Alex4747

That would be great if you could let me know. Are you installing them yourself? How much did they cost and where did you buy them from? Also, I particularly interested in how much dust do they release onto the interior of the wheels as well as outside. Thanks Alex

I will admit I love my 03 X50 with almost every option available, including PCM II, short shifter, etc. It is Seal Grey with Grey Interior. The only thing I don't like is the dust the pads create. I had bought some for my Mercedes ML and they are amazing. My AMG rims rarely need cleaning and they brake great and ahve lasted for over 20k miles, inlcuding slowing that vehicle down on numerous trips to Tahoe and Yosemite.

Does anyone know where to get them. I tried I while back to get the Porterfield brand but they did not have them for the 996 Turbo with std brakes. Any ideas? :(

Alex:

Be sure to post some pictures when you are done. Where did you end up getting the new vents and how much did you pay?

Will post some before and after pictures, but here are the main items that I have changed. It looks much better now, though not cheap:

Leather Visors-lighted

Aluminum look 3 strips

Aluminum Instrument Bezels

Aluminum/leather side and center vents

Leather Instrument Surround

Heated Seats wing in leather

Turbo Embossed leather stiched ArmRest Center Console

Seat Coat Hangers in Aluminum look

Leather covered Cup Holder

ALuminum Look Ignition ring

RUF Aluminum Pedals (all for 6 speed)

Alex:

Be sure to post some pictures when you are done. Where did you end up getting the new vents and how much did you pay?

Alex:

Be sure to post some pictures when you are done. Where did you end up getting the new vents and how much did you pay?

Paid $408 each for the sides and $189 for the center ones from Sunset. They are extremely difficult to get in Graphite grey leather and Aluminum, not even ebay :angry:

Over the last year I have made some nice improvements and I will post dome pictures and list the parts. Alex

:cheers:

:jump:

I am replacing the black side vents with the aluminum/leather ones and was hoping someone (Loren?) could tell me how to replace both sides including removing the oval/round/light controls from the older vents and putting them on the new ones. thanks in advance, alex

Thanks Loren got the driver's side out, how about the passenger side? :renntech:

I am replacing the black side vents with the aluminum/leather ones and was hoping someone (Loren?) could tell me how to replace both sides including removing the oval/round/light controls from the older vents and putting them on the new ones. thanks in advance, alex

3M Clear protective invisible bra is probably the best. The only thing is that nowadays they have precut patterns for specific cars/bumpers. For example on my 03 turbo, it came with the hood, front bumper, fenders, Xenons, rear of front fender behind wheel, and mirrors as a kit. It was a total of $1.1K installed.

I just found out that I can get 100 octane racing fuel by my house and was wondering if this will help performance on my 03 X50 TT Coupe, should I mix it to 93 or would it hurt to use 100? Any suggestions are welcomed. Price is not a concern. Only interested in performance and benefits or disadvantage to the vehicle. Thanks,

Alex

Gentlemen...this thread got a little confusing for low tech me....I'm purchasing a PCM2 which came out of a wrecked '03 TT, to install in my '03 C4S....there are no disks in the transaction....I was given a set of 2.0 disks....am I to assume that the compatible disks will be from 2.0, or do I have to wait to fire it up to find out?

If it is 2.0, and my disks work, is there any sense to upgrading to 3.0?  The install is being done at an authorized Porsche dealer.

thanks

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In case you are interested, I have an unopened new set of the latest PCM II disks for use in a 3.0 system. I'd recommend getting the firmware upgraded. Eventually, you will need to do it anyway, since NavTech will not be making disks for the 2.0 firmware. It gives you better map colors (as well as a choice).

You can have them for $110 shipped. They cost about $179. email me at alex_garcia@mindspring.com

ok they just pull off. So I ordered the silver/aluminum 997 ones from Sunset Porsche and they fit pretty well. They have more of a slant towards the front but looks perfect from the front. I'm going to paint the inside of the lever and that would make it look much better from the rear, since you can see the aluminum from the back.

I wonder if the surround from the 997 would fit the 996. This is the piece that surronds the knob?

I'll post pictures once this mini project is complete.

Alex

Can someone tell me how to remove the black plastic knob that is about shoulder high that is on each side of each seat? These are the ones that you use to incline the top portion of the seat forward. Each seat has 2 of them.

Gentlemen...this thread got a little confusing for low tech me....I'm purchasing a PCM2 which came out of a wrecked '03 TT, to install in my '03 C4S....there are no disks in the transaction....I was given a set of 2.0 disks....am I to assume that the compatible disks will be from 2.0, or do I have to wait to fire it up to find out?

