Attached are a couple PICs of my new ashtray. I gotta say it's a very nice ashtray but $200+ is a bit much. I didn't like the coin tray since it's almost useless so I bought the smokers package for a clean look and to also hide my subwoofer control ****. I didn't think it came with the insert so I ordered that too, well it did, so I wasted an extra $28.
I heard someone else say the dealer wanted charge a large sum to install it. I haven't checked with my dealer yet, so hopefully it isn't too much. Doesn't seem like it would be too hard to disassemble the center dash. I may try it myself, but I'm a little afraid of breaking a plastic piece because I know the replacement would be expensive.
If anyone already knows the procedure, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I presume the console is pre-wired for the cigarette lighter and any lights .
If you do it yourself, please take pic's for our trusted DIY section.
Thx

 

its Smok'in !

 

it seems like 991 has taken steps backward.

997 and 996 all had this standard and you just pull out the ashtray.

 

I think I had asked that question of a dealer - how much to put the cigarette lighter in. If I remember correctly, he quoted me about $600. He told me that they had to add wiring, and that was part of the reason it was so expensive. Since you have the lighter already, the charge would just be for labor and whatever wire they have to put it.

 

Wow, that's expensive. I can't imagine it wouldn't be already prewired... They shouldn't have two different wiring harnesses on the assembly line, that would seem very inefficient. I'll have to call my dealer and get a quote.

 

It would not surprise me if they have different wiring harnesses given each harness is build/made for a specific car as are most of the items in a 991. If you've seen the production line you will know what I'm getting at. Everything is pre ordered for each separate VIN in advance.

 

Unless it is ordered on the original order to Porsche factory, nothing is prewired on the cars. I was told at Pcar factory that this is due to weight conservation of each car. If cars were prewired for all options, weight would increase by several pounds and federal gas mileage numbers would potentially decrease. This has been discussed in the past regarding SE and other various aftermarket options.

 

Any further word on this? I would think the wire would be there for the cigarette lighter.
Also the directions for "popping" out the center console buttons and panel is in the manual. Under the "how to get the PDK in neutral if the battery fails"

 

As I understand while the main wiring harness is pretty much standard the special wiring for options not ordered is not their either. When every car is spec'd out it is very easy for them to have many different versions of each item. The just in time system looks after that. If you ever get the chance to get the factory tour in Zuffenhausen you'll see how this is accomplished easily by the factory.

 

Just got my car back and decided to look into the center console removal. While at the dealer, I had them give me a quote for the install, they said 2.5 hours of labor (approx. $400). I would say this is about right if you know the proceedure to disassemble the dash and install new wiring. This is not prewired from the factory.

If you only want the ashtray installed without power, this would be a 10 minute job. If you do want the power, then add a 2-3 hours of work. Mine was a little more complicated since I added the subwoofer level controller inside of my ashtray.
I'll write a more detailed DIY in a new post.

Basic steps just for removing/replacing coin/ashtray:
1 Open center console
2 Pry up Silver trim starting from the console compartment moving towards the front. I was able to do all of this with just my fingers. slowing lift up and go back and forth from right side to left side then back to right continuing toward front of car until it's removed.
3 remove rubber grommet that was under the silver trim
4 pull up on plastic surrounding the shifter, just needs to be lifted a little, not removed from car
5 pull on next section where all the buttons are located. This has three wires attached and can be left to the side, but unplugging isn't necessary.
6 push forward (towards front of car) first then slightly upwards on the coin holder to remove

That's it, I was done in less than 5 minutes.
Install in reverse order.

If you want it wired with power, then it gets more complicated. I tapped the wires with Posi-products "tap-it" leading into the outlet in the center console compartment. This required compete removal of back seat and complete disassembly of the center console and trim. I'll write up a more detailed DIY for all that. I didn't wire up the little light since I didn't think it was necessary for my needs, I only wired the power outlet.

 

I thought that the smoker's package is one of the very few "free" options in these cars. Porsche is "giving away" a $200 option? That's almost unthinkable!