Z-monster

Update: Pads were bugger to get out, I think they were caked in with dust and debris - worst were the inner ones, but the pads were really badly in need of a change. Pistons went in easily enough, brake bite nicely, too. No squeeking, was fun to bed them in - love the smell, notice the difference too! Getting Nissan (Wessex Garages in Cardiff) to change the brake fluid and bleed everything off. But otherwise an easy enough job to replace pads - might invest in a one-man pressured bleed kit if I end up doing this again soon: http://www.tooled-up.com/product/sealey-power-bleeder-brake-bleeding-system/109708/?Referrer=googleproductlisting&gclid=CIvqk7XPn7gCFfMctAodaUcATg Thanks for the advice!

Sorry to steer the topic - Alloy material used on the Rays - it's not magnesium is it?

I have the matching fronts sitting in my bog waiting to go on... Might put them on before the track day this week (any point?) - I think the ideas of different compounds, patterns et al all make sense. Best not to wear roller blades on one foot and ice skates on the other...if you catch my drift.

It must be something like that - As I said - All seems OK now. I just can't believe how aggressive it was being. I've never had TC on the front wheels before!

Standard Fronts and Rears: 225/45/18 x 245/45/18 Running Falkens on the front (about 2-3mm of tread left) looking to burn them off at an nearing track day so that's why they're still on. Spanking new Kuhmos KU39s on rear. As a bit of an update I dare say that the new tyres needed to cure/Bed-in as the TC seems to be tolerant now. I'll keep an eye on it - but I think it's clear that different rubber + bedding in seems to have an effect - could it possibly be anything else?

Bonjour all! Just been out enjoying the sun - been pootling around the Brecons with the Zed and my friend in his Caterham (Caterbreak - it breaks a lot...) - stumbled across a Land Rover Sport press day (all the peeps from FHM and Eqsuire were there in their fashionable suits and driving moccasins...probably before eating their tofu burgers and going for a trip on their single gear bikes... Anyway - In the morning I noticed that was I was going in turns the SLIP light would come on at pretty much EVERY turn, regardless of speed, and then I'd feel the tugging of the leash on either FRONT left or FRONT right. ESP was turned on - ended up turning it off it became so irritating - gentle 30mph right turn "SLIP!" thinks the car, "BRAKE! SLOW DOWN, TIGER!" shouts the computer. As the day went on it got better (I could leave ESP on), then in the really twisty sections of the A4069 it was just going mental. Possible factors: Just installed new brake pads. I have new rears but I'm still running on the older fronts (still the same standard sizes) - come puter thinks slip angles are wrong due to tyre grip? Car knows me and therefore tries to preempt my hooliganism? Any advice or knowledge about this? Cheers!

Thanks guys - helpful stuff!

Brilliant - don't worry I think I could manage to get the right way round...pride before a fall? Couldn't be much worse than my tyre guy - put the bloody front size tyres (225) on the rear alloys...(245) Could you just check my tool list is correct: hydraulic jack, torque wrench + sockets, brake cleaner...? +(bit of common sense)

Thought that might be the case. I always opt for "pairs" of things so its a possible miscommunication Only tools I'd need, I'd suppose, would be the hydraulic jack, torque wrench + sockets, brake cleaner...?

Just put some Kuhmo KU39s on the back £120~ each from Tyre specialist. Totally worth it - ride is much better. Running some really shitty Falken 912s on the front (school boy error) which I'll be changing to the Kuhmos in about a week's time. Also, nitrogen inflation is a MUST.

Bonjour all! Context: 12K miles per year, maybe 3/2 track days per year and the rest on Motorway/long distance. Current setup is OE all round. Time to brake pad replacement - looking at EBC Yellowstuff over the standard Brembo pads. Setup would then be EBC Yellow on the fronts and OE on the rear. Quoted c.£200 +/-£20 for supply and fit from both dealers and indie' garages. Where you come in: any advice/experience: EBC mentioned that you can have some "interesting moments" if you have different axles on different pads. Makes some sense to me - but really worth worrying about? Advice on tools I'll need if i was to do this myself: are they rent-able/worth buying/ or should I just go to the garage and pay an expert? FYI was told by parts supplier that it seems Brembo aftersales are pulling out from the UK and Ferodo are phasing out DS Performance pads for 350Z. Doesn't sound right considering their massive portfolio of parts, but thought I'd mention it. Any help gratefully received!

