dcooper

I've just ordered my TOOKI Bluetooth kit for my 2006 997 C4 Cab Tip, and in a fit of inspiration, I also ordered the OEM multi-function steering wheel with phone + volume controls etc to be able to control things right from the steering wheel. I will try to get them to put the mic in the steering column when the OEM mic is supposed to go if possible. Thanks to you guys in the forums here for pointing out this whole solution. Should be sweet when it's all done. I also ordered the new Porsche NAV update fo good measure. I already have the Porsche OEM Sirius Sat kit installed and the NAV-TV iPod/iPhone interface, so I'll be good to go with this update! I'll post back on how it all works together once this last batch of stuff is installed. Damon

Some recent "997-in-a-snowstorm" pics to make it real for ya.... :) Damon

I use the Porsche-supplied Winter Continentals on my 18-inch winter-only wheels. They're great. HTH Damon

I've been out in the middle of the worst storm of New England last year, a whopping Nor-Easter...valentine's day, if I recall....I went out to get sushi :) The snow was probably 8 inches deep on unplowed side roads....t was a little scary, but I FELT confident in the C4 :) I will also say that this car, with PSM off, is the most fun you can have on an empty, unplowed parking lot in the winter :) I keep it washed and clean every week in the winter, though, including undercarriage, and I get a multi-layer hard ocean-going boat wax applied before the salt goes down. Damon

Got my winter wheel/tire set and 997 cabriolet hardtop pulled from Porsche Nashua's storage and installed a few days ago. Winter weather is coming to New England this weekend they say.... Whoo! Whoo! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow :) (This is my 2nd winter in my 997 and I'm looking forward to passing stuck and skidding all-wheel drive SUV's again this year!) Anybody else looking FORWARD to the winter in their 997 C4? Or am I the only crazy idiot that LIKES pushing the Porsche enigneering envelope in the worst that New England has to offer? Hey.....at least it SNOWS in Germany. So the engineers by default account for the season in the vehicle's design. Can't say the same for Japan, South Korea, etc! My Winter Continentals are Z-Rated too...gotta love that idea...you can technically do 180MPH in the snow. (Can't imagine where, but it's technically possible.....) :) Damon

If I didn't blink or wave, I didn't see you!!! Let me just say that since I've posted this, for whatever reason (dare I think even perhaps because of this thread itself????), I have received waves back from about 75% of all Porsche car drivers I've waved at...an increase of mammoth proportions over my experience originally. That's good. Very good. Keep it up, guys. We're all kindred spirits in our selection and ownership of automotive excellence. Damon

Get the Autobahn guys to do it, and ask for the "racing version"....it goes up the hood a lot further to cover about 75% of the way, and that 1) Protects more of the hood and 2) Makes the otherwise "normal" 3M line that's visible and highly noticeable virtually invisible, since the eye doesn't see it up there unless you REALLY look for it, for whatever reason. I've had it on since I bought the car new and it freaks people (and custom shop owners) out. They always do a triple-take looking for "the line" with the racing version :) It's a few hundred bucks more, but well worth it. The salt and sand of the New England winters also requires it, IMO, and I drive my 997 C4 Cab (with winter wheels and hardtop) through the winter. Damon

I moved to the iPhone (see my post here if you haven't seen it already): http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=14903, but it works pretty flawlessly when I use the iPhone interface (my default preference now with the iPhone) I found a shortcut, by to getting to "manual control" mode after you plugin/turn on: hold down the iPhone's button for 6 seconds when the white "accessory connected" screen comes up to kill it and you're in manual mode on the Nav-TV. As a bonus, you get Video Podcasts with the iPhone, but not recommended while driving! (I subscribe to CNN's Anderson Cooper's 360, and can listen but watch the video at stop lights :) ) Damon