If it is 2.0, and my disks work, is there any sense to upgrading to 3.0?  The install is being done at an authorized Porsche dealer.

thanks

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It has a couple of new features like selectable color screens. The new discs 3.0 have much more details, inlcuding POI's

Loren can you provide me with the standard Graphite Grey Leather Steering wheel for an 03 Turbo, no airbag just the leather wheel? Thanks Alex

Does anyone have the procedure for painting the interior pieces.  I would like to know what is involved, sanding, prime, spray, clear if any.

Which arctic silver to use?

Any advice would be helpful.

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Eric: How much for the piece that surrounds the key ignition in Aluminum? email me at alex_garcia@mindspring.com

One twist that saves a bit of time is instead of "peeling" the layer off the strip is to get the new strip, align its screw holes over the old strip, mark with a felt tip pen and drill throught the layer at each screw hole location. Then, use the soldering iron as noted above. :)

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I went ahead and bought the Aluminum dash strips from Suncoast Porsche about $130, then had Porsche install them for $424. I also asked for the original parts back to make sure they did not do it this way. No offense, but if you got this option when you bought the car it would have cost $700+

This information is just for those who may not want to venture messing around near the leather dash (TT).

They did a very nice job.

I have a 2003 PCM II with 2.0 software. What do I need to do to use the latest mapping software? Are there any visible benefits upon upgrading to OS 3? I use to have the problems with the Bose/PCM II and they did a version upgrade to it at Porsche. It works fine now.

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Your dealer should do this at no charge.

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Do you recommend upgrading to 3.0 OS and getting the new Map?

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For your car you likely need to check the VIN with your dealer. If your car is a true MY03 (not a MY04 build) then your current software version 2 is correct and can not be updated. Your dealer can make one phone call using your VIN to PCNA verify whether your need or can use the update.

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Loren:

I went to Porsche and got my Nav (PCM II) upgraded from 2.0 to 3.0 It has a couple of extra features like the display color. You can now select 2 color sets. There might be some extra features but have not noticed them. Also, I was actually able to continue using my original 2.0 Nav disks before getting my 2004 3.0 set. Once I installed the 3.0 Nav disc then it upgraded the Navigation software. Porsche did it for free. So the final question is are all 2.0 PCM II's upgradeable to 3.0? I don't believe NavTeq has a 2004 Nav set for a 2.0

I am putting in a PCM2 into my car next week from a buddy's 40th Anniversary Ed.  His car had a CD changer and I would like to add one to my "new" system since you can't listen to a CD and utilize the map or nav function at the same time.

Is there a kit to add the CDC to my car - '03 carrera coupe with Bose and soon to be PCM II :)  thanks for any points and/or costs/part numbers

TIA

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Your PCMII should be able to route you to up to 7 navigation stopovers and final destination and hold that in memory and you can take out the Nav CD and Insert a music CD. So both will work at the same time. I believe you will need a CDC-4 and I think the car is Pre-wired for it. You just may need the CDC base to secure it.

What you will need is the PCM II install kit/parts that are listed on this website. Do a seach and you will find it. Let us know how it goes.

Check you oil level. It may be over filled.

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Loren, that raises a good question. How would I know if the oil level is over filled since it's an electronic measurement?

Thanks,

Alex

Thanks Loren

I am ordering the spoiler from an OPC, do you know if the clips come with it or will I need to order them separately ?

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Who are you ordering it from, which style and how much? Thanks, Alex

Hi,

Would it be possible to add the light because my sunvisor doesn't have the lights,  and where should I take my 12v current?

regards

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The sunvisors have integrated lights, but they have connectors where they clip on. I would think you can buy the clips from the Porsche dealer and then wire them with your dome light?

If anyone is interested in Graphite Grey Excellent condition visors from as 03 Turbo x50 please let me know. I will sell them for $190US including shipping to the US. The only item that may need to be"fixed" is the cover plate of the screw but it can be easily glued on, since on one of the visors they fell off. Reason for offering this as an alternative is: I replaced mine with Leather ones.

email me at alex_garcia@mindspring.com

According to PET - XNG is instrument surround in leather.

I think Scouser's list is the one from Kindel and includes most of the old car codes - some of which were reused on newer cars.

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XMP=Leather Visors with lights and Vanity Mirror?

Does the standard PCM II on 996's always come integrated with the Navigation functionality or is there a separate unit?

The main difference is only between 02 and 03 and that realtes to the MOST Bose System. On 03 the PCM II was an otpion and 04+ it became standard. The 02 PMC was the smaller screen with 7+ discs and cassette.

I have an 03 X50 and it has been perfect with PCM II. I would probably recommend the PCM II X50 but they are pretty hard to find for 03 models. The PCM II is tied in to the car's computer system and Nav. It is far better than my Mercedes DVD based Nav system.

You can map your route and then take out the Nav CD and put a music CD and the Nav keeps working in memory. The turn arrows show up on your RPM gauge's LCD display. Pretty cool features.