Hi,

Just ordered a brand new pre-registered Panda Cross from a dealership. As part of the deal they agreed to retrofit reversing sensors. I assumed they would use fiat parts and the result would be identical to having had them fitted in the factory.

They said that a 3rd party company comes to do the fitting for them.

Has anyone had this done?
I thought I'd read somewhere that with the factory fit option that there might be some display in the LED dash which shows distance to obstacles when the sensors are on? I just want to make sure I get a factory like installation, otherwise I might not bother with them.

Does anyone know?

Thanks.

I very much doubt that 3rd party install would be exactly the same as factory, but might be close (although I doubt colour-coded as the factory setup comes).

There's nothing special about factory reverse sensors - they just come on when reverse gear is selected and beep increases in frequency as objects approach. No displays or anything like that. So I'd suggest that aftermarket should be fine, as it doesn't exactly have much of a competitor to beat!

In fact if 3rd party comes with a switch to disable when a rack or similar is mounted on the back, then that would be a positive advantage

R1NGA said:

I very much doubt that 3rd party install would be exactly the same as factory, but might be close (although I doubt colour-coded as the factory setup comes).

There's nothing special about factory reverse sensors - they just come on when reverse gear is selected and beep increases in frequency as objects approach. No displays or anything like that. So I'd suggest that aftermarket should be fine, as it doesn't exactly have much of a competitor to beat!

In fact if 3rd party comes with a switch to disable when a rack or similar is mounted on the back, then that would be a positive advantage

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Amen to all this.
The only thing I'd add is when the beep goes solid, you can drive a truck between you and the car behind so you're never in danger of bashing something... unless you ignore it.

You may well end up with nasty black protruding sensors on your rear bumper as opposed to colour coded flush factory fitted ones so maybe check this with them first

Mercky said:

You may well end up with nasty black protruding sensors on your rear bumper as opposed to colour coded flush factory fitted ones so maybe check this with them first

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Oh dear, I'm imagining three foot long sticks poking out from the bumper

aussiepanda said:

Oh dear, I'm imagining three foot long sticks poking out from the bumper

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Well not exactly but some retro fitted sensors can look a bit naff Imo depending on the colour of the car and whether they're recessed or not

Thanks for the answers all - I will check with the dealer.

Just to finish off this thread. I have now picked up the car and the retrofitted reversing sensors are colour coded and look like a factory install.

Thanks.

ArcusFlyer said:

Just to finish off this thread. I have now picked up the car and the retrofitted reversing sensors are colour coded and look like a factory install.

Thanks.

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A quick picture and link to the items on which you settled in the end? Good to hear all's good though.