Possibly the most pedantic observation about the 4200CC...

[2b1ask1]

Driving back from Rockingham (wet day) last weekend and following a monumentally tiring week...

I found the indicator and other steering column mounted switches over 'heavy' to operate; I realise this is possibly the lamest excuse for a gripe ever about a car, and I am so happy with the car over all that this is the level I have had to get to to find a niggle...

I drive around 60 - 65,000 miles a year and in my other vehilcles the switches are operated by the mearest touch and even have a 'light touch' indicator mode that cycles them three times only for changing lanes etc.

I was just struck by the effort needed to operate them and the over all clunkyness of them for a luxury vehicle; am I alone in this?

Do I need to get out more / find a hobby?

 

[Pibbow]

Yes..........................

 

[NickP]

It certainly sounds like it.

 

[Parisien]

....no comment......


P

 

[RonnieMack]

I'm really surprised that there hasn't been a surge of "Limp wristed " gags in reply to your post !!

 

[Parisien]

.......yours is the 1st RM.......

P

 

[Folke]

I actually fitted one of these "light touch" devices in my GS last weekend

Works a charm...

/F.

 

[2b1ask1]

Ronnie, would be water off a duck's back mate I can camp it up with the best of them it I needed to!

Folke; I'm intreagued... a retro fit unit would be awsome any details?

If successful I could see if I could get one for my wife!




I just wonder if the switch gear was as a result of the same questionaire to Yanks that lead to the loss of the boomerang lights... Design by questionaire - I'm guessing they stood outside the Volvo dealers to ask that one!

 

[midlifecrisis]

I quite like a heavy switch, feels well built and solid. My problem is seeing the tell-tale lights on the dash as I find them obscured by the steering wheel.

 

[Emtee]

I quite like a heavy switch, feels well built and solid. My problem is seeing the tell-tale lights on the dash as I find them obscured by the steering wheel.

What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.....

 

[djmhall]

The indcator and light switch stalks bear a more than striking resemblence to my previous two cars; an Alfa 147 and Alfa GT. I assume that this is therefor FIAT part bin raiding. For me, I quite like thye "continuity"

 

[Folke]

@ 2b1ask1 - one of the guys in the German forum installed one on a 4200, and I just followed his instructions.

Link to his write up:
http://www.m-erdmann.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2723
Yes, it is in German, but if you want, let me know and I'll translate all of it. Short version is: you splice in two cables (from the module) to two cables coming from the connector at the stalk. You splice two cables coming from the module together. You isolate one cable from the module and finally you splice 3 cables to the connector for the relay (that was the hardest bit).

Link to the module - same thing here:
http://www.autoalarm24.de/shop/shop/details1.php?id=219&kategorie=25&main_kat=&start=0&nr=

Best
/F.

 

[2b1ask1]

Hallo Folke, Vielen Dank für diese Information, ich werde versuchen, die Änderung vornehmen

 

[Folke]

Klasse - wünsche Dir viel Erfolg

One thing I noted was that Lex mentioned a blue cable in the bundle leading to the relay socket. In mine (-06 GS Spyder) this cable was blue&pink. Other than that it was "eins zu eins"

L8r
/F.

 

[2b1ask1]

Thanks Folke,

I have noted the blue/pink variant just in case.

As a school kid I hated languages but as I've matured I have really started to enjoy them... A reasonable but rusty level of Greek, not so bad Mandarin, a small amount of French and a very basic level of German… But thank heaven for Google translate!!!

 

[markp4200]

It must be an 'age' thing!
I love to have something to work with to achieve a feeling of 'oneness' with the car.
Just try popping into car dealers and look at others to know that light controls are something modern and lacklustre.
As an 'oldie' I grew up with switches and stalks that needed shoving and banging and somehow it's what I expect from an individual car.
I hate it when everything is made too perfect - hence my thoughts on VW & Audi. Just don't ask me about that!
Just read Audi Express .....sorry Auto Express!