Hotpot

I got knockbacks from Chris KnoT and Sky. One said they don't insure that kind of car in a Manchester postcode and the other said they're not accepting new customers with that car due to the high volume of claims. Not sure which is which.

Does anyone know why my quote is so damned high?? Is it because of the Manchester postcode? Or do they think Alzheimers sets in after the age of 40?

I got quoted £945 from Adrian Flux 46 years old 12 years no claims Intake manifold mod (plenum spacer) ECU reflash Uprev Manchester postcode Garaged 15 years performance car experience I took it because I was struggling getting insurance because of the mods! Anyone know why it's so damned high??? Is it my Manchester postcode?

46 2005 GT 12 yrs no claims Garaged Manchester postcode Intake manifold mod (plenum spacer) ECU Uprev reflash mod 1 x SP30 conviction (3 points) 15 years experience driving performance car Adrian Flux £945 (not impressed with the price but struggling for insurers with mods)

The closest category they had was Engine Chip +10%. But in my opinion, that does not include the spacer as it's only referring to the ECU.

I got a quote from Adrian Flux for £945 and took it but I can't believe the high price. All this despite being 46 years old and 12 years no claims plus experience driving a performance car for the last 15 years. If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay?

My existing insurer won't insure me with engine mods and I'm finding it problematic to get a quote from another insurer despite being 46 years old with 12 years no claims. Chris Knott won't insure me because I'm in a 'M' postcode. Admiral can't categorise the plenum spacer so they won't touch it. Anyone who has the plenum spacer, what company are you insured with and how did you describe the mod? I can't believe I'm having problems.

I've only had my Z for 3 weeks. Got my plenum spacer fitted at RS today and then got the Uprev reflash. First Dynorun at stock was 279.3. Pretty much stock spec. After plenum spacer was fitted, the next run was 289.9. I was pretty chuffed because I thought that I may reach 300 with the reflash. Paul had not seen those gains before purely on a spacer fitted. However, with the reflash, we only got to 293.2 despite Paul's best efforts. But the real difference is with the driving. I can feel that extra power through the gears and as a nice dressing on the deal, it's deepened the engine growl. When Paul took me for a drive to test it out, he told me that the pulsing I could feel on the brakes was a warped disc. I'm glad he told me as I thought it was normal for a Z and I mistook it for a zealous ABS system. He recommended contacting the dealer as it's obviously still under the statutory 3 month warranty. Whether the dealership will contest it or not, I don't know, but they must have known about the discs. If you're reading this Paul, thanks! Top job! And thanks to Spekky for fitting the spacer. Love to know why he's called Spekky as he doesn't wear glasses! This mod thing can get addictive. I'm wondering what I can do next to take it over 300.

I agree that a wiper on such a car as a Z looks silly. However, how do we stand legally by removing it? Does it affect the MOT, Insurance or general legality of the vehicle? I'd like to remove it myself.

Has anyone considered modding the parking sensors feed so that they can be engaged whilst driving in forward gears? I read a couple of years ago that they can jam lasers on the mobile speed camera vans. Of course it would only work when targeted from the rear unless you install some on the front too.

I've decided to get the iso thermal spacers from ZMANALEX and get RS Tuning to fit and do the Uprev. At £25 for fitting the spacers, it seems the logical choice.

Cheers. I'll be ordering in a couple of days. I might even buy myself a torque wrench and have a go at fitting myself. If I bottle out of fitting it, I can always get RS in Leeds to fit it and do the Uprev at the same time. By the way, RS quoted me 420 plus VAT to fit the spacer (not supply) and do the Uprev. Is this a good price?

Hi. Could some kind soul give me a link to where I can buy one of these plenum spacer kits? I presume that the Motordyne kit is the best from what I have been reading. My Z is a 55 plate. Thanks.

Thanks. You're all probably right. Don't give them any excuse to wriggle out of paying out. Best to declare.

I plan on fitting a panel filter and getting the plenum spacers and Uprev done. As these mods are well hidden, is it really necessary to declare them? I mean, would they really check for these in the event of a claim?

Thanks everyone.

I really fancy a full bodykit but I can't help feeling apprehensive with all the speed bumps and potholes around. Also, how do you manage when we have snow like we 've had the last two years? Doesn't the kit get damaged or scuffed? BTW I'm loving my new Z! Guzzles petrol though. I'm getting 20.6mpg according to the trip computer.

