shad0wca7

Mine is the same as the one from @Andymac183 - 2003 one that hides itself in the plastic work when the button is pressed (in the special way it needs to be pressed)

Mine snapped where the lid fixes to the hinge 

I've done some more reading on this, found this very useful article: https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/troubleshoot-hid-headlights-problems/

So it sounds like it's the bulb - the ballast eventually overheats from trying to keep restarting the bulb and gives up - but turning off and on the power to the lights will 'reset' the ballast and it will keep driving it for a while longer. Thankfully this should be an easy and cheap fix..

One of my xenon headlights has started going out when it’s been on for about 1.5 hours. If I flick the lights off then on it comes back on..

 Could that be the light or the ballast failing? What’s the best way to test?

The housing has been cleaned and restored so it’s all clear. 
 

are there recommendations for bulbs? Does anything like the electrical / ballast system need consideration or does that not degrade?

I seem to remember the Xenon lights being good when I got the car.. but they're awful now and I'm sure they're a lot dimmer than they used to be - they certainly don't throw very far either.

Has anyone else experienced this and what can be done about it?

50 minutes ago, bluethermal said:

Try Underbody Protection in Lindfield.

Cool, I’ve pinged them a message and will see!

I’m in the south but it seems good re-trimmers are in the north so perhaps a few day trip is needed..

As the title says. With my ‘53 getting on a bit now I’ve no intentions of replacing it and would like to keep it well maintained and happy. 
what would people recommend for ensuring it doesn’t rot away beneath me?

It looks good! Do you know what he used to respray the trim pieces with?

That looks decent! I wasn’t aware there were kits for this sort of thing - do you have a link?

2 minutes ago, Exotic said:

I'm getting my orange leather seats refurbished next week. The seats are in very good condition for a 15 year old car, mainly bolsters need attention. Will post an update once completed.

Whereabouts and can you share the cost / before and after pics?

My issue is actually with the backrest panel which has split completely and needs replacing / some magic. The bolsters are OK but starting to look a bit worn.

I'm out of the country a lot so I can leave the car really anywhere as long as they're good enough..

On 16/06/2019 at 21:40, stanski said:

Hi Martin. 

 

A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away I used to be a trimmer so that guy charging you £200-300 is for his skill rather than materials etc.

 

All the time is spent stripping the seat down. The actual repair will be fairly easy.

Either 3 ways to go at it.

1 -Fix what you have its not a common colour so difficult to match and 350z leather is frankly toilet paper thin. 

You can glue a backing underneath, use leather filler and a colouring kit. But its not the best long term option.

2-Unpick that whole worn side panel and replace with new matching leather.

3-As above but unpick both sides and sew in new material (contrasting colour both sides) repeat for passenger seat so it matches. Expensive.

 

One other thing to consider is get a set of seats off fleabay in same colour and use the good side off say the passenger side seat to sew onto the worn bit you have. You end up stripping 2 sets of seats but the way the seats are sewn you have natural seam joins to work towards.

 

First thing to do , buy saddle soap and clean the seats well.

Then Buy a small tub of Connolly Hide food , others available but this one the best. It will revitalise your seat plus it will move colour from the good leather over the not so good. Smooth it on , leave over night repeat. You are trying to feed the leather and give its spring back. Its a cheap first step.

 

Hope it helps?

 

Stan

Based on your experience - is there anyone you'd recommend now who could repair tears in the OEM leather seats to achieve the OEM look? I'm not interested in going the aftermarket route..

1 hour ago, davey_83 said:

Used part

 

Thanks 

1 hour ago, davey_83 said:

I recently replaced mine, part found on eBay

May I ask how much you paid for one? I see one but it's £35 which seems a little steep...

I really don't want ghetto. OEM for me!

Poop.

Anyone have a good condition cap then?

Just the cord is needed, mine snapped this morning!

I noticed it the other day when I stopped on a hill and the light took a second or two to flicker on. Now it doesn’t come on at all any more. 

Has anyone had this happen before? Is it more likely to be a switch contact near the handbrake or the actual bulb in the dash?

In good condition and with the electric seat controls (unless I can transpose those over).

The leather back panel on mine has cracked through. Unless anyone knows of someone who can re-upholster to look OEM?

Mine is starting to look a bit ragged! I've a 2003. I'm assuming they didn't really change the mats during the model years?

1 minute ago, ZMANALEX said:

Why not give Ewen a phone call at CMS or buy the fluids from there web site.

Now I feel like a right idiot, I didn't even think to do that... Mind is elsewhere..

@ZMANALEX is out of the new parts game and @Ewen@Clark Motorsport hasn't read my PM

It's ~£15 per litre (with VAT) from my local dealer which strikes me as a little steep considering I need 4.. Is it worth getting the Nissan OEM stuff or is there a better (and cheaper) common alternative?

I have some Molyslip I'll be adding in as well..