Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
If you are relatively new to the A2 and you are scanning the Internet for a bargain A2, or fully loaded one, here are some tips to look for on the pictires of the for sale advert
The first thing I look for is the end of the wiper stalk.
If it has a rocker switch on the end, you are in luck, the car has DIS (MPG, full text from the radio etc.)
Then check the electric window switches (only two mean no electric rear windows)
Then look at the side of the seat base, no switch means no electric lumbar support
Then look at the speaker grilles, no "BOSE" badge means that you have the standard amplifier etc.
The picture below shows where to look. (you can learn a lot from the drivers door area!)
Other desireable extras are
The "Double DIN" music system (twice as deep as the standard one)
This shows the double DIN unit that has a 6 CD changer built in (look for the "LOAD" button on the right, above the radio display)
This shot also shows the heated seat butons, very desirable!
The shot also shows the usual worn buttons, easily replaced, so don't let that put you off.
This shows the auto dimming rear view mirror, look for the plastic piece that goes from the back of the mirror up to the top of the screen (plus the LED in the centre bottom of the mirror edge)
The rear centre cupholder box is very desirable too
Headlight washers are very rare
The warning triangle and first aid kit is not rare, but nice to have
The OEM rear power socket is not common and very useful
Look for the tell tale red "i" on the TDi badge, that indicates the 90BHP version instead of the more common 75BHP (unless someone has just swapped badges)
Leather seats are easily spotted, but the most desirable seats are the Leather / Alcantara seats (the Alantara looks like cloth and the side bolsters are leather)
There are other features to watch out for and I will add them here when I can.
The most obvious include the OSS (Open Sky Sunroof), roof bars, tow bar, front fog lights etc, but they are very obvious.
There is also a VERY rare option of "curtain airbags" known as "Sideguard", look for the air bag sign in the top centre of the B pillar.
If you get any of the above extras they really do add value.
Steve B
The first thing I look for is the end of the wiper stalk.
If it has a rocker switch on the end, you are in luck, the car has DIS (MPG, full text from the radio etc.)
Then check the electric window switches (only two mean no electric rear windows)
Then look at the side of the seat base, no switch means no electric lumbar support
Then look at the speaker grilles, no "BOSE" badge means that you have the standard amplifier etc.
The picture below shows where to look. (you can learn a lot from the drivers door area!)
Other desireable extras are
The "Double DIN" music system (twice as deep as the standard one)
This shows the double DIN unit that has a 6 CD changer built in (look for the "LOAD" button on the right, above the radio display)
This shot also shows the heated seat butons, very desirable!
The shot also shows the usual worn buttons, easily replaced, so don't let that put you off.
This shows the auto dimming rear view mirror, look for the plastic piece that goes from the back of the mirror up to the top of the screen (plus the LED in the centre bottom of the mirror edge)
The rear centre cupholder box is very desirable too
Headlight washers are very rare
The warning triangle and first aid kit is not rare, but nice to have
The OEM rear power socket is not common and very useful
Look for the tell tale red "i" on the TDi badge, that indicates the 90BHP version instead of the more common 75BHP (unless someone has just swapped badges)
Leather seats are easily spotted, but the most desirable seats are the Leather / Alcantara seats (the Alantara looks like cloth and the side bolsters are leather)
There are other features to watch out for and I will add them here when I can.
The most obvious include the OSS (Open Sky Sunroof), roof bars, tow bar, front fog lights etc, but they are very obvious.
There is also a VERY rare option of "curtain airbags" known as "Sideguard", look for the air bag sign in the top centre of the B pillar.
If you get any of the above extras they really do add value.
Steve B
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