blacka01

Just received a set of DBA discs and Ferodo pads from CS as well. Absolutely top notch customer service and very fast delivery, thanks CS. Can't wait to get them fitted!

In terms of the best v6 sound, i think you may have overlooked the alfa 3.2 v6...now thats a soundtrack!

 

+1, as available in the old 156 GTA and 3.2 GT. Shame they were such crap cars otherwise. They've stopped making them now, the 3.2's in the 159 and Brera are some GM developed characterless lumps.

Apologies if this has been posted already

 

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Hitlers-R35-GTR_317079.htm

, thanks for the tips guys. I bought my first Mac (Macbook Pro) at Xmas after one Vista crash too many broke the camel's back . Still getting used to OSX, but loving it so far and wish I'd made the switch years ago

Mine is the same, crap. It get's hot only at the lower back part

 

Same here

Cheers Clarkie,

 

Yeah I guess CR15B and CR09B are the US model numbers then

Hi Guys,

 

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the model number is for the Bose head unit in a UK spec '06 (296 hp) car?

 

I would like to fit a iO Play system to the car to enable Bluetooth audio streaming from my iPhone. It looks like it would be a very effective and cost effective solution to the Z's lack of iPod compatibility.

 

http://www.my-io.com/Products/iOPLAY.aspx

 

Halfords and The Carphone Warehouse both sell and fit it but both told me that the required cable is not available for the Bose system in the Z.

 

I emailed iO and they got back to me saying that a cable is available for Bose Zeds and asking me whether the headunit is a CR15B or a CR09B. I can't find out what mine is (nothing in the manual), I guess they may be the US spec units?

First dibs on the Nismo exhaust if you're selling! Can collect.

- Mazda Eunos (Xedos 6 in the UK), my first car when I was living in New Zealand. Only a 1.8 but it was a V6! Quite a good cruiser actually, sounded almost as good as a Z.

- Fiat Punto 1.2. Returned to Ireland and the insurance companies woudn't recognise the NCB I'd built up in NZ , so had to drive this for a year

- Alfa 156 2.0 Veloce. Beautiful car, if a little fragile. If only the Brera drove as good as it looks, it would have been my next car.

- 350Z since March this year and lovin' it, hasn't missed a beat and was a great companion for a big European road trip in June culminating in a visit to the 'Ring.

Before buying I also considered an RX-8 because they were so cheap, glad I didn't now.

 

Will keep the Z for a couple of years more then maybe a GTR, Mazzer Granturismo S or 911. That's if petrol hasn't gone to 10 quid a litre and we're all driving G-Wiz's

Did almost the very same thing with my gate post a few weeks ago, a bit worse in fact and it bent the bumper a bit where it meets the wheel arch.

 

I am in Kent at the moment as well (Canterbury) and I got a very good local Chipsaway guy to do it (used to work in the Bentley paint shop), if you would like the details. £140 which wasn't too bad I thought as he did a top notch job, good as new.

 

The secret apparantly to getting a good Chipsaway guy rather than one of the cowboys is to ask their head office which guys use a 2 pack system rather than 1 pack, as per this thread:

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=270129

Oops, sorry , it's an old review from 2005!

He recently reviewed the '08 Roadster in the Sunday Times in May - still not a fan!

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article527113.ece

Only the ancilliary belts need changing between 50 and 60k

 

Oops, if that' what you meant mate, apologies for my sarkiness!

somebody's having a laugh mate. The Z uses a timing chain which should last the life of the engine

There is a review of this car in the July edition of 'Performance Car'. Looks weird from the rear, the anthracite Rays look great though.

 

In summary they reckoned the suspension mods and reinforced chassis make the car feel alot tauter but that it could do with more than 306 bhp. Shame it's US/Jap only.

Have you checked out Ben Lovejoy's site?

 

http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

 

Lots of useful info there, including a good accommodation section. I stayed at Blau Ecke in Adenauer which was very nice

I would leave the traction control on until you know where all the dodgy corners are (e.g Adenauer Forst, Briedshceid etc.), I think this might take more than 15 laps. If it's wet, just leave it on.

