[zarbs]

Hi to all, Tony is my name and I hale from The mid north coast of NSW in Australia. I have my Red Diamond EC Exceed being delivered early next week. I have been driving Mitsubishi vehicles since 1985 ranging from station wagons (estates for those in the UK) to sedans to SUV's and 4WD's. Replacing a MY16 Pajero Exceed with the EC. Bought that to retire and tow a caravan. Bought a farm instead and never saw the caravan so its time to rid myself of the Pajero as it's too large these day. Look forward to posting some pics of the EC once it arrives. Got a heap of accessories to fit rather than buy them from the dealer at delivery (purchased from a dealer so warranty is intact). Most genuine and around half the dealer price. I worked in the US for some time and have always been one to buy stuff from a contact in San Jose dealership. Helps to get things like the bonnet protector which is a US only item. See you in the forums...

 

[Homer1959]

Dont expect too much from this forum its virtually dead ... very disapointing ...

 

[slippercream]

Welcome, and though this forum is indeed very dead, it's just one of what... two? places to get information?

Hope you like the Cross. Not a bad cruising vehicle, and from what you've written it might just be the perfect vehicle for what you intend to use it for.

I myself am waiting a few years until I can get a very specific Pajero Stateside. So, it's rather the reverse to your story I miss those old beasts Mitsu used to make.

 

[wasabi]

Hey @zarbs
Did you end up taking delivery of an Eclipse Cross as yet? Are you looking at any other SUV's or just the EC for now?

 

[zarbs]

Hey @zarbs
Did you end up taking delivery of an Eclipse Cross as yet? Are you looking at any other SUV's or just the EC for now?

Picked up my EC Exceed (top grade model in Australia). I spent the day installing accessories as I only got the towbar pack and front window tinting from the dealer. Accessories I installed include:

Hood protector
Side weather shields
Front mudflats
Hood gas support struts
Front and rear fog light surrounds in chrome
Rear lower bumper garnish in satin chrome (this is an accessory available on US EC's)
Rear cargo latch area stainless steel cover
Rear upper bumper chrome protector
Chrome side mirror covers
Satin chrome door handle bowl covers
High edge boot liner
After market carper mats

I purchased from eBay and AliExpress and all accessories were 40 to 60% cheaper than from the dealer. I got the genuine parts from dealers on eBay at this discount as well. If you are comfortable fitting accessories it makes no sense to have a dealer charge high fees to do it. All accessories that were fixed with 3M tape weren't just stuck on. I have always cleaned the area with alcohol wipes and then prepped the area on the car with the 3M 94 Primer. This sets up a keyed surface for the tape to bond to. I also heat the tape on the accessory with a heat gun to soften the glue. Trouble this approach is you have to be dead on with placement because once its on it won't be coming off easily.

Here are a few pics...

 

[zarbs]

Welcome, and though this forum is indeed very dead, it's just one of what... two? places to get information?

Hope you like the Cross. Not a bad cruising vehicle, and from what you've written it might just be the perfect vehicle for what you intend to use it for.

I myself am waiting a few years until I can get a very specific Pajero Stateside. So, it's rather the reverse to your story I miss those old beasts Mitsu used to make.

Thanks. I have used the Mitsubishi Forums site for many years but found the EC wasn't among their covered vehicles and then I found this site. Forums are what you make of them unfortunately. If the members don't post then a dead forum results. Would love to know of any other places to check out. Cheers...

 

[wasabi]

@zarbs nicely done, its definitely not for first timers that never worked on their cars.
For most people paying the labor and extra's fee's from the dealer is worth it in the end. After all these jobs are done once or twice in a vehicles lifetime.

Do you have any other upgrades planned?

 

[zarbs]

@zarbs
Do you have any other upgrades planned?

