2 Questions

[sleepy]

Hi all. Just purchased an '00 Box S with 20K miles (thanks to Ted Williams Porshce in B-ham, AL) and after 3 weeks with it, I love the car. Previous car was an '03 VW GTI VR6, which I also loved, but I now fully understand the difference between a "sporty" car and a "sports" car.

That being said, I have to admit that I do miss a couple luxuries - other than cupholders - and I would like to explore the possibility of adding an auto-dim mirror and (less importantly) rain sensor. I really don't want to spend ~$600 doing this, so I got to thinking - why not use the VW parts (the mirror and sensor come in one unit). My first thought is that the mirror wouldn't be a problem - just run power, ground, and a reverse gear sensor, since all the electronics are contained in the mirror, correct? But does anybody know about the workings of rain sensors and how they connect with the windshied wipers? I'm guessing there's some special relay to connect the two. Any help, suggestions, wiring diagrams, reasons why this won't work, etc would be greatly appreciated.

-f

[thelion]

I forget how to do the mirrors but the rain sensor is part # 996.612.981.00, you mount it up by the rear view mirror and snake the wiring down to the fuse box.

I believe the two options came together as one order code from the factory.

[ScottW]

Congratulations on your new car.

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http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant..._Code=POTE996SS

and you can get parts from Sunset Porsche (link at top) at cost + 15%.

-Scott

[Tool Pants]

I trust you know Porsche sells a retrofit kit for the sensor and another kit for the mirror. You can have one, or the other, or both. Someone said the mirror is used on an Audi. I have the instructions for both if you want to see them. We have put the mirror in - it is just 3 wires.

The issue I see with a VW mirror is if it will mount on the metal pad glued to a Boxster windshield. I have removed Porsche mirrors but not VW - so I do not know how a VW mounts. If you have a good picture of the base of a VW mirror I might be able to tell if it will mount. Jeff

[sleepy]

Thanks for the quick responses. I've seen the parts offered by Porsche - frankly, I'm just trying to be cheap about this, since the GTI with said parts is now in the custody of my mother, who doesn't care for the extra devices. Regardless, a VW mirror + rain sensor can be had for less than the Porsche mirror alone. Of course there are several things which could prevent this from working (and probably will) - I just figured I'd start on the wiring topic. I won't see the VW for a couple weeks, but I'll see about sizing/fitting/mounting issues then. In the meantime, any instructions/wiring diagrams for the Porsche mirror/rain sensor would be very helpful and most appreciated.