oj121

Just having a chat with a man in the know regarding sourcing some 452s (read my other thread) and form the end of August the 452 is going to be next to extinct unless already stocked. Its going to be universally replaced by the 453. Facts : In contrast to the previous FK452, dry handling has been improved by 25 percent whilst handling on wet surfaces is enhanced by 30 percent, delivering useful gains in control for lane changes and higher speed cornering. A combination of tread pattern and compound changes has led to eight percent reduction over the FK452 in braking distance on wet surfaces. To break the water film and deflect the water more effectively than conventional tread patterns, Falken has implemented three central tread grooves and staggered sipes integrated into the first tread bar on the tyre shoulder. In line with its other new products such as the ZE914, Falken has increased the silica proportion. The strain characteristics of silica offer a larger contact area and better grip for the same tyre diameter, resulting in stronger interaction with the road surface. I know this is about tyres but wanted everyone to see it in general as a lot of people run on 452's and if they are due replacing there is a choice to make.

Is it ok to name and shame? Some forums frown on it. It it balances at all my wife had an 'ok' experience with them a few years ago (but that was at a different site) when an oik kicked the boot of her car in. On that occasion the car was cleaned and returned spotless but it took a long time. My car is currently at Gladwins in Kings Lynn.

Plus I thought it odd that a big garage would use a kwik fit mobile fitter to do the work? Is that normal? Without exaggerating though I got 4 hours sleep(as I had just got off nights). My wife lost 3 hours or work time (although she is salary paid so doesnt really cost anything other than her time) and nearly 2 hours worth of driving for the sake of someone READING WHAT THE TYRE SAYS. It also goes to show the work wasnt checked. Im just really angry at it all so if im coming across as a knob I apologise. Plus I think its out of order to leave the car covered in a layer of dust and bird crap like that.

after my recent 'incident'. Pulled up outside the garage and my baby was outside.....covered in bird @*!# and dust. The bodywork that was carried out looks good but had to say was a little sad that it was left like that. Went to check the rear wheel where they had to change a tyre.....and they have put a falken 912 on rather than a 452. Informed them of their error and they refused to take ANY blame saying 'oh well kwik fit come out to do our tyres'. Then tried to tell me it was ok to take it as it was. He went back to ring kwik fit and returned saying they couldnt get hold of them (at 15.00 hours - yeah right). I told him I would wait to get it sorted and was told it might take days to get a call back from kwik fit to rectify. Still no apology that they didnt even check to see it was right. Still no apology for getting it wrong. Still no apology when I told him the time it took to get there. He then just shrugged and said well its your choice take it or dont. I refused and told them to sort it! The manager even had to get someone out to confirm they were different tyres on both sides rather than read it himself or listen to when I was saying. Is this normal behaviour from a big company that prides itself on reputation? I know its an insurance job but still......Took me an hour to get there and 40 minutes to get home, plus my wife lost time at work to take me. Do I just take it as bad luck and wait for it to be sorted? Do I contact the company to complain or my insurers? Advice please guys as the only time ive been in this boat before was 7 years ago and the company 'Stoneacre' were amazing. I literally couldnt fault a single thing! Yours A really unhappy man who was looking forward to using his Zed in the nice weather before working all weekend.

Good job. Glad your a happy man.

Its a lot of car for the money. Where else are you going to get a solid reliable 3.5 V6 thats nice and modern at that sort of price?!?! Go take it out and fall for it. Then knock £500 off and drive it away. Im sure you will find a pearler for sale around here if your willing to wait.

Sorry to the mods. Cragus and other members have literally been defending against some troll that has nothing better to do. I dont feel they are to blame for trying to defend a position. Another member was increasingly obtuse and then brought personal matters into it regarding professions which is pretty low. I apologise to the mods but my opinion of much of the forum has greatly improved yet my opinion of 1 individual still stands!

If I had been tavelling fast and leaned into the corner more the chassis would have been stiffer and the load pressed to the outside earlier. The setup had no load on it due to my trundling miss daisy driving. When the back went everything was far to soft to get any immediate input. You claim to have driven on a track but cant grasp that? Was it Forza by any chance? Regardless there was no grip on the road surface. I did not have the ability to correct having zero grip. I might add there are very few that can recover spins on a surface of that level of friction. You are obviously on of them.

How did you go from a Zed to a 320? The 320 always strikes me as a pointless car really. Its slow, tiny engined for its size. If I wanted a car that I worried about economy Id get the derv version as it would also be quicker. Its like when you see the old 318's. It must just be a badge thing. Hope you return to where its best mate.