I had the Passport SR7Plus installed by Porsche Nashua in Nashua N.H. They removed the front and rear bumper covers and did an excellent job. I've posted pictures of the final job at the link below. I had the display velcro-mounted on top of the steering column, as far back as it'll go, flush with the dash, and the mute button instaled on the left of the steering column so can just tap it with my left finger to mute when needed. The mute button on the SR7Plus also acts to deactivate the laser shfiters on demand with two quick taps, in case you're fired upon and you have adjusted your speed to within reasonable limits and would like to now let the nice laser-gun-wielding offficer read your new "legal" speed. The mute button also adjusts the speaker volume. I have a 2006 C4 Cabriolet, so I also opted for the optional amplified speaker, (it's noisy with the top down in summertim and radio playing, etc), which the Porsche tech was able to install deep up under the dash on the driver's side, up front near the steering column, pointed at me. Pretty sweet, and nothing clogging up my windsheild, etc. Pics can be found here: http://www.flat-6.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11631 (PS: For the record, it's saved my bacon about 6 times now and counting....) I'd repeat on any future P-car I might get, no question. Hope that helps. Damon

Yeah you have push the back (carpet end) waaay down and the front to the bottom as well. I had the same prob initially. Hth Damon

One FINAL post on this (to completely beat this to death), since I realized I never clarified the actual behavior above in terms of audio routing, etc: First, the audio goes through the PCM when the PCM is switched to the CD Changer source (now the Nav-TV unit). This means videos/movies/video podcasts/etc audio gets routed through the Bose 13-speaker setup in my case. The ProClip rotates, so when playing video or DVD movies via the iPhone (for my young son, for example), the audio goes out the stereo system. When a call comes in, the iPhone completely (and automatically) fades out the music/podcast/video/movie and I can take the call via the regular route, with my choice of audio source. In the car, this usually means my Jawbone bluetooth headset (default source when connected) for audio and microphone. When the call ends, the audio automatically fades back in on the car speakers. The iPod audio output doesn't go out through the bluetooth headset (except in one rare special circumtance, but that's ok), and the phone audio never goes out the car speakers (good, since it would probably cause all kinds of feedback problems). So, all is in harmony. Over and out! Damon

Some pics of the mount and connection...(ytaken with the iPhone, so it's not in the picture, but the munt is great because it's just drop-in and it's connected and held solid (needed for my style of driving!) I did have to do a bit of mod work on the ProClip iPod holder to get a solid fit, but nothing my Dremel couldn't handle. Hope this helps someone. Damon

Ok, I've had it installed and running for a while and my overall (and overwhelming) impression is: WOW. The iPhone is the perfect road companion and phone. An overview of everything I've discovered is here: My iPhone Blog Entry, including Porsche hookup I'll post pics at some poiint, but it's the sweetest setup I could have imagined. A few things irk me after 2 months of use, but it's overshadowed by how awesome the Porsche 997 911 and Apple iPhone go together. Engineering perfection at all levels! Damon

I got the Porsche standard-issue winter wheels & tires + the hardtop (I have a C4 Cab). Porsche Nashua stores all this for a fee and I drive up each spring/fall and swap. Great stuff. I can pass ANY SUV in the winter time while they're fishtailing and sliding all over....(this happened in the worst snow storm of the year last year...blew by a BMW X5...I had to, it was sliding all over the place :) Enjoy, and sorry I don't know what the standard-issue P-tire is for winter time I have., but they're great. Damon

Hmmmm...yeah, I guess that doesn't make sense, does it? I have yet to try the phone functionality while connected to the Nav-TV, but the iPhone does have a built-in microphone (obviously...it's a phone), so a speaker phone type of functionality using the car speakers should be possible. OR the music will mute and I just handle the call normally (either pick up the iPhone, use the speaker phone capability, or goto headset. I'll let you know. iPhone doesn't have voice dial capability, video camera, user-installable applications, user-configurable ring tones and 3G connectivity (does have WiFi). But I can live without that stuff. I can't live without my iPhone though, with the tight Google maps integration, video, iPod, Outlook integration, mail, stocks, photos, notes, world time, full Internet browser, etc) Also, fyi...found a piece of software for $39 that rips DVD movies as well (from a company called Cucusoft). With the 8GB model, I've got a great subset of my audio collection, plus 6 full-length movies I ripped using the Cucusoft DVD to iPhone software...great for working out, on a plane, by the pool, etc. Anyway, I'll post again when I've mounted it and tested everything out. Damon

