Adding dealer extras to 2nd hand car?

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 11:47am #1

I was just wondering if you can add factory extras to a second hand car eg. cruise control etc..? I can imagine it can be done but it would cost an arm and a leg I'd say. Would there be anywhere you can find out what extras would be available for your model car aswell?

Drummerboy08 · 15-01-2010 11:49am

It can be done, but its a costly extra to add. It wouldn't be a main dealer doing the work either, more than likely it would be a Motor Electrician doing it.

Stuff like leather seats can be gotten easily enough.

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 11:51am

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

It can be done, but its a costly extra to add. It wouldn't be a main dealer doing the work either, more than likely it would be a Motor Electrician doing it.

Stuff like leather seats can be gotten easily enough.

But would they use the original manufacturer parts and stuff? So it would be as if the car was bought with the extra originally?

Drummerboy08 · 15-01-2010 11:53am

Ush1 wrote: »

But would they use the original manufacturer parts and stuff? So it would be as if the car was bought with the extra originally?

No, I wouldnt say so. As you say, a factory extra comes in the car from the factory. It would be an aftermarket kit, more than likely not sourced from the manufacturer. Like a bluetooth phone kit for example, or a set of alloys.

Anan1 · 15-01-2010 11:54am

It really depends on the particular options.

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 11:59am

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

No, I wouldnt say so. As you say, a factory extra comes in the car from the factory. It would be an aftermarket kit, more than likely not sourced from the manufacturer. Like a bluetooth phone kit for example, or a set of alloys.

I understand with those but for instance air con. or cruise control?

Anan1 · 15-01-2010 12:05pm

Air con is a biggie, it's really not worth it. You're looking at €2k ish for an aftermarket system, far better just to buy a car that has it already. Cruise can be done, how hard it is to fit an OEM system depends on the car but aftermarket systems are available.

Drummerboy08 · 15-01-2010 12:05pm

Ush1 wrote: »

I understand with those but for instance air con. or cruise control?

I dont think either will be the same as the OEM parts.

AC would be a big enough job to retro fit i'd imagine. Cruise wouldnt be too far behind it.

alias no.9 · 15-01-2010 12:06pm

Ush1 wrote: »

I understand with those but for instance air con. or cruise control?

Air con would be a disaster to retro fit. Cruise control can be as simple as adding the stalk to the steering column and connecting it to the wiring loom but that depends on the car, sometimes it's just not possible to retrofit.

Anan1 · 15-01-2010 12:08pm

I did hear a story once that on some VAG cars fitting cruise is just a matter of fitting the control stalk, the rest of the system is already there? Re a/c, i've seen some really awful aftermarket jobs. The most memorable was a W124 Mercedes with a rigid refrigerant pipe going across the top of the battery.

flamegrill · 15-01-2010 12:09pm

Having asked the question a number of times the answer (in main dealers anyway) is that some can be fitted in the dealer and others can't. Alloys for example are an obvious choice, you can fit them anytime anywhere. Say things like cruise control wouldn't be an option post factory in a dealer anyway. What ever about getting it done elsewhere, I wouldn't as you could void you warranty and our get yourself killed.

Usually the dealer can tell you what they can and can't do for you. Anything else is back alley shops and specialist garages really.

TestTransmission · 15-01-2010 12:12pm

Anan1 wrote: »

I did hear a story once that on some VAG cars fitting cruise is just a matter of fitting the control stalk, the rest of the system is already there?

Thats the way it is on the Octavia,I looked into it before.

Something like this

http://www.carbasics.co.uk/vw_golf_mk4_cruise_control.htm

voxpop · 15-01-2010 12:14pm

Yeah its pretty easy to add cruise control to the mk4 golf anyway - costs about 100quid. Alloys and leather seats are just a matter of finding them - think a set of leather recaros from the gti + door cards go for about 5-600 quid and will fit mosts golfs.

All depends on the car and the extras

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 12:16pm

Anan1 wrote: »

I did hear a story once that on some VAG cars fitting cruise is just a matter of fitting the control stalk, the rest of the system is already there? Re a/c, i've seen some really awful aftermarket jobs. The most memorable was a W124 Mercedes with a rigid refrigerant pipe going across the top of the battery.

That's interesting. I have 04 Ford Focus Zetec, I might give the dealership a ring and see if they can give me any advice.

Rein-in · 15-01-2010 12:18pm

These kind of things are available for VAG cars. I've never used one or heard of anyone using one but by this page it sounds pretty easy. I don't know if other manufacturers are the same though.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/VW-Passat-3B-B5-01-05-Retrofit-Cruise-Control-Kit_W0QQitemZ370099496554QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item562ba6266a

EPM · 15-01-2010 12:21pm

Ush1 wrote: »

That's interesting. I have 04 Ford Focus Zetec, I might give the dealership a ring and see if they can give me any advice.

Cruise on the Mark 1 Focus wans't an option on these shores. It will be an aftermarket stalk drilled into steering column. Not madly expensive. Air con would be a disaster and very, very labour intensive.

You could get the usual exterior parts no probs but the zetec has most of the nice stuff anyway. I wouldn't pay dealer prices though unless they just want rid of the stock. Leather seats on fleabay or a breakers.

What are you interested in exactly?

