Is Porsche connect app free for only the first 3 years?

[Gino]

I just got a message that the Porsche Connect app will be expiring shortly.
When I click on “options” is says it is free for 3 years and then $319/year thereafter.
I’m not sure if this means it free for the next 3 years and $319 thereafter.
I’ve only had my Taycan CPO for 13 months so I’m not sure if they will begin charging the $319 as soon as my 2021 is 3 years old.
There is also a Porsche Connect Care service which states it’s free for 10 years but doesn’t mention anything about what the cost/year will be after 10 years. I would appreciate if any of you can clarify what they mean.

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[SergeyIndy]

This is pretty simple. Please go online and not the app to see descriptions for each service.

https://connect-store.porsche.com

These are basic differences.

Porsche Connect is remote functionality using the app and free for 3 years since new.

Porsche Connect Care is OTA updates and free for 10 years since new.

 

[Gino]

This is pretty simple. Please go online and not the app to see descriptions for each service.

https://connect-store.porsche.com

These are basic differences.

Porsche Connect is remote functionality using the app and free for 3 years since new.

Porsche Connect Care is OTA updates and free for 10 years since new.

Thanks, this is what I thought. It will be interesting to see what Porsche does after 10 years to do OTA updates unless they assume there will be no need for OTA updates by year 10…

 

[whitex]

Anyone have a summary of feature differences between Porsche Connect vs Porsche Connect Care?

 

[whitex]

Thanks, this is what I thought. It will be interesting to see what Porsche does after 10 years to do OTA updates unless they assume there will be no need for OTA updates by year 10…

Taycans have very little OTA capabilities, which may end up being their blessing in disguise after 10 years. Either way, they will likely either start charging for Porsche Connect Care subscription, or if insufficient take rate results, brick all internet connectivity on all cars to end-of-life the online connectivity for security reasons. Abandoned, unpatched, internet connected, self propelled 2 ton steel objects should not be left connected to the internet to be hacked and used for nefarious purposes. They might sell a hardware upgrade, a new PCM for old Porsches, probably with limited capabilities, but with support/updates/security-patches. Kind of how they sell retrofits for older Porsches today.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Anyone have a summary of feature differences between Porsche Connect vs Porsche Connect Care?

I am not sure about a summary, but features for each of these services are described in great detail when you go online under the link above when you log in. This also helps to be informed how many features you may have but do not use.

 

[Gino]

Taycans have very little OTA capabilities, which may end up being their blessing in disguise after 10 years. Either way, they will likely either start charging for Porsche Connect Care subscription, or if insufficient take rate results, brick all internet connectivity on all cars to end-of-life the online connectivity for security reasons. Abandoned, unpatched, internet connected, self propelled 2 ton steel objects should not be left connected to the internet to be hacked and used for nefarious purposes. They might sell a hardware upgrade, a new PCM for old Porsches, probably with limited capabilities, but with support/updates/security-patches. Kind of how they sell retrofits for older Porsches today.

Very good point. Thanks.

 

[Gino]

COMPLETED RIP OFF AFTER EXPIRY - YOU PAID £sssss for the car


Porsche Connect
Your digital co-pilot. Firmly on the road and connected to the world.
£269.00 / yearincl. 20% VAT


Car Security Package
Make sure your vehicle is always by your side. Even greater protection against theft.
£269.00 / yearincl. 20% VAT

Function on Demand
Comfort Access
Open your vehicle without actively using the key. As you approach with the key, your Porsche prepares for operation and opens automatically.
Unlimited £1,190.00incl. 20% VAT


Comfort Access
Unlimited £1,190.00incl. 20% VAT


Total rip-off : Most options come as Standard on other cars

It is a rip-off. Porsche Connect is $319/year in the US which is just another way Porsche is looking to nickel & dime their customers. It is sad they charge this when other automakers don’t.
Not sure if I’ll renew it but I may have no choice…. They set it up so their customers really don’t have a choice. Sad…

 

[Gino]

Most people don't use it TBH ... wouldn't bother. These giants are just taking advantage.

Forums can make a difference

From a safety perspective I like being able to see where the car is parked on a map so if my wife gets into trouble and I don’t hear from her then I at least know where she parked and can go look for her. Other than that there are not really any features I absolutely need that I can’t do in the car itself for free…

 

[SergeyIndy]

It is a rip-off. Porsche Connect is $319/year in the US which is just another way Porsche is looking to nickel & dime their customers. It is sad they charge this when other automakers don’t.
Not sure if I’ll renew it but I may have no choice…. They set it up so their customers really don’t have a choice. Sad…

I think they have no choice but to pass that cost to the customer with recurring licensing costs to be paid to providers similar to any other subscriptions such as XM radio. It is expected for costs to go up every year and services to be reduced (3 year of EA vs. 1 year of EA free charging for 2025). Therefore, I do not think it is fair for us to expect for a car manufacturer to provide these services for free after a trial period, which I think is very generous with 3 years and certainly included in the base price.

To be fair, the $319/year includes a lot of services, but they cannot be unbundled.

