PCM - is it worth it?
- Thread starter WILLR
- Start date
Er, no and yes.
No, because:
1. The Boxster is a sports roadster and the best Porsches are kept light and simple
2. The Boxster console looks fine without it and the controls are easier to use
3. Although the Porsche system is now quite good it is not one of the best
4. You could fit an aftermarket system
Yes, because:
1. Integrated navigation/communication systems are becoming a 'must have' option in prestige cars
2. It looks nice, is fairly intuitive to operate and is very useful when needed
3. The phone module works surprisingly well
4. The extra cost will probably be refected in the re-sale value of the car (some cars X5s, M3s etc are harder to sell without the Comms Pack)
Of course the crucial issue is Porsche's commitment to providing on-going support to those who have it (and that applies to 911s, Boxsters and Cayennes)
No, because:
1. The Boxster is a sports roadster and the best Porsches are kept light and simple
2. The Boxster console looks fine without it and the controls are easier to use
3. Although the Porsche system is now quite good it is not one of the best
4. You could fit an aftermarket system
Yes, because:
1. Integrated navigation/communication systems are becoming a 'must have' option in prestige cars
2. It looks nice, is fairly intuitive to operate and is very useful when needed
3. The phone module works surprisingly well
4. The extra cost will probably be refected in the re-sale value of the car (some cars X5s, M3s etc are harder to sell without the Comms Pack)
Of course the crucial issue is Porsche's commitment to providing on-going support to those who have it (and that applies to 911s, Boxsters and Cayennes)
juliany27
New member
A beautiful balanced reply.
I have a 2004 Boxster and decided against the PCM and have a Tom Tom which I can update with speed camera locations etc. from the Internet.
Although the PCM may affect future re-sale value the Tom Tom is transferable to another vehicle and is much cheaper than the PCM. You can get it, as I did, at a discount from Carphone Warehouse.
Yey another example of 'you pays your money and you makes your choice'.
I have a 2004 Boxster and decided against the PCM and have a Tom Tom which I can update with speed camera locations etc. from the Internet.
Although the PCM may affect future re-sale value the Tom Tom is transferable to another vehicle and is much cheaper than the PCM. You can get it, as I did, at a discount from Carphone Warehouse.
Yey another example of 'you pays your money and you makes your choice'.
Brian Halling
New member
[FONT=arial"]Yes, PCM is well worth the cost because:
- you don't clutter your dash with an unmatched and easily stolen add-on
- everything is controlled via one unit and in the same intuitive manner
- nav guidance mutes the radio/CD
- it is becoming a 'must-have' item for resale.
Integrating a speed camera detector would complete it.
PCM is pricey, but cheaper than the equivalent integrated system on the BMW 3 Series. However, I am told the price of PCM upgrades is out of sight!
![[FONT=verdana,geneva"]](/forum/styles/default/pcgb/space.gif ". [FONT=verdana,geneva\"]")
- you don't clutter your dash with an unmatched and easily stolen add-on
- everything is controlled via one unit and in the same intuitive manner
- nav guidance mutes the radio/CD
- it is becoming a 'must-have' item for resale.
Integrating a speed camera detector would complete it.
PCM is pricey, but cheaper than the equivalent integrated system on the BMW 3 Series. However, I am told the price of PCM upgrades is out of sight!
Guest
New member
One pro point to consider: The radio reception might be better with PCM (something to do with aerial location.. someone more technically versed may be able to clarify?? Sorry.). I'd advise to compare that before buying if you like listening to radio, just to make sure it suits you either way.
987 seems to have it there too - although a different routing in the screen,
Nothing major - I just noticed the aerial wire was in a different arrangement in the glass to my 986.
/geek
dawn lang
Ex Club Member
I think whether its worth it depends on whether you'll only need Sat Nav in the boxster or whether you'll need to then buy it for any other car you drive.
Personally, i'm insured on a fleet which give me access to 6 or 7 cars. Only one of them has integrated sat nav.
Therefore I bought a Tom Tom Go. This way i've got a system I know how to use inside out that is transferable between cars and doesn't have lots of fiddly wires everwhere.
Completely your choice on this one.
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Personally, i'm insured on a fleet which give me access to 6 or 7 cars. Only one of them has integrated sat nav.
Therefore I bought a Tom Tom Go. This way i've got a system I know how to use inside out that is transferable between cars and doesn't have lots of fiddly wires everwhere.
Completely your choice on this one.
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Black80XSA
New member
Tom Tom is the way to go - cheap, transferable and the upgrades are cheaper than Porsche. The TTGo700 even has bluetooth mobile connection.
As Porsche keep changing the system basis, it means you cannot update some of the systems (eg. no more map updates for the PCM2 CD system). Very annoying if after a year you cannot update and are stuck with slow and out of date mapping.
As Porsche keep changing the system basis, it means you cannot update some of the systems (eg. no more map updates for the PCM2 CD system). Very annoying if after a year you cannot update and are stuck with slow and out of date mapping.
I used the latest PCM2 system in a 2005 Boxster today and it was excellent.
Had to go to a few unfamiliar places and, in each case, it took me to the door with clear concise instructions and the display in the instrument binnacle is particularly useful.
Hands free phone also very good, even with the roof down on the motorway.
Had to go to a few unfamiliar places and, in each case, it took me to the door with clear concise instructions and the display in the instrument binnacle is particularly useful.
Hands free phone also very good, even with the roof down on the motorway.
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