stuRS

My next step after I've hardwired it is to buy a new mount so the satnav unit sits slightly deeper in the cubby, ideally flush with the recess box thing. Then I'll cut a black plastic plate that hides the 'frame' of the satnav screen so it looks as OEM as possible Might also change the satnav itself for a slightly larger screen with AV input for reverse camera, but that's another topic I feel! Stuart

It was a really simple job which is still half finished, but very easy to do and cost me nothing. I had a Garmin Nuvi 205W (I think!) that I used to mount on the windscreen and figured I'd fit it in the cubby to keep things tidy. Brief guide: First step was removing the centre dash console - I used a guide on here but it was very easy really. Once the centre console was off the car I removed the cubby so I could work on it on the bench - although this could be done in the car I threaded the satnav power cable (mini USB) up the dash trim on the left hand (passanger) side and through a gap in the base of the cubby, no need to drill any holes. I then fixed the flat plastic disk that came with the satnav to the back of the cubby, it was previously stuck to the windscreen so I cleaned it off and double sided taped it to the cubby after working out the location it needed to be fitted. I then put everything back together, fitted the standard Garmin suction mount to the disk mounted on the back of the cubby and clipped the satnav in place in the normal way. The power for the unit is currently coming from the rear fag lighter terminal as my car is JDM. for UK cars you can use the front ciggarette power outlet in passanger footwell. I intend to hardwire it when I've got the dash out to fit my new head unit this month. Hope that helps - any questions let me know!

I've seen a surround plastic thing in pictures on the internet but not on an actual car. I'd be tempted to cut some plastic to shape and give it a blast with a colour coded spray can. Either that or buy one of those number plate surround things, but most of them look sh*t. Stu

Also have a pop charger! You need to get to Abbey for the uprev mate, best thing I've done by a long way.

I used gloss laquer purely because it was kicking about in the garage! To be honest, matt might have been better, but I'm really happy with the finish. Bob - I've got double din, reverse cam, front cam (oh yes), nismo V2 front, stubby and wheel centres on the list this month. It's getting out of hand.

Ha, thanks again for that mate. Front potenzas came on the wheels but are the 40 profile not 35s. I would change them, but for the £400 it would cost me I can fit a double din with reverse camera, so think I'm going for that next. Already ordered the bits from Sextons, so may be calling on you for reverse camera advice soon

Just thought I'd put a quick post up showing my new wheels. I bought them from Lexx on the forum for a cracking price and after a bit of research and some new tyres they're on the car and looking good (In my opinion of course!). Anyway - I think they're Dare Drift Hiro 19inch and now have Bridgestone Potenzas all round. Just need to get some new wheel centres and it's job done! Stu

Hi all, Thought I'd show you what I got up to on Sunday. It cost me a few swirts of laquer and about an hour but I'm really pleased with the results. Basically removed gearknob, carefully removed old laquer and gave the top surface a going over with wire wool, masked it up and gave it two coats of clear to finish it off. A good alternative to spending the £140+ for a new knob, providing the leather is in good nick that is. Stu

Hi, I've done this:

Very interested in this, any info?

Do you have a picture to start off with? Might help. Maybe another colour car with the set up you're after because then you can just tweek the hue/satuation - will do it for you if you find a pic. Stu

Hi guys, My boss managed to pull my passenger door handle off the other day ( ) and it's snapped the black plastic mounts, so needs replacing. It's the long vertical handle with the brushed aluminium insert, not the door handle you pull to open the door. Anyone got one knocking about? I only need the plastic bit, the aluminium strip is undamaged, but happy to buy as one unit for a reasonable price. Cheers, Stuart

I recently sold an audi and did it via bank transfer. It's good to ask who the buyer/seller banks with as most UK banks offer 'faster payment' systems now, giving instant transfers (whereas CHAPS is batched and sent once a day normally). I've bought various vehicles in various ways, I always scope out the seller and make my decision based on instinct...the audi buyer was a commissioner for the BBC, so I was happy to use bank transfers. If he was an undesirable type, I would have insisted on cash and passed every note under a UV light before handing over the keys. Top tip though - always always have someone else with you, never buy or sell a vehicle on your own.

That's pretty much what I said to that girl... Had one of the 'cool' kids that I went to school with say "that's not your car!" at a local petrol station...that was satisfying

My favorite was from a girl at work, "is that your Dad's car?" No, no it is not. lol

Wasso - this is what I've done

The figure of 9 was a guestimate, Mark @ Abbey said the remap will make the mix leaner, but the dyno work which is still outstanding on my car refines the mixutre and ultimately the power output slightly. You're right though, less fuel = better MPG, and the map they put on my car is much leaner than standard, but not specific to mine. So happy with the result, hard to quantify but for just over £400, no exhaust or bolt on mod could get close to value for money. It's been an expensive couple of months with Abbey work, tax, mot, 2 new tyres, new windscreen, wheel spacers and clutch parts, but it's transformed the thing.

I did notice a difference in MPG on my way home, averaged 10.8 kms/ltr (JDM clocks ) when I normally get about 9 on that trip. I'm told the dyno work which is included in the Uprev charge is what brings out the mpg difference, but I couldn't get that done on the day as we ran out of time. The Abbey stickers are my favorite part, don't laugh - but it's nice to have something tangible for the £700-odd quid I spent to remind me of what lies beneath!

Hello all, I took my JDM to Abbey a couple of weeks ago for a serious going over (well, relatively speaking). Came away with my new clutch and fly fitted, which was supplied by ZMANALEX and also had it remapped while I was there. If anyone is considering the Uprev - do it - it really is a fantastic improvement over standard. The car feels healthier at all revs, before it was sluggish at points, now it sings across the entire rev range. It's made a noticable difference to acceleration too, 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear are much more interesting now and the removal of the 112mph speed limit seems to have improved motorway speed acceleration between 70-90ish. Over all - very happy with Abbey and the work done. Lovely bunch of people, I'll be going back soon for the dyno session we didn't have time to do. Got some free stickers too - wehey! Stu

I use Autoglym tar remover to get the flies and gunk off my bike & crash helmet if that helps. Might be worth checking out the detailing forum for stone chip repair guides too

Arhhh...not fair.

£400? And the rest! (sorry) My front bumper is pretty haggered. Looking at either Nismo V2 rep (see buster's car) or a respray and carbon fibre lip. Other option is stone chip repair which is something I'm considering as a quick fix, but won't fix the dent you've mentioned.

Bob - you beat me to it. Was just going to say speak to buster! Have you considered a front lip with black grill/centre section? I'm leaning towards this look over full on CF lip. Wrong colour but gives you an idea...

Damage is normally caused by lazy quikfit staff when taking wheels off. If you support the wheel properly there's no reason they should get chipped or damaged. Other risk is when pads/discs are changed, if calipers aren't safely secured they can get marked, as the brake lines have a habit of trying to move calipers back to mounted position. Any brembo calipers regardless of car/bike are normally in great condition, guess it's down to quality of paint & finish from a premium brand. I've had gold Brembos on my old Ducati withstand 20,000 miles and that's with very little protection from stone chips etc. Stu

I thought it was due to brake fluid destroying normal paints rather than heat. Can't see the caliper itself getting hot enough to change the state of paint (probably wrong though). Off to Hobbycraft on the way home from work, will touch up calipers when fitting spacers this weekend