Hindsight, advice, and what to avoid on the options list

[simonm]

It's difficult enough to assess a car on a test drive without worrying about and verifying the full functioning of the available options. I think it would be a mistake to assume just because it's a Porsche that everything works as expected"¦ Anyone care to supply the hindsight or advice required on these?

1. Sports seats "" appear to be more comfortable than standard.
2. Park Assist "" seems like a good idea so long as it works and better than fixing a scratched bumper?
3. Navigation module for PCM

Not on my list:
1. CD Changer
2. Telephone module
3. PSE Exhaust

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[oliver]

Cruise and Heated Seats are the other popular options - useful, good value and cannot be easily retro-fitted.

 

[robert997]

MY thoughts for you..

1. Sports seats "" appear to be more comfortable than standard.
Used to be the other way round - less comfortable than standard ! Not sure these days ?

2. Park Assist "" seems like a good idea so long as it works and better than fixing a scratched bumper?
Works very well and like you say cheaper than bashing the bumper if you use the car around town a lot.

3. Navigation module for PCM "" a search through the forums shows many references to TMC "" is this still an issue? Are DVDs not necessarily up to-date? What does a DVD for "˜most' of Europe mean? I assume that speed camera "˜layers' can't be added like a TomTom?
A new 997 will have TMC, which I find useful as I use my car for work. DVD navigation covers some of Europe, but all the Porsche mapping is at least 3 years old - not at all like your TomTom. And you can't overlay any databases either. Functionality wise it works well and quickly, though finding motor racing circuits can be a challenge as your deep within the POI menus. It will post-code route but only the first four digits.

4. 2CS with Metallic + interior of choice + manual (not Tip) + coloured wheel centres (I figured out what these do!)
Fine, choose the spec you want not for resale, whatever you have it won't be right come trade-in.

Not on my list "" OPC says these hit the car's residual but perhaps it's just looking for an up sell?

1. CD Changer - The slot loading CD plays MP3 "" any snags? And no mention of CD Changer playing MP3? OPC suggests adding a Changer after delivery is £1000 rather than £400 for the option "" but the spec says it's pre-wired. I'm not sold on this option as I rarely change the 6 CDs in my own Changer and only use it because I have a cassette "" the slot CD seems a better bet "" play what you want when you want etc. (I rarely listen to CD/Radio anyway).
CDC forget it. PCM does play MP3 and WMA.

2. Telephone module for PCM "" how well does it work? A search of the forum suggests a Bluetooth headset may be more effective? It would actually be quite a relief not to be able to receive calls whilst driving "" perhaps I'm missing something?
Telephone - forget it. Doesn't work if you have BOSE audio. Use a headset ! Many of us have the telephone and HAVE to use a headset !

Sitting on the fence for these:

I read the thread on sports exhaust. I did see a comment that the 997 SE is not as effective as the same on 996 and that there are speeds where it isn't so pronounced. I find the standard exhaust to be very entertaining anyway"¦ "" so this will need to be auditioned (LOL).
PSE - order it ! 997S sounds great at first, but it's nowhere near loud enough for some of us. PSE is switchable.

Have I overlooked an "˜essential' from the options list?
Like Oliver says, Cruise and Heated seats, maybe auto-dim mirrors ?

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Cruise and Heated Seats are the other popular options - useful, good value and cannot be easily retro-fitted.

I think Cruise is fairly easily retrofittable actually....

 

[Guest]

Care if your thinking of going for different alloy wheels. You will find many references to corrosion problems elsewhwere on this site and the lack of willingnes by OPC or Porsche Customer Assistance to rectify the problem.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Sports seats are very good.[]
Navigation module is still crap, Ask the saleaman to confirm 2006 maps, full post code search. (he will not be able to without his nose growing)[]
CD changer can be added later it's in the Techquipment catalogue. The £1000 quotation is absurd. (check his nose again)[]
Telephone is rubbish, use a bluetooth hands free instead.[]
The auto dim mirrors and rain sensor wipers work well.[]

 

[Ronnie C]

I'd definitely NOT go for the CD changer, especially now the internal CD player plays digital formats such as .mp3. Also, iPod integration is rumoured to be imminent.

I'm very pleased with my sports seats; I find they offer much better lateral support over standard seats. I would recommend them.

In hindsight, I would have found the tyre pressure monitor option very useful. It will become a standard option in the future if not already so, so check with your dealer to see when that is.