I've clearly started this conversation about 30 years too early! Interesting point about the XKR, same might be said about the 911SC, they've suddenly become desirable after Octane and Urban Outlaw and Drive said some good things about them, all pushing prices up. I'm actually really excited to see what the results will be in 30 years time when all the modern cars are turbo charged or hybrid powered. Yes, cult classic is probably a better description, and it's looks are definitely better the boxsters, TTs of the world.

Pice fixing is not daft and does happen everywhere. Look at petrol, look at the cost of DSLR cameras, look at the cost of iPads, apple products and pretty much anything. I think, in the uk, were too easily guided by what things like Parkers and Glasses guide will tell us a car is worth in a monetary value and we don't say no, we just go with it. I'm not just talking about cars, mind, it's all around us, think of examples where you're outraged by the price of something but you're too busy to do something about it. The number of forum member that will work on their own cars, and not go and see a dealer/mech as its cheaper and they feel they get just as much value if not better value from doing it themselves is quite clear. The only reason we couldn't enact something like this is hyper-pluralism or that there are too many cars around with owners looking to sell at perceived market value as they need a sale. I agree at this stage perhaps it's not doable just yet, but that's not to say it shan't be in a few years time or if we could organise the owners, as a previous reply pointed out. Clio V6s in France fetch as much as 30k, here you're lucky for 13k, so says my best buddy who's contemplating selling there. 350z is a definite future classic. It's undeniable. Of course I would say "this isn't a bizarre thread" as I'm the OP, but is it the case you would happily accept depreciation, even if with some long term planning and organisation you might be able to avoid it quite so severely?

Brilliant!

I agree... but perhaps it's worth trying long term. Once the 2nd hand dealers have have cottoned on that they can make a tidy profit, and more members start doing it, it'll become the norm. I agree "excellent value" for £7k, but is it only worth £7k to you?

Any chance you can repost the pictures? Thanks!

So... It strikes me, the only reason why TVRs don't tend to go for ugh less below 10k is because, people know their pleasure value, not economic and refuse to sell for less, which then becomes the respected market value. Dare I say that whenever a zed comes up for sale, at least within the club, we could hold the value club members would be happy with? There are only a limited number of Zeds in the world and there must be people desperate to get hold of a good'un, what if we all didn't sell our Zeds for less than say, 8-9k, that would be the respected market value, much like now how a TR6 used to be about 3k a few years ago, and now they're approx 10k Thoughts? *pokes bear that is the forum* This has probably been discussed before, if so just dump me the thread....just peeved that an awesome car like this and the 370z drop like stones in value because of market forces and fashion. 350 is a total future classic, why can't it be now?

Me too! This forum saved me £400~ off my renewal!

Could it just be the suspension rebound? As the light is projected some distance, when you see the wobble it's amplified by the distance the light travels. I also read in the handbook the headlights are self-levelling on the HR models, which might be another consideration

Bonjour all, had the Christmas holiday to "cool off" after getting the above quotes. Came to the Conclusion that I would rather go for a slightly higher premium with loads of extra features and a reputable subsidiarity rather than the cheapest with no extras and a poor track record in Customer Service. Brentacre, with Highways: £789.99, includes key cover, legal, courtesy, any mods that don't affect HP wont affect the cost of the premium (suspension, windows, body, brakes etc are all ok) Like I say, I take some comfort from the fact its a slightly more well known company. Hopefully I'll not need to call them again!

My experience with mid engines are only related to an MGZF (ex lassy's) which was a cow to do anything on, other than that just buyers guides. Very valid points on enthusiasts owning lotuses.

Also, my mistake about the exiege...although that would be an epic choice

Mid engined cars are hard to work on. Plus k series rover engine, just asking for trouble. As for driven hard, they're hardly shopping cars and the older examples I wouldn't touch with someone else's money.

You won't get an exiege below 10k surely? Also most Lotus cas will only ever be driven hard so maintenance will be an issue, especially as its mid engined. 996 is a good shout, just watch out for oil leaks/signs of neglect. 6series is a good call, diesels are hard to get hold of and the petrols are thirsty. Sexy car though! r32 has too much to go wrong, it has three diffs! Renault Clio V6 might be a laugh, hold their value too. Same power to weight as a Zed. TVR Classic Alpha Romeo Aston Martin DB7 Caterham Westfield Triumph TR6 Z3/4

Livingston Warner closed for Xmas, I'll try after Boxing Day. But reviews from on here look good. Just shows A) power of club membership/engagement shopping around C) recommendations Thanks for everyone's help with this, I'll let you know who I finally settle with. Merry Christmas all! James