NeilMH

Just another thought. If your rear anti-roll bar drop links are badly worn they would also be contributing to a significant degree to the sloppy handling issue. I would start there.

If you use a "normal"garage just make sure you prescribe the oils and parts you want used - you can supply them yourself (following diagnosis) and pay them for labour.

No. Given what you have paid for the car. Every aspect of the car's performance goes through the tyres - braking, accelerating, cornering, etc. They will also last much longer than the cheaper makes and be safer in the wet. I am experimenting with Avons and smaller wheels at the moment but on my set of Rays I have 050As....but if I was starting again now I would have the Michelins. Our posts are crossing in the post!

PS. See my reply above .....but in future you may be best to post any issues you have in the appropriate section of the forum with the appropriate heading. Then you will get more replies. Otherwise people may just see this thread and think "I've already welcomed him, so I don't need to look any more". There are some serious experts on here. Search is also your friend as most of the issues (there aren't that many) have already been identified and solved by previous owners. Good luck.

If the bolts aren't rusted they are pretty easy to get off. If you have a lot of play in them it will be fairly obvious - i.e.. the links will wobble around in the ball joints - in some cases they even crack. If you want to do a very low speed controlled test I think you can just take them off and see if the noise is gone and that will tell you. You can then put new ones on. It's best to get the uprated ones if you go for the Nissan ones. There are other makes available that are uprated and adjustable. Zmanalex knows what is what re parts. If you need a garage to do it, we will be able to recommend someone. The general consensus is that the best tyres are Michelin Pilot Supersports. Prices have recently been reduced. 2nd best probably Bridgestone RE050A. After that there is a major debate and you can read the many hundreds of threads on the subject Best to match tyres all round whatever you go for.

I'm lost for words

Some quick thoughts: 1. Gear change may be helped considerably by change of gearbox oil and addition of molyslip. 2. Knocking could be anti-roll bar drop links - worth trying first 3. Check tyre pressures - should be 35 all round or similar Plenty of threads about tyres. What Avons are they? Best to have matching tyres as well. For parts you could PM Zmanalex.

Very shiny indeed

Thank you - the Alfa is fantastic (and the Zed is great too, of course)

Perhaps you ought to try a Seat (insert Spanish model name in here) rather than an ST

That is the mother of all tool boxes

Good luck with your search.

Have you got any photos of the Alfa ( ) - oh and the Zed of course?

Excellent

1.8 and those mods - it's like a Supercar of the Shed World

I am very sorry to hear about this accident. My very best wishes to Tony for a speedy recovery.

You would get paid for doing that in some parts of the US of A

There is something fascinating about these ....I guess they are so evocative of their era.

I have always used the unfortunately named Rimwax but I am not a detailer of any description so how that compares with some of these other posh things I have no idea. It works for me.

No.

I thought this was the one Will370Z bought but I might be wrong. You could PM him.

I have a 21 year old Toyota Corolla Auto as my daily driver. Still unbelievably reliable, no rust, totally relaxing to drive and cheap to run.