Looking for a Boxster 981 - Can PCM Nav be Retro-fitted?

[oliver]

I'm looking for a 981 Boxster, for use in Europe during much of the year.

Seen a few, inc a nice one from a Club member, that tick a lot of boxes, but lack the PCM Nav option.

Without getting into discussion about the virtues (or otherwise) of PCM Nav, can a car that has CDR Plus and Mobile Phone Prep have the Nav retro-fitted (at sensible cost)?

many thanks

 

[Dylan1]

Can be retrofitted
but not at a reasonable cost!!??

 

[oliver]

That's what I figured - but how unreasonable?

 

[BrianJ]

Whatever you do, don't trust the prices on the Porsche Tequipment Accessories finder, which covers some of these upgrades. A couple of weeks ago, the price for a map upgrade was £329. After a minor change in the descriptive text, which was previously wrong, it is now £1123!! I negotiated a price from my local OPC which was very substantially less than the first figure. So probably worth asking your OPC for their best offer. Lots of other non-OEM options will be cheaper though, and offer better functionality.

 

[keiththo]

I asked about upgrading PCM to include sat nav when I was looking for a car 3 years ago and was quoted approx £5k by Exeter OPC. Funnily enough I didn't buy the car.

 

[oliver]

Yes, had heard £4k, but I've asked my OPC for a quote. Shame - was hoping for something with two noughts at end, not three!

 

[M40WST]

If don't mind using your phone as a nav then a possible option would be these guy's https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk/carplay-androidauto
they can enable Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I would suspect the cost would be less that £1000. Unfortunately only 981's and above so wasn't an option for me.

 

[Dylan1]

Yes, had heard £4k, but I've asked my OPC for a quote. Shame - was hoping for something with two noughts at end, not three!

Sadly that was always wishful thinking
my quote was between £4k and £5k
so I waited and got one with one fitted
good luck with hunt

 

[Shortshift]

Oliver - this might be too late but if the car you are looking at has CDR Plus, that means it has the Sound Package Plus audio upgrade which includes the separate, underseat amplifier (and, if I recall correcty, this spec also includes DAB - another bonus). You're in luck as this makes it quite straightforward to retro-fit PCM.

It's quite possible to buy a good used PCM unit (often taken from an accident damaged car) on eBay or direct from a dealer for around £600-£800, buy the remaining bits and bobs (wiring, GPS antenna and leads, maybe a combiner to deal with FM diversity inputs) from your OPC or online and you're on your way. You need to make sure you get the right type of PCM unit (I can help with the model numbers to look for). You will need to source some codes (available through the internet from proven sources) and, once the installation is complete, get these codes 'coded' to the car using PIWIS either through a co-operative OPC or a recognised independent. Budget around £1200-£1500 all in.

Hope that helps.

James

 

[oliver]

Thanks James
I deferred my search for the time being. However, there are quite a few nice used 981s that have the full PCM omitted, so that's useful info for both me and others, who might want it.

 

[Tom__P]

If it helps i fitted the nmautomotive apple car play module to my car. It works really well and looks totally stock (i don't like the aftermarket look) until you hold down the info button for a couple of seconds and it activates the module. It has all the functionality of carplay (ie google maps and Spotify) which is great and i believe it can be fitted to the CDR unit.
The only issue i had was its pretty tight behind the radio unit to fit it and when i was re-installing i managed to knick the aerial cable which has reduced signal strength. Its my fault not the units and is something i will replace when i can be bothered to get around to it.
Let me know if you want to know anything about it.
Good luck with your car hunt. I love mine!