Trackers?

Guest · Apr 17, 2006

Hi all,

I'm due to take delivery of my new C4S mid May and am begining to consider the options on the tracker front.
Obviously Porsche now want a slice of this lucrative pie with the introduction of their own version which costs around £1100 plus a yearly subscription of about £150-160.
My last 996 C4S had a Tracker which cost far less than that and no annual subscription. I had a look at the RAC tracker which costs £399 plus a lifetime subscription fee of £325 which combined is much less than the basic Porsche price without their annual fee. If I was to keep the car for 3-4 years the Porsche version will be substantially more. Does anybody have any views on this and whether the Porsche system is worth it? As it stands I think I'll go for the RAC version.

On another topic...the last Porsche I had (a 996 C4S) took from order to delivery about 10 months (an 04 model)...this new one ...from order to delivery, about 2 months!
So either Porsche's production capability has increased substantially or their orders must a bit thin on the ground...I wonder?

Regards,
Shaun

sidicks · Apr 18, 2006

Shaun

I think I included something on this in the e-mail I sent you, but in case you didn't receive that, here are my thoughts;

The Porsche VTS system is a Thatcham CAT 5 approved system - and is different from the original tracking systems as it requires you to carry a small plastic electronic tag with you when you start the car. If the card is not present (and having instigated 3 false alarms by forgetting to take my wallet with me, I can confirm this is true !!) then an alert is sent to the VTS headquarters who will contact you to verify whether this is a genuine theft or a false alarm, and then if necessary keep track of the car.
The idea of this system is that even if someone breaks into your house and steals your keys, unless they also find the electronic card, then the car will be tracked as soon as they drive away.

The Porsche VTS system is actually a re-badged Cobra system (I think the identical Cobra system is available slightly cheaper). the reason I went with the Porsche version is that if there are any problems, I'm hoping that they will be fixed by the dealer more efficiently, and there will be no problems with warranty etc.
I think the Tracker 'Echo' system is around £1,000 but I could be wrong.

there are other posts on this site if you do a search, as I asked a similar questions when I was considering what tracker to get for my car!

Cheers

Sidicks

Delbox · Apr 18, 2006

I did the same as Simon and had the VTS installed; no warranty issues - albeit somewhat more expensive than some competitors.

Manxviking · Apr 18, 2006

I am expecting to take delivery of my first Porsche (997 4S) next month and would be interested in finding out other people's views on the VTS. The 3 month delivery time quoted at the time of placing the order seemed reasonable but the last few months have been the longest of my life!!

I didn't opt for the Sports Chromo package but beginning to wonder if this was a mistake and something which can be changed at this late stage.

Adrian

sidicks · Apr 19, 2006

ORIGINAL: Manxviking

I am expecting to take delivery of my first Porsche (997 4S) next month and would be interested in finding out other people's views on the VTS. The 3 month delivery time quoted at the time of placing the order seemed reasonable but the last few months have been the longest of my life!!

I didn't opt for the Sports Chromo package but beginning to wonder if this was a mistake and something which can be changed at this late stage.

Adrian

Adrian - What car have you currently got? My 4S was my first Porsche and like you, the final weeks/days/hours wait were unbearable !

Have you gone for the Porsche Sports Exhaust? If not, why not ??!!

If so, then if you also specify the Sports Chrono, you can't have the exhaust switched on without also having Sports mode enabled (and hence the PSM traction control systems only intervening later than normal). Without Sports Chrono, you have a separate switch for the exhaust so can choose whether you have this switched on or off regardless of outside conditions.

Personally I think the Sports Chrono is a bit of a gimmick, and looks ugly on the dash. The PSE is superb, though.

Sidicks

bladeboy · Apr 19, 2006

Been in to my local dealer today and we spoke about the Porsche tracking system.Apparently they find it a real pain in the arse having to carry the shall we call it sensor. I can think of nothing worse than having to take the senor out with me.With tracker, if the car goes with the key you simply phone them up and report the car missing and they will track it. Are the Police able to track cars using the Porsche system? The easy answer is to keep your keys hidden at home when the your out and the cars there. A thief is unlikely to spend a long time looking for a key. As for the warranty situation, whats the issue here, if the tracker goes wrong they should fix it.

sidicks · Apr 19, 2006

ORIGINAL: bladeboy

Been in to my local dealer today and we spoke about the Porsche tracking system.Apparently they find it a real pain in the arse having to carry the shall we call it sensor. I can think of nothing worse than having to take the senor out with me.

The device easily fits in a wallet, so no real hassle (providing you remember to take the wallet with you!!)

With tracker, if the car goes with the key you simply phone them up and report the car missing and they will track it. Are the Police able to track cars using the Porsche system? The easy answer is to keep your keys hidden at home when the your out and the cars there. A thief is unlikely to spend a long time looking for a key.