Partial update: audio and charging works perfectly with the Nav-TV cable, with interface on the Porsche PCM head unit. I had previously had my Porsche dealer install the Nav-TV unit under the passenger seat with the iPod cable terminating into the arm rest storage area (since I didn't need/want the iPod visible since all the functionality I wanted was available on the PCM head unit). However, with the iPhone, I DO want it within easy reach, since I need to be able to answer the phone, quickly query Google Maps, for the nearest drug store, for example, manage calls, read SMS messages, etc. I also have the Jawbone bluetooth noise cancelling headset, so I'm good with the iPhone call audio going through the car's Bose audio system (I hope I don't get feedback, but with the powerful noise cancelling cabilities of the Jawbone headset, I'm hopeful this won't be the case). Sooooo.... I needed to extend the iPod cable out of the armrest about another 2 feet, to the side of the PCM, where I figure I want it mounted, and needed a mount to firmly hold the iPhone, but in an accesibble, but unobtrusive location, perhaps adjacent the PCM itself, to the right, WITHOUT drilling, damaging or defacing the vehicle itself. So I found and ordered 1) This 2FT iPod doc extender cable: http://www.cablejive.com/extendercable.html, 2) This iPhone-specific swivel holder mount: Padded Adjustable iPod Holder with Tilt Swivel, and 3) This Porsche 911-specific iPod vehicle mount: ProClip Angled Vehicle Mount I'll post back in a week or so after I've got these additions added with a fuller review, including the overall performance of the solution with the phone call audio routing through the car audio, auto-muting on phone call, and the Jawbone/car audio setup plus some photos of this (hopefully) elegant and understated solution. Damon

I have a 997 C4 Cab with Nav-TV installed and I just picked up an iPhone. Can't wait to try this! Sweet! NAV-TV OEM Integration Solutions Work Perfectly With iPhone NAV-TV OEM Integration Solutions Work Perfectly With iPhone July 8, 2007 Boca Raton, Fla. -- NAV-TV Corp., the premiere OEM Integration brand in the mobile electronics industry, is proud to announce its current line of iPod interfaces is compatible with Apple’s iPhone. The OPi-P is an iPod interface to late model Porsche vehicles, utilizing M.O.S.T (Media Oriented Systems Transport), the OPi-M is an iPod interface to late model Mercedes vehicles, utilizing M.O.S.T. and the OPi-A6 / A8 / Q7 is an iPod interface to late model Audi vehicles, utilizing M.O.S.T. “Our units work with the iPhone perfectly, with the added feature of muting the iPhone, and sending the ring tone to the vehicle when receiving a phone call to the iPhone. Unlike other companies that have elected to use other methods of communications to the iPod, creating problems with the iPhone such as no audio or no controls," says Moni Melman, NAV-TV CEO. While connected to the iPhone all features are fully functional and users can select artists, play lists, albums and songs via the factory radio and steering wheel controls. With full radio controls, users enter his or her selection in a similar fashion to controlling a factory CD changer. Alternatively, manual controls utilize the iPhone touch screen controls while feeding the audio directly to the Vehicle. While connected, the OPi kit charges the iPhone as well. Once the iPhone is playing via NAV-TV’s OPi kit, phone calls received automatically mute, pause and generate a ring tone via the vehicle’s speakers. For more information, contact sales@nav-tv.com or call 866-477-3336

I think you may be talking about the 996 Cab? The 997 Cab doesn't come with a hardtop from the factory and it must be purchased separately, but I did order it at the same time I ordered the car. Damon