Try cars with and without Sports Chrono to see if you want it. It cannot be retro fitted. It offers no performance benefit but makes the pedal response sharper, and therefore the car seem faster. You can of course get the same effect by pressing down quickly and aggressively on the gas pedal. The flip side to sports chrono is the dash clock which a lot of people do not like as it's a bit gimmicky.

I have BOSE and it seems to be an automatic tick to add nowadays, but to be honest, if I had to choose between BOSE or Porsche Sports Exhaust, I'd go for the PSE.

I had the sports shifter retro fitted and prefer the shorter throw it gives.

Telephone module is rubbish quality"¦ do a search on Porsche forums in general and you'll see lots of people reporting problems / poor quality. You will also want to get a replica SIM if you go for this option, so check with your network if this is possible. Not all UK mobile networks offer this.

Sat nav, again seems to have a lot of problems. I wouldn't be happy spending £1+k for the grief it seems to have given a lot on here. You cannot add speed / "˜safety' camera info to it either.

Choose the colour you like best. If you ever part ex it won't matter. Call me cynical, but if you pick a silver / black / a n other "˜safe' colour, the OPC will tell you that they can't offer you much cause they have too much stock of that colour. If you pick something a bit more "˜risqué', the OPC will tell you that they can't offer you much cause it's not a popular colour. You'll be stung either way. You have to live with it so go for what you like the best.

Remember, its so tempting to add everything, but be prepared to financially write off any extra options spending you do, as you will not get any back at resale.

 

[sidicks]

I'd advise going for the options that you want, and not paying too much attention to residuals - there's no point in paying £70k for a car that doesn't quite meet your requirements if for £75k you can have your dream car. Having said that it's helpful to puchase 'with your eyes open' so that you know which options will add value at re-sale at which won't.

ORIGINAL: simonm
1. Sports seats "" appear to be more comfortable than standard.

I went for the adaptive sports seats - not cheap at £1,680 (IIRC) - but I'm really pleased with them - very supportive and comfortable.

ORIGINAL: simonm
2. Park Assist "" seems like a good idea so long as it works and better than fixing a scratched bumper?

Agree - it's not that easy to reverse, given the size of the rear of the car and the limited visibility, and one mistake will cost far more than the cost of the parking sensors.

ORIGINAL: simonm
3. Navigation module for PCM "" a search through the forums shows many references to TMC "" is this still an issue? Are DVDs not necessarily up to-date? What does a DVD for "˜most' of Europe mean? I assume that speed camera "˜layers' can't be added like a TomTom?

This is my first car with Sat Nav and I've found it very reliable and good enough for what I need - I can work around it's limitations and haven't had problems with the maps not being up to date. Having said that, I recognise that there are much better systems available. Hopefully Porsche will catch up soon!

ORIGINAL: simonm
I read the thread on sports exhaust. I did see a comment that the 997 SE is not as effective as the same on 996 and that there are speeds where it isn't so pronounced. I find the standard exhaust to be very entertaining anyway"¦ "" so this will need to be auditioned (LOL).

I always thought that the PSE was a waste of money until I drove a car with it. I'm glad I specced this on my car, but I wouldn't say it was essential, just highly desirable. I have no knowledge of the system on the 996, so can;t compare the systems. All I know is that it sounds great when switched off, and even louder and more aggresive when it's switched on!!

Enjoy !

Sidicks

 

[Sundeep]

Sunroof = No

Rear Wiper = No

2 ways to spoil the looks and add a major weight penalty is all of the wrong places



says a man with a glass roofed Targa [&:]

 

[timhum2002]

CD changer, phone and Bose sound not worth the bother in my opinion. For sound plug in your MP3 player and standard sound is perfectly good in a sports car. I'm also very doubtful about the the sat nav now that the novelty has worn off particularly as the Porsche unit doesn't compare well with others, my Land Rover system is far superior. Adaptive seats are great.

Tim

 

[Guest]

of the options i got i would say

parking sensors - good value, work well.

pcm nav -got to be honest only had the car two weeks but very impressed by it.

heated seats - the wife wanted them so got them to keep her quiet i would have prob spent money elsewhere

cruise control - rubbish really i wont use it at all should have saved the dough

sport seats - really glad i got these spot on!!

sport design wheels - look the business good choice

bose - sounds great

 

[sidicks]

ORIGINAL: ascayman
cruise control - rubbish really i wont use it at all should have saved the dough

Funny you say that about Cruise control. I see this as a licence saver!!

