I bought a new 2002 996 Targa with PCM1 16-bit and only the original UK disc (which includes a general map of Europe). I have been in touch with Porsche several times about updates and was told that there are none available. NavTech were no help at all. The Porsche GB Customer Service department told me that they may produce an upgrade if there is sufficient demand (but also pointed out that 'most' Porsche buyers sell their cars after 2-3 years - as if this was an acceptable statement!). It would be great to know if the Vauxhall/Opel discs actually work but I would settle for a Porsche set if they would sell me one. What really annoys me about this is that a) the salesman told me that I would receive free PCM updates from time to time and b) Porsche seems to think it is OK to dump support of expensive optional extras after 2 years!
PCM1 16 Bit Nav
- Thread starter ArBee
- Start date
John, I share your sentiments entirely. I still don't know if the Vauxhall disks work or not as I have the 8 bit processor and the cost to upgrade to system that has no regular updating service was in the region of £1000 - so a no brainer really - still on 8 bit!
Why not take your car, as I did, to a Vauxhall garage and see if they will let you try a disk in your car. In the absence of any Porsche update and the greatly reduced price of a nav-disk from Vauxhall (£125 for a 2005 disk against £250 from Porsche - thats if there was one to buy!!!!!) Apparently the only difference between the two disks is the OPC listings or should that be OVC listings?
Why not take your car, as I did, to a Vauxhall garage and see if they will let you try a disk in your car. In the absence of any Porsche update and the greatly reduced price of a nav-disk from Vauxhall (£125 for a 2005 disk against £250 from Porsche - thats if there was one to buy!!!!!) Apparently the only difference between the two disks is the OPC listings or should that be OVC listings?
I've never been in a Vauxhall dealership and I don't know how friendly they would be but it is certainly worth a try and I'll let you know the outcome. In passing I would add that the general attitude to customer service from Porsche has changed since they took over my dealership (was AFN, now Porsche West London). I have had a few problems with my car and it has taken quite a lot of pressure to get things sorted out fairly. Last year I had a wiring loom burn out due to bad routing through the passenger door which took about 6 weeks to repair. This year the Targa roof had to be replaced because of incurable rattles. My 993 Targa had a few roof shakes but you would have thought that they would have sorted it out by now. I still think the 911 is the best car of its class but the service and quality is not what it was.
Guest
New member
Not meaning to suggest anything about not paying for an update (as I'd be happy to, if the manufacturers kept them coming every year or so) but has anyone had a look on the file sharing networks? I'm sure if you put in "vauxhall" and "nav" you'd get a hit on a disc image or two. This might be cheap way of trying out the idea, without laying out hundreds of pounds... obviously if it works I'm sure we'd all be placing orders for the 2005 versions of the maps. [
]
(A quick scan from my system has revealed "opel_cd70_navteq_europe_complete.rar" at 3.44GB and various other country-only maps (at a few hundred MB or so)... [])
](A quick scan from my system has revealed "opel_cd70_navteq_europe_complete.rar" at 3.44GB and various other country-only maps (at a few hundred MB or so)... [
])
Guest
New member
Maybe try something like the edonkey sharing network (look up a client called "emule") or the kad network...
Alternatively, if I happen to find something to test with, I'll report back how it works on my car. That's a 2004 996 (Anniv Edition) with whatever SatNav it came with... unfortunately I'm not up on the specifics but, from reading these threads, I'd assume its 16bit.
Alternatively, if I happen to find something to test with, I'll report back how it works on my car. That's a 2004 996 (Anniv Edition) with whatever SatNav it came with... unfortunately I'm not up on the specifics but, from reading these threads, I'd assume its 16bit.
tallmat
New member
Having followed the Renntech threads where people in the US have purchased updates from Navteq, I emailed them to ask if they do UK discs.
Reply attached.
Would have got a more meaningful reply from my dog.
Based on the number of responses to this thread, it's baffling that neither Porsche or a 3rd party supplier don't see the market potential for upgrades. It'd be interesting to know how many 996s were sold in the UK with PCM1, and the market those cars represent.
Reply attached.
Would have got a more meaningful reply from my dog.
