Sat Nav & Auto Dimming mirrors

[P3.6996]

Hi All,

I need help on a couple of things.
I am thinking of upgrading my car or selling it for another one. 996 3.6 2002 Facelift.
Any advice on how / where to sell would be great.
I need some important options: Sat Nav and auto dimming mirrors.

I love my car and have had it for nearly 4 years, it has carbon fibre tiptronic steering wheel, gear, handbrake, rear centre console, ignition switch & emergency switch. I really do love these and gives the steering wheel a great feel.
If i sell i will buy second hand so will not get these but will get multi function steering, Bose, PCM and auto dimming mirrors.

If i upgrade can i retro fit auto dimming mirrors? What is required and how much? As much advice as possible please.

I will reluctantly fit a double din DVD/sat nav rather than PCM as for that year it is dated, with much better functions on new units. Any advice on which units are good.

I would also like advice on speaker upgrades and possibly a subwoofer which i believe can be fitted in the passenger footwell.
I know a company that can install professionally. Not the cheapest but they know what they are doing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All.

Also I have a 'valet' key, it's a small grey key, what does it do?
had it for years! Is this something to do with the glove box and
storage compartment behind the handbrake?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Welcome Bobby!

Retrofit kits for automatic dimming interior and door mirrors are shown in the Tequipment section of the Porsche parts catalogue, but there isn't a price shown. Not cheap, I suspect.

With a 2002 (non-MOST) car you have the advantage of a much simpler stereo/satnav installation than a later car. I've just fitted a Pioneer system to mine (http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=419811), but there are several 2-din all-in-ones around.

Take a look at the recent speaker upgrade thread for some options with this: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=412788

The 'valet' key should also unlock and start the car!

 

[Mark Elder]

"Valet" keys normally don't work with the glove box (etc) but do (like Richard says) driver the car - they are so you can given them to the "valet parking" man and he can park the car, but not nick your gloves!

Personally I hate auto-dimming mirrors, they stop you seeing what's behind you because they seem to dim too easily (when picking up dipped headlights) and yet are too slow to dim when someone is using main beam. I like to be able to flick my mirror to dip it only when I need it.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

As I said on the same thread on 911UK, I think the "valet key" is a bit of a misnomer. I believe that Bobby is referring to the spare key, which I think has all the functions of the regular key except remote.

 

[patch]

I have dimming mirrors, I wouldn't bother. It darkens the lights following you brilliantly, but does the same to everything else so you can hardly see the background. It's verging on dangerous, I'd go for the flip up and down as Mark suggests