Dicky

I'll certainly give it a go. Thanks everyone for taking the time to help

Thanks for your input. The "collet" ring was in place and there's a rubber grommet that sits inside the knob right at the top that gets squashed onto the collet as the knob is screwed down. You can see by the impression on the rubber which gets pressed against the collet so should stop it from rattling. I've also check the thread on the gear nob shaft following figment of the new knob and its perfectly ok. Sounds to me as if the rattle is inside the knob itself? I had hoped someone might have had the same problem and discovered the cause.

Fitted a new gear knob a while ago but got tired of it and refitted the original. BUT it now seems to rattle when accelerating in 3rd and 5th ? I've ran with the knob off just using the gear shaft and no rattle so its got to be the knob itself. Ive had it off and back on several times and nothing I do seems to make it better. I've tightened it down as far as I dare but no Joy. Anyone experienced this one before???

What a bugger! Sad to see such a nice car looking so sorry. Anyway your ok and that's what matters. Im after the plastic piece of the centre console that holds the gear leaver gaiter and the air con dials. I'd be interested if its scratch/mark free. Cheers

While we're on the subject, anyone know how to get them on an iPad?

Engine earthing kit and K&N High flow filter. Cheap but noticeable differance

Thanks for your help lads. If you see a bright light in the sky coming from a North Easterly direction it'll be my Z glinting in the sun ( if we get any more sun that is)

Can anyone advise what I would need to buy in the way of an orbital polishing machine and accessories. Typically A decent make of polisher What grades of cutting compound ( pre polishing stuff) if needed What type of polish Can anyone also advise how many times you can polish in this way before cutting through the existing lacquered layer. Half watched a guy polishing a car on tv (don't remember which channel or details as we had company for the short time while this bit was on). He used fine wet and dry to initially remove orange peel and smooth the surface before using an orbital polishing m/c and different grades of cutting paste I believe before finishing off with polish. Any advice appreciated

The Basic Z parking Rules 1) Never use multi story car parks 2) Never use supermarket parks unless you can park across two bays without getting a ticket 3) Never Parallel park 4) Never park in line unless you can leave a 3m gap (both ends) and can be sure your back before the cars in front and behind are. 5) Never park near a rat bag old car ( in any position) 6) Never let the wife borrow the car to go shopping/ other unless she's totally indoctrinated 7) never park near a shopping trolly return storage bay Are ther more ???

Im looking to do my TB clean as well but Im now confused. Dblock I assume you mean "Accelerator Pedal Release Position Learning" jamesyj suggests doing the "Idle Air Volume Learning (Throttle Position Learning)" as well as "Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning" Can someone clarify please

I get the Martin Lewis Moneysavings expert weekly email. This weeks includes advice about saving money on our mot's. He recommends taking your car to a local council test centre where they don't do repair work, only test so have no vested interest in failing your car! Hope this copied short cut works http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=19-Mar-13&utm_campaign=travel&utm_content=192#mapfinder

The first thing I would want to know is what happens if you scratch it.? I would have thought trying to spray over it again would stand out like a sore thumb from the surrounding smooth area. Before setting about on the car I'd spray a piece of scrap metal, scratch it and assess how easy it is to get a good standard of repair.

For your scratches check out my "kiwi not just for shoes post" in the modifications section ....interior, it might help.

Didn't know that but it's good to know

Not that I've noticed but then I don't rub the plastic bits much. You certainly don't get polish all over your hands. I've just touched up the worn bits ie when the little bubble like raised bits on the plastic seem to pop and look a light grey colour. It blends them in again, not perfect but an improvement. As I said I've also touched up the coin try on the drivers door that always seems to get scratched. Here again it certainly improves the looks.

Did u wrap your whole centre console (gear lever to gauge binicle?) Thinking of doing mine now a bit of wear is showing on my gear lever surround plastic bit. Yours looks like satin black? A picture would be nice if you have one and the time to post it.

Used kiwi high gloss shoe polish to cover the wear on the plastic bit that sits over the gear knob and carries the air con switches also used it on the coin tray area on the drivers door panel. Seems to work fine. You put it on, let it dry and that's it. Also used kiwi anti scuff on the drivers seat bolster which also seems to disguise the wear.

The colour looks much deeper in the first two pictures. Makes me feel like buying one of those polishers and give it a go myself. The car looks brand new.

Yeah this is the guy I contacted and the bit that holds the air con controls is what I wanted off him. I've sent another email to him but I don't want it if its scratched or worn (no point then) I was hoping there might be a cheaper supplier of a new one. Thanks anyway.

Cheers young man I'll do that! Well done that man the guy had a used one and for only £28. The stealers want over£100. Thanks again Well my hopes have been dashed. The guy above was selling bits from a breakers yard i believe and following initial contact hasn't bothered to contact me again. I don't want to go to the main dealers as there price is something like £180 quid, FOR A PIECE OF PLASTIC. Any other suggestions would be welcome. Cheers

free coffee and toast how about that? Coffee nd toast sounds good (suppose a loose woman's out of the question?)

Your a star! Thanks for that cos I'm now so much cleverer than I was yesterday. Sounds like a handy device, although lifting my left arm up and tilting the mirror isn't that much of a pain. Anyway if it were I'd just get the wife to do it ( that's voice activated technology) ha ha

I didn't really want to know anyway!

Looks good but Ooooooooooo the cost must be prohibitive!