The PCM Debate. Spec it or Not - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hi Folks, Lock down on new Spyder - 20th Feb. Have emailed provisional spec to OPC & did include PCM. But in all honesty I hardly use the PCM in my Gen 2 997. There seems to be a divide in the consensus to spec it or not. Some seem to say you must spec for resale & others saying apps like Waze are just as good if not better & current PCM version isn't that great. So it got me thinking - I rarely use my current PCM & I hope to keep the Spyder for some. I think the resale argument possibly holds if you intend to sell a new car say within three years. I'am now leaning towards specing CDR Plus instead. Am I right in thinking if I went for CDR Plus it has the nav buttons but not the nav software so I guess I or whoever buys my car eventually can get the software added at a latter date if desired. I noticed SHMEE clips on you tube with his GT4 & McLaren uses a mobile phone with a natty phone carrier attached to the windscreen. Thoughts?

If you rarely use it, why spec it as it is very expensive and given that you get same/similar screen whether or not it is specified I don't see the point. I have never spec'd it on any of my Porsche's (though have spec'd sat nav on other cars which I use more for touring rather than week end blasts!). The old resale argument dopesn't hold much water in my book. You'll never recover the initial outlay.

Are you speccing the car for yourself or for someone else? If you are rarely going to use it and intend keeping the car, why bother?

I have a CGTS on order and I decided not to go for PCM. I wanted DAB, so that's a £3k option all-in if you have nav. I went CDR plus for £1000 and 'saved' myself £2k which I spent on the GTS interior package which I can appreciate every drive, unlike the nav which I might have used every few months. Spec the car for you, not for someone else, unless you're planning on changing it every year or two then I can sort of see the resale arguments.

Same sentiments as the others have said so far... Spec the car as you want it. I never specced pcm in my 987 spyder because I use a standalone garmin unit instead if I need nav for a trip. (But I actually like using a road map... Remember them!!) Most the aftermarket stuff or even free apps are better than some of the oem stuff anyway. I haven't seen any price variations on 987 spyder which are attributed to pcm or no pcm. Seats, wheel and gearbox type matter most. The 'purest' models of 987 or 981 are meant to have no radio, aircon or pcm fitted! I think it matters on some models with regards resale a lot more than on others. I still think the 981 spyder is a niche area of the range and far less sensitive to pcm being specced or not. How far do you take worrying what the next person wants? There will always be some who will want it but just as many who don't care. It's a limited model and as such I don't think it makes any odds. Whereas a 997/991 Carrera S will come in many colours and specs but with vastly more choice in the market, things like pcm may make it shift faster than a comparable spec car without. But even then, it makes it more sellable not necessarily more expensive. It's just not an issue which will affect the spyder. I'd personally put the money to other uses... Road trip, holiday, save it or spec other nice bits you fancy and would enjoy having on the car.

Well, to provide some balance, if i was in the market for a Spyder i wouldn't contemplate your car if i found it without a PCM less. Even with something more focused like the Spyder, it's still useful to have a sat nav if you want to travel to a track day or go on a road trip. I hate, hate, HATE the TomToms and the like where you have to stick them to the dash; they inevitably fall off and then take ten minutes before they pick up a GPS signal. Really depends what you're doing with the car though. If it's a 'keeper', then do what you like. If not, i'd ask your dealer how much they'd shaft you if you brought it back to them, because i imagine they'd say "This will take quite a while to sell with this spec Sir, so we're going to have a put in an offer to reflect this..."

Thanks Folks. Think the majority feel the way I'am leaning towards. Specing CDR Plus instead of PCM I save £1100 - I also get DAB with the CDR Plus but not online services unfortunately. The PCM is a nice to have but can't see myself hardly using it tbh.

While I think it would be more difficult to sell without PCM, unless you are thinking of selling it in the next year, I really can't see you getting any less than adding PCM would cost - so can't see any reason to spec it if you won't use it. That said, I personally don't agree that freestanding alternatives are "better". I have an up-market Garmin and, yes, it does have functions that PCM doesn't, and is VASTLY better value, but it isn't as convenient as a built in one, it's display isn't as good dual PCM ones, and it isn't as well integrated with phone and other audio facilities. I often use phone based solutions too, but none of them imo come close to PCM in convenience.