But you can only phone them once you realise it has gone. Potentially the thief might break in and steal the keys while you are away / asleep and then the theft wouldn't be reported until hours/days later, by which time the car could have been stripped down or shipped abroad etc.

As for the warranty situation, whats the issue here, if the tracker goes wrong they should fix it.

The issue, is if you have electrical problems with your car, there is the potential for the Porsche dealer to blame the tracker and argue that the Porsche warranty is therefore void. It may only be a small risk, but it could be a hassle.....................

Sidicks

bladeboy · Apr 19, 2006

I'm like the queen, never carry money or a wallett or is that I'm a bit of a queen, never sure which one it is.

Seriously though, I can see your point but personally I'd rather not have the agg or carryiny round something else.

sidicks · Apr 20, 2006

ORIGINAL: bladeboy

I'm like the queen, never carry money or a wallett or is that I'm a bit of a queen, never sure which one it is.

Seriously though, I can see your point but personally I'd rather not have the agg or carryiny round something else.

Can't you do what I do and get your chauffeur / butler to carry it for you ?

Sidicks

bladeboy · Apr 20, 2006

Not till I've checked if my numbers came up last night!

By the way had a demo in a c4s yesterday, stunning car only thing I would say is that the one I drove had the short shift kit on, although the lever travel is great thought I'd probably get fed up with the level of effort to change gear.

sidicks · Apr 20, 2006

ORIGINAL: bladeboy
By the way had a demo in a c4s yesterday, stunning car only thing I would say is that the one I drove had the short shift kit on, although the lever travel is great thought I'd probably get fed up with the level of effort to change gear.

I have the shorts shift kit on mine, and haven't noticed any reat effort required to change gear, even when cold.......

Sidicks

davecunningham · Apr 21, 2006

I opted for vts but my only concern us that the theif will now require to get to me in order to get the vehicle, to get the paswords and the keys.
On an even more concerning note, a mate of mine in our village got jumped for the keys to his bentley continental the other week whilst walking with his wife on the way home from the pub - the cops told him that this is increasingly common.

bladeboy · Apr 21, 2006

Check out pistonheads.com, tracker has now reduced all their prices and up graded their sytems.

Hubertus · Apr 26, 2006

If of any interest, have Tracker Horizon on my Nov.04 997 C2S, happily fitted by OPC.at time of purchase. Anyway why I write. Car recently succumbed to a misfire so bad it felt like only firing on one bank, ergo, had to be recovered and within 30 seconds of recovery vehicle moving off I received call from Tracker informing me that car was " on the move not under its own steam" . Thought that was very reassuring. Anyway two days passed and still no news from OPC as to problem with car. Will advise forum if problem proves to be unusual and or interesting.

Delbox · Apr 27, 2006

Mick, as Simon and I have the Porsche VTS fitted to our cars, we can assure you that it is a rebadged Cobra system - as it is Cobra that supply the supporting documentation and with whom our monitoring subscriptions are placed. It is NOT Navtrak.

sidicks · Apr 27, 2006

ORIGINAL: Delbox

Mick, as Simon and I have the Porsche VTS fitted to our cars, we can assure you that it is a rebadged Cobra system - as it is Cobra that supply the supporting documentation and with whom our monitoring subscriptions are placed. It is NOT Navtrak.

Del

Thanks - you beat me to it !!

Sidicks

sidicks · Apr 27, 2006

Del

Have you had (m)any false alarms yet, when you've taken the car but forgotten to take the card with you ?

Embarassingly I've now had 5!!

Sidicks

Delbox · Apr 27, 2006

Not yet - but I'm sure that it'll happen. Most likel;y after washing the car and taking it for a short run to dry off the discs - but I've remembered my wallet so far.

1800 miles!!

Del

sidicks · Apr 27, 2006

My problems have been when I've been rushing in from work (late as usual!) and have to get changed and head out again straight away to play a tennis match or snooker match or whatever, and forget to pick up my wallet.

At least each time it has happened, I've been contacted within a minute or two by the VTS people, so the system is working well!!

I must take my wallet when I drive the car
I must take my wallet when I drive the car
I must take my wallet when I drive the car
I must take my wallet when I drive the car
I must take my wallet when I drive the car
I must take my wallet when I drive the car.....................................................
etc

Sidicks

Guest · Apr 27, 2006

Rac Tracker is the way to go I have been using for my last 3 cars and current 2, the one thing you require from a tracker is to work when needed - My experience with RAC is when ever my vehicles go to the dealer's which is always on a flatbed - I will receive a call confirming that my car is moving without engine running and for me to confirm if that is so etc etc! (What more can you want perfect system)

Don't be fooled by Porsche just jumping on the bandwagon and charging twice the price for something - regarding warranty I've never had a problem yet from tracker - Obviously people are different but no dealer could convince me that the tracker system has interfered with something in the car. Good Luck with whatever you choose.