Toon Chris

*Really* try tightening the knob. I had the exact same problem, like a washer dingling at those sort of revs. I was convinced the gearbox was giving out but I tightened up the gear stick and the problem went away - and that was 10K miles ago. To be clear, it wasn't the knob only, it was turning the entire gearstick. Obviously don't force and break it, and apologies if you've already had a go and it didn't work.

Hi, yet another Alfa fan here I have had Alfas for over 10 years. 155 then 156 V6, but have driven pretty much every model and the 350 is quite different. First, servicing is MUCH cheaper. I know exactly why you are asking about belt changes but don't worry, the 350 is a chain and doesn't need changing on fear of engine destruction like the Alfa does With an Alfa the initial cost is less but the servicing and parts are more. With the Z, once you have bought it the rest is relatively cheap and certainly reliable. Generally the Z has huge performance punch compared to the slightly stodgy V6 Alfas. Road holding is much better in the corners as well. I get a much better mileage and drive exactly the same in my 3.5 V6 as I did in my 2.5V6 Alfa, with 25% better mileage at around 29mpg. Go figure. The Z is a little bland inside, too much black plastic, and not as good as any Alfa I'm afraid, although it does have the revs in the middle of the dash so that is a nice familiarity. It isn't necessarily bad but it lack the finesse and styling that all Alfas have. The driver visibility is shocking compared to the 156 but not too far off the Brera, but you get used to it very quickly and it is fine once you do. The Z doesn't have the same feel, you can't really love it in the same way as an Alfa. It is less Italian style and pose and more Japanese precision and grunt - although it is still a good looking car. It takes a little getting used to when turning the wheel and the car instantly responds as well. I find you have to concentrate more when driving it than cruising in my old 156. Would I recommend it over a Brera. Yes, definitely. Would I have another Alfa now? Hmm, not easy as I love them to bits but couldn't bear to lose my Z. Nuff said

This topic has been covered many times on the forum. So once more IMHO best to use Genuine Nissan Fluids. For 6 speed manual transmissions use MT-XZ fluid: SAE 75W-85-API GL4+ For VLSD Differential use SAE J306: 80W-90 API GL-5 All in stock and good to go. Alex. Thanks Alex, I appreciate an experienced opinion. However it's not what is best for the car I'm concerned with so much as whether I will cause any active harm with what is in there at the moment. If it's not the best then it can wait for the next service or so, if on the other hand I'm ruining something with totally unsuitable fluids then I want to get it out quick! Millers and Motul make some very good fluids, however I am not sure if these fluids are correct or 100% suitable for your particular application. There are many members on here who have added after market fluids only to find that they are not really suitable and they have had issues. Most have been caught in time and the fluids drained and refilled with fluids that Nissan recommend for the 350Z. Better safe than sorry would be my thinking mate. Alex. Thanks Alex, PM on the way

This topic has been covered many times on the forum. So once more IMHO best to use Genuine Nissan Fluids. For 6 speed manual transmissions use MT-XZ fluid: SAE 75W-85-API GL4+ For VLSD Differential use SAE J306: 80W-90 API GL-5 All in stock and good to go. Alex. Thanks Alex, I appreciate an experienced opinion. However it's not what is best for the car I'm concerned with so much as whether I will cause any active harm with what is in there at the moment. If it's not the best then it can wait for the next service or so, if on the other hand I'm ruining something with totally unsuitable fluids then I want to get it out quick!

You have me worried now. I changed my gearbox and diff oil about a year and a half ago. Gearbox has Millers TRX Synthetic 75w90 Diff has Motul Gear 300 which is also a high quality 75w90. Is my car ruined

If you are thinking of saving weight it certainly will, but then you might need to consider some changes to the suspension also - if you don't already have them. The rear of the Z is already quite happy to lift up to the point of take-off if you go over a bump quickly on standard shocks, giving you a nice on the top of your head if you are tall like me. Apologies if this I've just 'passed granny an egg...'

"Wheel trims not included."

I remember when I worked in a garage on Saturdays as a teenager to make some pocket money, nothing special but did learn how to service a car properly and do basic mechanical repairs. One day we had a guy come in and say that he wired in a new stereo a few weeks before and it had started to go funny. Thinking it was probably a dodgy connection one of the guys pulled it out to find it had been wired in by getting the copper wires and simply twisting them into the other wire then wrapped in sellotape . #Tsk, tsk,# minor issues. As a teenage lad I often worked at a nearby garage (Hi Nick ) that specialised in tuning and racing 1600cc single-seaters. He did quite a lot of prep work for all sorts of people. One day a guy came in with a Caterham he had bought second hand with a simple Ford engine in it to which he had decided to fit a turbo. The pipework was generally ok in quality except he had connected up the engine exhaust to spin the turbo and the post-spin output to the air intake input of the turbo (if you see what I mean). Basically a completely closed system, and he genuinely wondered why it wouldn't start (until Nick told him with some ripe language)

And just in case you wondered, you 'aint missing anything not having the phone connectivity as it is pretty rubbish.

Is the tyre size right too? It may be the photo but it looks stretched.

