rogerxp

I didn't even realise there was a series on currently; have I missed anything decent from the first 7 episodes?? (apart from VBH with her v.irritating giggle & Tiff just being weird )

Not sure where you've seen this . There's absolutely no mention of a new series, or any current TV show, on their website. The only reference to a 370Z on the website is their test drive over a year ago. Have you by any chance seen a preview of a repeat on some random satilite channel???

The £1,500 figure is for the whole job (wing repair/repaint, bumper repair/repaint, alloy fix, etc) not just the wheel . Good point about the badge, hadn't thought about it that way. And, you're right, I do want the car to be returned perfectly, and have loosened by opinion on the cost now it's going down the insurance path. Think the BMW body-shop are taking the perverbial (surprise, surprise) so think my mate at the local body-shop will get the job but I'll firstly be quizzing him on the colour match for the alloys as this is what is making me feel most nervous. Thanks for your input chaps .

Can't argue! Just had the quote in from the BMW Body-shop . It's double the others at nearly £1,500 - for some reason they've even quoted for a new badge .

I kind of thought that, but, because the lady was good enough to leave her contact details on my windscreen (I wasn't in the car when it happened) I didn't really want to take the p!55. That said, if there was any doubt with the end result, I'd want a new wheel. They would have paid cash, but when I mentioned the quotes were starting from £700, they said it'd have to be an insurance job which in one respect has made life easy but still feels wrong spanking the her insurance policy unneccessarily (even though non of this is my fault and in fact a complete pain in the @r5e).

As you may have read in my other recent thread some lady decided to attempt to slice the front corner of my car last week and I've been getting quotes & advice from a few places about getting it repaired. Looks like it's going to end up being an insurance job as the cheapest price I've got so far is in excess of £700. However, the comments I've received regarding the alloy repair have made me nervous. Their comments are as follows -: 1) Westway Nissan Approved Bodyshop (not at dealer so just 3rd party) - initially said they couldnt' do a 'standard' refurb due to the finish on the wheel and it'd have to be sent to a specialist; they then thought they could do it after looking some more. 2) Body-shop No2 (I know the owner and seems a high quality outfit) seemed more relaxed about it but said they'd just send it to a specialist anyway; cost was £75 from memory. 3) BMW Dealers Own Body-shop (they repair any marque). The first chap who looked (obviously not as senior as the next chap) thought it might be a new alloy completely due as he thought it had a 'milled' finish. Quickly passed me to the next chap up the ladder who thought they'd be OK to sort it but asked one of the painters to come and have a look. After a couple of minutes looks, rubbing & muttering decided they could sort it out in-house. So, have any of you guys had an alloy repaired yet, if so, was it sorted out OK??? I may just be being overly cautious here but, the way they've all taken a little while to decide they could sort it, has made me nervious that in fact they're not sure what the outcome will be. Thoughts appreciated.

Yeah, massively thankful, spoken to her and she was very apologetic - let's just hope this helpfulness continues once she hears the quote. There is a dent too so that's going to add to the cost. Strange things is that I'm now finding that nether Westway Nissan (Stockport or Manchester) do these repairs anymore so been pointed to a Nissan approved body-shop. I'm hoping to get there later to get the ball rolling. Maybe dealers haven't done this for years but I've never needed them, so far .

In fairness, she left her number, so just need to get a quote done.

...at least she partially cleaned my dirty alloy (see 3-6 o'clock - yes, it's rotated since)...

Bugger...

Don't worry, I was only messing, always keen to hear others opinions and thoughts .

It's not that it's not affordable it's more a) I hadn't realised it could cause mechanical problems (I was under the old school thinking that higher octane just gave more punch but lower octane stuff was still fine) and as I get older the stupid price of fuel (more so the tax) just gets under my skin more than anything else. And, I've not put diesel into a petrol car, or visa-versa... ...yet. But, I do double check about 5 times each time I switch between the X3 & 370Z .

Errrr, well, I did ask . Fair points of which I obviously can't come back on. Looks like I'm upgrading then...

In what direction was the wind blowing . I know, I hear loads of experience like that, but likewise loads opposite so who knows. I'll think on and maybe try some experimentation of my own...

Can't disagree with you but just can't get myself to splash out on the good stuff . I'm not being arsey here but I'd love to see some evidence on this. Does anyone have any?? If you're right then I agree and I should stick the better stuff in. As far as I'm aware the difference has always been in people's heads as opposed to any factual evidence. That said, whilst I didn't really notice when I changed from 95 to 98 (back in the day ) but do seem to remember when I dropped back from 98 to 95. But, again, was it all in my head .

