From A to Zed

Hi all,

After calling my local dealers and receiving outrageous quotes of between 317-370 pounds for a P2 service I realised all my local dealers were under the same franchise, Glyn Hopkins...

I searched a little further a field and found WLN Nissan in Mill Hill - NW7 2QR. They quoted me 199 pounds for a P2, using their oil.

I booked the car in this morning and went armed with my copy of Evo to pass the time... During the service they noticed my 'clicky axle' and carried out a free re grease (the short term repair) and didn't charge me a penny. My car is a 2003 so it's well out of warranty.

They also replaced a few bodywork clips and screws that were looking a little tried, again for free. The mechanic actually came out and had a chat, everyone was very helpful and the pricing is very good for the south east.

They're located right around the A1/M1/A406 area so it's easy to get to. Ask for a guy called Peter if you're interested. 020 8203 8899.

A rare pleasing trip to the dealer

Hi Stew,

It was tinted, it was actually quite dark when I held a large piece up to the light. IMO the window looks a lot a cleaner now, the tint wasn't really required...

Matt

I've personally not read anything to suggest it has been remedied. Nissan are in denial!

All the posts I've read tend to involve older or higher mileage cars, I think (based on no mechanical knowledge) that you'll be fine with an 07. Try to keep an eye(ear) on it whilst you have some warranty left.

Mine is most prominent when pull off in first. For early detection I would suggest:

Finding a quiet back street or car park etc

Wind down both windows, stereo etc turned off.

Reverse backwards at about 1mph.

Change to first, carefully bed in the clutch with minimal revs (to keep the noise down) and pull away using the torque in 1st.

The change of direction from reverse to 1st will reveal any clicking.

The change of direction should be carried out at very low speed.

This was the test revealed by my local stealer...

Hi James,

I drive in and out of London of a fair bit so the majority of my driving is < 40mph and in fairly dense traffic. I like to get out of town on the weekend (and enjoy the car) so I believe my driving is a good mix of conditions the average driver would see.

I've covered 5,500 miles since buying the car in March and I have an average economy of 25 mpg. It used to be a little higher but my exhaust and induction kit have brought out the kid in me, especially when I see a tunnel

If you're driving on a lot of A roads high 20's is quite common.

It's also very reliable...

I hope that helps,

Matt

Thanks Stan, that could be a safer bet than destroying the boss' hairdryer

Cheers buddy.

We all know how this will end...

1). Use hairdryer for 'man' project

2). Hairdryer starts to smell bad

3). Quickly put hairdryer away

---

4). Sunday night, the missus plugs in the hair dryer.. Nothing.

"Matthew, do you know why the hairdryer has stopped working?"

"No idea love, I never use it"

We've all done it!

Hi Stan,

I'm the 3rd owner (2003 Uk car) so does indeed look like someone has tinted the windows... Maybe Snoop dog owned it for a while

I have sucessfully removed and cleaned one side and there is still a light tint 'in the glass' so I think it's back to normal.

Sadly I've only done 50% of the work, it will take a few cups of tea to tackle the other side!

Cheers,

Matt

Hey,

Does anyone know if the windows are tinted at the factory on UK cars? After washing my car at the weekend I noticed an odd pattern on my near side front window.

I used an abrasive polish thinking it was a stain but no joy (sorry it was too faint to show up in a photo). Eventually I realised the windows had tinting film and the glue had started age, causing the pattern.

As usual I went in heavy handed and tried to remove the tint ...Now, I’m not one to give up easily but what a bastard of a job! Think removing old wallpaper but a 1000 times harder!

Once you've removed the film, swearing like a trooper each time it snaps, you have to remove this filthy glue and that's also a beast...

Anyway it looks good now but I'll have to do the other side soon

I could end up with an uneven tan you see…

Has anyone else noticed this? I thought manufacturers used tinted glass rather aftermarket style film??

Matt.

I think JDM supply the genuine Nissan parts (to fix one side) for 145 pounds. http://www.jdmperformance.co.uk/item_de ... =449009146

Sadly I have this problem too, it's just started on the passenger side and most prominent when changing from reverse to 1st.

I bought a Scorpion but I can still hear it ticking away!

Thanks Mike,

Blimey, it's probably cheaper after fuel to drive across the country for a service! Do you know which franchise runs your local dealer? It's a Glyn Hopkin monopoly round here.

Glyn no doubt has a very nice house!

Hi,

Has anyone had any first hand experiences with the dealers in Essex?

