Porsche Classic Radio Nav System

Included with this month's Porsche Post was a brochure for The Porsche Classic Radio navigation system. Now I know we are supposed to be able to find our way by the sun, stars and flight of migrating birds, but personally I have rather taken to sat nav. However, I am not at all clear whether this Porsche system works on the 996. The small print says *Available for Porsche Vehicles up to Boxster (Type 986) and 911 (Type 996) with single DIN aperture. Does up to 996 mean it doesn't include 996 or does the * just refer to the Full installation at your Porsche Centre? So Q1 is does it work on the 996 and Q2 is it any good? Thanks

I'm sure it can be made to work on any Porsche, though the 996 does not come with a single DIN aperture. Up to means up to, but not including , the 996. Is it any good? Im sure it is, but a £100 Tom tom is just as good (possibly better) unless you cannot stand anything stuck on the windscreen.

There were plenty of flies stuck on Nick's windscreen the last time I saw it......[ ]

Personally, I think it would look completely out of place in a 996, so you might as well go for any aftermarket unit. Technically, I think you would have problems fitting it in a MOST equipped 996, or a Pre-MOST with ampliifier, but there is no reason it would not fit into the standard single-DIN slot on a 996.

<This Post> in the Boxster section also suggests you might have problems...

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not quite sure what MOST is but as my car is MY2004 I will assume it has it and therefore the Porsche Classic unit either won't work at all or will be more trouble than it's worth to fit. So on technical grounds that's a no. And as for aesthetics, while I realise I am on shaky ground posting this here, in my view it would be hard to spoil the interior of a 996. After the classic layouts that preceded it, the 996 instrument panel is a horrid squashed up affair. There is no oil temperature gauge and a largely uninteresting voltmeter. Generally speaking the interior has a plasticky feel and the carpets are thin and cheap. So perhaps taken in that context my ancient bulky cathode ray style Tomtom is the correct fitment and if I cobble something together so it sits in the cupholder that should set the whole thing off nicely. Just kidding [ ]

....and more flies to be added at CC on 7 April....see you there.

MOST is the fibre optic loop which transmits signals between head unit, amplifier, CD changer, etc. The only issue you would have in your car is if there was an amplifier. If it has an amp, there are no speaker connections at the head unit end. This means that you would have to bypass the amp, and wire directly to the speaker connections at the amplifier end (in the boot). If there is no amplifier, then the speakers connect direct to the head unit, which would make the Classic Radio almost plug-and-play. The only additional connection you would need is an ignition-switched supply, as the standard head unit doesn't have one. Edit: A complete lash-up, but I suppose it wouldn't look too bad....

I like your double aircon equipped car Richard [ ]

great if you want dual zone control, driver warm, passenger cool. it'll be an option soon[ ]

He is twice as cool...[8D]

Richard, Would you be able to make a " look a like for me " of this unit fitted to a 944 as I am thinking about purchasing one? Many thanks

No need for anyone to say it - I'm rubbish at this.........

Richard, thanks for that mate that was kind of you, as you are totally rubbish at this kind of thing would you mind trying again for me?[ ][ ]

Here you go:

well done richard, I think thats a quality lash up! [ ] I would of actually been interested in having one but the deciding factor (apart from the current would it actually fit problem) is the apparent lack of a DAB radio...everything seems DAB equipped these days and they seemed to have missed this crucial feature

Richard, You sir are a gent, thank you went to OPC today and had a look at one in the flesh so to speak ....excellant

I would worry about the size of the display and it being sited away from the eyeline. At least with Tom Tom et al the are screen mounted and easier to read.

I tend to agree with you Ashley. I have a 5.8" screen double-DIN unit in the top position, and even that is a bit small for my tired old eyes. Driving in reading glasses doesn't work either....

There seems to be lots of confusion as to which models this unit can be fitted into. Including confusion with some dealers. Bristol OPC tried fitting one in my 2003 986 recently, after telling me not to worry, it would fit. But of course, it didn't. Actually, it did fit but not surprisingly it is not compatible with MOST. So the true picture is that it will fit everything up to and including 986 and 996 models but not those with MOST. Which is facelift models MY2003 onwards, I believe. That said, I also understand that if you have a poverty spec CDR23 with no amp or extra speakers etc then any independent could probably wire this unit up to the speakers for you, bypassing MOST completely. OPCs will not do this though, not officially anyway. Having seen one in the flesh they actually look very good, and not nearly so retro as Porsche would have you believe. If they hadn't called it "classic" nobody would have thought it looked old fashioned. It hardly looks like a period 1970s piece does it?