Porsche Vehicle Tracking system

sidicks · Feb 6, 2006

Whilst at my dealer on Saturday (finding out about build dates etc - see my other post!), I managed to find out the cost of the Porsche VTS system, which is Thatcham Category 5 approved:
The system is £985.25 including VAT and fitting, and the annual subscription is £176 p.a. (there is also a 'lifetime' subscription option, but as I'm not sure how long I will keep the car for, I didn't find out the price of this).
Compared with the other CAT5 approved systems (Tracker Echo etc), this is a reasonably competitive price and has the advantage of coming with the same warranty as the car. To my mind it certainly is the 'no hassle ' option, and aslo has the advantage of being a cross-Europe system (which I think costs extra for some of the other systems).
I'm probably going to add this to my car - has anyone else done so, or have any thoughts ?
Regards
Sidicks

Guest · Feb 6, 2006

Funny, my OPC DP told me today that the price was £1161.25 incl vat and the first year's subs. Funny that is, until I realised that's the same! He didn't mention fitting, but I had assumed this was included.

I don't want a tracker (if the car gets stolen, I don't want it back, is my theory) but I get the feeling insurance companies increasingly want them. The insurer of my previous vehicle wanted 1) overnight garage, 2) a tracker (a massive list, that didn't include the Porsche VTS one) and 3) Thatcham Cat1 alarm, which I gather a C4S has. That is NU Direct. I have heard other members talk about Elephant (no tracker needed), who were twice the price of NU Direct.

Had any luck elsewhere- I assume you have looked or already sorted it.

Derek

sidicks · Feb 6, 2006

ORIGINAL: Derek A
I don't want a tracker (if the car gets stolen, I don't want it back, is my theory) but I get the feeling insurance companies increasingly want them.

I sort of know what you mean, yet if my car gets stolen, and recovered with just a little damage then my insurance premium may increase but hopefully not drastically so.

If my car gets stolen and not recovered, then that's a £70k+ payout, and I'd imagine it would be difficult to find insurance at a reasonable price in future years.

Also, as you say, many insurance companies will insist on it.

I had a look at a few other options, but most VTS-type systems have similar functionality, and with the Porsche warranty and Europe-wide cover, the Porsche system is the 'easy option'.!!

Cheers

Sidicks

Marc B · Feb 6, 2006

Went to view my new C4S Cab today after it arrived at the weekend. My OPC is offering the tracker at a similar price previously quoted , but I am going for the tracker horizon which I am paying £700.00 fitted with an annual subscription of £110.00. Its one up from the Porsche VTS system. Porsche seem to be behind some what on the non factory fitted options (especially TV/DVD system for the c/n).

sidicks · Feb 7, 2006

ORIGINAL: Marc B
...but I am going for the tracker horizon which I am paying £700.00 fitted with an annual subscription of £110.00. Its one up from the Porsche VTS system.

??
I don't understand what you mean. The Porsche VTS system is more akin to the Tracker 'Echo' product, which is the top of the range Thatcham Category5 approved tracking device. The Horizon works by sensing movement of the vehicle without the keys, however it can' cope with 'Car Jacking' i.e. if the keys are stolen, or taken by force (although in the latter case, you would obviously contact Tracker ASAP to monitor your car).

The Porsche VTS and Tracker ECHO products are different, as they require a separate identitity card to be carried when the car is being driven. If the driver does not have the card on their person, then the car will be identified as stolen, even if the owners keys are being used.

The Echo is the top of the range Tracker system and is very similar to the Porsche VTS system (although this is also Europe-wide).

sidicks

pvernham · Feb 7, 2006

Tracker Horizon is not just a UK system.

I considered Echo but thought about problems of driving the car if I lost my wallet (and identification card) and decided against.

Is the Porsche VTS system comparable in price to Echo, it sounds more expensive from what I recollect?

Marc B · Feb 7, 2006

I contacted the supplier of the tracker systems and I was assured that the Horizon did all that the other two did except for requiring the I/D card and not having which personal I would find a pain especially if you have a partner who drive the car. Also the Echo has to be turned off each time you leave the car. A hassle. But all said and done they are both clearly very good products and do what the insurance companies require when fitting to a 80/90/100K + car. So its down to choice. But why pay more then you have too, both for the unit and subscription.

Guest · Feb 7, 2006

My insurance company has requested or should I say insisted the fitting of a Tracker Echo system, This system is cheaper than the Porsche VTS system. However my OPC will not fit a tracker only the VTS system for £ 1161.25 includes vat, fitting and first year subscription. As mentioned before this is an easy option, warranty, problems etc so this is what I will go for subject to the Insurance Company accepting the Porsche VTS !

Let's face it when the OPC says they won't fit a Tracker you are left will no alternative after spending £80 k on a car are you really going to take the risk.

My 997C2S CAB arrives in March, I cant wait. The ID card that you carry with you is a bonus, The Wife asks to borrow the car, "Sorry love its in my wallet and I won't be back till late"

Regards

Roger

Marc B · Feb 7, 2006

ORIGINAL: Roger Smith

My 997C2S CAB arrives in March, I cant wait. The ID card that you carry with you is a bonus, The Wife asks to borrow the car, "Sorry love its in my wallet and I won't be back till late"

I didn't think of that!!! What a great idea.

