PCCM plus

[kindlethespirit]

In 2017 my home burned and I had nowhere to store the Boxster. I sold it and have regretted it everyday. Anyway, I contacted the owner that I sold to, but it's not for sale so I found a beautiful 996.

Has anyone installed the PCCM plus in your 986? How is the sound quality and functionality?

[Radman]

Originally Posted by kindlethespirit

In 2017 my home burned and I had nowhere to store the Boxster. I sold it and have regretted it everyday. Anyway, I contacted the owner that I sold to, but it's not for sale so I found a beautiful 996.

Has anyone installed the PCCM plus in your 986? How is the sound quality and functionality?

I haven't seen too many people here install it. Think I read one review where the person wasn't really thrilled with it in that it did nothing to improve sound quality but the factory fit and finish was nice. I'll likely do it at some point. I have a cheap Sony CarPlay in there now that does a fair job for what it is. But I would like that factory look but combine it with an aftermarket amp to drive the speakers I have in there now.

Please do post back if you do it and what your experience is.

[KevinH1990]

There aren't any reviews on the Pelican Parts website, but there are some here on other websites.

[kindlethespirit]

I'm scheduled in for August 8th to install the PCCM plus. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Stl-986]

I would not expect it to sound any different at all. It's going to be pretty much the same since you will have the same 20 year old speakers in the car. Basically an expensive radio for keeping the Porsche name on it.

Unless you replace the speakers & amp no radio is going to sound better then what is original. Plus it's a convertible so it's never going to sound all that great to begin with.

[Radman]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

I would not expect it to sound any different at all. It's going to be pretty much the same since you will have the same 20 year old speakers in the car. Basically an expensive radio for keeping the Porsche name on it.

Unless you replace the speakers & amp no radio is going to sound better then what is original. Plus it's a convertible so it's never going to sound all that great to begin with.

Agree. But, it can be made to sound at least decent with those upgrades. I'm not an audiophile thankfully lol! One of the benefits of the PCCM + is of course the stock look but also some manual controls which are sorely lacking on modern radios. I went with a cheap Sony HU for the primary reasons of an actual volume knob so I didn't have to look away from the road to change the volume and the added bonus of a front facing USB port.

[Stl-986]

My opinion, the only reason to go with the pccm is for looks only. It's going to have the same quality output as a $90 radio you can get at Walmart of Best Buy.

[Radman]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

My opinion, the only reason to go with the pccm is for looks only. It's going to have the same quality output as a $90 radio you can get at Walmart of Best Buy.

Disagree a bit here. Sound wise, yes. But it also includes Apple CarPlay and Nav IIRC. It will likely last longer as well. It's not worth what they're asking though IMO, unless you really want to have the factory look.

[Stl-986]

Haven't seen any pccm with carplay. Nav yea, but, it's usually outdated. Porsche (actually all car mfg) dont make their own radios, they have someone else make them...along with amps, speakers, etc. Just to their specs. Any decent name brand is going to last just as long. Cheap ones from Amazon....lucky if they work out of the box.

Other then factory look, any current aftermarket HU is a better vault. Yes they will most likely be a double din, but, a better bang for you $. I dont put in any system now that doesn't have android auto & carplay. someone asks me to put in something I just have them go to BestBuy cause chances are they aren't going to do anything else to make the entire system sound good/better. Dont hae to spend a lot to get a good sounding system in these cars.

Just think that for what the pccm is, it just isn't worth the money in a brand new car...let alone one 20 years old. Plus if it doesn't have android auto it may put off the next buyer unless they have an iphone.

[Smallblock454]

The Porsche PCCM products are designed by Krämer Automotive:
https://www.kraemerautomotive.com
https://www.kraemerautomotive.com/en/products/

Krämer Automotive is a supplier for Porsche. But they also offer their products as retrofit systems for JLR, Mercedes and other companies.

Their products are made in China. So same thing as Apple.

Sound quality will not improve massively. This is more an amps and loudspeaker chassis and crossover, EQ and time alignment problem.

[Gilles]

Hello Marcus, I sent you a PM, thanks!

[Goldenzrule]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

I would not expect it to sound any different at all. It's going to be pretty much the same since you will have the same 20 year old speakers in the car. Basically an expensive radio for keeping the Porsche name on it.

Unless you replace the speakers & amp no radio is going to sound better then what is original. Plus it's a convertible so it's never going to sound all that great to begin with.