The most beautiful thing on 4 wheels I've ever seen...since my 06 997 C4 Cab that is :) http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_new_ca...=677&page=1 Damon

I'm getting more waves from fellow Porsche drivers now that spring has arrived...dunno if there's any correlation, but it's great! Damon

Final update: I got the car back, the back soft top cover was repainted in the spots where the damage was and the Porsche dealer's (Porsche Nashua, N.H.) contractor did do a very good job. I literally was prepared to use a magnifying glass, and I examined the finished job in high intensity light from all angles, from all distances, and the damaged areas are undetectable. It's very difficult apparently, to blend with the Basalt metallic black, but they really did a perfect job (no cost to me). The verdict was that they had over tightened the hardtop beyond the 34lb-ft. of torque. The Porsche Zone rep called back the dealer to say that he now had 3-4 more cases of the same thing in this region, so let this be a lesson to us all...34lb-ft of torque...NO MORE, no less. The service rep, Mike Cote, suggested that maybe doing a 3M/Autobahn covering on the soft top panel might not be a bad idea next fall before we put the hardtop back on for the winter again. Might help avoid any properly-tightened friction from affecting the finish. Might not be a bad idea. Just glad to have it home again. Damon

Update (for those of you following along at home).... So they've had my car for a several days now, and the Porsche rep basically said to the dealer, "Do what you need to do to make this right". I inquired about whether they could order me a brand new 997 Cab softop cover panel in my Basalt Metallic Black, but apparently (as shipped from Germany), it only comes with the electrostatic primer., no finish at all. The dealer has to get it painted apparently. Kinda sucks, since trying to exactly match the rest of the car will be a serious issue, according to the dealer. So we're going to try the option of having the repair done at the dealer's body shop vendor (ugh). Porsche Nashua swears they only trust/use this one shop, and told the owner "this customer will be examining the work with a magnifying glass", so they understand this needs to be perfect. They have to fill and blend. They said it won't show up on CarFax, etc, since it's not an insurance claim, and the work is a warranty item, being listed as removing and replacing the cover. This better be perfect or I'm going to have some serious issues. I don't know if Lemon Laws might come into play here, since the damage occurred when the hardtop was first installed by the dealer a few weeks after I bought the car last fall. Anyway, the work should be completed today and sent for detailing Monday so I'll know Tues when I go take a look whether the repair was a success. BTW, the dealer thinks it was over tightened when they installed it. Apparently the Porsche rep said he's seen these before, so BEWARE....make sure whomever (or you?) installs your hardtop, MAKE SURE they follow the torque prescription EXACTLY. More when I get her back.... Damon

I didn't get a chance to post a pic, but I brought the car + hardtop back to the dealership, and they believe may have over-tightened the hardtop beyond the 34lb/ft or torque specified in the manual, but aren't ruling out defective 997 hardtop or flawed Porsche 997 hardtop design. They are bringing in their Porsche corporate rep, to examine and document the damage, as there may be engineering implications to the hardtop design that Porsche engineering may need to know about. Just fyi. Damon

Yes, I'll post later today.

I was anxious to get the hardtop off to enjoy the warmer weather (I have a 2006 997 Cab with hardtop option that was dealer installed last Nov). So I followed the User Manual and removed it carefully per the instructions, and I was horrified to discover serious deep gouging damage on the left and right rear softtop cover, chafing had worn through the clearcoat, through the paint, and into the bare metal. The damage spots are about 4 inches long on each side. The rear softtop cover needs to replaced, the damage is so severe, as I don't want bondo (or similar) used at some body shop to build up the worn away metal. This is clearly a warranty item, but what the hell happened here? Has anyone here ever heard of this before? I presume the hardtop is defective and will need repair/replacement as well. Surely, having the hardtop on for 6 months could not have been the problem? Surely Porsche engineers wouldn't design a hardtop that couldn't be used for longer durations? (I live in Boston...6 months of hardtop is an unfortunate fact of life). Any ideas/comments/advice would be greatly appecieated. Thanks in advance. Damon