MattMe

Just spoke to the guy and he quite confidently said 'it's just water based paint, it'll wipe off'... Even if it would just wipe off surely he's missing the big picture here? Am I over-reacting? And if it wipes off so easily whey has someone scratched away at my leather in a poor attempt to get it off? I'm going down Friday to see him so he can sort out the issues he says. I'm pretty pi**ed off though, why should I be driving around so he can fix the *** ups he created in the first place? And if he needs to keep my car to repair any of it then I'm without a motor - the Z is my only car. I'm so really effed off at the minute.

I think the most annoying thing is how they didn't even mention the paint on the seat like I might not notice or think 'I wonder how that got there..' Still not called me back, I'll ring them again now. The flex is at the bottom on each side (behind the wheel). Like a supporting bracket is missing or something. I know it wasn't like that before because it would be obvious when cleaning it. Guess they must have removed or broke something when fitting the rear splash guards (incorrectly).

I got home after picking up my car last night, quite happy with the paint job done (had bonnet, wing, rear quarter and both bumpers done) until I got out and noticed they'd also painted something I hadn't requested... Needless to say I'm not over the moon. There are 3 marks, the 2 either side being silver paint, and the one in the middle where it's been atempted to scratch the paint off, fudging up the leather in the process. Then (yes, there's more) I noticed the rear bumper now has a LOT of flex in it, like pushes is a few inches, and the rear splash guards have been fitted with a self-tapping screw through the freshly painted side into the botom of the bumper. Overall I'm not happy. I'm still waiting for them to call me back about it. I'll keep the name quiet until it's been resolved, but I had spent a while getting quotes, visiting workshops and taking advice from here before choosing where to take it.

Mmmm, look at the orange peel effect on the Ford paint work... My mother just bought a new Ka. Cheap little car and the paint is the most orange peel effect I've ever seen, quite disgraceful if you ask me!

I looked at those too. So any advice on my other questions anyone??

Sorry, it's my fault. I wash my car and it rains. This week it's being painted so it was bound to happen really. Knew I should have warned the Icelanic bunch about that volcano...

Ayup peeps. Been thinking about getting my 'Bose' unit repaired for a while now but have just considered what I could swap it for at a similar cost... I quite like the look of the Pioneer FH-P80BT: http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer ... 48edk3cr45 Mainly because it looks kind of stock (can adjust the colours), has a rear aux input for MP3 player and it cheap! Plus it can be intergrated into the steering remote control and has BT handsfree... These are the things I eed clarification on. I read through thte sticky at the top of this forum and kind of sort of understood a bit of it (one of things that make more sense when you've got the wires in front of you?) and just wanted to confirm what parts I'd need to retain the steering remote function and how/if I could integraet into the existing handsfree mic? Also, with a ne HU do we still use the standard amp, or would you just use the one built-in to the new HU? I'm sure I'll have more questions later... And I think I'd miss the 6 disc changer - that's a nice feature...

I disagree - I asked them to service my car, part from the work I had already done. I wasn't asking them to say they'd carried out a full P2 on my car. I spoke to the manager today and pretty much had the attidtude 'you should be thankful you got the courtesy car' and 'my best technician di the work' so therefore nothing wrong/missing. Totally over-looking most of the other points I made. The best I got out of him was 'tell me what you want me to do'. I was quite annoyed by that attitude. He did offer to change the rear drop-link (advisory on MOT) with no labour charge. I told him I don't want anything from him or his business and I shall be taking my car elsewhere in future. It's not like I was ringing up to get anything out of him, I wanted him to be aware of the service his staff do/don't give and the quality of the work carried out. It was like he was just sitting there waiting for me to say 'so I want a refund' where all I really wanted was him to make not, apologise and not be rude like his staff. Ahhh!

New 370Z vs used Cayman S and they are totally comparable. Obviously if you have to buy new then they are not on the same page. In terms of price they are, certainly. But why compare buying a brand new car to a more expensive second hand car? I'm not saying you shouldn't consider where to spend your £30k but the comparisions going on seem a little unfair considering (as has already been pointed out) a fully specced Porche new costs TWICE that of the 370z. That's not a small amount. Although if I had £30k to spare I think I'd save a little bit more and go Aston Martin V8 Vantage Compare that, if you will, to either car.

Just been reading through this post and thought I'd check out the Cayman compared to the 370z. They do seem to be better built, better drivers car etc but for the same spec as the Nissan you're getting on for £50k! The base models are about £33k and don't include much apart from electric windows, air con and stuff that's standard on most family cars. So £15-£20k more than the 370z. Surely they're not even comparable?hb

Yep - just for the stamp. That's why I'm asking why I should bother taking it anywhere at all to have it serviced - why not just do it all myself, keep the receipts and 'stamp' the service book myself?

I know Nissan aren't known for their great quality mechanics but I got a good price (under £100 for the P2 service) and it's close and they offered a courtesy car for a tenner. Leicester isn't that far but it's a long way to go for a service. At eh end of the day what is done in a service I can't do? I did everything else other than the oil change so I could get a stamp in my book pretty much. Why don't I just service it myself and write what I did in the book? So frustrating!

Damn it I wish I'd read that! Forgot to ad the courtesy (Nissan Pixo ) car I paid for the day (£10 odd) didn't have any fluid in the washer bottle and it was on empty with the fuel warning light on. Argh! I'm definitey going in next week to see the manager - so pished off!