Based on the number of responses to this thread, it's baffling that neither Porsche or a 3rd party supplier don't see the market potential for upgrades. It'd be interesting to know how many 996s were sold in the UK with PCM1, and the market those cars represent.
And you can probably double that number if you add in the Boxsters that were also fitted with PCM1...
It looks like this is getting controversial. I have now found the Opel version of this software on eDonkey and will try to download it to test it, then report back.
In the meantime, this is an extract from an official Porsche site which I found a few months ago and it may help someone:
1. PCM-1 is available in 2 versions (a. xx.98 - 04.2001 ; b. 04.2001 - 08.2002)
2. Version a. uses 8 BIT hardware and version uses 16 BIT hardware and extended memory. This means to CDs for version b. need more memory.
3. In Europe latest software for version a. is NAVTEC 2000/2 and latest software for version b. is PORSCHE Tequipment 2003/2004 (only available from certified Porsche dealer in full Europe-Version - 5 CDs, 500 Euro -, not from NAVTEC)
4. To check your navigation-unit, take it out (its the one with the CD slot) and check WAP number. For 16 BIT it should be: 996.642.122.03 (996.642.122.00 to 996.642.122.02 is 8 BIT)
In the meantime, this is an extract from an official Porsche site which I found a few months ago and it may help someone:
1. PCM-1 is available in 2 versions (a. xx.98 - 04.2001 ; b. 04.2001 - 08.2002)
2. Version a. uses 8 BIT hardware and version uses 16 BIT hardware and extended memory. This means to CDs for version b. need more memory.
3. In Europe latest software for version a. is NAVTEC 2000/2 and latest software for version b. is PORSCHE Tequipment 2003/2004 (only available from certified Porsche dealer in full Europe-Version - 5 CDs, 500 Euro -, not from NAVTEC)
4. To check your navigation-unit, take it out (its the one with the CD slot) and check WAP number. For 16 BIT it should be: 996.642.122.03 (996.642.122.00 to 996.642.122.02 is 8 BIT)
Guys, must remember, that the PCM1 technology is based on late 90's CD rom's and I would suggest that even if the data is accurate, the reader may not pick up and read CDR or CDRW.
Cant tell you technically why but its the same as putting a DVDR or DVDRW in an early DVD player, they dont always work.
Just a thought!
Cant tell you technically why but its the same as putting a DVDR or DVDRW in an early DVD player, they dont always work.
Just a thought!
Guest
New member
John,
Let us know how you get on with the Opel CD.
I have now found out that I have what seems to be the 16-bit version, at least from the part number of the CD unit: 996.642.122.03
I'd love to be able to use the Opel/Vauxhall CDs, but if they don't work, I guess I'll speak to Porsche in Germany and try to get the Tequipment pack.
Nik.
Let us know how you get on with the Opel CD.
I have now found out that I have what seems to be the 16-bit version, at least from the part number of the CD unit: 996.642.122.03
I'd love to be able to use the Opel/Vauxhall CDs, but if they don't work, I guess I'll speak to Porsche in Germany and try to get the Tequipment pack.
Nik.
I haven't been to a Vauxhall dealer yet but I have spoken to a very helpful satnav specialist who is trying to source an Opel disk sample for me to try out:if it works he can supply us all with disks. Obviously I will keep everyone posted on this. In the meantime, if anyone knows a friendly Vauxhall dealer (go on, admit it) please have a go. We will get there eventually.
Meanwhile I have occasionally decided to reduce my reliance on technology and used my 'other' sportscar which is fitted with a very accurate £5.99 road atlas and never tells me 'make a legal u-turn' whenever I know a better route than Ingrid, the slightly bossy replicant trapped in the PCM unit of the 911. You will also not want to know that I can get almost any spare part quickly and cheaply for my 40 year old Jag, sometimes even original parts! I enjoy the contrast.
Meanwhile I have occasionally decided to reduce my reliance on technology and used my 'other' sportscar which is fitted with a very accurate £5.99 road atlas and never tells me 'make a legal u-turn' whenever I know a better route than Ingrid, the slightly bossy replicant trapped in the PCM unit of the 911. You will also not want to know that I can get almost any spare part quickly and cheaply for my 40 year old Jag, sometimes even original parts! I enjoy the contrast.
Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members
Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions
