Boxes From Germany: A GS Modification Thread

[Jack GS]

That rim design works with both the Opel's black cap and our Buick's silver (or tri-color shield) cap.
But our factory wagon rim needs the black wheel cap to match...😭

@Uniqez is on it! Just to reinforce, Opel uses mainly the gloss black and technical grey wheel color. So all one needs to do is purchase the correct caps. I believe Buick calls the TourX wheel color dark charcoal but they look close enough!

 

[D2R]

And they do match pretty good😉

I am drooling over that!
Where did you get yours?

 

[Uniqez]

I am drooling over that!
Where did you get yours?

I got mine from Adrian @blitzparts .Along with doors sills and rear badge.

 

[Jack GS]

Out of curiosity, I threw one of the wheels on a scale. It came in at 30lbs. 11oz.

Not bad for an OEM 20" wheel, I'd say.

 

[BenD]

For the rear head rests, which year Malibu's are we talking about? Thanks

I took from 2017 to 2020 Malibu RS parts

 

[BenD]

Functionally, nothing. I prefer the look and low profile design over the North American design. I rarely have rear seat passengers, so the change is ultimately for me and rear visibility.

NA Regal:
View attachment 24229

All other markets (note, the center h/r):
View attachment 24230

Wow! Really like the low profile HR’s, do you know the part number for the middle seat HR?
Thanks for sharing your pictures really nice

 

[96americanluxury]

@Jack GS do you happen to have the part number for the Opel Insignia switch panel in front of the shifter?

 

[Jack GS]

@Jack GS do you happen to have the part number for the Opel Insignia switch panel in front of the shifter?

Sure do! The part number of the one I ordered is 39111155.

 

[Uniqez]

Sure do! The part number of the one I ordered is 39111155.
View attachment 24353

Interesting, why would you replace it? Any functions unlocked on your vehicle? (Like ASS disable button perhaps)

 

[96americanluxury]

Sure do! The part number of the one I ordered is 39111155.

Thanks! And the Buick part number is 39137617?

 

[Jack GS]

Interesting, why would you replace it? Any functions unlocked on your vehicle? (Like ASS disable button perhaps)

I did it for mainly aesthetic reasons. I go into more detail in my post in this thread: The Switch Has Arrived

Thanks! And the Buick part number is 39137617?

Not for everyone, but mine was that part number. The "switch has arrived" link above has pictures of both switches with the part numbers showing.

There are different part numbers for the each switch with, or without, lane departure, park assist, and chassis control. Link to the various Buick switches (#4 if you scroll down): GM Parts Direct: Center Console

 

[96americanluxury]

Not for everyone, but mine was that part number. The "switch has arrived" link above has pictures of both switches with the part numbers showing.

There are different part numbers for the each switch with, or without, lane departure, park assist, and chassis control. Link to the various Buick switches (#4 if you scroll down): GM Parts Direct: Center Console

Unfortunately for me, to get all the buttons and have the GS button (which I want because Buick history and the Regal GS link) I will need to buy the Opel panel and fully loaded GS panel and swap over the GS button like you did.

My original switch only has the lane keep assist and rear parking sensor buttons. And even though they won’t work, I would like them all to click like real buttons.

On a side note, have you given thought to the power folding mirrors like @Lt0302 installed on his?

I found that the GM parts websites list a power folding mirror equipped driver’s door master window switch for the 2018 and 2019 Regals. That and the fact that Lt0302 was able to just plug and play with the right wiring tells me GM at one point most likely planned to offer the power folding mirrors on the Regals.

 

[Jack GS]

Unfortunately for me, to get all the buttons and have the GS button (which I want because Buick history and the Regal GS link) I will need to buy the Opel panel and fully loaded GS panel and swap over the GS button like you did.

I totally get this.

On a side note, have you given thought to the power folding mirrors like @Lt0302 installed on his?

I did! I really like what he's doing with his Regal. I would like the courtesy light and potentially the cameras if he gets those working. The reason I probably won't go that route is our mirrors are hardly any narrower when folded in. I rarely fold them in anyway. If I did install them, it'd be more of a "look what my car can do" sort of thing.

 

[Uniqez]

Unfortunately for me, to get all the buttons and have the GS button (which I want because Buick history and the Regal GS link) I will need to buy the Opel panel and fully loaded GS panel and swap over the GS button like you did.

My original switch only has the lane keep assist and rear parking sensor buttons. And even though they won’t work, I would like them all to click like real buttons.

On a side note, have you given thought to the power folding mirrors like @Lt0302 installed on his?

I found that the GM parts websites list a power folding mirror equipped driver’s door master window switch for the 2018 and 2019 Regals. That and the fact that Lt0302 was able to just plug and play with the right wiring tells me GM at one point most likely planned to offer the power folding mirrors on the Regals.

Didn't @Lt0302 ran and extra wires to have this working?

 

[96americanluxury]

Didn't @Lt0302 ran and extra wires to have this working?

Yes, I believe he ordered the mirrors, the switch and the entire door wiring harness to make it work. A lot of work, that. But the programming must be there already in the modules since it works with the remote door lock/unlock.

 

[dmr02]

Those wheels make the car man nice 👍 wish we had that as an option...I'm drooling rite now

 

[Jack GS]

The final box (for some time anyway) has arrived. With it, the other two wheels and the rear headrest. I will make time to take before/after photos showing them installed. The extra rear visibility is great!

For now, here are all four side by side. The stitching and color of the leather match perfectly. The Opel headrests are more than 3" shorter than the Buick headrests when installed.

 

[Jack GS]

This morning I took the GS to a parking lot nearby to showcase the difference between the two styles of headrests. Solely judging by the number of visible concrete bases, the improvement is significant. Here are the views through my plebeian framed rearview mirror:

Buick Headrests


No Headrests


Opel Headrests


The no headrest comparison is a necessary one, cause lets face it, it's pretty easy to just remove the headrest if you know you're gonna be on a road trip without rear passengers (I've done this). The difference between running no headrests and the Opel headrests is negligible. On a day to day basis, the Opel headrests are a great solution for a problem you may not have thought existed. Just imagine those concrete bases as cars coming up on your blindspot and it's an easy sell. More visibility is always better.

Bonus Pics


Objectively, they are superior (visibility-wise anyway, I don't know the differences as far as rear occupant safety). Subjectively, they look much better too! I am still trying to get used to them. It's odd looking back and not seeing anything. Hands down, these have been one of the best functional and aesthetic changes I have made to the car.

 

[Wlepse]

Doubt you trade much on safety, it isn't like these were some standard headrest from a developing nation, I would trust the EU standards

 

[BenD]

This morning I took the GS to a parking lot nearby to showcase the difference between the two styles of headrests. Solely judging by the number of visible concrete bases, the improvement is significant. Here are the views through my plebeian framed rearview mirror:

Buick Headrests
View attachment 24649

No Headrests
View attachment 24650

Opel Headrests
View attachment 24651

The no headrest comparison is a necessary one, cause lets face it, it's pretty easy to just remove the headrest if you know you're gonna be on a road trip without rear passengers (I've done this). The difference between running no headrests and the Opel headrests is negligible. On a day to day basis, the Opel headrests are a great solution for a problem you may not have thought existed. Just imagine those concrete bases as cars coming up on your blindspot and it's an easy sell. More visibility is always better.

Bonus Pics
View attachment 24652View attachment 24654View attachment 24655

Objectively, they are superior (visibility-wise anyway, I don't know the differences as far as rear occupant safety). Subjectively, they look much better too! I am still trying to get used to them. It's odd looking back and not seeing anything. Hands down, these have been one of the best practical and aesthetic changes I have made to the car.

Very nice!! Congrats, you made the right choice and thanks for sharing with so many details and pictures 👍