987/997 Aftermarket Head Unit Upgrade Options? - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi Guys My CDR24 is on its last legs and i feel now is a good time to upgrade the head unit / speakers in the car to refresh it. Ideally i'm looking at replacing it with an aftermarket Carplay system Double DIN with matching Silver fascia plate. I've had a look on the PCGB forums and it looks as though the Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB is a common upgrade, is this a good option? I was hoping to replace with the official PCCM+ headunit that's recently come out from Porsche but it looks like they've only targeted the 986/996 era cars. No update at the moment on when the 987/997 ranges will come out but its likely to be £1500 for the head unit replacement. I'm out of touch with audio systems or brands i should be looking at so keen to hear from anyone with the same gen car who has done a recent upgrade. Thanks in advance Edited by SarlechS on Saturday 6th November 13:51

I’ve just recently installed that head unit in my Boxster and have to say I’ve been very impressed so far. A huge improvement over the standard one (I had the PCM with Nav etc) and makes the interior look more up to date too. If you e got Bose it’s a bit more expensive as you’ll need the MOST adapter as well but we’ll worth it I’d say.

SarlechS said: I've had a look on the PCGB forums and it looks as though the Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB is a common upgrade, is this a good option? Edited by SarlechS on Saturday 6th November 13:51 Consider these https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... i feel that the buttons and general vibe of them is more Porsche-like than that of the Pioneer.

Fitted the 160DAB to my Spyder…it’s transformed the car in my opinion, superb unit, sound is great, all the apps work seamlessly….thoroughly recommended. Edited by MrVert on Sunday 7th November 11:21

I think the Porsche OEM upgrade will be available for 997.1 early next year. Read it in something like Total 911, not the 997.2 though yet.

julian987R said: SarlechS said: I've had a look on the PCGB forums and it looks as though the Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB is a common upgrade, is this a good option? Edited by SarlechS on Saturday 6th November 13:51 Consider these https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receiver... i feel that the buttons and general vibe of them is more Porsche-like than that of the Pioneer. I have the first one of those. Android auto works great so I'm sure carplay does too, sound improved from standard as well. Best thing is the silver kind of goes with the facia surround, so fits in well - oddly, non-car people often actually think it's a standard Porsche unit, despite the big 'Sony' logo!

Joeigglypuff said: I have the first one of those. Android auto works great so I'm sure carplay does too, sound improved from standard as well. Best thing is the silver kind of goes with the facia surround, so fits in well - oddly, non-car people often actually think it's a standard Porsche unit, despite the big 'Sony' logo! Have you not considered getting the fascia painted or even wrapped to be the same dark silver colour as the rest of the unit below it. I would. Would look much better I feel

julian987R said: Have you not considered getting the fascia painted or even wrapped to be the same dark silver colour as the rest of the unit below it. I would. Would look much better I feel Nope, looks good as it is to me. Never considered wrapping but wouldn't want to paint anything as would always like to know I can revert to original if I ever sell.

appreciate the responses on this guys, especially the ones who have gone to the trouble of posting pictures , i think i'm going to look at the Sony / Pioneer range and go from there, it looks as though most owners go for the mid range carplay / android auto systems (£250-400 range) rather than the flagship £700 jobbies like the Z9200. I looked at the Z9200 and the only benefits it has is DVD/CD player / SD Card options and integrated Wifi (which i presume is just a faster stream for carplay instead of the bluetooth...) none of which i'd use as it looks like the bluetooth is quick enough. I was a little worried it would distract from the original look of the interior but as long as the fascia plate matches i think it looks like a nice subtle upgrade If the PCCM+ is coming out Q1 2022 i'll probably hold fire until then but i guess the argument would be why pay £1500+ if its going to be less functional than a sony/pioneer for a third of the cost? I'm all for Porsche tax but it does seem pretty excessive when its probably a rebranded blaupunkt or something? I'll be looking to add a small amp and i'll upgrade the door speakers while i'm there. Now to find someone to fit it for a reasonable cost

SarlechS said: but as long as the fascia plate matches i think it looks like a nice subtle upgrade well thats the thing, does it? I see no examples of that being the case. Even the black one a few posts above is a different sheen and grain of plastic.

julian987R said: well thats the thing, does it? I see no examples of that being the case. from the examples i've seen on other forums i think it does but of course its still subjective right? i personally am like you, i want no difference between the fascia at the top to the fascia below but again its subjective opinion

SarlechS said: julian987R said: well thats the thing, does it? I see no examples of that being the case. from the examples i've seen on other forums i think it does but of course its still subjective right? i personally am like you, i want no difference between the fascia at the top to the fascia below but again its subjective opinion Its close, but no cigar.

julian987R said: SarlechS said: julian987R said: well thats the thing, does it? I see no examples of that being the case. from the examples i've seen on other forums i think it does but of course its still subjective right? i personally am like you, i want no difference between the fascia at the top to the fascia below but again its subjective opinion Its close, but no cigar. But wrapping it would be a match for the solid plastic finish yes? Meanwhile…back in the real world….you can hardly tell the difference unless it’s either pointed out, or you’re being really picky….

