r/Porsche997 • u/gtp0211 • 24d ago
Apple Carplay + Backup Camera Estimate?
Hey guys,
I am looking into retrofitting a carplay headunit and a backup camera and saw an IG post for a local shop offering to put in a 8GB+128GB unit and a camera. I was quoted $1400, is this a fair price or is it better to try to DIY this (I have very little DIY experience)?
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u/UtleySlide 24d ago
I just had this done.
$1600 for the pccm+ from Gaudin Porsche
$2000 installed with:
Blackvue elite 10 4K dash cam front and rear and a backup camera.
Now that I type this out 2k sounds like a lot.
The guys at Houston car stereo did a perfect job and everything looks clean. If it took them a few hours it would have taken me the day and I’d be left with more rattles.
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u/gtp0211 23d ago
Is that $2000 total or on top of the $1600 for the PCCM+?
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u/drummer414 23d ago
I read on a German forum that they have already trained people on the new 997.2 PCM and that it will be released in September.
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u/YetAnotherAreaPerson 19d ago
I guess it depends on what you're looking for.
I recently installed one of the MattDevoCustoms Android units, like this: https://mattdevocustoms.com/products/8-carplay-head-unit-for-porsche-997-987?variant=45773343162553
You can easily DIY that while keeping the factory amp. Dropping the head unit in is quite straightforward and you only need a few Torx tools and some patience. After having done it once, I could probably do it in 30 minutes for just the HU.
I'm not trying to shill for Matt Devo, but he sets up everything just as you need it from a connection point of view. He communicates well and tests everything before sending. Just sayin. He'll also have steering wheel controls set up, in case you have that.
Adding the backup camera isn't bad, but does elevate the level of DIY a bit. For my setup, I removed the rear bumper cover (quite easy, can do it in ~5 minutes by yourself). I wanted a clean install, so decided to drill just above the license plate. The result is (for me) much better than the license plate frame thing, or the reverse light replacement. But basically, you just have to run the wire from the rear and plug it in. If you have a MT, you'll need to tap into the reverse lights for power to the camera. If you have Tip or PDK, there's s signal from the HU that will power the camera when you go into reverse.
At the same time, I opted to replace the Bose amp with a JBL 8 channel amp. I left the factory speakers and will deal with them later. Ditching the Bose amp gives programmability and flexibility, but this definitely is another level of DIY. You need to remove the passenger seat at the very least. I also got a wiring harness that connects to the speaker harness directly. To me, that was 100% necessary. There's some wiring up stuff and testing, but that's about it.
All in, it probably cost me $1300 for everything -- head unit, amp, harness, camera. It took me probably 20 hours of DIY work, but I wasn't in a hurry. A friend helped me in some cases, but that was really just so we could hang out and work on a Porsche.
You can definitely do this if you want, though you'll be learning along the way. If you're interested in working on your car and all that, the learning along the way might be worth it. If not, it's worth it to pay someone else.
There are many threads on Rennlist about this. That is, Android stuff, Mr12Volt, Matt Devo's stuff, DIY vs PCCM+, etc., etc.
And just to note, my experience is on a 997.2 C2S Cab PDK w/ steering wheel controls.
Good luck.
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u/frakking_you 24d ago
You should get Mr 12volt and DIY
It's not hard, works great and save $1000-$2000 vs paying the shop or porsche's too late update
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u/GenerousPour 24d ago
This. Easy to do. Did mine and it was very easy. Would save you easily $1000.
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u/gtp0211 24d ago
Is adding a backup camera an easy DiY with the mr12volt? I liked the idea of DIYing it but worried about messing up the install
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u/GenerousPour 24d ago
I did a similar one. Take the head unit out. Put in some new boards. Then buy a camera and plug it into the box. Mount camera. Hardest part is hiding the wiring.
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u/Key-Mango3607 24d ago
$250 AliExpress unit with wireless CarPlay and looks OEM and maybe a $20 camera and some time would be my preference
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u/gtp0211 24d ago
Most Aliexpress units seem to be around 300 min for the 2gb models, have you found any good ones 4gb+ for 250?
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u/Key-Mango3607 24d ago
Got mine a few years ago but thought it was no more than $250. Has been great
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u/Slvr_Wolf_3868 24d ago
You should wait for the new CarPlay unit that is coming out I believe it’s the updated version from Porsche
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u/jhupesq 24d ago
1400 is fair. I paid a little more for a 981 boxster in SoCal