 

Didn't notice any undue wear on my Falkens, but only did 8 laps. A little bit of brake fade maybe after 2 consecutive laps, but perhaps I was just braking too much!

 

If you're really thinking it's tight, a non-GT (without electric seats) may be better as I hear that the seats are lower overall - giving a bit more space.

 

Yeah, I'm 6'3" and there's plenty of room but the seat is a little high in the GT

 

Did you get that great feeling of accomplishment when you came under the gantry at the end!!

 

Ando.

 

Yeah, at the end of the 8th lap when i realised I'd survived the Ring without totalling the Z! As I say next time it'll be in a rental, just too nerve wracking in my pride and joy.

 

You can rent out stuff like Megane/Clio Sports for about €500 a day which wouldn't be too bad between 2 or 3 mates. The excesses are high (about €4K), but nothing compared to writing off a £20K 350Z.

Just back from a big 2 week road trip in France and Germany, 2236 miles in all at an average of 25.4 mpg (including 8 laps of the Ring).

Two nights in Reims, then down to Provence. 1 night in Arles, 3 nights on a Manade (bull rearing ranch) in the Camargue, 1 night in Lacoste (Luberon Valley) and 1 night in Gigondas:

 

 

 

 

Then up to Germany for my first pilgrimage to the Nurburgring, was there for an all day Sunday and Monday and Tuesday evening sessions. Did 8 laps in all with alot of spectating in between.

 

‘Ring car park Zed’s:

 

 

 

Other car park porn:

 

 

 

 

 

Sabine in the Ring Taxi:

 

 

Heading out for a very nervous first lap!

 

 

 

On Sunday afternoon we were spectating at Breidscheid when this GT3 overcooked it coming into the corner. He locked up, span and smashed into the barrier on the right, rear wing first then front wing before rolling back across the track leaving a big trail of oil. The driver was fine but looked gutted as you can imagine!

 

 

 

 

 

Luckily my laps were alot less spectacular (and a lot slower). Glad I stayed for the Monday and Tuesday evening sessions as they were much quieter and enjoyable than the Sunday which was mental busy.

I think next time though I will rent, as I was paranoid about trashing the car. Still an amazing trip though and finished off by treating the Zed to a good wash and that essential Nurburgring accessory:

 

 

Yeah, that's why I'm probably gonna keep the old Polo after i get the Zed. As previous owners have found out, Zeds don't carry bikes very well.

 

I would recommend investing in a good roof rack if you have another car, i've only got a Halfrauds rear rack, and it forces me to access the boot via the rear seats

 

Prefer the tow-bar mounted solutions myself. Eliminates the possibilty of car park height restriction barrier related disasters! They are quite expensive though

 

The Scooby is a great mtb accessory though - 4WD, loads of space and tough as old boots. I lived in New Zealand a few years ago and everybody who was into mtb/surfing/skiing etc. had a Legacy estate

Mine:

 

 

Santa Cruz Superlight (sorry for the crap pic). Luckily I don't have to worry about carting it around with the Z, the girlfriend has a Subaru Legacy estate which does the job just fine

You should also check Direct Line as they're not covered by any of the comparison web-sites. They were also by far the cheapest for me, £280 (35, 5 years NCD, 0 points)

 

How much?!! Is that for a z or a moped?

 

Yeah, maybe they think its a Micra or Primera or something. I'm living in Canterbury at the moment as well which probably helps - hardly a crime hotspot

You should also check Direct Line as they're not covered by any of the comparison web-sites. They were also by far the cheapest for me, £280 (35, 5 years NCD, 0 points)

to the site - hey you will have to tell us some of your French holiday tales - I am (still !) planning to go in June/July in my Zed?

 

Yeah, me too in 3 weeks, can't wait. Two days in Reims for Champagne tasting (the other half is coming too), then on down to Provence for a week. Heading back via Italy and Switzerland followed by a couple of days at the Nurburgring so the Z can earn a 'Ring sticker, then home.