Watshot

You're right, three grand for metal gates is rubbish. I only paid two for a bespoke pair in oak. Not sure if you have allowed for everything in your £860 though. For example, if you're looking at the Came frog system a pair of motors and galvanised foundation boxes is likely to be around £650 before you start adding your comms, photocells, control panals etc. Of course that doesn't take away from the fact that they are trying to shaft you. They see it as a rich tax, if you can afford such luxury's, then you can afford to pay over the odds for it. Whilst they are not desperate for work they will load their quotes. When they are desperate they'll cut corners to claw some back. Allegedly...

I had a similar problem a few years back. One guy who clearly didn't want to bother just let me know that it would be very expensive, the inference being that I might not be able to afford it. Somehow he could tell this over the phone... In the end I did what I usually do and did it myself. Not an option for everyone clearly, nor the fainthearted, but I've seen a lot of work by 'professionals' over the years, whether builders or mechanics for example, and it rarely fills me with confidence. We gave our access number to the postie for parcels etc, and he told us that a couple of others in the village had automated gates and were forever having guys back to sort them out, there's only one reason for that, shoddy installation. I don't know what type of system you are planning, but if you can get your control box in a garage or other protected area it would be an advantage. You say you have power at the gates which is needed to run the motors but the control box can go at either end of the supply. Most installers will fit it outside at the gates for ease of installation, but you will find that in the colder weather, because of the heat sink, you get all manner of creepy crawlies filling it up through the vents, eventually causing problems. Also, if you are going for a decent underground system (which I would hope, given your quote ) they need to install sufficient drainage to a soakaway or existing drain. I was fortunate that my main drain ran down the middle of my drive with a manhole at the gates. I just re-built the manhole incorporating my new drain with a trap to avoid any smells coming up through the motor boxes. Anyway, best of luck with it, they are a joy when they are up and running.

That's a great result as normally they would fall back on the 'annual bodywork inspection' as detailed in the service book, which no-one ever bothers with given that Nissan charge for it, even if done at the time of a service. Well done.

We have two or three sets to cover different sizes. If we hire abroad and are going to a region that requires them, we just shove the appropriate set in the hand luggage rather than paying the rediculous hire companys 'extra' charges. If you get stuck in an area that requires them and you don't have them, then you can be charged, financially or criminally. After all, you expect someone to come and dig you out and save your family in an Alpine region, for example, putting others at risk, so it's only reasonable. They are not expensive. Not sure about fitment on a Z or similar. You'd have to check the handbook. There are sometimes issues with clearance on wider wheels. Generally you would fit more suitable winter tyres etc. Ironically, we get more use out of them here. Our village gets cut off in heavy snow like the last couple of years, the missus just keeps them in the boot of her commuter, never failed to get to work yet. Practise fitting them before you need to use them.

It mostly says "Pardon", which works in either language....... J'irai chercher mon manteau.

Okay, if anyone needs their appetite whetting, I've dug out a few photo's. Some are quite old and scanned from film so the quality isn't great but hopefully gives you a tourists impression rather than any glossy magazine or tv coverage. Although some of the road cars are there for the weekend, it is typical of what you see on any walkabout if you wait five minutes! Honestly, some Ferrari's are so common they begin to look boring. Click on the images to enlarge. Back on topic, this is a view of Rocher (the rock). The white blobs on the hill just left of centre are the chairs that have been set up to keep a place. This would have been taken on the Friday. And this is the kind of view you can get from Rocher. Great of the harbour, not so good of the track, but hey, it's still better than a rainy Silverstone... So get yourself a seat, and the view can improve to this. Schumacher leads the field into Sainte Devote, lap 1, year 2000. Alonso in the Renault leads the field out of the tunnel, lap 1, 2006. Turn around for a view straight down to Tabac. Unfortunately, they appear to have removed this grandstand now. Used to catch a boat to get to it! Then if you're lucky, some action. Fisichella sticks it up the inside of Coulthard at the chicane 2006. Access to the pits is much easier. Where's a pin when you need it... And on a general wander, this is what you are likely to bump into! I see a bright future for this lad. When Diablo's ruled the world, outside the Monte Carlo hotel, Loews hairpin. With a Buggatti EB110 tucked in on the end. Fast forward 7 years, same spot and flavour of the month is a Mclaren Mercedes, about a minute before a valet kerbed the alloy, I sh1t you not. Couple of Lambo's, common as muck. Looks like a Testarossa but I think it was a 512 something or other. F40 just passing through. Would you park up your F50 so all the tourists could drag their bits and pieces down your paintwork? I guess if you can afford it... Bentley in matt black anyone? Just about to be hoisted into a display position at Casino Square. And to finish, Paganni Zonda. "Out of my way rozzer, I'm late for work" the everyday lives of Monaco folk...

From the picture, they are OEM Nissan. I don't think Tarmac would sell aftermarket stuff without listing it as such.

