imhighlander

I'm strongly considering doing a console delete as part of an interior restoration/modification. I currently have the center console intact, with top and bottom storage shelves instead of the vestigial CD slots. It's pretty handy, but I've always thought the center consoles in the 996 and 986 look like a design afterthought and that the fit and finish leaves a bit to be desired. I have kept the factory single-DIN stereo (with Becker Autosound Bluetooth mod), and my HVAC controls will stay in the dashboard.

Before I drop the $500 or so for the parts, I'd like to know whether anyone who has done the console delete has any regrets. Do you miss the storage the console provided?

Idaho911

None whatsoever. It's an absolute must if you're tall. I did it and have never looked back.

Tell me about this Becker Bluetooth Mod. I have the BOSE system with CD23 head unit, and would love to find a solution. What do you have?

barbancourt

No regrets. Gives the interior a nice classic look.

Capt. Obvious

I loved the console delete in my other 996s. The only thing I missed was the storage.

Chris(MA)

I don't regret it, I just wish I'd done it sooner so I could get the right carpet color match.

I also didnt want to pay $65-70 for the plastic cover thingy so i designed it myself and 3D printed it. Been thinking of selling them and perhaps custom versions for switches and/usb power etc

993GT

it's nice having double storage bins but also nice having a delete

jdbornem

I'm tall, and it's the best change I've made to the car. It looks good too.

Coussa

No regrets and strongly recommend.

I am also looking into doing the Bluetooth retrofit for my CDR23. I found this from Rennkit: https://rennkit.com/product-info/blu...-retrofit-kit/

Does anyone have any experience with it?

imhighlander

That's the setup I used on my Boxster (986.2). It works fine, but for a few bucks less and a week without the radio, Becker does the install with an internal module. I don't honestly know exactly what they do to the stereo unit but it's all internal. The stereo looks the same, but now with a sticker from Becker saying that it has Bluetooth.

I think the functionality is basically the same, but I'm not techie enough to know. The Becker solution seems to work fine for me. I'll pay attention to the audio quality in the Boxster/Rennkit setup and compare it to the 996/CDR23 Becker mod to see if I can perceive a meaningful difference.

Coussa

Thank you so much for the info. After reading your post I did some more digging and see now what you're talking about. I will contact Becker directly as it seems the CDR23 unit has some limitations (no stereo for bluetooth playback) so I may have to change my unit to a CDR220 and get the Becker adapter for optimal results.

wdb

Looks like the survey needs a "It's nice but I miss the storage too" option.

​​​​​​Bluetooth: I did the BTR kit. It uses the 6-CD changer input so you lose that but gain full stereo Bluetooth audio. Mine works just fine. There is also a hack around here somewhere to have the radio show "AUX" instead of "CD" when it is using that input. IIRC it just involved pushing the radio buttons in a certain sequence. Kind of cute. That said, there is a lot of needless stuff in the kit if you ask me; I eliminated about half of it. I wasn't looking for USB power ports and whatnot.

Sam-Son

Zero regrets. One of my favorite things about the 996 interior honestly

Idaho911

Any idea if the audio quality is better than a Bluetooth to FM adapter? I'm currently using one and it's....fine.....but a true Bluetooth connection is appealing.

wdb

An FM adapter adds two data conversions. BT digital -> FM analog at the sending end, FM analog -> digital signal at the other. It cannot help but be worse than a fully digital data transfer via Bluetooth.

Gary12000

I recently got my 996 and it has some kind of Bluetooth Functionality on the Aux selection, i was told it had a bluetooth adapter, sorry that this is becoming a BT post, i am wondering about the console delete also that's why i am here to see what people say... my car is a MY 2000 so it has no glove box, i am loathe to give up the small amount of storage the console provides, also if i decide to do the PCCM+ upgrade from Porsche which looks to be a decent upgrade then i will need the front Console to house the AC controls and the USB bit that comes with the unit to enable phone charging and direct connection to the unit.

The Bluetooth that is in mine currently i was told "it is by Ben from Germany"??? maybe i didn't hear or understand correctly as i cant find anything on line in the search i have done, anyway all i seem to have under aux is the capability to stream music from my phone, there is no hands free phone call ability as there is no Microphone that I am aware of, i can hear a person speaking to me but they can not hear me, so this may be obvious to all here but i thought it was worth mentioning.