I disagree. I installed a Sony double din with Android Auto in my previous 986S. I did not change the amp or speakers at first and it made a world of difference. I later upgraded the dash speakers and it was a minimal increase, nothing compared to the difference with changing from the CDR220 to the Sony.

[Goldenzrule]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Haven't seen any pccm with carplay. Nav yea, but, it's usually outdated. Porsche (actually all car mfg) dont make their own radios, they have someone else make them...along with amps, speakers, etc. Just to their specs. Any decent name brand is going to last just as long. Cheap ones from Amazon....lucky if they work out of the box.

Other then factory look, any current aftermarket HU is a better vault. Yes they will most likely be a double din, but, a better bang for you $. I dont put in any system now that doesn't have android auto & carplay. someone asks me to put in something I just have them go to BestBuy cause chances are they aren't going to do anything else to make the entire system sound good/better. Dont hae to spend a lot to get a good sounding system in these cars.

Just think that for what the pccm is, it just isn't worth the money in a brand new car...let alone one 20 years old. Plus if it doesn't have android auto it may put off the next buyer unless they have an iphone.

PCCM+ also does not have any camera inputs for reverse or other cameras. IF you would like to add it, you will be out of luck.

[JFP in PA]

I have never understood why people buy these wildly overpriced technically outdated systems. ALL versions of the PCCM are absolute junk, 10 years (or more) out of date technically, expensive beyond reason, and ridiculously costly to keep updated. Remember the "factory cell phone" option in the early 2000 Boxster's? Nearly $4,000 to buy and went dead within two years because they were all analog system phones which disappeared from North America carriers when they all went digital.

Car manufacturers are the last place on earth to shop for this kind of technology.

[Gilles]

..

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I have never understood why people buy these wildly overpriced technically outdated systems. ALL versions of the PCCM are absolute junk,

Hello JFP, I was trying to get a NAV unit for my 981CS but as you mention it is very expensive, by any chance do you know of a good aftermarket unit that would not look out of place and would be compatible with the OEM system? (which is not a good one BTW)

I would like to upgrade the speakers as well without spending a fortune.. which options are out there?

Unfortunately, this is an area which I don't have ANY experience (or clue) whatsoever, but would like to keep the OEM look, thanks!

[JFP in PA]

There are a LOT of quality systems out there, which one is "best" is subjective to individual tastes and needs. You can spend anywhere from hundreds to thousands depending upon the features the meet your personal requirements.

[Stl-986]

best place to start is crutchfield.com so you can get an idea and then put your budget together & then figure out your needs/wants. More options here then tire options.

[Gilles]

Thank you all for the suggestions, after browsing through Crutchfield's website I realized that I am not familiar with this technology, the website cannot confirm the fitting for my car and I would like to keep the CD, perhaps I would be better off to go to a specialty shop and ask them for the options.. I do regret not keeping myself updated with the electronic technology.. :-(

[Stl-986]

Any double din radio will fit (search on this to get more info). Any single din will fit too if you dont want anything other then radio & cd/usb. Not sure what you put in on the site but it's had no problems with their fitment process, especially for a radio. Speakers can trip it up, but thats pretty easy also.

[elav]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Thank you all for the suggestions, after browsing through Crutchfield's website I realized that I am not familiar with this technology, the website cannot confirm the fitting for my car and I would like to keep the CD, perhaps I would be better off to go to a specialty shop and ask them for the options.. I do regret not keeping myself updated with the electronic technology.. :-(

Gilles, your original ask was a head unit that has turn-by-turn nav and can still play CDs. Assuming you have a smartphone (Android or iPhone) you will be best served finding a head unit that supports Android Auto (if you have an Android) or Apple CarPlay if you have an iPhone. Most head units support both. This will allow you to use your phone for navigation and smartphones have the latest maps, traffic congestion, etc. This will also allow you to use your smartphone for music and calls via the head unit (and perhaps removing your need for the head unit to play CDs).

Assuming you want a head unit that can connect to a smartphone, the next option is how it will connect. Older units require you to plug your smartphone into a cord to connect and newer units allow you to do this wirelessly. The only advantage of plugging it in is that it will charge your smartphone while plugged in.

Other options in head units are size of screen, support for HD radio (which i recommend), support for satellite radio and whether it can play a CD or support a CD changer.

This should at least get you started. I'm sure others will add to this...