MrVert said: julian987R said: SarlechS said: julian987R said: well thats the thing, does it? I see no examples of that being the case. from the examples i've seen on other forums i think it does but of course its still subjective right? i personally am like you, i want no difference between the fascia at the top to the fascia below but again its subjective opinion Its close, but no cigar. But wrapping it would be a match for the solid plastic finish yes? it might be, certainly an option.

It’s a compelling argument I must admit…..

There’s an OEM fascia plate which fits around any aftermarket double-DIN head units: Swap out the dreadful Fisher Price PCM and you’ll never regret it, as you enjoy the sunlit uplands of DAB radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and an up to date navigation system. Edited by Digga on Tuesday 9th November 08:03

Digga said: There’s an OEM fascia plate which fits around any aftermarket double-DIN head units: Swap out the dreadful Fisher Price PCM and you’ll never regret it, as you enjoy the sunlit uplands of DAB radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and an up to date navigation system. Edited by Digga on Tuesday 9th November 08:03 very surprised at that? when you say OEM you mean directly from Porsche or you mean a third party sell "OEM" like fascias? yours looks decent!

SarlechS said: Digga said: There’s an OEM fascia plate which fits around any aftermarket double-DIN head units: Swap out the dreadful Fisher Price PCM and you’ll never regret it, as you enjoy the sunlit uplands of DAB radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and an up to date navigation system. Edited by Digga on Tuesday 9th November 08:03 very surprised at that? when you say OEM you mean directly from Porsche or you mean a third party sell "OEM" like fascias? yours looks decent! OEM like I think. You really cannot spot the 'join'. I can say the Kenwood DAB headunit is better than many OEM installed items too. Obvioucly the speakers in a GT3 are utter w k, but at least all the peripheral ICE stuff works better than with PCM.

Having Waze is brilliant also, way better than PCM... I think any after-market Nav is probably better than PCM on these cars!

MrVert said: Having Waze is brilliant also, way better than PCM... I think any after-market Nav is probably better than PCM on these cars! Agree re Waze although TBF the Kenwood live traffic alert system is pretty good too.

I fitted a Pioneer SPA-DA250DAB in to my 987.2 Cayman. Really pleased with it, it’s a world apart from the crappy OEM head unit and works perfectly with DAB, streaming music via Bluetooth and for phone calls. I did a write up with photos of the install on the thread in Readers Cars here

AndrewGP said: I fitted a Pioneer SPA-DA250DAB in to my 987.2 Cayman. Really pleased with it, it’s a world apart from the crappy OEM head unit and works perfectly with DAB, streaming music via Bluetooth and for phone calls. I did a write up with photos of the install on the thread in Readers Cars that looks lovely i think its the best one on the market at the moment in terms of bang for buck. Seems to be a lot quicker than the predecessor (230DAB) too How did you fit the DAB aerial? i think it looks horrible being mounted to the front windscreen...did you bother with that? I'm really want it for CarPlay, Spotify, Podcasts and Navigation. Even if i mount the DAB i'll probably hardly use it If you fitted it yourself i might ping you a PM if you don't mind.. I'll check out your write up now

I'd very seriously consider just replacing the double din with a cubby hole and putting a phone mount in instead if it were mine.