Excellent, how brilliant if it works

The other day I was in an empty pub having a quiet beer by myself. The door opened and in walked the most stunning woman I've ever laid eyes on. She was 5'10" tall, stunning blue eyes, silky blonde hair, an hourglass figure barely covered by a tiny mini skirt and a flimsy cotton top. I could see she was not wearing a bra and her incredibly firm breasts were on show. After watching her walk in I turned back to my beer. No sooner had I taken a sip when I turn to see her pulling another bar stool up close to me and sitting down. She said 'Hi' and I said 'Hi' in return. She asked how I was and took my hand and placed it on her perfect inner thigh, rubbing it up and down. 'So, does that make you feel good ?' she asked. . 'I'll bet you feel good,' she continued. 'In fact, I'll bet you've never felt this good before.' 'Well, I have,' I corrected her. 'You see, when I was 18, I was picked to play for the school 1st. XV in the Public School Finals in front of a crowd of about 3000 and I felt really good.' I immediately felt a bit pathetic saying that and I thought she would get up and go but she took my hand off her thigh and put it up the front of her top. Her nipple pushed into my palm as she massaged my hand into her pert, perfect breast. 'How do you feel now,' she purred. 'OK' I replied. Again, she said, 'I'll bet you do. In fact, I'll bet you've never felt THIS good before!' Unbelievably I heard myself saying 'Well, actually I have. In that game, we were down by six points with about 20 seconds left in the match. The Opposition kicked the ball deep into our half of the field, where I caught it... I ran up field, side-stepping past the first few defenders, handed off a couple of would-be tacklers, burst through a few forwards, chipped over their fullback, regathered and scored a Try right under the posts with about 2 or 3 seconds 'till full time. We were still behind by one point, but I had a simple kick at goal with which to win the match and........ ' "Ahhh...." she growled between clenched teeth, more than a bit miffed, pulled my hand from under her top and thrust it down the front of her skirt. My fingers immediately met what felt like a wisp of soft cotton and she was wet !!!! She whispered, 'Well tell me this, Mr. Rugby Man, have you ever felt such a perfect tw*t?' 'I certainly have,' I answered, 'I missed the kick.'

At 7.00am this morning I discovored I had left my door ajar and the interior light had flattened the battery. Called the breakdown line and although the garage coming out to me is 10 mins away I'm still waiting. It's cold and I'm cross. Surely the interior light is a common culprit in killing batteries. Is there an led replacement? bl**dy things are a liabilty.

+1

If they have no contact details then is it really worth the risk? Edit: - just had a look at their site - those DBA prices are per disc not per pair - I'd be wary for two reasons - you can only contact them via email and their vat is still being added at 17.5%. Think your best course of action would be to email them and see how swift their response is and if they'll give you a phone number to discuss things on. That still doesn't negate the fact they don't put their address on their website though Per disc?? I retract my earlier statement Plus the lack of address etc is very dodgy. Domain name: brakepoint.co.uk Registrant: Brake Point Registrant type: UK Individual Registrant's address: The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their address omitted from the WHOIS service.

That cost is only £30 more than cheapy EBC turbo-groove. Looks like a very good price to me.

I'm due to hit the 100K miles mark in the next few weeks. My car still puts out above spec bhp and torque (ok it has been remapped but to be fair that didn't make an enormous difference to the figures). The point is that it is still a fresh and lively engine, not running out of puff Horror of horrors though, I have to change the plugs again which will cost £50!!!

Your Windows 7 software will be cheaper if you are a student or you buy on behalf of a student. You need an .ac.uk email address (or the student you are buying on behalf of does). http://www.software4students.co.uk/

Good luck with that. I eventually stuck a Alex Thompson Racing business card in between the dash and the screen and it cured that particular squeak when nothing else would. Zmanalex even fixes squeaks.

Wearing a hat whilst driving? Has your heating packed up

Thanks Husky, although oddly both work for me. I've edited the original post to your url. Cheers Chris

Hi All, I good friend and long-time supporter of all things Alfa Romeo has fallen on some difficult times which has forced an early retirement from his business which is breaking Alfa Romeo cars. He is an active member of the Owners Club in the UK and supplies people all over the country with parts for ageing (and not so ageing) cars, protecting the community from the silly prices that dealers like to charge. Unfortunately for him he is more nice chap than businessman and doesn't make a great deal of money so after being ever so slightly shafted by the landlord of his works unit and their lawyers he is forced to sell as much as possible as quickly as possible. If you ever fancied buying a cheap Alfa, or even fancy more of a project with a classic car, now is the time as there are some real bargains up for sale. It is a sad time for him but more than anything he wants to see what he has collected go to good homes. Anything that doesn't sell will most likely be crushed - and for some of these cars that is a terrible shame. You really couldn't see you money go to a nicer man and it isn't often that such genuine bargains come up for sale. He is based in Lancaster but is usually quite flexible about assisting with delivery if necessary. If you ever thought you might fancy an Alfa but don't want to spend much to find out what it will be like - this is your chance. List of cars: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vt1nKNgNTBtVn_NqvWwHSETF6C26XOwx0CsZhqSRDY0/edit?hl=en&authkey=COf89NEN# Email account if you want to ask a question or buy a car murtharichardAThotmailDOTcom His website: http://www.alfabettacars.co.uk/about/index.php His original retirement announcement: http://www.alfa155.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34231&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The closer you get the bigger it looks It's a winning line...

Ah Dave, that is exactly the same reason I changed my knob, for a lovely KTA solid stainless In my case I found a few turns in opposite directions loosened it off, but it was still quite stiff. The now came off in one piece and I even sold it on eBay for £50

That is a very confusing picture