996 - CD Disc Changer Question

My local dealer showed me the spec of an '04 model 996 (C4S). It was, as usual, priced much higher than similar models from independent or private sources but did have the balance of the Porsche warranty (3 months) + a further 12 months of the Porsche Approved Warranty. However, the spec was a bit strange. It had the Bose Sound System (digital, MOST bus) but no CD changer. Is this usual? I would have thought that anyone who specs a Bose Sound System would, by default, spec the CD Autochanger option as well? Instead, the spec just says 'Standard Radio' which I believe is the single-slot CD/Radio. The dealer said that a CD Autochanger could not be fitted aftermarket onto this car as it did not have the 'CD Preparation' option. Is this correct? I didn't realise that 'CD Preparation' was an option.

Post 03 MY 996s used fibre optic connections for the ICE etc. This did cause quite a few problems with retro-fit of aftermarket, or even factory, options. However, I thought that this had now been overcome. But, for an OPC to add a 6-disc CD changer, with the correct connector harness, is expensive. About £1000, I think.

Changer is an option, even with Bose. My friend did the CDC-4 retrofit on a 2003 Boxster with MOST. It can be done on a 2004 C4S with MOST. Porsche has issued instructions on how to do the retrofit. The only difference with a AWD is how the changer mounts and a different fiber optic kit. In the US we never had a cd changer prep option. I understand that in the UK this was a no cost option on the pre MOST cars. The option code was 689. I doubt if this option exists with a UK MOST 996, but someone claimed it does on a UK 987. All I know for sure is that we never had a prep option but we were always able to retrofit a changer. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=512&st=20 http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2429

Thanks for the replies. I was just under the impression that you just bolt the CD changer on! After all, this particular car has Bose already and MOST. Wouldn't the CDC-4 just plug into the MOST bus? The salesman said it couldn't be done as 'CD Preparation' wasn't originally specified.

When the MOST cars first came out I was also told by a salesperson that a changer could not be retrofitted as that is what he was told at some traning thing. I subsequently asked a mechanic friend in the shop and he said it could be done. Then finally Porsche issued instructions on how to do the retrofit so we could figure it out for ourselves. Then we did it. We, is really the owner of the car, Raman. You hook up 3 electrical wires and the fiber optics. But then you need a PST2/PIWIS to tell this MOST system that a new component has been added. So after everything was hooked up my mechanic friend turned it on. It is expensive compared to the pre most changer we installed in the past. The CDC-4 fiber optic changer is made by Becker but Becker will not sell it to the public. You can only buy it from Porsche so you know what that mean$. There is also the time to take the trim out of the car and run the 3 wires from the trunk into the passenger compartment. This me me getting in the way while Raman is hooking up the fiber optic cables.

I seem to recall the price list saying that the CD changer was fitted at the factory and that retrofitting was more complex. Tool pants is of course right - we know what that mean$ !

Yes, it is much cheaper to get the changer as an option rather than adding it later. This is also true with the 997/987. Pay Por$che now, or pay Por$$$che later.

Thanks for all the info guys. I think i've solved this problem. The Porsche $tealer is prepared to add the CDC-4 (including the wiring harness) if I commit to buying the car for free. There's only the small matter of finance to sort out!