I’m about to book mine in for a P2 but I’m a bit surprised by the cost…

Nissan Chelmsford quoted £317.50 for a P2 or £362.00 with an engine flush and fuel additive.

Nissan Romford quoted the same amount...

That seems an awful lot of cash to me for not much work. At 54k I guess I’ll need some plugs too at £69+vat.

Any thoughts or experiences appreciated.

Matt

The Rota's are quite a bit cheaper. Give Big Phil a call, he was very helpful when I ordered mine.

To give you a rough idea;

http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16035

Matt.

Hi Tim,

Try this buddy;

http://my350z.com/forum/media-share/207 ... llery.html

Happy shopping,

Matt

I have to agree with the above, each set you post up seem to get better and better.

That's another item on the 'wanted' list then!

I would pop to your local dealers and take one for a test drive... If you like the engine it could be worth waiting.

You can never feel guilty for wasting a dealer’s time!

All my previous cars have been French hot hatches so it took some getting used but it's a great cruiser once you get comfy.

The original owner of mine placed on of those 'track NAV' buttons on the consol to the right of the handbrake... Whenever I let someone drive my car they get a shock when some nice young lady asks them for the postcode of their destination! Whoever thought that was a good location must have had a band hangover

Don't be fooled by the engine either, it probably feels a bit sluggish at first but it's very linear and you have to keep an eye on the speedo

Hi Sonic,

I'm about 5'6" and I find the car very comfortable, you just need a bit of time to set everything up.

The only problem I have in being 'vertically challenged' is the limited view - I find it quite difficult to judge where the front near side is when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.

I had a Clio 172 cup before the Zed (horrible, stiff clutch) so I find the zed fine. Remember it's a big old lump so the controls feel nice and chunky. I also find the handbrake a touch unnatural but you get used to it.

Good luck,

Matt

Hi mate,

I commute by train all week so I haven't had much of a chance yet. I've done about 60 miles (since fitting it) and it's gradually getting a bit deeper. It still looks clean inside the tips though so it probably needs a few more miles. I'll post an update in due course.

You can't grumble about the value though!

These are very good, I have the one carbon one. I'm sure it's partly psychological but the shift feels so much better now

It's a tough one..

At the moment the body is pretty much standard bar a stubby and splash guards. I intend on getting some LED's (front and rear), a subtle splitter and that's about it. Possibly a non vented carbon bonnet next year. I tend to like the smooth look and I like the standard lines of the car so I doubt I'll fit a body kit down the track.

I am big fan of the flat black with red lip but I feel they might look a little out of place if I leave the bodywork pretty much OEM, bar the above.

In summary the black and red 'could' look cool but not sure I have balls! Bronze or gunmetal are safe bets and will look good on the car. Like I say, it's the like the other half in a shoe shop!

Big Phil - any advice before I make the big telephone call

Cheers Phil, I can't believe you have that many in stock

I bet you have a pink set hid out the back somewhere

Hi all,

I've decided on some Rota GTR's for my (black) Zed but I can't make up my mind on the colour... really, it's like the missus in a shoe shop!!

I think silver will be boring so that's ruled out.. I really like the gunmetal and bronze but the devil in me likes the matt black with red lip..

What do you guys think?

Some pics here - http://s484.photobucket.com/albums/rr20 ... 20Choices/

lots here - http://my350z.com/forum/media-share/207 ... llery.html

Cheers,

Matt

Same here, mine was fitted at a local exhaust place and it popped straight on. It took more time getting the rusty old one off!

Results above...

Hi mate, I don't have any axle stands so I got a local tyre/exhaust place to fit it. It only took them 30 minutes so it must have fit well.

Thanks,

Matt

Ok chaps,

I think I've covered the basics now, i.e. the cheap stuff

Scorpion Exhaust

HKS Mushroom induction kit

Carbon battery / reservoir covers

350z mats

Nismo carbon gear knob

Splash guards.

I wouldn't mind some LED rear lights and changing the lower rear lights for clear ones. The same goes for the dodgy front reflectors. I also need to decide if I'm ditching the bose or not

My priority is new tyres though as the MOT is soon, so here's the big one? Do I get a set of Falkens and keep the rays or do I get some nice Rota's from big phil and sell the rays???

I would also like to lower the car in the future so I would interested to hear your opinions on the various coilovers for the zed? I like the KW variant 3's but that would be maximum I would want to spend... Ideally I would like some change from a grand.

Thanks,

Matt