The 'Fancy / Rare Options on Average Cars' Thread

[LankyLegoHead]

smithyithy said:

When I had my Glanza(s), being JDM imports there were a plethora of 90's Japanese options and accessories available, some rarer and more pointless than others, that myself and other owners were always on the hunt for.

One that always eluded me was the Electronic Toll Collection System. Similar to what we have for the M6 Toll etc, but bigger and more Japanese.

They had these for the Tokyo toll roads and such. Would be completely useless in the UK apart from hearing a female Japanese voice say something to you at random moments, I still wanted one though

So thats what my old MK2 MX5 Import had. Or something similar. It was just a weird receiver unit on the dash with a button that did nothing, I never bothered chasing the wiring. Being an import, mine also still had the flare which I think you're meant to remove from JDM imports when you make them road legal over here? I wish they did, the amount of times friends would think they were funny trying to set it off...

[smithyithy]

LankyLegoHead said:

So thats what my old MK2 MX5 Import had. Or something similar. It was just a weird receiver unit on the dash with a button that did nothing, I never bothered chasing the wiring. Being an import, mine also still had the flare which I think you're meant to remove from JDM imports when you make them road legal over here? I wish they did, the amount of times friends would think they were funny trying to set it off...

I had the flare in my second Glanza, in the passenger foot well. Wish I'd kept it before selling the car to be honest..

[TommoAE86]

From what I've read the JDM flares are technically illegal but it's abit of a grey area or something. In any case it's not good to have an expired one in your car as they could randomly combust! I'm trying to find one that's had the innards removed so it looks good but is pretty useless

[LankyLegoHead]

TommoAE86 said:

From what I've read the JDM flares are technically illegal but it's abit of a grey area or something. In any case it's not good to have an expired one in your car as they could randomly combust! I'm trying to find one that's had the innards removed so it looks good but is pretty useless

I know mine was in a red plastic tube, I spoke to one guy that used an empty tube to store his rolled up petrol receipts!

[stumpage]

I seem to have a rare but free option on my car. Since I took delivery I have not seen another 5 series "M Sport" on the road with them fitted (estate or saloon). Can you guess what it is?

[LankyLegoHead]

I would say the ///M Badges but I think the only one I havent seen them on is my Mrs Dads 535d.

[drivin_me_nuts]

stumpage said:

I seem to have a rare but free option on my car. Since I took delivery I have not seen another 5 series "M Sport" on the road with them fitted (estate or saloon). Can you guess what it is?

A driver who does not insist 'it's an emmm init'?

[smithyithy]

Indicators.

[anonymous-user]

all m sports i see are diesel rep mobiles, so has it got a petrol engine? they are rare nowadays.

[ajprice]

[Podie]

My Mondeo ST220 had heated rear seats as a factory option - don't seem all that common.

Seen a Fabia vRS Mk1 with factory sat nav as well. Non-LE cars had a leather option, but was seldom ticked.

[TurboHatchback]

Not very exciting I know but my 2007 A6 has heated rear seats as well as the front ones. Not that this helps me as the driver much but it should be absolutely perfect for driving four people to the Alps this winter.

[ChemicalChaos]

My flying instructor has an early 00s Nissan Almera Tino. It has luxurious half leather/half alcantara seats, and a full colour reversing camera!

[stumpage]

LankyLegoHead said:

I would say the ///M Badges but I think the only one I havent seen them on is my Mrs Dads 535d.

No

drivin_me_nuts said:

A driver who does not insist 'it's an emmm init'?

Yes but not the option in question.

The Spruce goose said:

all m sports i see are diesel rep mobiles, so has it got a petrol engine? they are rare nowadays.

I wish it was petrol but it's just a boring rep 520d.

It is the free option of Matt Aluminium window surrounds. Small detail I know.

[Adam B]

stumpage said:

I seem to have a rare but free option on my car. Since I took delivery I have not seen another 5 series "M Sport" on the road with them fitted (estate or saloon). Can you guess what it is?

passenger dwarf seat adjustment?

[Dave_ST220]

ATC on a Mk1 Mondeo, still going strong & 20 years old next March

[s m]

Adam B said:

stumpage said:

I seem to have a rare but free option on my car. Since I took delivery I have not seen another 5 series "M Sport" on the road with them fitted (estate or saloon). Can you guess what it is?

passenger dwarf seat adjustment?

Working indicators?

[anonymous-user]

stumpage said:

I wish it was petrol but it's just a boring rep 520d.

It is the free option of Matt Aluminium window surrounds. Small detail I know.

This puts me in mind of a 90s documentary about wker sales reps I saw. They interviewed some prat who was going on about "when you see the red line on the bumper you know it's an SRi and get out of the way" or some such nonsense. In the 21st century there are instead people who know exactly what matt aluminium window surrounds on your BMW say about your position within the company and how many urinal cake orders your team secured last quarter

[smithyithy]

Don't be harsh

To be fair I much prefer matt aluminium trim to gloss black for example, I think it looks classier on a car like that.

[Abbott]

Has anyone actually seen one of these in a real car on the road?

Fiat offer a real Espresso mkaer in the 500L

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/po...