stubzie83

The car was rattling like a good 'ub when I got home today, so I got out popped the bonnet and located the sound source. It would seem that it's the engine torque damper I put in that's started rattling. Feels quite solid but is definitely the sound source. I think that the connection in the middle of the damper is probably the culprit.

Wasn't me mate was out in Wimbledon for a birthday party on sat night. I did see an 04 plate (EP04***) heading towards Horsham on the A24 at Kingsfold when I was heading out at about 17:30. Might have been him that you saw later on.

Good work fella. Look forward to the pics

That classic Aston drop top that Wills drove out in afterwards looked nice though. I know what you mean about Harry his wide ass lapels on his uniform made him look a bit pumped up.

If that's the case then definitely avoid. Personally, I would never (knowingly) buy a crash damaged car as it's more hassle than it's worth and they're never the same after a serious accident. I'm guessing there might also be some insurance problems if it's been previously declared a cat C/D write off or whatever.

The two wrench procedure (one underneath the trim to hold and another on top to twist it off) is the method stated in the service manual. The diagrams just show that it is threaded on, nothing else to hold it on. They do suggest using a monkey wrench on top though so maybe a longer wrench might give you enough leverage to break it loose.

And you'll probably not be able to match the paint on the wing and the front as it's metallic grey and based on my experience of touch up paint for my gunmetal 350 it don't match that well!

Depends if tax is an issue. Pre March '06 cars fit in with the lower tax rules (£260 Vs. £460 per year) but the later cars have a better spec so it depnds what your after. I would go for GT spec if you can as you get leather interior with electric/heated seats, 18" Rays alloys (although these were still optional on some early ones) 240W Bose stereo with 6 CD changer (although it's not that great) Xenon lights, boot spoiler (small but changes the look quite a lot) limited slip diff and a few other small things. I got an '04 GT in very good condition with low mileage (30K) for around £12k about 7 months ago. I think prices have fallen since due to petrol going up and up. I probably over paid but it is in good nick and I got a warranty thrown in from the dealer. You'll probably get cheaper private but be careful. Mine tends to average 24 -25 mpg running Tesco Momentum 99 on the work run (12 miles each way, some traffic around town and some dual carriage way). On a run of mainly motorway or A road can get over 30 mpg. My highest recorded mpg was 34.5 over a couple of 25 mile runs. I find that I lose about 2-3 mpg when running normal supermarket 97 super unleaded or bog standard 95 compared to the 99 octane. Hope you find a good 'un

It may not look bad, but they never drive the same after an accident. I got T boned in my last car and it was repaired well but never was quite the same to drive. Whilst it looks like body work damage you just can tell if the chassis is bent underneath. It must have had a fair whack as the air bag has been deployed judging by the state of the steering wheel. Might be worth a punt for someone who's brave. It is very cheap!

Hi All, Wondering if anyone can help. I posted earlier today with a mystery noise that I was convinced was linked to the brakes. Turns out it's nothing to do with them The problem is that I am getting an intermittent rattling/clunking when the engine is at warm idle. Basically I'll slow down to a stop and as the engine revs drop off to idle there are sometimes a few loud clunks that last for a few seconds. These can then either carry on (whilst I'm at idle) or just randomly stop. Happens with the clutch pedal depressed or released and is a lot louder and more occasional than the release bearing whirring noise which disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed. Did it really badly a few times on the drive home today. Tried to record the sound when I got home but it stopped doing it Any advice? Cheers, Steve

It was that one except with standard Rays wheels rather than the 5 spokes in the pic. Couldn't tell it was metallic, was a bit dirty looking (doesn't take much on a black car) and I was too busy thinking how good the reg was.

Another one in kuro black spotted in Sainbury's car park in Horsham complete with 350z-uk forum sticker and a very good reg plate! Seems Sainbury's in Horsham is becoming a zed showroom lately!

Thanks for that Road name removed, sorry did think that might be a bit dodgy but was just trying to narrow it down at bit.

Wow,nice to final see someone from the forum. Thinking I should have gone for azure as well as yours looks rather good in blue. I don't live in Orpington any more now based out of Horsham and just come back every so often to visit my parents. Hadn't heard about the grasshopper meet and haven't been down there for a long time, could be good. I had the dealer refurb the rays before I bought the car as there were in a right state with kerb damage and bubbling paint. However, a couple of them are beginning to bubble a bit after only 6 months I would suggest getting them done somewhere where they can take the wheel off and do the back side of the wheel as well as mine are bubbling along the the back edge of the spokes as I think they just resprayed them from the front. Hope you are settling in well in Orpington, if you see my car out front then pop along and say hello sometime. I might also pester you to hear your scorpion exhaust at some point as I was thinking of getting one to replace my rather rusty stock one before it starts blowing.

Visiting my parents today and noticed this at the end of the road on someone's drive. I think they are new to the area, nice to see some more zeds about.

Yeah I love the way they seem to wash cars without using any water, just with a little trolley. I think I'll do it myself thanks!

Went to get some beer earlier and there was a rather pristine looking sunset in the car park. I'm seeing lots of zeds around the Horsham/Crawley area lately.

That wasn't me, I'm not running a private plate. I do live in Horsham though

Got overtaken by a 56 Blade GT at the Broadfield roundabout in Crawley, he was lead footing it down the A220/A264. Caught him up going into Horsham though.

Nice looking Zed, almost wish I'd bought a late model now!

Mine clunks all the time with the shift from 1st to 2nd being the worst. It also make quite a lot of noise when just moving the stick around with the engine off with clutch pedal depressed. I think the gear shift linkage is just noisy on this box as is the release bearing

Yeah looks like it was coated with something and the overspray has coated the top of the engine bay. Might have even been delivery wax from the factory that was not cleaned off. Had some success cleaning it off today with some orange oil based cleaner.

I found mine was a bit jerky at these revs and that in traffic when in 1st or 2nd gear it would buck/jerk really badly when I let off the accelerator and the revs would not drop smoothly. I recently installed an engine torque damper and the problem is all but gone and the shift from 1st to second gear is also a lot easier and everything feels much more solid. I guess the gearbox and engine must have been twisting a round a lot on the mounts (only got 33k on the clock). On the minus side you get lots of vibrations through the cabin when pulling away with a damper, but well worth it IMHO for the increased drivability. Guess you could have a look at the engine mounts as replacing them could also be a fix.

Well I'd like to think not as the only previous owner was a middle aged lady! Any decent cleaning products to get this stuff off, or is it wire brush/wool and plenty of elbow grease?

Also got a pic of the spray pattern above the area where the exhaust manifold joins the cat. There is a similar black spray pattern on the other side above the other manifold/cat joint. Almost looks like spots of black paint.