Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 30
Proposing to upgrade a 2012 GS rather than buy 2012 XS D4 ?
Proposing to upgrade a 2012 GS rather than buy 2012 XS D4 ?
LR man for many years - currently D3 (120k). Single, old and disabled I want a 2012 D4 (50- 70kmiles) - should see me out. Having done much research I find a lot of what the XS offers will be wasted on me (see below) and hence searching for a cheaper good GS 2012 3.0 SD model. The only important things I do need however are cruise control and heated seats which are none standard on the GS.
Research suggests both can be retrofitted.
1. Am I right that 'cruise control' is already 'built in' to a GS but I will need either a suitable steering wheel or need to add switches to a GS wheel? When plumbed in will this then work or do I need some re programming which seems to be the case from other threads. How easy?
2. Warm bots particularly at my age are important. Guess I could buy a 'heating pad kit' and fit ? Or could I get a scrap 2012 XS D4 driver's seat and either swap or remove original equipment heating bits and put in a GS. Again does the GS already have the electrical connectors fitted under the seat just needing the seat bits ( and a switch?) fitting. Any programming involved?
Rationale for modified GS rather than more expensive XS.
1. No Sat Nav. Will continue to use my portable.
2. Power Mirrors - not essential.
3. No leather - cloth is fine.
4. No electric seat positioner - single driver
5. No roof rails, trim etc - not important - want functionality not looks.
6. Seven seats - no longer.
I'm guessing there are other items I have missed. Would greatly appreciate advice from experienced hands as to whether my proposal is possible, sensible and if there other important things I have missed. Anyone have a wheel, a seat or even a car?
Obliged for help and comments.................
23rd Aug 2018 9:06 am
ianm27
Member Since: 02 Jun 2016
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 2154
Retro fitting cruise control on a GS is straight forward.
You need to buy the switch for left hand side of steering wheel, fit the switch and then enable with IID tool. Disconnecting the air bag in the steering wheel is fiddly, poking a bit of wire through the hole to find the catch!
Don't personally know about retro fitting heated driver seat but there are threads on here from others who have done so.
Your rationale for a GS seems perfectly reasonable to me Uncle Ray's spare wheel protector
Limo Tint
Blackvue front & rear dashcam
Cruise control switch pack
Bodsy's remote for FBH
I haven't researched it but what is the price difference between 2012 GS & XS in similar condition, colour & mileage?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
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23rd Aug 2018 11:19 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
There is actually quite a jump in price. I too am after a 2012 ish vehicle but with the higher spec.
What about a commercial? Do they come with spec closer to what you are after? They are also noticeably cheaper it seems..D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
23rd Aug 2018 11:50 am
carroll493d
Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
Sorry to jump in and be off topic. Prof are you after a HSE with all the lux accessories by any chance?
23rd Aug 2018 12:28 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Yes. Got a wanted thread going and talking to a couple of forum members about their vehicles at the moment...D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
23rd Aug 2018 12:35 pm
Famousfive
Member Since: 12 Aug 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1809
Re: Proposing to upgrade a 2012 GS rather than buy 2012 XS D4 ?
criky18 wrote:
Proposing to upgrade a 2012 GS rather than buy 2012 XS D4 ?
1. Am I right that 'cruise control' is already 'built in' to a GS
2. Warm bots particularly at my age are important.
Obliged for help and comments.................
Hi Criky,
after doing this and more to my 63 Plate GS i'm in a good position to help
1. Cruise, as stated earlier would be an easy update. Get the correct switch pack bought and a CCF update and you are away.
2. Warm bot - bit more complicated - you might be lucky and find some heated cloth front seats - they do exist but if not you'd be looking at some leather ones. I updated my front seats to electric leather with armrests from manual leather not heated. For this you'll need an updated panel for your heated seat buttons - see here
Click image to enlarge
Your old unit will work if you just get the individual buttons but won't light up with heated seat strength. Heated seat functionality will need coding in on the CCF too but the electric seats will work fine from the off.
Getting this central console out is not for the faint-hearted but again not hard and there are youtube vids you can follow.
Other easy things would be to drop Xenons in there and some fog lights and front parking - I know 'cause I've done it
Member Since: 03 Jun 2014
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 1125
ianm27 wrote:
Retro fitting cruise control on a GS is straight forward.
You need to buy the switch for left hand side of steering wheel, fit the switch and then enable with IID tool. Disconnecting the air bag in the steering wheel is fiddly, poking a bit of wire through the hole to find the catch!
Don't personally know about retro fitting heated driver seat but there are threads on here from others who have done so.
Your rationale for a GS seems perfectly reasonable to me
Big note here... you must get a left/right pair of switchgear, not just the left! Otherwise straightforwardJustin
Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 30
Gentlemen - you are amazing.
Some gratefully appreciated advice which I hope continues. I'm just a bit stuck with abbreviations - IID tool? CCF?
Also two switches or just the one? Anyone know the part numbers and is it vin number sensitive?
24th Aug 2018 11:14 am
Parallax33
Member Since: 03 Jun 2014
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 1125
Hey Criky!
You need the part with the cruise, matched with a new part with the volume controls. Not sure on part numbers, but check my thread
Concerning acronyms: IID Tool- Bluetooth fault/configuration tool (search the site for deals on this)
CCF - configuration file that is programmed using IID. Cruise won’t work unless you switch it on in the CCFJustin
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