Removing the built in phone system

Jkulin · Dec 14, 2014

Hi All, my first post on here so be gentle with my ignorance.

I've put a deposit down today on a 2002 Carrera 4, everything correct for my budget, so I'm looking forwards to picking it up next weekend.

Only problem is that it has the built in gps and phone on a cord, is there anyway to safely and tidily remove and replace with a standard CD player.

I'm told I can use the DVDs gps map player for playing cd's is this correct?

I just like tidy cockpits.

Thanks in anticipation of your advice.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 14, 2014

John!!

The handset can be unplugged and removed easily enough. If you want to get rid of the mount, you can replace the side panel of the lower console with a standard one.

The navigation drive isn't a DVD unit. It is a dedicated CD navigation drive, and will not play audio CDs. Bear in mind that the PCM1 system is over 15 years old, and wasn't all that up to date when it was introduced. If you want a functional, tidy, solution (and aren't worried about originality) then you would be best to remove the whole thing, and replace it with a modern double-DIN system.

Jkulin · Dec 14, 2014

Thanks Richard, Appreciate your reply.

This is the interior at the moment: -

It does have a multi CD-player in the luggage compartment.

If I were to remove the bottom part, what should I replace it with, as it already has the radio and controls in the top part?

Or am I better to just live with it? I'm just a little bit lost, I'm not worried about a Sat Nav as I would prefer a window mounted when needed rather than take my eyes off the road.

If you could point me in the right direction of what could be there, then would be much appreciated.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 14, 2014

Most people replace it with a cubby hole. You can get a CD storage box to go in there, but it is a bit pointless as there isn't a CD player in the car. This is what I did with my 996C2 some time ago:

Jkulin · Dec 14, 2014

Thanks Richard, that helps a lot.

I've found two option to replace the phone and the grey panel on the left side as per the links below: -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271551672000

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271397023235

Both the same price, so it might be worth buying both to ensure I get a good fit. I'm presuming the colour will match.

The double din unit looks good and would be brilliant to modernise the system, by removing the existing radio is there anything else that relies on the radio, or is it just that a radio?

Apologises for all the questions.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 14, 2014

Not sure exactly what grey yours is - there are four - Space Grey, Natural Grey, Classic Grey, and Graphite Grey. Do you know the first digit of the interior colour code?

The side covers come in leather and leatherette. Most people get a new leatherette cover from Porsche, as they are about £45, compared to £250+ for a leather one. The colour match is usually pretty good. If you do want leather, try eBay (as you have) or a breaker like 9Apart.

PCM1 also has the Trip function, which can be useful for touring, or business mileage calcs. However, you will have the OBC option, which will give you similar data, but slightly less comprehensive. Of course, a modern system like the AppRadio will give you more functions than you can imagine, and will make the PCM look pretty lame.

Jkulin · Dec 14, 2014

Thanks Richard,

I searched high and lo on the UK Sites and no one had any, so finally decided to grab the set from the states as they were the only ones I could find.

Didn't know that they were still available from Porsche, so if they are the wrong colour then will have to use that option.

I won't have the car until next Saturday as they need to valet and obtain a spare key as they only have one and just fix a couple of things, but I'll contact them in the week for those details and at least I can check availability.

Sorry being thick, what is the AppRadio and what is the OBC option?

Thanks.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 14, 2014

The Pioneer AppRadio compatible models seem to be a popular choice in the range of new double-DIN systems. You can run smartphone apps on them. There are loads of different systems around, depending on what features you want and how much you want to spend. It is a bit of a minefield, but if you are a bit of a techie type, the AppRadio can be tailored to suit.

OBC= On-Board Computer. It is the display in the central section of the rev-counter. It will display things like range, fuel consumption, oil level, etc.

One thing you will find with Porsche is that there aren't many parts which are no longer available, and this goes back to the early cars. Parts prices can be a shock in good and bad ways - some are ridiculously cheap, and others ridiculously expensive. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to it either. It is always worth checking out the prices from Porsche first, before going to the breakers. You can often see eBay items that are more expensive than list prices, because people have the expectation that everything Porsche is expensive.