I have spec'd it on mine. Would the following of sold quicker if spec'd - http://www.romansinternational.com/car/1106/porsch...

If you are keeping the car and not flipping it quickly, which would be my advice given the ones not shifting at high premiums then I wouldn't spec it! My OPC said I would be bonkers not to spec it on the GT4 and they wouldn't even spec a standard Boxtser for the show room without it, that slighted my own feelings at the time and in the end I added it, I probably shouldn't have but it was a pressured decision at the last minute! The Romans car isn't shifting at the minute because of the lack of PCM however I don't think that will be a problem when the weather starts to warm up. If it wasn't for the GT4 consuming my funds I would be sorely tempted to make them an offer! So if this is for you and you're not looking to shift quickly don't bother, modern Nav Apps (even Google maps) are better than the standard PCM nav! Put the money towards some nice interior pieces or good chunk off the PCCB's!

apachesmith said: If you are keeping the car and not flipping it quickly, which would be my advice given the ones not shifting at high premiums then I wouldn't spec it! My OPC said I would be bonkers not to spec it on the GT4 and they wouldn't even spec a standard Boxtser for the show room without it, that slighted my own feelings at the time and in the end I added it, I probably shouldn't have but it was a pressured decision at the last minute! The Romans car isn't shifting at the minute because of the lack of PCM however I don't think that will be a problem when the weather starts to warm up. If it wasn't for the GT4 consuming my funds I would be sorely tempted to make them an offer! So if this is for you and you're not looking to shift quickly don't bother, modern Nav Apps (even Google maps) are better than the standard PCM nav! Put the money towards some nice interior pieces or good chunk off the PCCB's! Thanks. Think you are right. Whilst I have a tendency to change cars every two years (this time will be a year that I have had the 997). I am intending to keep this one for a few years. Def leaning towards changing my spec to CDR Plus. Have PEC day this Saturday & intend to also have a look at the latest PCM & few other things. Agree - Romans car will shift once weather picks up. Edited by Andrew911 on Monday 18th January 12:55

Andrew911 said: apachesmith said: If you are keeping the car and not flipping it quickly, which would be my advice given the ones not shifting at high premiums then I wouldn't spec it! My OPC said I would be bonkers not to spec it on the GT4 and they wouldn't even spec a standard Boxtser for the show room without it, that slighted my own feelings at the time and in the end I added it, I probably shouldn't have but it was a pressured decision at the last minute! The Romans car isn't shifting at the minute because of the lack of PCM however I don't think that will be a problem when the weather starts to warm up. If it wasn't for the GT4 consuming my funds I would be sorely tempted to make them an offer! So if this is for you and you're not looking to shift quickly don't bother, modern Nav Apps (even Google maps) are better than the standard PCM nav! Put the money towards some nice interior pieces or good chunk off the PCCB's! Thanks. Think you are right. Whilst I have a tendency to change cars every two years (this time will be a year that I have had the 997). I am intending to keep this one for a few years. Def leaning towards changing my spec to CDR Plus. Have PEC day this Saturday & intend to also have a look at the latest PCM & few other things. Agree - Roamns car will shift once weather picks up. The instructor I had at the PEC day before Christmas was also getting a Spyder and he laughed at me when I said PCM.... He said LWB and PCCB's where the first two options he ticked! didn't bother with PCM went CDR plus. Hes gone white with the Porsche Motorsports stickers with Silver wheels which hes going to have treated! Sounded a very nice car indeed! Ask about when you are there they should point you in his direction.... Just don't let them show you the PCCB vs Steel brakes weight comparison..... Its an expensive thing to do..... I managed to resist, just, under fear of my wife divorcing me and costing me more money than the car itself!!!

apachesmith said: The instructor I had at the PEC day before Christmas was also getting a Spyder and he laughed at me when I said PCM.... He said LWB and PCCB's where the first two options he ticked! didn't bother with PCM went CDR plus. Hes gone white with the Porsche Motorsports stickers with Silver wheels which hes going to have treated! Sounded a very nice car indeed! Ask about when you are there they should point you in his direction.... Just don't let them show you the PCCB vs Steel brakes weight comparison..... Its an expensive thing to do..... I managed to resist, just, under fear of my wife divorcing me and costing me more money than the car itself!!! very funny. Had a PEC day in the CGTS last year. Have since changed my mind & gone for the Spyder. Really enjoyed the day. Sorry LWB? Have mental blank - long wheel base is lodged in my brain I'am sure I won't be persuaded with PCCBs.

