Valandile

How do you fit them on? Do you use a bond or are they mechanically connected via drilling holes and bolts?

That's two garages in Cardiff that have turned down the job to replace the w bar and braces... going to try Niss Tec next and possibly Horsham Developments if Niss Tec turn it down. Couldn't find any other recommendations on here for South Wales. Am I going to have to say goodbye bye over some rust?

Cardiff

I've only ever found the one garage that I can trust for MOT and servicing but they are too small to take on any job that needs more than a day really. I always bump into people who say "my mates got that car" and I've never found a mechanic that's said "I've worked on one before". I've seen you all driving around Cardiff, I imagine everyone has turned to DIY as you said Ian, lack of trust.

Good to have them on my list anyway. I don't know many good garages and I'm willing to travel, cheers mate.

That's a relief to know it's been done, thanks for sharing the photos. I was a bit worried because the MOT station said they've never worked on a Z before so they have no idea how bad it is. Mind you it's the same where ever i take my Z all the mechanics say they've never worked on one before so it's always a new problem for them and they are all unsure.

Hey, I'm in Cardiff.

A little research done, I think I need the rear lower 'W' brace and Kidney Braces, do you have a price for these and are they in stock @ZMANALEX ?

I didn't try that and thinking back, the Pirelli sales rep didn't say if there was an issue with them but he said he's taking them back for testing. I never had a response to if they were dodgy or not. He did get some gloves on and was testing the tyres with his thumbs pushing in different parts or the tyres. No idea what he was feeling for Sorry there's no definitive answer but if anything, I was impressed that Pirelli sent a person out to investigate. Not sure any other type company would do that?

I never put the resolution in this thread. I had a Pirelli sale rep work with me and he offered a discount if I bought a front pair of Pirelli Zero's, he then replaced the rears for free with the same model of tyre. I went with it and the handling was absolutely fine after that. Although I could tell the handling was not as good as the original Michelin Pilot Super Sport. The main thing was that all the wobble in the handling instantly f**ked off. A right school boy error getting two different tyre brands on the front and back

Edit: Passed the MOT, thanks to @ZMANALEXfor the parts and to Simon from Nis-Tec garage in Swansea for taking this on and doing a great job. Spent 3 days drilling out all the bolts and doing other bits of work. Back on the road and loving the Zed again Hey all, had some bad news on my MOT and now I'm without my Z I'm not sure how this wasn't picked up in previous MOT's because there's no way this has rusted like this within 12 months. I would have changed this before it got this bad if I knew. I've tried searching for existing posts but I don't know the name of this part. I have a few questions if anyone can help as I'm a bit stuck. What's the name of this part? (The W bracket/brace at the rear underside). Anyone stocking it or able to recommend a site? I've heard that getting car parts is difficult with COVID delaying shipping from abroad. Any recommendations of who can do this type of work in South Wales? Anyone had a similar problem? The MOT garage said they wouldn't do this type of work and they don't know how far the rust has spread.

Left a bit stumped on what to buy in the future. I have OME wheels on my '03 Zed and Michelin stopped making the Pilot Super Sport for the rear size :'( My previous set up had amazing handling, reaction and control. I felt safe driving fast as the car did what I wanted to do. Front 235/45R18: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Rear 245/45R18: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Now I know the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is meant to be the sucessor of the Pilot Super Sport but the Pilot Sport 4S is only being made for 19/20" rims and I cannot get them on my car unless I buy new rims. I cannot get the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 as they don't make them for the front size... Who else is running the OME wheels on their Zed? Recommendations?

The ultimate test is for me to obtain anther set of the previous tyres I had 'Michelin Pilot Super Sport' but they don't make them for my wheel size anymore... Once I find some partworn or cheaper new onces I'll know for sure if it was a simple mistake of ordering Pirelli Nero Zero GT's.

Apparently the Pirelli Zero Nero GT 245/45R18 only come in XL. Good shout still, I'll have to check on the actual tyres when i see my car tomorrow.

I'll get that pressure adjusted tomorrow then a long drive but steady, got it. Thanks to all of you so far, amazing help and knowledge here.

