Queries from newbie to Jul07 Camry

[aapcox]

Hi there,

My fiancee and I have recently bough a Jul 2007 Ice Blue Camry from Pickles Auctions (the colour matches her wedding dress.... of course....). We've just got back from five years in the UK and whilst currently based in Canberra, will be looking to move to Sydney asap once jobs are sorted (hopefully soon). The Camry was based out in Bathurst and has done 48k, so needs a bit of tiding up/maintaince, so I was wondering if any of you fellow forum members could help us out and point us in the right direction on a few things, which would be greatly appreciated, as follows:-

1) Parking Sensors. I have seen the self-install posting here (which is awesome), but our technical skills are average at best, so we would like someone to install reverse parking sensors. I have been quoted $650-700 by Toyota Phillip (Canberra) for standard Toyota parts ($350 for the sensors and $300-$350 for labour); and c. $450-$500 by a local installer ($160 for black sensors.... doesn't go well with Ice Blue; plus c. $300 for installation). I recall seeing a posting mentioning that they had received installation of Toyota sensors for $450 all up, so I was hoping that someone in Sydney (or Canberra) could point me in the right direction of where to get an install done at a more reasonable price.

2) Hub Caps. The left front Hub Cap is pretty banged up. Toyota are quoting $80 for a replacement, which is pretty exy I thought. Does anyone know where I can get a get an original for a cheaper price (all the local Wreckers in Canberra are saying... 'come back in 5 years'.....);

3) Similar to the hub caps, the tyre cover board in the boot is broken - any ideas for sourcing a replacement (as Toyota Phillip had no interest);

4) MP3 player connection. As the Camry’s (unlike the Corolla’s) do not come with a AUX input, we are looking to arrange an installation of a MP3 connection. Having done some research, we are looking at getting an xCarlink unit installed in Sydney for just over $200. I just wanted to check if anyone has had experience with this type of unit and whether they can confirm that the steering controls will work with the connection (supposedly they do). We asked around a few car audio places in Canberra and all they wanted to do was either replace the entire stereo systems with a new Toyota faceplate ($140) and a new Stereo (c. $250 - $270) plus c. $100 installation or a ‘quasi AUX input installed in the back for $200-$250’, but no steering controls, so we thought the xCarlink solution is probably the best. However if any of you have had other MP3 (iPods for us) solutions put in place, I would love to get your feedback on how well they work and how much the units and installation cost.

5) We had to get three new tires put on to get our Blue slip post purchase. They are cheapie Dunlops which we will replace in due course, but I thought I’d pop out a question as to a) what do you think are the best tires (we have 16” rims) and also any suggestions for tire pressure (we have them set at 210kps (?) I think at the moment), as there is normally only the two of us, plus occasionally luggage and groceries in the car?

6) Cleaning the engine. As the Camry spent most of its time in Bathurst, it was pretty dusty and dirty when we got it. We’ve cleaned out all of the dust and dirt on the inside (and most of the dog hairs…..mmmmm); and washed the outside. But when we got it serviced last week, they were not keen to clean all the dust and dirt in the engine bay (engine is pretty good) because of a desire to (understandably) avoid the engine and its electrics getting wet. Accordingly I was wondering if you had any suggestions how best to clean out the engine bay (noting that we are in Canberra and are not allowed to wash our cars due to water restrictions, except and professional car washes).

Anyway, I think that is about enough for now (we are also in the process of getting the paint chips/stone marks repaired as well by a local guy here in Canberra, so will let you know how that goes), thanks for your time and assistance, any feedback you can provide on the above would be most appreciated.

Take care and all the best

T&C

P.S. Photos to follow later ;-)

[1stKill]

Hmmmm nice 1st post. ;)

firstly welcome to the club.

I've never worried about parking sensors,i know the size of my car.(but thats me).Autobarn & local car audio should be able to help.

Hub Caps ya might have to bite the bullet and buy new,most used if ya could find em( better chance in Sydney maybe) might have marks & scratches anyway,maybe look at some s/hand allloy wheels?

MP3 no advice on the xCarlink unit( i don't know it ),someone else will answer this soon im guessing.

Best tyres,so many to choose from,personally i buy Yokohamas & Pirelli's,but usually price factors into most tyre purchases( and i've never really understood this,sometimes huge money spent on car & wheels,and then cheap tyres ) so i'm not sure on the cheaper ranges,sorry bout the rant on tyres,its just a personal gripe.( i work in a smash yard,seen & heard a lot of tyres stories over the years)

and as for cleaning the engine bay,could try a pro detailer comes to you 20-30mins done shouldn't be to pricey,or get in there and do it yourself,we all love a bit of DIY on this forum. :D

anyway i hope this was of some help,if not it was good typing practice for me as i'm a 1 finger wavering above the keyboard typing guy,trying to progress to 2 fingers knowing what there doing typing guy.

[aslan]

nice post thnks

[aapcox]

Thanks for the prompt reply 1stKill, it certainly looks like you have a well pimped Aurion - very nice (and the comment Aslan as well).

Thought that that might be the case on the hubcaps, but the thought on the alloy's is not bad. Will def upgrade the tyres when we get a chance, Yokohamas sounds good (having been to Italy/Milan on a number of occassions, am not keen to shell out extra dosh just so Pirelli can spend it sponsoring Inter......).

Pro detailer sounds a good idea re the engine bay, as its pretty dirty/dusty, but I'll keep a keen eye on them as they do the work so that I can sort it the following time (and get to know what can and can't be exposed to water/cleaner).

Sorry for the long post and your 1/2 fingered efforts are appreciated (I can use 8 fingers, so it means that I can rabbit on a bit.....)

Thanks again and all the best

Tone

[aapcox]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update.

Had 'Billy' the installer, chuck in a xCarlink ipod connection last week when I was up in Sydney, works a charm - $200 all up, took about 30 minutes for Billy to take off the various parts of the stereo and surrounds and successfully install the unit, which comes out in the glove box looking like a standard iPod connection (and which also re-charges the iPod). Steering wheel controls also work fine for changing tracks and volume. Looks like a winner. Billy also does rear parking sensors... $180 installed... bargain.... (he also does these, GPS units and Bluetooth installations, mainly for Caryards, which charge double or more than Billy's cost.... eg $500+ for the ipod connection or parking sensors). No paperwork, cash in hand job, but a 1 year verbal 'warranty' on the parts and installation....

Will see how the xCarlink goes over the next few weeks and may get the parking sensors installed (Billy has a variety of colours available, but if you want a perfect match and he doesn't have it, for an extra $50 he can get a perfect colour matched set of sensors).

Anyway, hope this is of use.

Cheerz

Tone

[1stKill]

well done,sounds like ya got it all sorted.

price on the sensors seems fine and seems like ya found a good elecs installer (Billy) so alls good.