Andrew911 said: apachesmith said: The instructor I had at the PEC day before Christmas was also getting a Spyder and he laughed at me when I said PCM.... He said LWB and PCCB's where the first two options he ticked! didn't bother with PCM went CDR plus. Hes gone white with the Porsche Motorsports stickers with Silver wheels which hes going to have treated! Sounded a very nice car indeed! Ask about when you are there they should point you in his direction.... Just don't let them show you the PCCB vs Steel brakes weight comparison..... Its an expensive thing to do..... I managed to resist, just, under fear of my wife divorcing me and costing me more money than the car itself!!! very funny. Had a PEC day in the CGTS last year. Have since changed my mind & gone for the Spyder. Really enjoyed the day. Sorry LWB? Have mental blank - long wheel base is lodged in my brain I'am sure I won't be persuaded with PCCBs. Light Weight Bucket Seats - (One piece 918 Seats) That's what I said as well.... they are very subtle but you do end up spec'ing things you didn't think you needed after the day!

apachesmith said: Light Weight Bucket Seats - (One piece 918 Seats) That's what I said as well.... they are very subtle but you do end up spec'ing things you didn't think you needed after the day! Of course! Yeah would like to sit in cars with the standard buckets & LWBs; the big BUT is that i don't think you can have heated seats with LWBs. As mine will be a daily drive (albeit only 10 mile round trip to work); heated seats are nice. The LWBs would have to really blow me away.

Andrew911 said: apachesmith said: Light Weight Bucket Seats - (One piece 918 Seats) That's what I said as well.... they are very subtle but you do end up spec'ing things you didn't think you needed after the day! Of course! Yeah would like to sit in cars with the standard buckets & LWBs; the big BUT is that i don't think you can have heated seats with LWBs. As mine will be a daily drive (albeit only 10 mile round trip to work); heated seats are nice. The LWBs would have to really blow me away. To be fair if you want heated seats then the standard buckets are great. The only upside to the LWB is the fact you can raise them up if you're of the gravitationally challenged variety!

apachesmith said: To be fair if you want heated seats then the standard buckets are great. The only upside to the LWB is the fact you can raise them up if you're of the gravitationally challenged variety! No height adjustment on the standard buckets? I would say I'am average height (5'9"). I have my seat as low as possible in the 997; but you sit higher in a 997/991 than in a 981. I quite like the fact you sit lower (or feels that way) in a 981 than a 997/991.

Andrew911 said: No height adjustment on the standard buckets? I would say I'am average height (5'9"). I have my seat as low as possible in the 997; but you sit higher in a 997/991 than in a 981. I quite like the fact you sit lower (or feels that way) in a 981 than a 997/991. No the standard buckets are fixed! I would have thought it wont cause an issue for your height!

People who don't spec it will defend their choice,personally I would want it.

Just to add to the confusion Porsche have signed up to Apple Car Play although not sure when it's rolling out across the range. I am no expert on it but was told iPhone owners can use the phones features calls,music,messaging navigation etc. I am sure there is someone on here who is more wise to its features than me.

Pete88 said: Just to add to the confusion Porsche have signed up to Apple Car Play although not sure when it's rolling out across the range. I am no expert on it but was told iPhone owners can use the phones features calls,music,messaging navigation etc. I am sure there is someone on here who is more wise to its features than me. Wish they've introduce it before the end of the GT4 line, but I very much doubt they will.

mdianuk said: Pete88 said: Just to add to the confusion Porsche have signed up to Apple Car Play although not sure when it's rolling out across the range. I am no expert on it but was told iPhone owners can use the phones features calls,music,messaging navigation etc. I am sure there is someone on here who is more wise to its features than me. Wish they've introduce it before the end of the GT4 line, but I very much doubt they will. Sadly the new Spyder doesn't have this.

Pete88 said: Just to add to the confusion Porsche have signed up to Apple Car Play although not sure when it's rolling out across the range. 991.2 gets it first, but the only other one confirmed in the pipeline is the 2017 Macan according to the Apple list.

