Can anyone comment on the PCCM system that's available?

[sullivs]

Hello All,
I'm contemplating shelling out the bucks for the new PCCM (Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus) system for my '02 996TT. It looks great and seems to fit nicely in the older cars. Especially since the old Kenwood system the PO installed really sucks. I've only seen it in one Porsche around here, and the owner likes it. But, I've heard a few folks tell me they decided against it when they compared specs to other systems that are much cheaper.

I wanted to ask here that have purchased and installed it their take (so I can have more than one data point). My questions would include:

does it live up to the advertised expectations?
how easy/hard was it to install? (I plan to do it myself).
does it interface easy with your phone?
how well does the stereo sound?
anything you were surprised about? Either in a good or bad way.

Constructive comments would be welcome.

Thanks much,
Steve

[aboyandhisdog]

Steve, I have no first hand knowledge of this but did watch a pretty good video on the install a couple of weeks ago:



They offer up a lot of comments about it that you may find helpful.

[sullivs]

Thanks Tom,
I’ll watch it.

Appreciate the lead,
Steve

[sullivs]

Hey Tom,

That was a good video, and it certainly gave me confidence that a do-it-yourselfer could install it.

Thank you,
Steve

[aboyandhisdog]

They have a good YT channel with a lot of good info for 996 / 997 cars. I realize you are probably more interested in the unit for a 996, but they make some constructive comments for the 996 also. Good luck!

I wish to keep my CD changer so it seems like I am stuck with the OE unit as best I could tell, the new PCCM or even new after-market units will not support the CD changer.

Let us know how it goes!

[sullivs]

Yes, you are right. There seems to be a trend away from even the CD's now. Getting more and more reliant on the phones doing the heavy lifting for your music library.

Thanks,
Steve

[aboyandhisdog]

I guess I'm waaay behind the times...I don't even use a cell phone! My Mac desktop is really all I need. I need to hire a 10 year old to come over and show me how to use a smart phone!

[buckdarmha]

Hi, first time poster. I bought my 53K miles triple-black 1999 Cab in November 2022. I received it late January 2023, but that’s a story for another post.

It came with an Alpine receiver and CD changer installed. Nothing like 20-year-old silver-faced electronics smack in the middle of your otherwise stock and perfect Porsche black console. So I just received a refurbished Becker CDR-220 with Bluetooth. Looks amazing. But I haven’t installed it yet. I’ll have to map all of the wiring from the Alpine to the new Becker harness first. I did swap out the cassette storage unit for a minty CD storage thing, and that’s kind of retro cool. I’ve since bought about 25 of my favorite CDs, and I’m finding the old school, music only system to be very fulfilling.

Anyway, good luck with the PCCM!

[blueline]

Hi, first time poster. I bought my 53K miles triple-black 1999 Cab in November 2022. I received it late January 2023, but that’s a story for another post.

It came with an Alpine receiver and CD changer installed. Nothing like 20-year-old silver-faced electronics smack in the middle of your otherwise stock and perfect Porsche black console. So I just received a refurbished Becker CDR-220 with Bluetooth. Looks amazing. But I haven’t installed it yet. I’ll have to map all of the wiring from the Alpine to the new Becker harness first. I did swap out the cassette storage unit for a minty CD storage thing, and that’s kind of retro cool. I’ve since bought about 25 of my favorite CDs, and I’m finding the old school, music only system to be very fulfilling.

Anyway, good luck with the PCCM!

Hi there! Your post slipped through the cracks so I just wanted to pass on a welcome to Carpokes and a thank you for joining!

Old school music, however one defines it, is often the best. CD's - I've accumulated a ton of them over the years but they mostly remain unused these day so it's kind of refreshing to know that you've revived their use in your car. Looking forward to the "story for another post" - those kinds of experiences are usually interesting. Carpokes is a picture-friendly site, so post away!

[RickyD]

Hi, I have the PCCM+ installed in my 1998 Boxster. I had it done at the dealership, since the head unit in the car was aftermarket and had all kinds of crazy wires leading to it. I am satisfied with the way it works and looks. Is it perfect ? Not at all, but it’s definitely an improvement, and the touch screen is great, having a screen for gps is great!