I've just completed the main detailing operation. The one including the clay baring. Jesus! It took me 6 hours to do it all. I'd be inclined to alter the schedule for a full detail to 6 months and half the frequency schedule for the other detailing operations too. I want some time to actually DRIVE the thing!

Thanks fellas. I'll probably give that RS Tuning a try for the Up rev thing. From what I read, the plenum spacers are the first things to get done. Can anyone confirm the order in which to get the mods done.

Cheers Dave. I'm picking up my first Z on Tuesday and I will adopt your cleaning method. Just one question. How do you guys clean the gunge from inside the wheel wells. Pressure washer ok? I just want to do everything right and keep my new motor looking mint. Cheers.

There is a vested interest in continuing our reliance on hydrocarbon fuels DESPITE what the government (run by banks and corporations )tell you. They entertain methods of energy that are ludicrously unfeasible to replace hydrocarbon fuels (cough...windpower...cough) but you can guarantee that any valid challengers on hydrocarbon fuels will be quashed one way or another. It's very similar to their double standard attitude of inciting race hatred whilst telling you it's wrong to be racist. The only way we'll end this endless loop is by not re-electing these banks and corporations to run our governments. And the only way to do that is to look beyond the three main political parties that have been bought and paid for in the UK, and beyond the Republicans and Democrats which are compromised in the USA. Sorry to bring politics into it but basically, that's how it is. And we'll get cheaper road tax instead of being conned by the carbon emissions bollox!

Any recommended bodykit fitters in the Manchester area?

He shouldn't be talking about skimming the discs if he wants to sell them Tell him new discs and pads plus two new matching tyres for £9500 or you walk away I like your style. I must admit, though I like the car (it's the first Z I've driven) I didn't get the vibe about this car. And the last owner allowed the brakes to get that bad without sorting them tells me a lot about the owner. If they REPLACE discs and pads I'll offer them 9750 minus my 1998 MR2 PX for 1250.

Thanks for the opinions guys. The 54 plate had worn discs AND pads and the dealer was going to see if the discs could be ground rather than replaced. He DID say that it would be sorted as well as new tyres where needed. I'm going to test drive a 55 plate with full GT pack tomorrow. It's got 51000 and FSH. I appreciate your views on the short term ownership thing. Three owners as before but the last 2 owners kept it for at least 2 years. I'll check it out as I'm sure I'll get a vibe about the right one. Thanks again.

I went to look at an 06 at a Nissan dealership nearly 100 miles away but it had sold by the time I got there. However, I did have a look at a 54 plate 350Z they had for just under 10000. I took it for a drive. It seems a nice car with 47000 miles and full service history. But my HPI check reveals 2 previous owners and last change of owner was June 2009. First owner had car for 4 years and second owner kept it for 10 months until June 2009. From what I can recall on the logbook, the third owner kept it for 12 months before selling it/trading in to the dealership. During these ownership changes, the check reveals plate changes but that's just the first 2 owners putting their private plates on as I intend to do. My only concern is the two last owners only kept it for 12 months or less. It could just mean that the running costs weren't feasible for them or it can mean a problematic car. Perusing through the last service it had in April 2010, it mentioned brakes and discs very worn. Front were 80% worn and back were 60%. I pulled the salesman on it and he said they would look into getting that done. Also two tyres would be replaced and given a full service and MOT. I also hacked him down to 9500 quid but after the brakes problem was discovered, they wanted me to meet them halfway at 9750 quid. Later, the manager said that depending on the cost of repairs after their engineers has looked at it, they might not be able to deal on the price due to the substantial cost of replacing the discs. So, I played coy and said that I would need some time to think about it but due to it being 18 months older than the car I was originally going to buy, I won't go higher than 9750. I checked bodywork out and everything's cool. It felt like one of the plastic sills was slightly loose and but they said they will sort that out anyway. It comes with a 12 month warranty. Checked oil and it looked ok as it was a nice golden brown. It would get an oil change as part of the service before I take ownership. Clutch is ok. I tested it by putting it in high gear at low speed and seeing if the engine revs up. It didn't so that was ok. I couldn't hear a clicking sound from the rear. I kicked the tyres. (Only joking. I never did that) Only thing that bothers me are those two short term owners. Could that just be the nature of the type of car? Anyone got any advice?