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 12:24pm

EPM wrote: »

Cruise on the Mark 1 Focus wans't an option on these shores. It will be an aftermarket stalk drilled into steering column. Not madly expensive. Air con would be a disaster and very, very labour intensive.

You could get the usual exterior parts no probs but the zetec has most of the nice stuff anyway. I wouldn't pay dealer prices though unless they just want rid of the stock. Leather seats on fleabay or a breakers.

What are you interested in exactly?

Cruise control mainly, was just giving a/c as an example as I don't really want it. More just wondering what type of stuff is available I suppose, any things you find useful?

Anan1 · 15-01-2010 12:27pm

Ush1 wrote: »

Cruise control mainly, was just giving a/c as an example as I don't really want it. More just wondering what type of stuff is available I suppose, any things you find useful?

I'd consider a/c a must-have. As a general principle, though, it's much easier to find a car with the spec you want.

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 12:29pm

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd consider a/c a must-have. As a general principle, though, it's much easier to find a car with the spec you want.

I don't think it generally gets too hot in Ireland though. Sunroof and fans is fine for me.

EPM · 15-01-2010 12:30pm

This is probably what you need

http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/ez-catalog/X380183/0014/focus0007

Presume the US focus and European one would both be the same

Anan1 · 15-01-2010 12:32pm

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't think it generally gets too hot in Ireland though. Sunroof and fans is fine for me.

A/C is useful all year round, it dehumidifies the air and keeps glass clear. Buy one car with it and you'll never go back. Cruise is nice to have, but in terms of desireability it's not even in the same league.

TestTransmission · 15-01-2010 12:34pm

Would adding cruise control add any value to a car?
Possibly make it easier to sell?

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 12:37pm

Somewhat unrelated, I'm gonna try add a temp. gauge to my dash but want the wires hidden, is it handy enough to link off power for the gauge similar to that of a phone kit? I reckon I would just have to cut off the cigarette adapter off the power cable and link the pos and neg.

R.O.R · 15-01-2010 12:40pm

Had A/C retro fitted to an A3 in 2008. It cost €2,500 + VAT and it's operated via a cheap black rocker switch on the dash.

Horrible job and just as expensive as the Audi Factory Climate Control option. Only reason it was done was because someone made a mistake on the order (not me) and no one would take back an A3 1.9Tdi Sportback with Leather and no A/C.

I've been asked to get Cruise Control retro fitted. I know it can be done, and the guys who would do it are very good, but I've point blank refused to get this done. If retro cruise sticks on and causes an accident, you'd struggle to have any comeback with anyone. At least with factory there is the manufacturer to sue in case of serious issues, might be small consolation, but it's something.

It does depend on the car as to what can be retro fitted. As mentioned above, a lot of the VAG cars are already wired for extra's and it's a matter of fitting the control stalk and updating the ECU. Costs a fortune to add Fog Lights to a Focus as the wiring for them isn't there as standard, needs to be added to the loom along with a new control dial for the lights.

Ush1 · 15-01-2010 12:53pm

R.O.R wrote: »

Had A/C retro fitted to an A3 in 2008. It cost €2,500 + VAT and it's operated via a cheap black rocker switch on the dash.

Horrible job and just as expensive as the Audi Factory Climate Control option. Only reason it was done was because someone made a mistake on the order (not me) and no one would take back an A3 1.9Tdi Sportback with Leather and no A/C.

I've been asked to get Cruise Control retro fitted. I know it can be done, and the guys who would do it are very good, but I've point blank refused to get this done. If retro cruise sticks on and causes an accident, you'd struggle to have any comeback with anyone. At least with factory there is the manufacturer to sue in case of serious issues, might be small consolation, but it's something.

It does depend on the car as to what can be retro fitted. As mentioned above, a lot of the VAG cars are already wired for extra's and it's a matter of fitting the control stalk and updating the ECU. Costs a fortune to add Fog Lights to a Focus as the wiring for them isn't there as standard, needs to be added to the loom along with a new control dial for the lights.

Think fog lights are standard on the Zetec.

Eoin · 15-01-2010 1:10pm

I had a multi-function steering wheel retrofitted to my car with all OEM parts. Parts were cheap enough - was just a wiring loom to go from the dash to the ECU and then two wires for the steering wheel itself. I got the buttons from a second hand steering wheel. I think it was about 2/3 hours work in total.

jackncoke wrote:

Would adding cruise control add any value to a car?
Possibly make it easier to sell?

I can't see it ever adding any more value than the cost of getting it fitted, but it might make it easier to sell the car, especially if the car would normally be expected to have it. I just fitted it because I missed it from my last car, and most of my driving is at a steady speed on motorways or national roads.

Drummerboy08 · 15-01-2010 2:28pm

eoin wrote: »

I can't see it ever adding any more value than the cost of getting it fitted, but it might make it easier to sell the car, especially if the car would normally be expected to have it. I just fitted it because I missed it from my last car, and most of my driving is at a steady speed on motorways or national roads.

It depends. If the part is OEM, and looks like a factory fit, then it wont be any more valuable, but may make it a little easier to sell.

If the parts are aftermarket, and look like they've been retro fitted, then alot of people will steer clear of it.

Adding dealer extras to 2nd hand car?

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