Cell Phone and Audio Questions

First, thanks to those who took the time to answer my question last week about whether to trade my 03 996 for a C4S. Regardless of which car you like, everyone's advice to just drive what I've got and like it, was very sound. I'm over it. Also still considering the PSE. I'm waiting for my dealer to give me a price. He started at around $2000 for the parts and about $900 for the install and I've been trying to get them down based on some info I've seen on this rennlist board. Sounds like everyone who has the upgrade loves it. Regarding cell phone installation - it's not clear that the current Motorola V60 phones - with a regular digital service not GSM - will install with the sound system mute feature. I searched the archives and the only install I saw on this board was not totally clear on this issue. Has anyone successfully installed one running through the stereo? I'm having Paris Audio do the work, but they haven't gotten a clear answer from their contacts on whether it'll work with the stereo or not. The fallback is to install the phone without it going through the stereo (which is obviously not first choice) or get a new phone. The only new phones that work well with the stereo operate on GSM services and here in LA, GSM is spotty at best. "Old fashioned" digital from AT&T is more consistent. Second, I'm also doing a "minor" audio upgrade. I have the digital HiFi package now. Seems like the two basic options are (i) upgrade the amp and change out the door speakers and possibly the dash speakers, or (ii) upgrade the amp and add separate subwoofer, leaving the other speakers stock. Most of the upgrades done by people on this board that I've read seem to be a level or three beyond this. For about $1000 - 1500, what route would you advise? Again, Paris will so the work and they will have great advice. I just want to see what you all think since there are obviously some serious audio people in this group. Thanks again for the advice.

Eric, Please don't spend $2900 to get the PSE purchased and installed. If you can live without the on/off switch - and personally, I'd never turn it off - you could have the installation done for about $100 at any Porsche mechanic. You should also be able to find the exhaust itself cheaper than $2000 - I think some of the board sponsers are cheaper, or you could find it on ebay for as low as $900. Just check the recent posts. If you must spend that much money, and you live anywhere near San Francisco, I'd be happy to make a house call and do it for you. I'd even do it for $2500! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Regarding the audio upgrade, I have two suggestions based on my experiences. 1) Wait until after you install the PSE and see whether you really want to spend the money. A lot of folks will tell you that they hardly ever turn on the stereo since installing the exhaust. I definitely listen to mine less than I used to, but when I turn it on and crank it up I'm still happy that I have it. 2) If you decide that you still want the stereo upgrade, listen to your installer. I wanted to do my upgrade one piece at a time, and did them in the following order - head unit & CD changer; amp & door and dash speakers; finally 2 8" subs in a box. The complete system sounds great, but the intermediate states weren't awe-inspiring. Great front speakers won't sound as good without some bass backing them up. I eventually wound up with the system that my installer recommended in the first place, and my total cost was about $2300. Best of luck!

Chris, Thanks for the advice. I haven't heard the PSE in person yet, so I thought the switch would be handy in case I don't like it. I assume you do like it, don't you? Definitely far cheaper without the switch... I'll see what the audio installers suggest - interesting that you say piecemeal didn't really work. I can understand that all too well.

Just to validate what chris said, as a result of the PSE, I too often opt for the music coming from it vs. the speakers. On the audio, the most important component for me is the separate subwoofer. With the top down and the PSE at your rear, it makes a huge difference. Could be a different story in a coupe, though.

Yes, I like the PSE very much! I don't think you have to worry too much about not liking it, but I knew ahead of time what I was getting, since a fellow board member was kind enough to invite me to hear his. If you don't like it, I'd say remove it and get something else. They're easy to get rid of on ebay, although you don't get the "satisfaction guarantee" that some other exhaust manufacturers (GHL, Fabspeed, others?) provide. I agree with ervtx - before I installed the box with the subs, it didn't really sound much better than the stock system. I have a coupe, so the addition of the subs made a huge difference. I think the PSE on a cab would be spectacular - don't know if I'd ever have the top up!

I've got a <a href="http://www.geocities.com/esklut/V60Install.html" target="_blank">V60</a> in my '99 996 Cab and it mutes the radio just fine. You should not have any trouble.

with any phone, you can hook up an adapter to use it with the integration of phone mute. All phone mute does is ground a wire to enable it! This would either require a phone kit to support you phone, and the adapter from bekker, cheap, and puts the audio through it also, or a bluetooth one that does the same as well with the same cable from bekker. FYI your phone power and that mute cable is in the passenger footwell behind the panel for the center console.

I couldn't agree more with Chris. Speakers are funny, the better they are the more help they need, ie amps and subs. I would do what Chris suggested.