I am surprised your insurance company insisted on an Echo, all the ones I went to were very happy with the Horizon. I settled with Performance Mark in the end. Cost, £993.00 for My 87K C4S Cab, includes commuting to various work addresses, 15K plus annual mileage and unlimited Porsche club track days. I thought that was great. What did you end up paying? (if you don't mind me asking).

sidicks · Feb 7, 2006

ORIGINAL: Marc B

I contacted the supplier of the tracker systems and I was assured that the Horizon did all that the other two did except for requiring the I/D card and not having which personal I would find a pain especially if you have a partner who drive the car.

I think you get 2 cards with the Porsche VTS system, so that isn;t a issue for me. In any case, I'm unlikely to let the wife drive unsupervised!!!

Also the Echo has to be turned off each time you leave the car. A hassle.

Not aware of this with the VTS - I think the device is permanenly on, and if the car is moved without the identifier card being present then the system goes into action.....

ORIGINAL: Marc B
So its down to choice. But why pay more then you have too, both for the unit and subscription.

Because you want / need the extra features ?!

Your original post implies that the Tracker Horizon offers more than the VTS for less money, which wold make the decision a 'no-brainer'. In fact, it offers less for less money, which means that there is a trade-off to be made, and thus is down to personal choice and individual requirements..............

Sidicks

Guest · Feb 7, 2006

I run my own business and the fleet cover at work will cover my Porsche C2S CAB for £ 1340.00, even though the car will not be a company car they will still cover Directors cars. If I can get the car inmsurance under a grand that would be better as it would be more tailored made to Porsche ownership. Thanks for the lead!!! I take it they were the most competitive after you had shopped around.

Regards

Roger

Marc B · Feb 7, 2006

The extra features amount to the I/D cards which as I said early , for me would be a hassle and an option that I wouldn't want. That's face it, if someone is going to take the car with any tracker and no key then they clearly are professionals who know what they are doing and are likely to get round any security on the car.. Amendment to the Horizon cost £650.00 including V.A.T.

Ps. are any of you boys going to let the wifes play with your new toys??

Marc B · Feb 7, 2006

ORIGINAL: Roger Smith

II take it they were the most competitive after you had shopped around.

Yes they were. A/M were good as well, a little over a grand but more restricted. Tesco and Asda are worth a go as well. A friend of mine covered his C2S for about £850.00 with Asda.

Guest · Feb 7, 2006

Thanks for the info on insurance very useful.

My wife drives an auto and hates manuals, I had ordered mine with TIP then changed it to manual. When she found out, I was accused of doing it on purpose. No No I said you have to have a Porsche in manual otherwise it's a waste.

So after all this I could of saved the cost of the parking sensors on the back, It's a manual with that SO SO HEAVY clutch, you need an ID card for the VTS which will always be in my wallet and the garage door key always goes missing at the most inconvenient times. No I'm only Joking my wife can drive my new Porsche as much as she likes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Roger

robert997 · Feb 7, 2006

The Tracker Echo does not need to be turned off when you leave the car - it's fully automatic and working 24-7.

I think it's worth checking some of the details with the other trackers. Differences include:

Use of VHF or GPS tracking, or both. Echo has both. (Makes a difference in terms of accuracy and line-of-site i.e. GPS can't see in tunnel/underground/in cargo container !)
Built-in cellular phone connection (data not voice). I know Tracker monitor position and speed of the vehicle every few minutes, stolen or not.
Whether they guard and/or recover your car if/when they find it.
Whether European tracking is included (Echo gives France and Spain I think).
Whether the UK Police forces have the equipment to find the car (most forces have Tracker VHF stuff).
The Echo comes with 2 tags - one for you and the wife !

Guest · Feb 12, 2006

ORIGINAL: sidicks

The system is £985.25 including VAT and fitting, and the annual subscription is £176 p.a. (there is also a 'lifetime' subscription option, but as I'm not sure how long I will keep the car for, I didn't find out the price of this).

The system is a cobra system
Interestingly Cobra quotes annual subscription as £150 lifetime as £450 not sure of install costs elsewhere am waiting to find out.

Guest · Feb 13, 2006

And the prices are:
£699 fitted with £150 annual or £450 lifetime
or from porsche GB:
£985.25 fitted with annual subscription of £176
for exactly the same thing......, er except half the wiring is already in the car as part of the wiring loom, so the fitting job should take even less time... than the standard system...
makes you think.

sidicks · Feb 14, 2006

But if its exactly the same as the Cobra system, why does the Thatcham records for CAT5 alam systems have separate records for the Porsche system and the Cobra system, even if it's not worth £500...............

Sidicks

Guest · Feb 15, 2006

ORIGINAL: sidicks

But if its exactly the same as the Cobra system, why does the Thatcham records for CAT5 alam systems have separate records for the Porsche system and the Cobra system, even if it's not worth £500...............

Sidicks

apparently because some of the wiring is already incorporated into the vehicle it needs separate accreditation- the brains of the system are exactly the same - its really a question of is the potential for warrenty probs (- if you get electrical probs porsche will blame tracker and visa versa) worth £500 ?