Chesterfield

As above - wouldnt worry about the rust on the wheel, just get it cleaned off and some wax applied after if it looks unsightly. I would however make a point of cleaning any rust build up from the head of that locking wheel nut. Last thing you want is the head of that starting to build up with rust/dirt and it prevent the tool from fitting correctly just when you need it.

Didnt get round to the wax, I was asked to lend a hand sort the garage out - so it was left at the stage above. The wax will be applied tomorrow! Still very tired now though

Nice bike. I bought myself one last summer, had to go for something quite sturdy given my weight at the time - the adverts actually described the Kona Hoss as a bike bulit for those who "aren;t afriad of carbohydrates".

Ive just found a panel out by a quarter inch on my brand new Altea, so I dont think its unusual to find slight imperfections - the shut line on the boot of my roadster was about 3mm narrower at one end to the other, and I know that had not had a bump - just typical build quality. On the plus side, having been over mine with a fine tooth comb, other than a few stone chips, there are no dents dings or dodgy panel fits at all on the coupe. Bought that through a Nissan dealer too.

Thanks for the deal on the Autosol at JAE last year Tim - only just started using it, and its sorted the exhaust out a treat! I couldnt get in the garage the other evening as teh other half had the keys, so I kept myself busy by using the autosol on the front door handle!

Tell me about it - swirls on black are a nightmare. The Altea in the pics above is all of 1 week old - its been washed once (today) since I bought it, and its covered in swirls, and seeing as I move the mitt in straight lines following the panels, then they must have been there from the factory. There are swirls on the UY, but you have to look for them. Dark cars seem to suffer a lot more.

Well, as I wanted to get the car up to scratch, I decided to stock up on Meguiars stuff on Wednesday. On Thursday night I gave the car a quick was and got rid of the obvious tar spots using a clay bar. I thought I would save it until today to go round and use a new clay bar in fine detail. So, at 9am I started. What became immediatley obvious within the first 10 minutes was that removing every tiny imperfection with a claybar was not going to be a 2 minute job. In fact, it was going to take much, much longer. So, I have now claybarred (sp?) just about every single square inch of paintwork on the entire car. The whole lot now feels like glass. But id did take the best part of 3.5 hours! Just given it a good Meguiars shampoo and rinse - and now it looks like this: Once the sun has gone round to the south a little more, I can begin the waxing process. It should then be up to scratch! While I wait for the sun to swing round, Im going to busy myself with the leather restorer and feed for the interior. Also, the autosol made a decent job of the pipes at the rear, later Ill get some pics of the mirror finish its put on the silencers. Well - not got time to rest, thought I'd grab a quick snack then get back out there!

No not at all - it was bound to raise eyebrows as soon as I swap cars and then start changing bits I like some of the DBA discs - just for the yellow bells though

Are you having any problems finding anywhere that will guarantee not to scratch the rims? Im going to get a tyre replaced on Saturday, Im getting one taken off the standards I have, and put on the GT4 rim. Im taking the wheels off and having them balanced (dont want an air gun going near my rims). Just hoping that the local tyre place near me will oblige in swapping the tyres over.

Dorian, The reason I think I want to replace is that the rear discs seem a little scored. The current pads are ok, but it seems that at some point the previous owner neglected them and I think it shows. The feel is not as sharp as the brakes on the previous car, but thats probably slightly glazed pads and slightly damaged/worn discs. Nothing major, and using standard parts could replace the whole four corners discs and pads for about £350. I also noted this on the test drive, and knew that worst case scenario would be a replacement of all four discs and pads - but I factored this in when buying the car for considerably less than any other UY GT4 It may also be a slight over egging of the pudding on my part too, as I also bought a new Altea FR and the brakes on that almost put me through the front winscreen first time I usd them.

I think I want to replace the discs on mine, so thought I would go for something that looks a little more the part. For about £20 or so more per disc than standards I was looking at EBC discs. Slotted and dimpled (not drilled right through). Im not doing any track days, so thinking about it, I doubt the Project Mu stuff would be worth it for me tbh. Looks nice though

Im not splitting the thread, I always manage to make a mess of it!

I may be interested in coming in on this too. Price permitting

Is the NXT shampoo this stuff? I got that plus one of each of these: Has anyone got one of these, and what are their thoughts? enough to do the whole car?

Yup - not a bad deal, I stocked up on their wash, wax and speed detailer for the shows. They didnt seem to stock the clay bar though, and I have just used up my last one. Will have a look at a local motor factors today to see if I can get some more.

Just do it facing uphill! Or bring it round to my drive Tim and Ill do them for you.

You must have worse luck than me Tim! At least you know how to swap them for silver ones now though!

could have got the bulb out without taking anything else off/out.

Tim - that sounds a nightmare! I have a tool for such jobs though. Its like a flexible pickled onion grabber.

2 x 12v sockets. Once you ge the hang of the TomTom you will be fine tim. Im going to sort out the camera database and a few other POI (points of interest) databases.

Count me and the other half in.

Excellent - is it going to be a new 07 model then, or a replacement 06 model? Glad it worked out well in the end

I know what he's getting. A little bird told me. The wait was worth it for yours Ian, they look stunning. Having thought about it, the GT4 wheels dont seem to do bad on ebay, certainly would offset the expense of new wheels, but I really like the GT4 wheel, so dont think I will be changing.

I fancy one of these within the next 10 years but it will work out just a tad more expensive for me, as although the missus doesnt mind it going in the garage....the unfortunate thing is the garage she wouldnt mind it going in, is attached to a different house. So yes - Im allowed to spend that much money on a car, but only after we have moved house. Best start saving.

I tend to go by the BBC 5 day forecast. Its fairly accurate, but a bit pesemistic! says cloudy here today in Chesterfield, but its that sunny Im thinking of going home to fetch the Z just for the hell of it.