Porsche dealer wants piles of money to fit dashcam - yet it's pre-wired?

[KTC330C]

My Macan 4 is on order and the window to freeze the configuration ends in a few days from now.

Before the window closes I thought I'd add a couple more lower cost options. I included the Porsche dashcam, because although I can probably get an aftermarket one cheaper, if the dealer does it before delivery it's just over and done with.

The configuration includes 'Preparation Porsche Dashcam' (QK3) which is described as "Prewiring for retrofitting the Porsche dashcam". Yet when I told the dealer I wanted to have a dashcam, he said that labour would be well over £1,000 (USD $1,370) because "we have to take out the head lining, so it's a big job".

I don't understand - surely that's what the QK3 is for? Is my dealer trying to pull the wool over my eyes, do they not understand or are they correct (in which case I'm not sure what QK3 actually does)...?

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[W1NGE]

My Macan 4 is on order and the window to freeze the configuration ends in a few days from now.

Before the window closes I thought I'd add a couple more lower cost options. I included the Porsche dashcam, because although I can probably get an aftermarket one cheaper, if the dealer does it before delivery it's just over and done with.

The configuration includes 'Preparation Porsche Dashcam' (QK3) which is described as "Prewiring for retrofitting the Porsche dashcam". Yet when I told the dealer I wanted to have a dashcam, he said that labour would be well over £1,000 (USD $1,370) because "we have to take out the head lining, so it's a big job".

I don't understand - surely that's what the QK3 is for? Is my dealer trying to pull the wool over my eyes, do they not understand or are they correct (in which case I'm not sure what QK3 actually does)...?

They're correct. Wiring is wiring both front and rear.

Labour charges are horrendously high (don't forget VAT) - £200 / hr plus.

Probably will take half day minimum to install and test.

Do you really need one (they're not the best)?

 

[Andy718S]

Some OPC's will offer to fit the front & rear dashcams for less. May be worth calling round.

There is a lot of work involved although the actual headlining is just unclipped at the rear. The full instructions are attached.

I wanted only the front camera, as the rear blocks visibility IMO. However, apparently they have to be fitted as a pair, so I've not progressed installation atm.

 

[daveo4EV]

I have the Porsche dash cam on my 2023 911 GT3 - installed by Porsche dealer (front and rear) with a pre-wiring kit - it cost similar amounts of money to install in a 911…

conclusion: it's a barely adequate dash cam and not the best product…

I rate it only slightly better than I consider Porsche's EVSE's and I consider Porsche's eVSE's to be utter crap and sh*t - the dash cam is close but not quite as bad as a Porsche EVSE…

my recommendation is money better spent on a non-Porsche dash cam…

my $0.02 YMMV

 

[Trevasann]

My Macan 4 is on order and the window to freeze the configuration ends in a few days from now.

Before the window closes I thought I'd add a couple more lower cost options. I included the Porsche dashcam, because although I can probably get an aftermarket one cheaper, if the dealer does it before delivery it's just over and done with.

The configuration includes 'Preparation Porsche Dashcam' (QK3) which is described as "Prewiring for retrofitting the Porsche dashcam". Yet when I told the dealer I wanted to have a dashcam, he said that labour would be well over £1,000 (USD $1,370) because "we have to take out the head lining, so it's a big job".

I don't understand - surely that's what the QK3 is for? Is my dealer trying to pull the wool over my eyes, do they not understand or are they correct (in which case I'm not sure what QK3 actually does)...?

I ordered my 2024 Macan 4EV prewired only to learn the dealer doesn't care to wire or an install camera after market. After calling around and pricing, I gave up. I'll eventually get the front done, but imagine they'll do their own wiring. I find it helpful to call 1-800 PORSCHE for any question. I think I wasted my money on the prewire. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[RunningOnSolar]

I specified the pre-wire, but have been waiting for a 4K product from Porsche before taking the leap. There are better products available out there including the sponsored content. Just can't bring myself to waste the pre-wire spend.

Probably will re-evaluate at the end of year 2. I hadn't been missing the feature, but last night a driver nearly triggered an accident by cutting off our Subaru EV. Would have wanted it then, hmmm...

 

[SergeyIndy]

I was wondering when someone would call this out. I wanted the cameras as well, under the impression that is a plug and play, and my trusted dealer told me that is not the case with high labor costs, so I removed pre-wire. This is the most misunderstood option in my view regardless of the car you are getting.

 

[Trevasann]

I'm calling PORSCHE, there is an impression that it's plug and play, which is misleading. Thanks for bringing this up

 

[Stuart]

indeed I found out as well 3 hours labour and the dash cams was 1150 euro, but said would do half price for the labor, so only about 300euro to fir. So all in all not so bad.

 

[Andy718S]

indeed I found out as well 3 hours labour and the dash cams was 1150 euro, but said would do half price for the labor, so only about 300euro to fir. So all in all not so bad.

Have you had it fitted yet Stuart? If so, how does the rear camera impact the view in the rear view mirror?

 

[Stuart]

Have you had it fitted yet Stuart? If so, how does the rear camera impact the view in the rear view mirror?

I'll let you know I pick the car up in 2 weeks

 

[Andy718S]

Thanks. I didn’t fit them in the end to my 4S but I take delivery of my new car on the 2nd March, so debating again whether to have them fitted.

 

[jwatte]

"I'm going to pay $3000 for the Porsche camera and installation instead of paying $500 for a FitCamX and a third party installer, because I don't want to waste my money" doesn't immediately strike me as a winning argument

The Porsche camera is behind other cameras in features, and it's slightly blocking vision because it gets glued to the window. It does have the Porsche logo, though.
I also had the pre-wire, but I opted to get the FitCamX and then have a local car stereo installer do it (which they did in < 1 hour, I could probably have done it myself but I'd rather hang at the pub)

 

[daveo4EV]

cost wouldn’t matter if it was any good

but it’s crap!

 

[ColdCase]

Yeh misleading, the pre wire is the front to back wire. They still have to pull panels and wire the rear camera to power. When I ordered mine the SA said they could not do an install later unless it was prewired, so I opted for the useless option.

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