Wow... you talk a great corner. So are you saying if you had been going faster, the car may have coped better? Take a step back. Walk before you can run. Yes. Yes I am. Thats not a difficult concept to understand or does your tiny little troll brain fail? Have you not concept of loads, balance and how a car works in a corner? God your a xxxx. What part of 'I hit some surface debris that negated traction' do you not get? If you hit something on the surface of the road that breaks your traction, tyre, driving style, abilities become moot points. Let me guess, you can powerslide road the nurbergring on ice in 3 minutes. Go troll another site.

People keep referring to 'driving enthusiastically' or implying that I was ragging it or hooning. This is the bit thats bugging me as I was just bumbling home. I generally do drive it at around 7/10ths at that time as there is little around but on this day I was down around 2 or 3 tenths. If anything I believe I was probably going TOO SLOW with too little load on the outside of the car which meant when the grip disappeared the car was 'soft' and not rigid enough to react.

Only convert id look at along side is the SLK350 as it is VERY nice in the metal and also has an amazing engine.

Point taken. Ill enter every corner from now on expecting there to be a complete lack of taction and possible debris/fluid.

If it helps you. I had driven that corner the previous 3 days in the same conditions. I have driven that corner far harder and in far worse conditions. I have driven that road for over 5 years and driven it daily for 6 months.

Crag I think he has just cherry picked bits of the threat to poke at rather than reading it all. He seems to gloss over entire sections and decides that without being there I was 'hooning' it and driving like a nutter.

20mph in a 4x4 is hardly flying is it!!!! Seriously what planet are you on? And as for some throttle, I am able to depress is enough to keep the engine ticking over without putting it through the floor. I should have taken it in 6th at 5 mph right?

2nd gear+ 30mph+ wet road+ tight corner+ rear wheel drive+ newb driver = potential problems. Maybe get some more training at work. I really feel sorry for you damaging the car but the fact you say you are trained to a decent standard means you really should know better. Ive sat in the back of a cop car and had the lecture so maybe cops should heed their own advice. Thats a bit rich considering that you dont know the level of available grip for the corner, the load the car was under, the balance that was in place at the time or the level or brake or throttle in use. Thanks for your criticism without full knowledge or understanding. Just completely skip the part where I mention that the 4x4 had traction issues on the same corner the following day if it helps your arguement go better.

Well....numerous orders on back order so some parts not going to arrive until 31st July. They can get it done for me by the 16th if they have the parts. Gutted. Plus insurance are quite poor tbh. Twice ive told them about damage to wheels and each time they have faxed through about wheel arch damage. I mean really?

Dont be fearful. Yes I broke mine but it wasn't really through it being rwd. I think I was a tad unlucky. Thinking about it if I was in fwd I would have gone face first into the ditch. I went back in my wife's massive 4x4 at an even lower speed and it got a little light under steering. Anyone can hit a dodgy road surface at any time. It happens. Don't let someone's bad luck ruin your potential enjoyment of a great car. No car grips if the surface doesn't let it.

Gladwins in Kings Lynn have the car at the moment. They are well thought of so I trust them to do a decent job. They have kept me updated and been very good so far.

Damage form: Parts / Panels Requiring Renewal LR STONE FOIL L.R AXLE STEERING L.R UPP CONTROL ARM L.R CONTROL ARM L.R LWR CONTROL ARM L.R TYRE L.WING BADGE L.R WHEEL Parts / Panels Requiring Repair REPAIR L/R SIDE PANEL Associated Work Required REMOVE&REFIT AERIAL Remove + Refit RELEASE F/BUMPER Corrosion Prote TO 1ST PANEL Parts / Panels Requiring Painting L/F WING REPAIR PAINTING <50% LEFT DOOR REPAIR PAINTING <50% L/DOOR OUTER HANDLE REPAIR PAINT PLASTIC L/SILL PANELLING REPAIR PAINT PLASTIC REAR BUMPER REPAIR PAINT PLASTIC L/R SIDE PANEL REPAIR PAINTING <50% Additional Items LR TYRE DOOR FOILS X 1 They have missed a refurb on nearside rear and offside front that I need to sort out as insurance failed to mention those bits. Big ouchy really. Thank god for insurance.

They are rather nice arent they? If I win the lottery I will buy 5 bb kits and run a competition for you all. How is that?

Never had an issue with admiral mate. Luck of the draw?

I think a realistic price would be around £7k. I wouldnt pay more than that for it.

I know ignoring you suited you but that is awful for a professional outfit really!! Hope you find your car soon mate!