Rocher is a bit of a bun fight. Folk will camp out on the hill and chain their chairs to trees etc to keep the prime spots. If you are travelling on the day from France or Italy, It's a case of getting the earliest train you can and taking your chance. There are some great views to be had, but there is also a lot of greenery to block the views as well. In my experience we got a good view early on, but you get packed in then for the rest of the day. It was about nine hours stood in the same spot unable to move until the race was over, by which time I was willing it to end. It's cheap, but you take your chances with the view, and it may be uncomfortable. Don't even think about trying to find a loo, even if you did, you'd never get your space back. Subsequent years I've always paid for a grandstand seat and they are worth it for the peace of mind. If you buy early enough (last year now) you can cherry pick your view and the whole experience is stunning. Make use of the public holiday on the Friday and you can generally see some other classes practise for free in the morning (no F1), then walk the track in the afternoon when it is re-opened for traffic. We have seen many famous faces and drivers just having a walkabout on the Friday, literally bumped into Jenson one year coming off a yacht. Trains can be hit and miss also (I'd never try to drive into Monaco on race day, no chance) sometimes they are completely rammed going in, and there is always a massive exodus after the race, which is to be expected, but they generally manage the queues okay, just be prepared for a wait. I have waited until the evening sometimes to let the queue go down, perhaps had something to eat and walk the track etc, I have some nice little souvenirs from some of the crash sites, shards of carbon fibre and tyre rubber, makes a quirky paperweight! Each to their own . Of course, if you can get accommodation in Monaco, then you can walk, but then if you could afford accommodation in Monaco on race week then you wouldn't be asking about Rocher! Even took a helicopter in one year, that's the way to do it. Miss all the crowds and stroll in like a vip. Stupid money mind, but it was a special occasion... Anyway getting off topic now. If you are keen to go, but can't stretch to a grandstand seat, I'd still say do it. The whole experience if it's your first time is very special, just be prepared.

Before you start ripping the dash to bits, I'd compare the reading to another thermometer. We've had a hard frost here, but the temp only went down around -1, so easily around zero in a built up area etc. Has got to be easier than Nissan pulling your pants down. If you can confirm that the guage is mis-reading then a second-hand unit from the usual suspects would be your best bet.

Just lift the boot lid, it's all accessible from underneath, washer pops out easy enough, can't remember how it's fixed but it's not difficult, should be obvious when you look at it from underneath.

As Far As I Know.

As Far As I Know.

The original front bumper reflectors were never a legal requirement, hence why you don't see them on other makes. I think some folk get confused between the reflectors and the side indicators, which are a legal requirement.

Your new engine will have a period of warranty on it as well (just the engine obviously, as the car is now out of the original warranty). Did they give an indication of how long they cover it for now? I'd hope for a year at least as a standard warranty on new parts of that order supplied and fitted by the manufacturer. Anyway, great news, and let's hope it was a one off as I expect most of the HR's are now out of warranty, mine is Can't remember if you mentioned it earlier, what was the mileage on the old one?

im sure somebody had issues fitting an hr y-pipe to a de engine. The de-revup y-pipe is a different shape I wasn't suggesting putting an HR pipe on a DE. Trying to clarify whether, if the op had a DE, then the advice already given was good, but if he had an HR then having read about restrictive y pipes everywhere (relating to a DE) then he might want to re-consider.

As above, if you have a DE. Apparently the HR Y pipes are better iirc. (Thankfully)

Dealers just take it to the local bodyshop that they happen to have a deal with. No better or worse than anything you could find independently, other than the wedge they would add on top. Best to wait for a recommendation.

Good to see Rooney's hair transplant has taken.

That's a great job there Steve, always very satisfying when you fix something for nowt that you know the dealers would have just replaced for mega bucks. Excellent, thorough guide, an asset to the forum.

Oops! That'll learn me...

Moot perhaps, mute would have just been quite television.....

Don't know if you have a JDM, but it says not suitable for UK model without adjustment to rear hangers.

The weight is a counter-weight to make shutting the rear hatch take less effort. Lifting open is not considered a problem as the gas struts assist, then hold the hatch open. However in real life, the struts weaken with age and may not hold the hatch open, as mentioned above. Removing the weight, in theory, puts less load on the struts, and of course there's the age old argument about overall weight saving. In practise, having removed the counter-weight (and the wiper motor etc.), I find the hatch lifts with very little effort, and shuts easily enough not to notice a difference. Just occasionally it may not catch if I'm not commited, in the same way that you sometimes swing the drivers door in a limp wristed fashion and it fails to catch and you have to give it another go. Not a problem really.

Call the police. Your problem will be witnesses etc, enquire in store (or the law will) about any cctv.

There's no mystery, Fifth Gear clearly stated that the purpose of the comparison was to test whether you really needed a RWD sports coupe to have fun, and used the Zed as the benchmark as it has always been one of their favourites. The result (in their view) was 'no', you can have a FWD hot hatch like the Renault and have more fun. They weren't trying to compare like with like and clearly stated so.