996 MK1 cupholder retrofit. (DIY)

So as promised long ago I would post a DIY thread about this option OBJECTIVE : install facelift cupholders to a 1998 Carrera TIME REQUIRED : 1-2 hours in a peaceful no-rush pace. PARTS NEEDED : first of all, it is not enough with only the vents and the cupholders themselves, of course a handy man can customize the old trim panel but I assume it is not worth spending time so you NEED all 4 bits in the picture TOOLS REQUIRED * T20 torx head screWdriver * Flathead screwdriver * Soft glove or piece of cloth * Saw/grinder * Small pliers I assume that the process described can be applied to any 996 and presumably Boxter as well, I know there is the option of audi/vw style oem cupholders for MK1 996, but I hate the look of those and in my case I would have to lose the oem Satnav (which is more or less useless today but I do like the look of it) so lets begin: the ''before" picture step one using a flathead screwdriver pry of the trim surrounding radio/satnav (no tricks comes easily off) [imghttp://content31-foto.inbox.lv/albums/r/riddler777/DIY-stuff/DSC05796.sized.jpg?1428158961[/img] same on the other side trim removed next: you need to disconect switches, use the same flathead screwdriver, the connectors sit rather tightly, so be gentle after the connectors are disconnected and trims removed this is what you should see the radio frame attaches to the dash with 4 torx screws you need to undo those, this is where the torx T20 screwdriver comes in handy TIP just before removing the radio/satnav put the glove on the gear selector/shifter, it is necessary for protecting the shifter against scratching, as the underside of the radio/satnav has sharp edges and is relatively heavy, and will sit on the lever while you are disconnecting the wires IMPORTANT NOTE find your radio security code if you have it, once the radio/satnav is removed it will request it when you put it later back in. the radio comes out with a little force pull it slowly towards you, no tricks behind this, but it can be seated rather tightly disconnect the connectors. radio connectors sit very strongly in place. the radio removed with frame remove the radio satnav from the surrounding frame: press the fixing points on both sides of the radio once that is done, you have to remove the metal frame, that will have to be refitted to the "new" frame it comes of very simply, just pry off the small metal strips and it slides out frame removed install the frame in the new plastic frame, this is a bit tricky, since the opening on the new one is a bit wider some 8-10mm so you have to be a bit more creative with those metal strips and the small pliers next - slide the frame over the radio unit make sure it seats correctly and the spring fixings click into place now it should look like this install the cupholders by simply sliding them into the frame make sure that also seats in correctly and the springs click in place next step before installation is to remove the metal frame that is seated in/behind the dash it is seated with 2 t20 torx screws you won't need this anymore next step is where the saw/grinder comes into action notice that the vent on the right is longer, the heater in prefacelift cars has the vent channel of different shape in comparison to the facelift heater, so as this is buried deep inside the dash and is rather hard to access, I trimmed the new vents according to the shape of the old ones wont show how mine were trimmed since that end is invisible anyway TIP in order to avoid any rattles and sqeaks, I suggest to put a self attaching wool or dense cloth pads in the rails of the air vents as they install rather freely last step remove the switches your car had originally and install those in the new trim and install the new trim in place, that simply pushes in place until it clicks input the radio code

there is a small crease noticeable, for the prefacelift PCM1, I don't notice it myself, and with one din radios there is no problem at all enjoy the cupholders so hope you like the thread and it is useful to some novice Porsche owners, nothing difficult in doing this. Hope this was helpful

Nice write up! Enjoy!

begining to think that if someone has a dead PCM1 screen from a car with these cupholders I could purchase that, just for the front cover and buttons, not that this one bothers me but since the buttons are bit worn and to replace those I would have to disassemle the PCM anyway

I respect it but your beverage will be up high for all (the law) to see. Could be a little fragile with that plastic hanging and extended. I've posted this before and it works great. A hole saw, the insert from Pelican and some professional upholstery and you're done. Glued it in with a little silicon sealer so it will come off easy if you want to clean the insert. Only criticism on the forum is the compromised place to rest your elbow but mine rests on the front lip so not a factor. You solution has a much better finish when closed but I have been very happy with my console solution.

dont you hit those botles with your elbow?