Haven't thought about that. I've never experienced an issue with release agent or having different brand tyres (I've seen mixed opinions online with mixed tyres and within the 10years driving with different brands I've not had an issue until now). Also 50mph is quiet a low speed in my opinion and should I really have slippy tyres at that speed?! Does Pirelli want to kill drivers? On your advice though I'll have the car back tomorrow and take it up mid Wales to warm the tyres and push it a little. See if i can wear them in a little.

245/45/18 32psi (same as front) There's no marking on the tyres to indicate the direction the should have been fitted. I'll be ringing/emailing Pirelli tomorrow to ask this. Edit: I didn't get Michelin because they would have taken a few days to deliver so i thought i would try Pirelli as they were in stock for same day. Best test is to buy Michelin and see if i have the same issue. It's a last resort as that's another £300 to spend.

As a test they were going to swap the fronts a backs but they're different sizes so they didn't touch the fronts. I'm probably getting a second opinion tomorrow at another tyre place. I know some tyres have to have the tread pointing in a certain direction but the tyres didn't come with any markings to advise a direction. Maybe that's the issue?

I had Michelin Super Sport on front and back. Back ones needed changing, went for Pirelli Zero Nero GT. Now when driving above 50mph the car feels like it is leaning from one side to the other very slowly. If i wiggle the steering wheel a little and then lock the wheel to straighten up the back end continues to wiggle for 1-2 seconds...****ing terrifying. There was no issues before the tyre change. Had the garage spend a day checking tyre pressure, suspension and road testing. They said it can't be the wheel balancing but i asked them to redo it anyway and they will tomorrow. They said I'd have to buy another set of tyres to test as they have no part worn ones at my size to test... Anyone else experienced this? Any ideas what steps to take next? I might bite the bullet and order some Michelin PS4's... UPDATE: 29/04/2017 - Garage did another wheel balance and found the offside rear rim had a minor bend (I have no vibration and that's been there before the tyre change. Although I will look to buy a new rim). Only other thing they could explain for the handling issue was that the Pirelli Nero Zero GT's have a softer wall than the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, so when the backend is catching up with the front the rear tyres are "streaching" with a certain force (making sense that it's only happening from 50mph and above). FINAL UPDATE: 17/10/2020 - I had a Pirelli sale rep work with me and he offered a discount if I bought a front pair of Pirelli Zero's, he then replaced the rears for free with the same model of tyre. I went with it and the handling was absolutely fine after that. Although I could tell the handling was not as good as the original Michelin Pilot Super Sport. The main thing was that all the wobble in the handling instantly f**ked off. A right school boy error getting two different tyre brands on the front and back

Just doing mine for the first time since owning the Z. Mine are seized and I wanted to get replacements. Which Alex do PM or is there anyone else who can help?

Thanks for the replies. I'll be in touch Ewen around June when I have some $$. Just need to find a good garage in south Wales.

Hi all, My clutch is on it's way out and I need a replacement (looking to do around June this year). I've had my 350z 2003 for a year and a half now and it's on 65k. As far as I know it's all standard Nissan parts in the Zed at the moment. I've done some research and can find a lot of 'track/race/drag' clutches which are more durable than normal, that's easy to understand the difference. But I need a clutch for mainly road driving and, this year or possibly the next, I want to have a go on the Nuerburgring. So I don't want a standard replacement and I don't want to over clutch my Zed. This is why I'm stuck on picking a new Clutch because I don't need the best. For example: EuroCarParts - How can you tell if this is better or worst than OEM? DemonTweeks - Is this too much for what I need or do I look into stage 2 or 3? Any suggestions what to buy? Also if does anyone recommend changing the flywheel at the same time? I've read it's better for the clutch to change the flywheel at the same time and I've read it also doesn't need to be changed unless there's wear on the flywheel. Appreciate any opinions here

Just to let you know some insurance companies don't cover cars that have any tints on the front windows. (accept the OEM). So go all out if your insurance company is fine with it but if you change in the future they may ask you to remove them before they offer you cover. Why they have to be hating on good looking cars I don't know...