Its each to their own, but if I was buying second hand (nearly new) I would want it. I guess if I was buying a 3 or 4 year old car I wouldn't be that bothered so long as it had the CDR module.

Have to say - even with PCM 3.0 in the motor, i ALWAYS end up using my phone for live google maps traffic readout...invaluable in saving time on regular (at times choked!) routes in London. PCM is not on the same page in this regard. The latest version going into the 991.2 looks a whole lot better, and to some degree more future-proof as they'll be using web-enabled/updatable software from Google and Apple. At that point Porsche Nav might just be worth spec'ing.

But would anyone pay nearly £3k for it secondhand?

Fl0pp3r said: Have to say - even with PCM 3.0 in the motor, i ALWAYS end up using my phone for live google maps traffic readout...invaluable in saving time on regular (at times choked!) routes in London. PCM is not on the same page in this regard. The latest version going into the 991.2 looks a whole lot better, and to some degree more future-proof as they'll be using web-enabled/updatable software from Google and Apple. At that point Porsche Nav might just be worth spec'ing. This. Until integrated OE navigation is as useful as the leading specialist offers it's an expensive irrelevance. Speccing a car through fear doesn't seem right to me either. Less spec = guaranteed savings if that's what's important.

SidewaysSi said: But would anyone pay nearly £3k for it secondhand? I think the answer, rightly or wrongly is YES - certainly seemed to be the case when I was looking for a SH car (Cayman). The real "bargains" were the ones without PCM. Not sure applies to Spyder's though - that is in a somewhat different market.

bcr5784 said: SidewaysSi said: But would anyone pay nearly £3k for it secondhand? I think the answer, rightly or wrongly is YES - certainly seemed to be the case when I was looking for a SH car (Cayman). The real "bargains" were the ones without PCM. Not sure applies to Spyder's though - that is in a somewhat different market. It's a tough call. I specced PCM and extended leather on my GT4. Not that I want these things but the reality is I don't want a car that proves difficult to move on when the time comes.

bcr5784 said: I think the answer, rightly or wrongly is YES - certainly seemed to be the case when I was looking for a SH car (Cayman). The real "bargains" were the ones without PCM. Not sure applies to Spyder's though - that is in a somewhat different market. I recently bought a Cayman R which is also probably a slightly different market, and along with manual, carbon buckets, sports chrono and PSE, PCM was a must-have option for me. Non-PCM cars were significantly cheaper (certainly 2K), and seemed to hang around for longer.

SidewaysSi said: It's a tough call. I specced PCM and extended leather on my GT4. Not that I want these things but the reality is I don't want a car that proves difficult to move on when the time comes. That's what I did on my initial spec I sent over to the OPC. But realised WTF am I doing that for. Doing it for someone else who will buy my car in a few years time. I will probably change it to CDR Plus, save £1100 & use a different nav product (which is probably arguably better). I think with GT4 & Spyder I doubt it would put people off buying what is a great car. It's a nice box to tick when you are searching for a car but wouldn't put me off.

PCM for me too, but we are all different, enjoy when you get it

Andrew911 said: I will probably change it to CDR Plus, save £1100 you save more than £1100 as CDR Plus includes Sound Package Plus and DAB radio which you have to pay (another £750 or so) for with PCM

SFO said: Andrew911 said: I will probably change it to CDR Plus, save £1100 you save more than £1100 as CDR Plus includes Sound Package Plus and DAB radio which you have to pay (another £750 or so) for with PCM Oh yeah- even better still

Google Maps and CDR+ for my new Spyder. DAB more important to me (for 6Music) if I was buying used. Waze or Google is all I need.

SidewaysSi said: But would anyone pay nearly £3k for it secondhand? No, on a spyder I wouldn't bother, as others have said PSE, buckets, PCCB type options are more important - fomr a tech perspective I would want audio interface and BT

Beaver said: Google Maps and CDR+ for my new Spyder. DAB more important to me (for 6Music) if I was buying used. Waze or Google is all I need. Same for me; the truth is I found the current PCM nav inferior to a smart phone and I rarely need nav anyway. DAB and USB music however I use daily.