Living in the sunburnt country (Australia) I wanted to get a sun shade for the EC. Found a full set for all windows (and the sunroof glasswork) on AliExpress (VVI Store) for AU$54 including shipping. They showed up today (took about a week to get here) and I must say I'm very impressed with the fit and finish. The pics show the shades fitted to some of the windows though I hadn't finished fitting the velcro tabs to the top of the front screen so it was hanging a little loose. Once the tabs were in place the light seal was excellent. They're secured by suction cups and the fit is so tight that virtually no sunlight gets into the car when they're on. Of course you would only install all of them if you were staying for some time and I doubt I will ever install the sunroof glass shades. Otherwise the front and rear screens can be fitted in no time flat. They all roll up and store in the supplied carry bag which has a pull tie closure. Very happy with them...

 

[zarbs]

Do you have any other upgrades planned?

Also, I've found that I tend to drag my feet over the sill panels on entry and leave dirt on the plastic scuff plate so I have sourced a full set of eight scuff plates in stainless steel to cover the plastic trims and painted sills. The new ones have an inner plate to cover the plastic trim and an outer plate to cover the sill paintwork. Stainless steel with red printed Eclipse Cross to match my Red Diamond paint colour. Around AU$100 shipped. Will be interesting to see how they fit...

 

[wasabi]

Very nice addition but I believe there are coatings that can help protect them for anyone wanting a cost effective method and stay mostly original.

 

[zarbs]

Very nice addition but I believe there are coatings that can help protect them for anyone wanting a cost effective method and stay mostly original.

Unfortunately, in Australia they only offer a front illuminated scuff plate and even the image on the Mitsubishi Australia accessories page is taken from the left hand drive version going by the lock clips in the carpet mat on the floor which are only on the drivers side. The vinyl type coatings for these areas are only for the painted sill that I can find. The rough plastic of the sill trim would not allow a vinyl to adhere properly. I'll certainly check the look before setting them in place but I am confident they will be an advantage and save on wear and tear. They're only seen when the door is open so don't detract from the look of the EC on the road. Pics to follow once they arrive...

 

[oldsalt]

Unfortunately, in Australia they only offer a front illuminated scuff plate and even the image on the Mitsubishi Australia accessories page is taken from the left hand drive version going by the lock clips in the carpet mat on the floor which are only on the drivers side. The vinyl type coatings for these areas are only for the painted sill that I can find. The rough plastic of the sill trim would not allow a vinyl to adhere properly. I'll certainly check the look before setting them in place but I am confident they will be an advantage and save on wear and tear. They're only seen when the door is open so don't detract from the look of the EC on the road. Pics to follow once they arrive...

I have Mitsubishi illuminated scuff plates fitted.

The front two are illuminated and there are rear door plates not illuminated.

So, the set is for 4 sill plates.

 

[zarbs]

Finally got my set of chrome door handles to match the door bowl covers. The original set I ordered on eBay were sent for a left hand drive EC plus didn't have the button holes for the keyless entry. They refunded most of the cost and I got a set from AliExpress that fitted perfectly. I've had chrome handles for the last four of my Mitsi's which were standard. This is the first one that didn't have them though they are an available accessory on the US EC. I prefer bright to things like carbon fibre. IMHO carbon fibre makes the car look dirty. YMMV...

 

[zarbs]

I have Mitsubishi illuminated scuff plates fitted.

The front two are illuminated and there are rear door plates not illuminated.

So, the set is for 4 sill plates.

Great to hear but I balk at paying AU$371 for the genuine part just to have illumination.

 

[wasabi]

Finally got my set of chrome door handles to match the door bowl covers. The original set I ordered on eBay were sent for a left hand drive EC plus didn't have the button holes for the keyless entry. They refunded most of the cost and I got a set from AliExpress that fitted perfectly. I've had chrome handles for the last four of my Mitsi's which were standard. This is the first one that didn't have them though they are an available accessory on the US EC. I prefer bright to things like carbon fibre. IMHO carbon fibre makes the car look dirty. YMMV...

Are are you planning to protect that chrome with anything? Opti-coat? PPF?