AyBee said: I'd very seriously consider just replacing the double din with a cubby hole and putting a phone mount in instead if it were mine. Cubbyhole is ueful for square root of f k all the first time you give it some beans. Conversely, the thing a modern double DIN headunit can do are very useful; Bluetooth Handsfree Proper satnav with a screen way bigger than phone DAB radio

SarlechS said: How did you fit the DAB aerial? i think it looks horrible being mounted to the front windscreen...did you bother with that? In my view, the best place for the DAB antenna is just behind the B-post on the passenger side. Very unobtrusive and very effective, reception-wise. Either route the antenna cable 'up and over' the passenger door (concealed behind the headlining) or you can go 'down and under', under the carpet in the door aperture area and then upwards behind the rear quarter trim. Here's an image of one I fitted to my 991 - I used a PCGB sticker to make it nearly completely invisible, but in any case it's certainly away from line-of-vision. James Edited by short-shift on Wednesday 17th November 17:40

short-shift said: In my view, the best place for the DAB antenna is just behind the B-post on the passenger side. Very unobtrusive and very effective, reception-wise. Either route the antenna cable 'up and over' the passenger door (concealed behind the headlining) or you can go 'down and under', under the carpet in the door aperture area and then upwards behind the rear quarter trim. Here's an image of one I fitted to my 991 - I used a PCGB sticker to make it nearly completely invisible, but in any case it's certainly away from line-of-vision. James Edited by short-shift on Wednesday 17th November 17:40 I think that looks lovely! i was looking at the rear window as an option as i'd never see it but i think behind the b pillar might actually be a better location. I haven't had a chance to check the length of the B pillow window on the Cayman but i know its smaller than the 911's one, if it's big enough to house the aerial i'll probably go with that option. The guy i spoke with at the car audio center was under the impression it HAD to go on the windscreen otherwise it wouldn't get all the reception....I did wonder how that made sense, if it was mounted at the same height and was extracting the same amount of power from the head unit... i presume you still get good reception with you DAB? Definitely something worth considering Appreciate the guidance James! and glad i wasn't the only one that thought it looked a little odd on the front screen

SarlechS said: that looks lovely i think its the best one on the market at the moment in terms of bang for buck. Seems to be a lot quicker than the predecessor (230DAB) too How did you fit the DAB aerial? i think it looks horrible being mounted to the front windscreen...did you bother with that? I'm really want it for CarPlay, Spotify, Podcasts and Navigation. Even if i mount the DAB i'll probably hardly use it If you fitted it yourself i might ping you a PM if you don't mind.. I'll check out your write up now Thanks, very happy with the head unit, it works great. By all means drop me a PM as I did fit it myself, happy to help where I can I like the routing of the DAB behind the B Pillar, that looks very neat. Mines done now, but I really wish I'd thought of doing it like that!

where does everyone recommend i get the fitting kits from? most seem to mention steering wheel interface addon etc - i do not have a multi functional wheel. i just want a fitting kit and an android compatible double din unit i have bose aswell. thankyou

Mirinjawbro said: where does everyone recommend i get the fitting kits from? most seem to mention steering wheel interface addon etc - i do not have a multi functional wheel. i just want a fitting kit and an android compatible double din unit i have bose aswell. thankyou The kits are available online from a few places. The head units, well, world is your lobster. Fit what you like. Mine is a KENWOOD, but loads of other choices, cheaper, better different brand etc. Any good car audio installer would do the job easily. FYI regarding DM, the car is 997 not 987. Gearshift and handbrake are stock GT3.

Mirinjawbro said: where does everyone recommend i get the fitting kits from? most seem to mention steering wheel interface addon etc - i do not have a multi functional wheel. i just want a fitting kit and an android compatible double din unit i have bose aswell. thankyou Steve or the guys at INCARTEC.co.uk will see you right. https://incartec.co.uk/Porsche

Swapped a 7" screen, for the new 9" floating ones. Before : After : Edited by Bibbs on Thursday 18th November 09:49

Hi folks, just about to go through this on my new to me '06 987 Boxster, I have BOSE fitted wondering where does one get the silver fascia plate from. Probably heading down the Pioneer route. Thanks in advance

Bubblecar said: Hi folks, just about to go through this on my new to me '06 987 Boxster, I have BOSE fitted wondering where does one get the silver fascia plate from. Probably heading down the Pioneer route. Thanks in advance Design 911 sell this for £45. I picked this up for £35 on Ebay from Connects2 The model number you want is CT23PO03

Hi all, I have just acquired a 997.1 GT3 and a Kenwood double DIN head unit - the car has the slightly textured grey finish to the AC controls. Can anyone advise which double din facia adapter is the closest match to this? Thanks in advance

Galahad said: Hi all, I have just acquired a 997.1 GT3 and a Kenwood double DIN head unit - the car has the slightly textured grey finish to the AC controls. Can anyone advise which double din facia adapter is the closest match to this? Thanks in advance Hi, I dont own a GT3 so not sure exactly what colour you are looking for but this website holds most of the aftermarket models https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/ct23po04-porsche-9...