lanepono

Everyone's doing an excellent job with your upgrades; I have lived and worked in Germany for a total of 6 years. European vehicles are made and designed based upon realities that we Americans only now have to deal with. In 1976 while stationed in Germany with the Air Force, my wife and I owned a German made Ford Capri, in 2002 I returned to Europe and purchased a German made Ford Focus, today we have a 2010 Ford Transit Connect. They all are well built and well received by Europeans and Americans. Last year I sold my 2000 BMW Z3 coupe hatchback, it was made by BMW racing team USA and was a piece of crap. Typical of U.S. autos for many years, the USA BMW 2000 coupe was all show, shallow, and superficial; perhaps if it were made in Germany the end product would have been of better quality and integrity. For decades everywhere else but the U.S. has been paying astronomical prices for gas and oil. In 1976 Germans were paying over $2 for a gallon of gas (3.8 liters). Unfortunately we still have some idiots that are totally clueless, have never travelled outside of their own back yards, and believe soap operas are based on true stories. These are the clowns that will not be ready for nor understand the paradigm shift that is upon us today. In Asia and Europe SUV, Big Pick Up trucks, and Soccer Mom Vans are rare to none; nor are they manufactured in Europe or Asia. We still have way too many gas hogs stomping around the streets in America. The reality is; as long as there is a U.S. market for them, the American auto industry will continue to produce them. Note models of vehicles from aboard manufactured and sold almost exclusively in the USA (no one else wants them): Nissan - Titan, SUV, Vans Toyota - Tundra, SUV, Vans BMW - Z4 Roadster, X5 SUV Discussion open to debate SUV guzzle

Hello, You may be interested in doing an upgrade to the rear door panels instead of spending money on a replacement. The original partical boards are somewhat unattractive to say the least. Check out this replacement panel set from Adrian Steel; http://www.adrianste...nect/1219/SLPTC -To remove my original panel I used a small diameter nylon rope, about an arms length. With your finger nail or some none metal flat object (i.e. plastic picnic knife) lift the edge of the snap it buttons that hold the panel in place. -Take the thin rope and slide it under the button -Make a couple of loops around the button stem and pull firmly, but be sure not to get too rough with it. (pull and strangle) -With both ends on each end of the rope pull out and side to side until the button comes out. This was a revelation from above, it was so low tech and too easy I actually had a laugh about it when all was done. It will not only compliment the Transit's interior looks but provide more loading space for cargo and a 6 foot ladder.