Slight thread jack but still kind of relevant, what performance improvement is gained from each step mentioned above Chris... I've heard the Stillen exhaust provides an extra 18 (hp/bhp?) but what about the intake and remap??? Also, does all this fettling stuff up the mpg or does the remap balance things out OK?? I'm desperate for more noise, but not too much, just attempting to save a bit up, but guess all of the above weights in at about £2k (the exhaust is £1300 alone) which, with another little one coming in September, might be a step too far. Anyway, I'm sure the reply will be of interest to the OP, but apologies for jumping in...

Thanks guys. I knew no lasting damaged was being caused, and yes, it does sounds bad (and embarrassing). Good to know at least others have the same problem. I already go over speed humps on an angle, especially if they look big ones, but reducing speed seems the only fail-safe (I suppose that's what they're there for )

Just standard! Honestly, it's stupid, it's just the black flappy bits that drop down lower than the bumper, one day they're just going to ping off . Extra weight of a roadster??? You'd think it's be the back-end being effected more if this was a consideration.

Do you guys actually have any??? I'm constantly grinding the front end on the dark stuff. Sleeping policeman/dips in the road/my driveway every freakin day . I'm really having to slow to a snails pace whenever I see a 'reasonably sized' road bump or a steep driveway. Never had it this bad in any previous car; it's frankly ridiculous... Is this normal???

What's everyone sticking in their motors then - 97 or 95??? Must confuse to sticking 95 in mine. I used to always run my cars in 97 but since the prices have gone mental I eventually bulked and put the standard stuff in. When it starts to get more sensibly priced I'll 'upgrade' once more though.

I'm staggered you don't get brakes as standard in an Alfa these days; cut backs hey .

While, yes I'd love a 1M, but can't get my head around the price for what is essentially a pumped up 1 series. Its interior is essentially the same low-rent one in the standard 1 series (lower quality materials than the rest of the Beemer range) and certainly doesn't feel right in a car nudging £50k once you've added the toys (things like sat nav, leccy seats aren't standard). Yes, it's got all the gubbins from an M3, but you could buy a massively specced used 135i and pump that up for a serious amount less than they're asking for a 1M (I know some who has!). Plus don't forget the new 1 series will be released soon which will make this 1M look dated and whack residuals. Yes there wont be many around but I'm yet to be convinced they'd hold their value too well - the M3 got battered from outset (admittedly mass-produced). If I understand correctly, it's not even in the highest tax band, which if true is just freakin' unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, I love the 1M, just think BMW should have released it 18 months ago which would have helped to warrant the price tag a bit. For me, I'd pick up a used M3 thank you very much.

Yes, there are a couple tweaks that I'd suggest to Nissan, if only you thought they'd listen. Standing holding the door button in, whilst the top opens, if just stupid - you stand there like a complete lemon and can't move. Doesn't save any time whatsoever; might as well just jump in the hold the botton whilst you're getting comfy. Should work on the key-fob in my opinion. Plus, I wish they're get their head out of the Health & Safety manual and allow you to raise & lower the top whilst moving, say under, 15mpg; can't see any reason why this can't happen (unless you buy the third party SmartTOP system). The tempremental roof hasn't occured since its refusal to work a few weeks back so fingers crossed it was just a little glitch that has passed.

Nice one Chris, thanks for the prompt (and accurate) reply. Just found a DVD in the office so checked that and it works a treat so looks like I've got Connect Premium afterall . I'm still completely staggered at how cheaply I picked-up my motor. The dealer thought it was the older sat nav version and also advertised the car initially as 1 year old, so I just presumed the car had been sat around (hence older system) and then registered at a later date, and that justified the stupily cheap price. Turns out I bought a six-month old 60 plate Roadster, with Connect Premium, for less than some 09 plate, no sat nav, coupes are going for - happy days . Oh, and yes, I'm probably the luckiest sod around too .

This is really basic but I'm confused as to whether my car has actually got connect premium or not... ...how can I quickly tell . This is from the specification pdf from Nissan •40GB CONNECT Premium Sat Nav system with - • 7» touch screen (yes, got this) • 9.3 GB for music server (cannot locate this) • iPod/USB connectivity (my ipod connects perfectly through the socket in the armrest & controls via screen/steering wheel) • Play DVD on NAVI screen - VTR connectivity (not checked this) • Voice recognition (yes, got this) What's the easiest way to tell?? The only thing that seems to be missing is the hard disc. Oh, my car was registered in September 2010 so is an 60 plate car sourced from Northern Ireland, if that makes any difference. I know it's registered as a 60 plate but can't tell when it was actually built...