Just got my car back from the Co-Op group Nissan garage in Notts. I'm not massively happy. I rang to arrange a few weeks ago and explained I'd already carried out all neccessary work for a P2 apart from the oil change and filter, and I would supply my own oil. Sio I go to collect it (after having to ring them myself to confirm it had been done) and I've been charged for brake fluid change, coolant change, fuel system 'treatment', brake cleaning, and spray oil! I explained I wouldn't be paying for any of this, but just before she took the invoice off me I noticed the brake fluid 'change' only consisted of one litre! I'm sure you need at least 2 to flush it completely - or am I wrong? I only changed it 12 months ago for Motul DOT4 so I guess I need to change it all again now! Not happy. The staff were ignorant ignored me for ages and spoke quite rudely to me. When you get issues like this you have to wonder what else they've done, or not done as the case may be. I looked through the service sheck sheet and you just know they've just ticked it off without actually checking. Like my spare tyre - I know that's under-inflated as I let some pressure out a while ago, but 60psi it says om the sheet! Contemplating going to see a manager next week..

A mate of mine has a Clio 180 and we've had a bit of a 'play' recently on the way home. I was amazed how well it kept up with the zed, like exactly the same until around 80mph-100mph (on private roads, of course ). It's the weight of the car. Clios and saxos are light, the Zed if a big massive heffer of a car. More GT than out-and-out sports car really. The Zed does have hugely more torque though, pulling away in third I'd get a bigger gap to start but it'd still keep up. I know which I'd rather be driving around in, not just because it's not a girls car, or because it looks sooo much better, but because it's more comfy, it's RWD and it's got torque - I don't need to thrash it, or change gears all the time to get power. Having said all that - definitely get it remapped if it's had engine mods done. What airbox are you running, with what other mods? The only problem with the 350z is it's lack of NA tuning potential. But if you go FI you can get massive power on the standard internals...

So is he a 'taker'?

Ayup. Went to a localish wheel allignment centre on Friday after my brother recommended it. He's have some Porche race cars set up soon and is going to be using this place. They have a HawkEye 3D imaging system that's pretty damned impressive. It's called Tyre 4 U Ltd., it's near Mansfield (about 15 min drive from J28 M1). Dave and Mike are decent guys and spent a while explaining the system and what changes they were making. Also give a print out at the end to show pre and post setup. Well impressed. They said they sometimes do meets with car clubs/forums for discount if enough go, but rates are fair anyway. It's 01623 662501 if you want to book in. I just turned up though! Just thought I'd mention as there aren't many places I've been to recently where I've been happy with the service I've had!

Just thought I'd past to say I'm having (quite a lot) some paint work done in a couple weeks at Complete Auto Care in Mansfield. Met Andy this weekend, seems like a decent chap and has quite an eye for detail. Hopefully it'll be a good job. Did a good rate for me too I'll post up some pictures soon of the damage, and then after it's been repaired...

Just so you know, I got to page 3, half way through, felt a bit sick and stopped reading. What's wrong with you people? Nice cars in a great colour, btw... Shame they're driven by raving homosexuals.

Good point Maz on it being a necessary evil at the moment, but that's only because of the actions of the armed forces previously. I suppose if we were more defensiev then it wouldn't seem so bad, but we'd still be paying millions for it while people are starving, even in our own country. Plus we'd be paying loads of people to sit around waiting for someone to attack us. My theory was a light-hearted John Lennon job - if we all decided wars are bad there'd be no wars. Simplistic maybe, but strangley believable... Anyway, I'm not a hippee. I believe the below video makes the best point about the recent wars America (and therefore bum-sucking England) have been involved in, the 'go back to sleep America' being satirised in Family Guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE

^ On reflection, that's not the best simile I've ever come up with. Oh, if only I had an 'edit' button.

£10K for an FTO? Only kidding. I liked my FTO. I liked it because it cost me just over a grand and had a V6. Handled quite well for a FWD too. Oh and as for the rest of the stuff mentioned, I'd sell your other cars, repair the free Zed to your liking and keep some cash in your sky rocket. Buying any second hand car, no matter how well it's been looked after, you're going to notice things you aren't happy with and faults will develop. Get the (ugly as a dead babie ) bumper taken off, and get the engine checked over by a specialist. Then do the rest as and when the funds are available. It's free!

I agree - had mine 1 year as of this week and although I have looked at other cars I still own it so it must be doing something right! As you said, unless you're spending perhaps £10k over the value of your Zed there ain't much out there to compete as far as I'm concerned...

17.) Leave the E.U, money saved could fund the army for better military. Hmmm... How about stop wasting money on improving our efficiency to kill innocent people. How about send the members of government to war if they've got a problem with a country. War, death, famine, disease. Yummy. Glad we're safe here in Blighty throwing bombs at the people we don't understand. That should prevent future terrorists shouldn't it? Oh wait, no, that's why the terrorists are doing what they do in the first place. We could at least do what America do and make shed loads of money by increasing industry who make weapons and ammunition, and when they've used them and got something better sell them off to another country so they have a reason to go to war with them with much more powerful & accurate weapons. It's genius when you think about it. I have no sympathy/respect for any member of any armed force - I'm sorry You get my vote so long as you prevent any future wars. How hard can it be? Make love, not war

It's like that insurance company advert where all the people walking down the street are pushing into each other, shouting and swearing - 'you wouldn't behave like this when you'#re walking'... It's a good point. People feel invincible in cars. I still find the most amusing cars/drivers are the Halfords loyalty customers Corsa drivers. They make me smile because I remember when I found all that kind of stuff cool, but then by the time I was 17 and old enough to actually drive I'd grown out of it