Nice write up! It doesn't help me one bit as I could care less about the cup holder. I thought you deserved the props for doing such a good and thorough job though!!!

Bottles are for amateurs. Pros go with red solos.

Very nice write-up. Thank you for taking the time to share.

I enjoyed the read and bonus, PICS!

Great write up and photos. I went the easy way out. $7 for the holder which slips into the seat space and can be reversed or removed in a second. And before I get comments on how it looks, I don't give a **** what yawl think. I am not really particular on how it looks. It serves the purpose. Hell I even have small leather boxing gloves hanging from my rear view mirror and a Garmin GPS velcro'd to the dash. How the car drives are more important to me and 'doodlebug' drives like a goodun.

Cup holders and glove boxes are overrated on a proper sports car. Auto manufacturers are caving in more and more into "Consumer" demands and not necessarily "Enthusiasts" imo. (ex. lane departure warning(check over your shoulders the old fashion way dumbass), backup sensors(try turning your neck), TPMS(get out and do it the manual way), big **** side mirrors(don't drive if you're that blind), etc. Consumers are dictating how automobiles should be instead of the other way around which is sad. [Rant off]

Looks good! -Luccia

I respect your rant but consumers drive the market. Even though enthusiasts make up a fraction of the market, and given we are influencers, I think I speak for 99% of this forum that wants glove boxers and cup holders. For those who I don't speak for I would encourage you to start a "how to delete a cupholder" thread.

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I agree with your first part and definitely think consumers should drive the market when it comes to appliance cars. However my thinking isn't the same when it comes to niche/specialty/certain performance cars. I can understand that some manufacturers have to stay consistent if they have a broad portfolio of cars to retain the same customer base though.

Do you think the 911 (or our 996's) are niche/specialty/certain performance cars? I guess among all cars maybe a 7 out of 10? As high as 8? Comparable to a Vette? Perhaps some of us are more performance oriented but it looks like a lot of folks just like the brand. Am interested in your opinion Alpine. What do you think?

I realize this is an old thread but wanted to know how to customize a cupholder? I use to own a Saab 9-5t and that cupholder was the best I've ever had. Wondering how/if possible to customize something similar in my '99 996?

Saw this thread, went on Ebay. The cup holder cartridge itself is pricey!!! Ended up buying a complete center stack with vents and other trim for a relatively sweet deal!!! Looks like I�ll be posting my vent mounted cup holders sooner or later!!

I think I’ll go with this kit from Pelican

Tried this swap finally last night and today. I chickened out when it came time to hack up a perfectly good vent to get it into my 996.1. shame too because I really wanted better cup holders. Oh well, vent mounted it will be! if anyone wants a complete center stack from a 996.2, hit me up

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I did just that! Removed cup holders and installed a phone bracket for lap timing and satnav. Has worked perfectly; I'm on my 3rd phone since doing this; each upgrade just involves swapping on a new bracket for the new phone shape. Has been proven on racetracks around the country https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ap-timing.html For me the cupholder question is just a matter of the job at hand. When I'm driving a company vehicle for a work trip, I'm happy for the 47 cupholders and other storage areas, and sometimes wish for more, because of all the tools and junk I'm carrying. When I'm driving the 911, I never feel like it's missing those things, because I don't have a bunch of stuff in the car. Just don't need 'em. For very long trips, FYI a SmartWater bottle is a perfect friction fit between the driver's seat rail and door sill. Easily pulls out by hand, but will never move/rattle/spill on its own.

Update to my post #19 above. I decided not to install the cup holder from Pelican. Instead I used that space for an oil temp gauge ( I made a separate thread on that mod). I still would like cup holders, though. If I could figure out how to modify the console to install them in the area of the ashtray...

https://www.ultimatecupholders.com/ These work for me!

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Hey there, Wondering if you ended up installing these 996.2 air vents after all ? Would you have any pictures ? Cheers