malross

How about in the Tyneside area? Anyone know a reliable place around Newcastle for laser-tracking? And any idea of the cost? I only need the front done, if that makes much difference. Cheers, Mal.

So you don't reckon they'd be much good out on track? I'm about to change all 4 corners on my zed and want to be sure I'm getting rubber that won't spoil a trackday. Cheers, Mal.

Cheers. To be honest, I was quite happy to get the flare on the lamps. Maybe that's just me being cheesy. My biggest gripe with the shot was that it was just too dark - especially the car itself. Looks ok on my monitor at work, but it looks really bad at home. One of my mates got a better balance of exposure, but then his camera's one hell of a lot better than mine and he knows a bit more about what he's doing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wilkahudson/2318312773/ Not sure about the framing on this one, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with a bit of cropping. Plus, the pair of us could've done with getting a better angle on the car, as it looks a little too much like an MR2 from this angle. More of a three-quarters shot would've been better, but we would have lost a lot of the lighting had we done that. Hey ho. Another time... Mal.

280?!?! *gulp* Didn't realise it was that much. I was thinking closer to 200. Mal.

Superb write-up, mate. Man, you've really got me dying to get out there again. I've not done Oulton yet -- not done *anywhere* in the Zed, in fact -- so this was a great introduction. As for the ST's suitability for track work (Focus ST, right?), I reckon it's the *perfect* car for your first track outings. FWD (so easier to manage if it's wet) and just the right kind of power. I had many a happy trackday in my Cooper S -- especially when it was wet, in fact. You can really humble RWD cars in those conditions. Anyway, if you fancy another outing some time, I'm probably going to be doing Croft this year in the Zed. Maybe you could bring yours too and we'd get the rare sight of two red ones out together? Mal. http://www.flickr.com/photos/malross/2169771008/

I know I'm not a new member any more, but I figure this is kinda my thread, so it's time for another photo. Quite chuffed with this one... http://www.flickr.com/photos/malross/2292061260/ Mal.

Cheers, everyone. I rather like it too. Mal.

Right, finally got round to taking a pic... Couldn't resist the snow - might not get any more!

we are currently looking at around 1st/2nd week May - possible visit to spa enroute Likewise - I'm planning a trip in May too. Will be getting the ferry from either Newcastle or Hull, mind. Would be interested to hear from anyone who's done the same and can offer any info on prices. The websites I've checked so far have been seriously lacking info. Cheers, Mal.

£110 from here. Indeed - that's exactly where I'm gonna go. Just haven't round to giving you the call yet, Phil. Mal.

I was just quoted £189 inc. VAT for a P1 service by my local dealer (Benfield Nissan in Newcastle) earlier today. Bit steep, I figured, so I'll be going elsewhere. Mal.

Well, FWIW, Phil assured me that my gearbox is fine and the stickiness from 1st to 2nd is pretty normal for a Zed. Guess I've just got to adapt to it now. At least that's a weight off my mind. Also, looked at possible brake upgrades while there. Suspect I'll be spending some money with ESR in the not-too-distant future. Good to meet those who turned up too, although I only got the names of Chris and Dave. Regardless, I'm sure I'll see you guys again sometime. Cheers, Mal.

Both Sweet. Can't believe my luck having him local. Mal.

Sorry to be such a noob, but which one's Tim - prescience or lomoto? Mal.

This thread's the first I've heard of the guy. I'll be there tomorrow, though. Is he a parts specialist, a workshop, or both? Or something else entirely different? Mal.

Just over 39k. Due a service very soon (so I'm told), so I really want to get an idea of just how much (financial) pain I'm about to take... :-/ Mal.

Count me in for Sunderland on the 27th. Thanks, Mal.

Cheers, chaps. I'll definitely be heading over to Sunderland tomorrow - thanks for the heads-up! Mal.

Oh, and if you can recommend a garage to do the work, that would be great. Thanks, Mal.

Hi all, I picked up my 53 plate zed a week or so back and have been having difficulty selecting the lower gears, most noticeably 2nd gear. Why I didn't notice it on the test drive I can only put down to beginner's luck(!). Needless to say, I'm absolutely sick I missed it, otherwise I wouldn't have bought the car. Anyway, to the symptoms... When the car's totally static, I have no problem moving the gear lever though all positions on the gate. When I'm trickling forward, however, such as when approaching a T junction, I find it really very hard to get the lever into 1st or 2nd. While I've not noticed a gear-crunching noise, it does feel like I'm having to force it home and can take a couple of attempts. Moving between the higher gears tends to be trouble-free and I've not noticed any clutch slipping on the rev counter (or in the nostrils, for that matter). What do these symptoms suggest to you? Is it possible for synchro-mesh to die in only some of the gears and not others? Are my 1st and 2nd gears' cogs probably shafted? Or does it sound like a clutch problem? And the biggie - cost to fix? If anyone out there is in the Newcastle upon Tyne area, would you mind offering a second opinion on the symptoms, first hand? If you can answer any of the above, I'd really appreciate it, as my zed ownership has got off to a really bad start so far. Thanks, Mal.

He he. Keep your pants on and I'll get round to it. She could do with a bit of a wash first! Mal. (Is it wrong that I'm already calling it a 'she'?)

Well, it's official - you can now count me among your number. Collected the car yesterday. Now... about that Top Gear test track record... Mal.

That's basically what I told my brother to do when he fly’s in this Sunday. If it doesn't fit it's going in the bin. Nice one.

Cheers, everyone. I'll have a go and see how I get on. At least she's got a train ticket as backup. Mal.

350Z coupe (2003) boot - big enough for a suitcase? I know the question's a tad on the "It depends..." side, but what do people generally think about the boot space? I'm picking up my Zed tomorrow and will also be ferrying a friend (plus luggage) back from York to Newcastle. She initially said she'd have a suitcase (of unspecified size!), but has also offered to stuff her things into a rucksack instead. Any tips? I can honestly say that suitability for carrying suitcases wasn't high on my list of priorities when I took it for a test-drive the other week... Cheers, Mal.