their OPCs rejecting a warranty renewal on the basis of wires being followed, etc and it is likely that Porsche GB would demand the fullest diligence when faced with footing a bill for a new engine, for example.
Durzel - the reason for my speculation is that isn't it Porsche GB that foot the bill for warranty work? And therefore an OPC outside of PGB's own network, has everything to gain, and little to lose, by carrying out the warranty work?
You may very well be right though, and I suspect it depends on the OPC, and the individual within the OPC, and your relationship with them...
You may very well be right though, and I suspect it depends on the OPC, and the individual within the OPC, and your relationship with them...
My local OPC is Porsche Reading, which is fully owned by Porsche GB and attached to Porsche GB headquarters. I would imagine, therefore, they have nothing to gain and everything to loose.
That said, they are typically great and helped me a lot when I retrofitted PCM to my old Cayman S, they were amazed that an owner would choose to do this by himself and the work did not void the warranty, although I did use 100% Porsche parts. I have quizzed them about the Dension in the past and the sales team at least seemed fairly relaxed about it in terms of warranty, suggesting it should be okay if it could be easily "unfitted" before any diagnostic work was carried out on the vehicle. I'm still nervous about it, but I am at breaking point now, I need to get more than a few CDs worth of music into may car!
That said, they are typically great and helped me a lot when I retrofitted PCM to my old Cayman S, they were amazed that an owner would choose to do this by himself and the work did not void the warranty, although I did use 100% Porsche parts. I have quizzed them about the Dension in the past and the sales team at least seemed fairly relaxed about it in terms of warranty, suggesting it should be okay if it could be easily "unfitted" before any diagnostic work was carried out on the vehicle. I'm still nervous about it, but I am at breaking point now, I need to get more than a few CDs worth of music into may car!
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