GR86 Parking Sensors?

[JDS]

Interesting to see the variance in cost for the sensors. I'm second batch so no benefit of free ones, but my dealer charged £680 painted and fitted.

I was on the fence beforehand as I've never used sensors before, but after polling family members who had them, the concensus was to go for it.

They seem to work well so far, 3 days in.

 

[911sse]

I'm baffled that in this day and age people are still having to have multiple holes drilled into their bumper to fit a few unsightly sensors, this tech has been around for 20 years, things have moved on so much. Surely there is a product out there which requires just one sensor which isn't so intrusive.

I think I have owned one car with rear sensors until now, where I have two. I test drove the GR86 in torrential rain and reverse parked a few times to try it, as did my wife. Its a small car, and spatial awareness is a skill in itself I'd say...

 

[Tony H]

I collected my black gr86 in June, and the dealer fitted rear sensors for free as per first batches ... really don't notice them I have to say, and I'd recommend it. In rain, dirty weather coming up, sensors plus the camera makes things easy when parking. Btw - not a problem on the front, as you can easily judge that.

Interesting. Sounds like you were in the sdecond batch Any idea how your dealer got the go-ahead to fit the sensors for free?

I think I have owned one car with rear sensors until now, where I have two. I test drove the GR86 in torrential rain and reverse parked a few times to try it, as did my wife. Its a small car, and spatial awareness is a skill in itself I'd say...

Yes, but you can't see everywhere all at once, like when someone in your blind-spot pushes a shopping trolley into your path while you're reversing outof your slot checking for traffic steaming up the out-lane... If you only reverse on your driveway or into a paralel parking slot, then fine.

 

[v8s]

I think I have seen aftermarket ebay ones that fit behind the bumper so no hole drilling required and a lot cheaper than quoted but obviously DIY and won't be as fully integrated as OEM.

As for the dealer fit ones, they ordered mine and said they need to send them away for painting, they got them back and found out they are pre-prainted and can be ordered in the colour required so had to order the correct ones, so double check this if you go ahead with it.

 

[911sse]

Interesting. Sounds like you were in the sdecond batch Any idea how your dealer got the go-ahead to fit the sensors for free?

Yes, but you can't see everywhere all at once, like when someone in your blind-spot pushes a shopping trolley into your path while you're reversing outof your slot checking for traffic steaming up the out-lane... If you only reverse on your driveway or into a paralel parking slot, then fine.

Try Morrisons in a town where the average blind Honda driver is a retired racing driver in their 80s!

 

[ZN8]

Yes, but you can't see everywhere all at once, like when someone in your blind-spot pushes a shopping trolley into your path while you're reversing outof your slot checking for traffic steaming up the out-lane... If you only reverse on your driveway or into a paralel parking slot, then fine.

The blind spot detection is active in reverse, if it detects motion across your path it triggers a beeping warning and the wing mirror lights flash. Its pretty good.

 

[grisszoo86]

The blind spot detection is active in reverse, if it detects motion across your path it triggers a beeping warning and the wing mirror lights flash. Its pretty good.

And I tested my rear cross traffic alert today when I reversed into a parking space.

The mirrors flashed and did save me from crushing the ..... long grass that was behind the car

 

[Tony H]

The blind spot detection is active in reverse, if it detects motion across your path it triggers a beeping warning and the wing mirror lights flash. Its pretty good.

Just as well I didn't cancel that nanny, then! It was annoying me occasionally as I passed cars on the motorway. I'll check it out for parking.

I didn't notice it when I got within just a few centimetres of a wall, but then I was concentrating on the camera (which exaggerates the distance till you're used to it - the red cross is there for a reason, apparently...)

 

[grzoostuff]

Agree, a dab of rain and you can't see much with the camera, not essential sensors if you want the sleek look but helpful to have

 

[Vistalite]

As Phantom suggested, I would consider the Vodafone Cobra kit but it's establishing where to position the sensors.

Cobra Flush Fit Rear Sensors

Make reverse parking easier with the Cobra Flush Fit Rear Sensors which can be painted to match perfectly with your vehicle. So you benefit from the system's functionality without comprising on appearance.

cobracartech.co.uk

I also saw this on AliExpress which are a bargain if they work.

