Dicky

Thanks Alex, this problem is why I approached you about new pads even though their part worn. Can anyone confirm that the brakes should be bled using one of these pressure bleeding machines or manually in the normal way. Also if there were air in the system why should it show itself only when the pads wear down a bit ?

Do I have a problem or does anyone else experience this. When I fit new pads the braking is spot on, no pedal travel at all before feeling the brakes bite. However after the pads have worn a bit the pedal feels spongy when first pressed, lifting off and pressing again makes the pedal hard again ( same as if air in the system) Spoke to the main dealer service manager who said it was due to the brake servo operation. Can't understand this because I wouldn't have thought the servo operation would vary with pad wear. Any suggestions anyone?

I live in the N. E. and use Vic Young in South Shields. There very helpfull. Don't use Benfieldscthough I've had nothing but trouble with them. Read your history with interest and hope u get it sorted. Would like to help but unfortunately Im not up on modern cars, to many sensors, computers and interdependent control systems. Good Luck

Just wondering if you would say the splitter noticably improves performance in some way or is it more of an aesthetic addition?

Yeah, goes with my eyes!

EDIT....The missing word is "time" ha ha

Cheers I've been in this garage twice now and each its offered. No price discussed. I've watched the Royal Purple promotional video which looks impressive. What bothers me though is if its as good as they say why is it hardly anyone knows about it and you never seem to see it advertised. If its as good as they say you'd expect it to be splashed all over the Tv

Anyone used Royal Purple oils? Are they as beneficial as advertised or should I take care? My local garage is fitting a st st exhaust for me and are pushing me to change diff, gearbox and engine oil to gain better performance, less wear and increased fuel economy. Sounds to good to be true. Is it?

You say you've removed the cats. I'm no expert but I thought the cats were fitted with pre and post lambda sensors who's job it is to adjust the fuel mixture to keep the emissions in limits. Could this be a possible cause?

I have an 04 and my air con gets noticeably cold although no idea how low it goes

Thanks for that. The reason Im asking is because Im considering getting them to keep for a rainy day as mine are ok at the moment. Can you confirm also that all the mounting bolts/studs/associated brackets are still ok and not damaged during removal?

Im interested TomS, but what assurances can you give that they are both in working order. Typically, why were they taken off, were they taken off "your" 2004 car, were they ok before removal, not had any hard knocks etc.

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.