For example, I pay $205/year each for 2020 Cayenne and 2024 Macan ICE Nav and Entertainment package with benefit of real time map updates and traffic, but of course this can be avoided by using phone Apps, but Remote Connect Services are additional $110, but ICE cars have very limited remote services vs. EVs.

Let me be specific on what Taycan Connect Services include. I cannot see me operating a connected car that it is without it.

 

[Horizontally Opposed]

I use it all the time. Setting charging level, preconditioning the interior temps, checking charge level.

The available technology on these cars is huge. Why get an EV and go old school on everything?

 

[AnloTaycan2022]

I would assume the vast majority of the cost is to renew the cellular connection with the cell service provider. $319 is about 27 per month which is not very expensive for a cell data connection service.

 

[Gino]

I think they have no choice but to pass that cost to the customer with recurring licensing costs to be paid to providers similar to any other subscriptions such as XM radio. It is expected for costs to go up every year and services to be reduced (3 year of EA vs. 1 year of EA free charging for 2025). Therefore, I do not think it is fair for us to expect for a car manufacturer to provide these services for free after a trial period, which I think is very generous with 3 years and certainly included in the base price.

To be fair, the $319/year includes a lot of services, but they cannot be unbundled.

For example, I pay $205/year each for 2020 Cayenne and 2024 Macan ICE Nav and Entertainment package with benefit of real time map updates and traffic, but of course this can be avoided by using phone Apps, but Remote Connect Services are additional $110, but ICE cars have very limited remote services vs. EVs.

Let me be specific on what Taycan Connect Services include. I cannot see me operating a connected car that it is without it.

You are correct. As the future unfolds we have grown accustomed to all these features for feedback & control so I really don’t have a choice the way they’ve bundled everything in the Porsche Connect Services.
However, I do find it quite annoying that Porsche is incredibly vague about what your cost per kWh will be after the 3 year free 30 minute charging period expires. They clearly ask for a specific $8.25 per month for the premium service but only say vaguely you will pay discounted energy rates. They give no exact pricing, no exact percentage discount you are to receive under the Porsche premium plan.
EA is not much better but at least they give a discount percentage of 20-25% so you can decide if it’s worth just charging at home or work and not bother to use EA at all accept on the infrequent times you need to charge on roadtrips.
We drive our Taycan roughly 150 miles per week since we are mostly retired and when we travel it is on airplanes & not using our Taycan. When we do go on long trips skiing in Utah we take our Hummer H2 where gas is $2.30/gallon and is cheaper to drive than the 64 cents/kWh EA charges for the Taycan.
The 1400 mile round trip in gas costs me $270 but if I took my Taycan it would cost $332 at EA and not have half of the storage to bring all our gear.
Long trips in EV’s are not cost effective compared to ICE vehicles unless charging is subsidized heavily or EV charging companies decide they must begin to compete on price once the free charging incentives to purchase EV’s get reduced or eliminated. That time is coming as Porsche has dropped their free charging from 3 years to 1 year. I will wait for an EV with 500-600 mile range before I consider using an EV for long trips where my Hummer H2 and Airstream Interstate Mercedes Sprinters are far more energy efficient from a cost perspective than my Taycan.

 

[AnloTaycan2022]

You are correct. As the future unfolds we have grown accustomed to all these features for feedback & control so I really don’t have a choice the way they’ve bundled everything in the Porsche Connect Services.
However, I do find it quite annoying that Porsche is incredibly vague about what your cost per kWh will be after the 3 year free 30 minute charging period expires. They clearly ask for a specific $8.25 per month for the premium service but only say vaguely you will pay discounted energy rates. They give no exact pricing, no exact percentage discount you are to receive under the Porsche premium plan.
EA is not much better but at least they give a discount percentage of 20-25% so you can decide if it’s worth just charging at home or work and not bother to use EA at all accept on the infrequent times you need to charge on roadtrips.
We drive our Taycan roughly 150 miles per week since we are mostly retired and when we travel it is on airplanes & not using our Taycan. When we do go on long trips skiing in Utah we take our Hummer H2 where gas is $2.30/gallon and is cheaper to drive than the 64 cents/kWh EA charges for the Taycan.
The 1400 mile round trip in gas costs me $270 but if I took my Taycan it would cost $332 at EA and not have half of the storage to bring all our gear.
Long trips in EV’s are not cost effective compared to ICE vehicles unless charging is subsidized heavily or EV charging companies decide they must begin to compete on price once the free charging incentives to purchase EV’s get reduced or eliminated. That time is coming as Porsche has dropped their free charging from 3 years to 1 year. I will wait for an EV with 500-600 mile range before I consider using an EV for long trips where my Hummer H2 and Airstream Interstate Mercedes Sprinters are far more energy efficient from a cost perspective than my Taycan.

It is the price of EA only. You can check on their web site. If you charge very regularly at EA it might be worth it but you need to calculate. If it is occasionally only which is my case I only renew my connect but didn’t pay the extra for getting a premium price with EA.

 

[Gino]

That’s

It is the price of EA only. You can check on their web site. If you charge very regularly at EA it might be worth it but you need to calculate. If it is occasionally only which is my case I only renew my connect but didn’t pay the extra for getting a premium price with EA.

That’s what I will do to

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