 

[Hachi-roku]

I'm baffled that in this day and age people are still having to have multiple holes drilled into their bumper to fit a few unsightly sensors, this tech has been around for 20 years, things have moved on so much. Surely there is a product out there which requires just one sensor which isn't so intrusive.

I’d have hoped Toyota/Subaru could have designed the parking sensors so they were installed into the black plastic panel in the lower half of the rear bumper to be honest. They’d be far less visible and a retrofit would equally be a much neater job.

 

[--Rage--]

One thing to point out to those on the second batch. The sensors are audio only and not radar, where it shows you how close you are to the object, like other manufacturers. Although this is where the rear camera comes in.

Probably worth pointing that out for those considering spending £700/800 to get them fitted as a dealer option.

 

[Orro]

I decided not to get them installed. Toyoty didn't have them ready on time, by the time they got them and were ready to fit them I had been driving for for a few weeks without them, I decided against getting it done.

• I didn't want the risk of the car being damaged or marked while being fitted and having to get it corrected (maybe me being overly cautious)
• I didn't like that the audio is not integrated (the audio is through a speaker or sounder somewhere in the bumper or rear quarter)
• I didn't like that it doesn't visually how far from an object, nothing displayed on the screen

 

[grzoostuff]

If I hadn't got mine for free, I would have passed and not paid £800 for them.

 

[Tony H]

• I didn't like that it doesn't visually how far from an object, nothing displayed on the screen

I'm finding the camera a bit optimistic - already hit the garage door when the camera led me to believe I was miles away just before (slight) impact.

Sensors, on the other hand, increase the beeping frequency as you get closer, then beep continuously when nanny thinks you're close enough. At that point you can safely trick her into another 15 cm. In the meantime, you can be looking around for errant pedestrians, bikes and cars; at least that how it's worked in my former BMW and GT86.

 

[ninjin]

As Phantom suggested, I would consider the Vodafone Cobra kit but it's establishing where to position the sensors.

Cobra Flush Fit Rear Sensors

Make reverse parking easier with the Cobra Flush Fit Rear Sensors which can be painted to match perfectly with your vehicle. So you benefit from the system's functionality without comprising on appearance.

cobracartech.co.uk

I also saw this on AliExpress which are a bargain if they work.

I've fitted these on many cars. Get the closest colour, then get a rattle can with the correct colour paint and paint them. You have to disassemble them to mask off the rubber surround. Also, do not use the cutter they supply!!! You need to get a correct 16.5mm die cutter.

Actually fitted a set last week to a brand new Peugeot EV van but didnt take any pics.

I've got a set ready painted and just waiting for a break in work to allow me time to fit them.

For the meantime, here is a set I fitted to my 25th Anniversary MX5.

 

[grzoostuff]

I've fitted these on many cars. Get the closest colour, then get a rattle can with the correct colour paint and paint them. You have to disassemble them to mask off the rubber surround. Also, do not use the cutter they supply!!! You need to get a correct 16.5mm die cutter.

Actually fitted a set last week to a brand new Peugeot EV van but didnt take any pics.

I've got a set ready painted and just waiting for a break in work to allow me time to fit them.

For the meantime, here is a set I fitted to my 25th Anniversary MX5.

View attachment 20873

Looks a smooth install

 

[Orro]

If the toyota units were that tidy I'd have been more likely to get them

 

[chopper602]

If I hadn't got mine for free, I would have passed and not paid £800 for them.

Likewise - I use them 'cos I have them, but I wouldn't have paid extra to have them retro-fitted

 

[ninjin]

Just completed the GR86 install. Very straightforward, wiring is easy. The bumper is pre-marked on the back side so not need to work out positions. Only issue, is on one side, the bullseye is blocked by a cable bracket. I just made it as close as I could and mirrored the other side.

The rattle can I got doesn't match perfectly (annoyed) and it's the second rattle can, the first was way off.

I used some hot glue to double hold the mounts as due to curve of the bumper, they weren't 100% stuck down flush.

Here are some pics I took today: