What's the difference between the two models. I believe ours is the sport model because of the body colored trim and 18" wheels though I'm not 100% sure. I tried searching but didn't come up with anything.

 

Stiffer springs, different seat insert, seat and backrest that is, pattern (standard seats have the pattern front-to-back while sport seats have a left-to-right pattern). Also, leather on steering wheel spokes and gear knob should be perforated.

Also, sport models ought to have DSC as standard, so if you have the "skidding car"-button near gear stick, you have that.

 

Looks like ours is the sport model.

 

wyxtype, keep in mind that the Sport model also came from the factory with a slightly lowered drop spring setup (sits 1.4" lower than the non-sport) and also has a slightly different shock set up (a little stiffer, but not by much). Also, the wood in the dash is a different tone than was available in the non-sport.

 

I thought I'd mention the grey bird's eye maple, but weirdly, while it was supposedly the standard veneer on sport models, it is incredibly rare to see. Like 95% of all sport spec cars I have seen on the internet have the brown bird's eye maple (or pomme sapelle or whatever in US cars), so I didn't think it would be of much use in identifying the car.

What veneer do yours have, wyxtype and Thermo?

 

Aonsaithya, I have the brown bird's eye maple. But then, my car is not a Sport model either. I have simply pulled off key pieces and color matched them as I think the Sport (monochrome) look fits what I wanted better.

 

Nice to know. So, it still would be nice to do that suspension drop. I always wished it sat lower.

 

Cherry, iti s easy to get the slight drop (1.4"). You have your choice between the stock springs, H&R, and also Eibach. They all make springs for the car that have the drop that you are after. You can get away with the factory shocks that you currently have. But, if you are doing this, you might as well complete the package and install the Sport shocks (made by Bilstien, but not, Bilstien makes 3 different variations of shocks for our cars, you need the ones that are label "SPORT" if you do this mod). From there, the installation is pretty straight forward and will not really add any time to the spring installation since you have to remove the shocks/struts when you do the springs.

 

Thanks Thermo !!! You make it sound so easy. Makes me wonder if there are no other mods needed to get that 1.4" drop? no adjustments to anything else?

 

There were various Trim / options on Uk spec models offered . Basic, Classic , SE, Sport , Indianapolis, Sovereign, XS. Plus 2.5 & 3 litre petrol engines ( with 4x4) & 2.0 petrol & 2.0 & 2.2 Diesel engines ( no 4x4 ) Also station wagon & auto manual options.

 

As far as I know, in an ascending order of better standard equipment:
Classic, Sport, SE (Special Equipment), Sport Premium, Sovereign
Only the three first ones were initially available.

Then there were a few specials, as in the ones Five Speed mentioned.

 

Mine is " Basic " even lower than " Classic" although , my Insurance company kepp telling me its an " Indianapolos " but its not , as it is the wrong colour & has the wrong wheels ....