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

[Rocket Roger]

I installed only the Porsche front camera myself following the instructions Andy718S posted above and it works fine without the back camera. The process is a little tedious but doable. I took a shortcut and did not remove the rear view mirror by routing the wire directly into the gap in the console cover. I also installed it on the right side of the mirror as the left side install blocks vision. As far as the camera image quality in concerned, it is quite good; I don't know what others expect from a dashcam, especially since it is rarely accessed. And the Porsche camera is integrated into the car's systems. If you do this yourself remember there are 2 fuses that need to be installed.

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[joeev]

Thw pre wiring puts a wiring harness in the upper console above the mirror which provides constant power, switched power, and ground. It also puts in a coaxial video signal and power cable from the front upper console to the rear fender area.

Installation of the front camera is pretty much plug and play. You just need to take off the upper console covers, plug it in, and stick it on the windshield.

For the rear install, I'm not sure why they couldn't continue the wire all the way to the rear hatch, but you need to run the cable up the c pillar, through the grommet to the hatch.

I installed a Blackvue DR970 front and rear camera to my car and appreciated the pre wiring for the front. I got a matching connector from a local VW dealer for like 20 bucks and wired the Blackvue to it. Then plugged it in and stuck it to the windshield. I appreciated not having to hunt around for constant and switched power or having to run cables through firewalls, etc to find fuse boxes.

For the rear, I didn't bother with the pre wired cable and just pulled the Blackvue supplied cable through the headliner with some fish tape.

 

[Trevasann]

"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)

Which model? A, B or C if I'm reading it correctly at the website. I have Macan 4EV 2024. My granddaughter was recently assaulted by a bully guy who pulled up in front of her, got out of his car and punched her in the face (unfortunately he was fast and her window was down). He went to jail but it was a lot of effort to get him there. We want and need a dash cam. Thank you in advance for any guidance on which model after market.

 

[Wivenhoe]

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)...?

The dealer is either shafting you or didn’t explain what the £ 1k is for. As you say, all UK cars come prepared for the Porsche dashcam. The £ 1k should be for the purchase of the front and rear cameras and fitting. The cameras were about £ 400 from Porsche when I bought mine last Feb. They are not the best but with the prewiring they are not obtrusive.

 

[SergeyIndy]

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.

This is a good deal but not common for dealers to offer it as this low price.

 

[W1NGE]

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.

Rewiring option is free on all Porsches.

 

[Great_Cookie]

As I understand, pre-wiring at factory is the only way you can get both front and rear cameras installed by dealer - should you opt for the original Porsche Dashcam route.

For reference, this was my review of the Porsche Dashcam I had fitted here.

 

[Stuart]

This is a good deal but not common for dealers to offer it as this low price.

to be honest the whole experience with the sales man has been pretty painless got an 8K discount and when he told about the extra cost for install of the dash cam, I looked at him a little astonished, he said we can meet in the middle for the labor cost, so that was that really.

 

[Trevasann]

Rewiring option is free on all Porsches.

No, actually it was an add on in the configuration for me if I understand your statement , before or after receipt of car?

 

[Wivenhoe]

Winge - I think only on specific countries for some reason

 

[W1NGE]

No, actually it was an add on in the configuration for me if I understand your statement , before or after receipt of car?

You have to tick the box even though it is free.

Bizarre but true.

German logic I guess.

 

[Trevasann]

You have to tick the box even though it is free.

Bizarre but true.

German logic I guess.

What the heck, I'll check my invoice. Maybe not true for USA ? Let you know!

 

[W1NGE]

What the heck, I'll check my invoice. Maybe not true for USA ? Let you know!

$140 - odd as it is free in Europe but then you get other standard features across all models that we have to pay for.

Apologies for the drama.

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