Boxster AVIC F920BT Install...

[jrtbloke]

HI there

I have just taken possession of my first porsche, an old 1996 boxster. Having used an AVIC for the last year in a jaguar, I have been determined to install the same in the boxster. I have ordered the eurospeed kit, but am worried this might not be all i need.

My concern is that my boxster does not have climate control, but has three rotary heater control dials (picture attached) and the panel these controls sit on seems larger than the aircon control that the eurospeed kit relocates to the batwing. DO i need different fascia to mount the heater dials below? or can i simply ebay an LCD AC heater control to replace the 3 rotary dials (are the back end connections the same?)

many thanks in advance for any prior experience that will be helpful.

regards

John

1996 Boxster 2.5, tiptronic. RHD (UK spec)

Edited February 12, 2011 by jrtbloke

[wvicary]

The climate control opening should be of the standard DIN size.

[jrtbloke]

Afraid not.

the heaterpanel is 7cm high,the 'standard DIN' is more like 6cm. I've attached better images closeup so you can see.

It looks like i need to find a way to fit the LCD controls used for the air con to my car (with or without fitting aircon to go with it!), or i need a lower tray about 1cm shorter to make room for the panel above it where the top tray currently is, or simpyl a shorter blanking plate for where the lower tray currently is.

Edited February 13, 2011 by jrtbloke

[kbrandsma]

It looks like what you call your heater panel also includes a built-in trim piece. It may still fit in lower compartment.

[RobR]

The climate controls (those 3 rotary controls you spoke of) can and *do* fit in that lower section. Just to test it, I took the face of the climate controls off of the dash in my 2000 Boxster S, taking care when unplugging the modules from the back. I also removed the CD storage bin and the little cubby from the lower half of the dash. The size difference between the climate control and the lower dash is virtually non-existent. It should fit with no problem.

The eurospeed kit should contain all of what you need to make the climate controls fit beautifully in the lower dash, leaving plenty of room for the AVIC head in the upper dash. I'm about to do the same install myself pretty soon (after I get the power-assisted steering system and the rear brakes sorted out), and spoke to the guys at Eurospeed via email directly. They're quite responsive - they got back to me . sales@euromotorspeed.com

They should be able to help answer your questions about their kit. They've been working on them for a while. :)

[Edited for clarity - neglected to mention I did this to my own car!]

Edited February 15, 2011 by RobR

[jrtbloke]

Thanks Rob

There is a definite 1cm size difference, you can see the measuring tape in the images, that seems quite significant given the heights only range 6-7.

did your boxster S have the pull out tray at the top of the console? that would have reduced the size of your control panel by about 1cm.

Could we get a photo of the finished install in your car? Would be extremely good to see it done. Will contact salesaswell ;-)

[RobR]

I haven't done the install myself yet, jrtbloke - I simply removed the climate control fascia to test the fit before I decided I was going to get a Double-DIN stereo/nav kit to install myself. I haven't ordered the Eurospeed installation kit. According to one of the users who's already done it (see this link: ), it fits with a minimum of fuss. He's the one who gave me the email address I posted previously for Eurospeed. From what I understand, it was his install that prompted him to design the kit, so he should be able to answer your questions far better than I can, since I haven't done the install. His AVIC is similar to yours in size; the models are very different. The images on that link will show you what the finished install looks like, as well.

I will be doing my install some time next month; since I haven't got the unit yet, or the kit from Eurospeed, I can't do it this weekend and show you the finished product. If you're wanting to wait to do it until you see someone else's finished product, that'll be the best time to wait until. =)

[RobR]

I just took a look at my dash (the Porsche has been sitting in the garage for the past 6 weeks, since I can't drive it with bad brakes and no power-assisted steering - getting sorted in 2 weeks!), and came to realize I was thinking of the wrong car's climate controls. My other car (I'm ashamed to say what brand/model) has climate controls exactly like yours. The Porsche has the digital controls for the A/C. The significant size difference (1cm is a lot when you think of the space in there!) could be attributed to the fact that your car is 4 years older.

Your best bet is to contact Eurospeed, to see if they offer a kit that will work for your car. They can offer far more info than I have that will more likely work for your Porsche.

Congrats on getting the car - I love mine, despite the unexpected expenses (£2700 and counting, so far!). That's the price you pay for a luxury sports car. :)

[jrtbloke]

LoL, thanks Rob - may i ask what stung you?

Congrats on getting the car - I love mine, despite the unexpected expenses (£2700 and counting, so far!). That's the price you pay for a luxury sports car. :)

[RobR]

To date, here's the list:

Major Service w/o plugs - £539.98

O/S Air Condenser £568.52

One Horn £113.04

Cat to Manifold Gaskets, nuts and bolts £138.74

Small clamps for exhaust £28.20

Various oil leaks around the engine - [unknown currently]

Power-Assisted Steering service - £925.29

Rear discs/pads - £684.00

Replacement filler cap - £9.64

Replacement plastic rear window - £264.00

Sorry, the grand total was £3271.41. Add an MOT (~£40) and a year's road tax (£205), and you've got £3516.41 within the first 6 months of owning the car. I'm not exactly rich, but then, who is once you own a 10-year-old-or-more Porsche! :P

[epicsnakehips]

A very old post I know but was the problem sorted out and a solution found ?

I am about to face the very same dilema and so have started the search for fixes and solutions.

[epicsnakehips]

For future reference if any one else has the question.

The rotary controls can be moved to the higher of the 2 cubby hole positions - the cabling and gubbins at the rear of the control is only long enough for that position.

I have a friend who has had it done by car audio direct [manchester branch] that cost 50 pounds fitting charge. I have a photo aswell :)

Wish I had known this before buying a double din unit and then selling it quickly when researching that it was not possible to do.

Appradio 2 on order though now.

Edited November 9, 2012 by epicsnakehips