The other day I went for a drive, and after having some great fun around some B-roads, found myself on the A21 dual carriageway between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. The Cruise was set to 84mph and I was making reasonable progress until a police car appeared in my rear view mirror (these silver cars are much harder to spot than white ones!!).

He pulled alongside and the passenger waved a finger at me which I initially took to me - "pull over sonnny, you're nicked...". He pulled in front of me and I assumed he'd direct me into the layby circa 600m ahead. Surprisingly, he drove straight past that layby and past another spot where he could have stopped me. After that, another car came in between us, and I turned off at the next junction.

I therefore assume that he thought the warning was sufficient and so didn't stop me to issue a ticket (top bloke if that was the case!!) - or should I expect some bad news in the post in the next few days???

I'm sure that without cruise I would have been travelling at 90+ and a ticket would have been apparent.

Sidicks

 

[Michael Downing]

Probably near the end of his shift, Sidicks.

 

[simonm]

OPE couldn't show me the different versions of Navigation.

Anyone opted for the dearer version of the Navigation module for PCM - any coments on it?

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[simonm]

I'm not a big fan of heated seats, can anyone without heated seats comment on blanking plates/dummy switches?

Apologies - I found the answer by using the 3D configurator on the Porsche site shows the configuration as options are added/removed.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[Guest]

what, no mention of the aerokit cup in all these messages!! ok, so i bought a dealer owned car, and as such the options were fairly liberal - but i think they cover the most important. my car came with multi functional wheel, parking sensors, sat nav, cd changer, sports seats and yes, the aerokit.

my comments would be the m/f wheel is worth it if only to navigate around the sat nav or stereo. works well.

parking sensors if like me you intend to drive frequently and around town.

sat nav - not used it a great deal but the -ve's are well publicised. my use of it is pretty basic, and to that end, it is ok.

cd changer - speaks for it self and depending on what you listen to worth getting.

sports seats- absolute must, unless you splash out for the more pricey adaptives seats.

the aerokit - never thought i'd like it but it looks great. provides a bit of uniqueness to the car as well as enhancing the handling and grip if you track a lot.

if i was buying the car from new, i would add the bose, sports exhaust, crested seats, and possibly the chrono pack.

enjoy.

Dev.

 

[Alex L]

I have the following options on my Carrera S Cab:

ParkAssist - great for reversing and parking
Sport Chrono - great, makes the car into 2 beasts, a GT and a Race car! A must have
Stainless steel tailpipes - now replaced with retro-fitted PSE, looks nice otherwise though
Tire Pressure Monitor - already saved my bacon once! I may not be writing this without TPMS (but that's another story). A must have
Cruise control - don't think I would have this option again, but for motorway driving the average fuel consumption can decrease by around 5+mpg on a long trip
Adaptive sports seats - love these, supports you SO well.
Heated seats - a must for Cabriolets in the winter months when the sun is out
Multi-function steering wheel - love this also, controlling Bose volume/mute and Sat Nav from the steering wheel is great. Plus I think it looks so much better than the standard wheel
Navigation module for PCM - other than being a little out of date and telling you to exit roundabout AFTER you have already gone passed the exit, simply great, especially the Traffic warning/redirection and the POIs to find the nearest Shell (Optimax) garage. I think this is a must have, especially for resale.
Telephone module - Good but I usually use my 'free' work blackberry with hands-free. No conflicts with Bose so I'm not sure exactly what pinner2 is referring to.
BOSE - great, no complaints, and good for resale.
CDC-4 6 disc CD auto-changer - good but MP3 playing CD tray in PCM completely replaces it. 120 songs per CD, who needs a 6-CD changer?! So would not have again
Centre Console in external colour - looks much better than default plastic trim (but may not be so good for other external colours, I have basalt black)
PSE - Awesome, I wish the car had come with this. A must have if nothing else.
Porsche Crest in seat head restraints - looks great with the roof down
Wheel Centres - got these thrown in for free from my OPC, but would pay for them anyway as look SO much better than stock centres.

In retrospect all these options add a lot of weight to the car, so I would probably go with the X51 Power Pack too to compensate. I hear the Sports Suspension is a great option too if you have a Coupe (can't get it on a Cab).