Carpokes

I installed two summers ago in 2008 6MT 911 Cab. I found the installation straightforward and I took my time with it. Definitely think you should DIY.

I wanted Sirius and installed the antenna under the cowl by the windshield wipers, and the GPS antenna as well (although I’m not using the PCCM+ NAV running the wires back to the unit via the existing hole in the firewall in driver footwell, phone antenna in front of the steering wheel hidden as per guidance. i wasn’t interested in a backup camera. One benefit of putting these under the cowl is there is room to store the excess cable as behind the PCCM+ unit gets pretty tight.

Tons of DIY videos, instruction steps, pictures, and tips available if you search around. In another popular Porsche bulletin board, a “hack” is described that moves the CarPlay USB to come out of the rear of the unit, and an unused non-CarPlay USB function moves to the USB slot in the front. It does require you to open the unit up and get some wire pin connectors from AliExpress or the like. No soldering. I was nervous about “opening the unit and messing around” but pictures and instructions were clear, links for the cables, and I completed the hack with no difficulty. I’m super happy I did. It allows me to run a CarPlay cord from the back of the unit down out through the cubby in front of the shifter, so that the cord stays always connected, yet out of the way when not in use. Others have done this hack and put a Bluetooth unit in their glovebox to have Bluetooth connectivity for CarPlay (or the Android counterpart).

I had already burned most of my CDs to FLAC files to store in an Audi media file system in another car. I bought a nearly-flush USB drive, put my FLAC (it might not be FLAC I might have converted them to another format) files on that, and have it plugged into the front USB slot (which the ‘hack’ enabled). It doesn’t show album art, but net-net is I have all of my music available, in addition to CarPlay, without cords hanging out of the front of the unit or needing to mess with CDs. I had previously installed the Rennline Exact fit phone mount so everything is handy, neat-and-tidy.

Another advantage of doing it yourself is you scan wrap the excess cord, connectors, etc. In foam or bubbler wrap when you insert the new unit to eliminate any possible rattles behind the unit.

As others have reported, screen sensitivity can be sluggish. But I like that it’s appearance matches the rest of the car, I retained the PCM info that shows in the instrument cluster, have a knob for volume. I use phone + CarPlay for navigation and/or listening to books on long trips, but otherwise get by with Sirius and the music on the USB drive and appreciate being able to keep my phone in my pocket (if I even take it with me) on short trips.

I find the sound better than the old unit (especially music from the USB), but I’m in a noisy Cabriolet with crappy Porsche speakers and Gundo-hacked exhaust so I’m not going for Audiophile.

Bottom line is I think you should DIY. Do your research and you will find all the guidance needed to have a successful install (with add’l capability if you do the USB hack.

I Had an Indy install a PCCM plus in a 2007 C2 S. Big improvement and it works perfectly. If I recall correctly (my son has the car now), it was not Wireless. However, he has an add-on Bluetooth device that makes it wireless.

Of course, that alternative is not available for my 2010 turbo. I installed, personally, Mr. 12 V. The installation is not for the faint of heart, but if I can do it most anybody can. I bought it from Roman Goldin and he was great providing support. I like it and it works well.

The Mr. 12 V has recently become available for my 2016 Cayenne. However, so far, I have been happy with connecting my iPhone to the PCM via Bluetooth for music. I prefer having Apple maps on my iPhone anyway and have not missed CarPlay too much so far.