Its come to my attention over time thats parts for our cars are hard source and expensive. Availability of quality kit is poor from within the uk and oem parts are dropping off the availability list like flys. Being an entusiast club part of our responsibility is to ensure the marque is represented and preserved. A serious prerequiset to this is availability of parts. Most other cars have many pattern parts available, and aftermarket stuff, we simply dont. I do not wish to pick on anyone but compare our z part retailers to those in the us or oz, zcentre is tiny, its not even affilated with the owners club! Not to mrntion the price. Getting onto the twinz range, that cannot be sorted.

It's a sad state that the 3rd? Biggest ownership worldwide cannot produce a sustainable and progress range of parts, that we have to make international orders to a country on the otherside of the world to get things of decent quality, and price. I applaud companies like sfs for making good parts for us, but I think its high time we started brain storming a better way that the current reliance on the us.

So how do we move forward? How do we push the z32 out of this stagnent position of poor parts, high prices and poor availability. Theres enough.of us at the end of the day. How do we move the club away from the screen and into an owners club, are we the offical uk zxclub? Is there even one? I know this sounds like a rant but I want to still own my z in 20 years time

Its high time the z comunity raised its profile.

a large portion of poor rusty zeds, poor owners tarnishing the zeds through bogus claims on sales and poor relations within the zed community i believe is what is ultimately keeping the profile down.

 

It is not the same on FD and Skyline forums nor the same at car shows.

 

Alot of people want the profile raised and maybe it will in 20 years when there is a handful of good zeds left and the dross has been scrapped.

I think the problem is that our car's just simply aren't as popular as others... For example the Supra, Evo's Scooby's etc.

 

There just aren't any many companies wanting to make a loss on the parts.

 

Then there's the other side of things, our UK part's people. Quite frankly, good businesses like smithy's place and DTA die because the market isn't big enough and those of us who want parts then go to companies in other countries such as Z1 or conceptZ in the states. This puts them out of business.

 

Luke (ZCente) is still afloat but I rarely use him as I can get stuff cheaper from the states.

 

If he would match the price we'd pay to get the stuff over here ourselves, then I would use him a lot more and I'm sure he'd still make a profit. Some companies make a penny on the deals they do (after overheads etc), but it's profit and they have thousands of customer because of that.

 

I just hope that companies will start to get the business at the right price.

 

Please note I am not saying anything bad about any company here and have and will continue to use them all (depending on cost and availability etc)

Who do we talk to about ideas for the club?

 

Who is the boss I mean? :)

I throughly agree with you all, and im fairld sure not to pick but with zcentre his parts come from the us, why not directly from japan? I think we need nissan themselves to emrace the car and be proud, become an offical club tied with them and embrace things like our 50 year anniversary of the z car, 40th there was a special 370 but no big z party.

I do agree poor interclub relations arnt helping as you say marty, but we will have to overlook that part of the proble at othrrwise this thread will go no where.

Think you just nominated yourself to arrange one bolt! :D

I know ams have had issues recently but theres no uk distributor is there, no godspeed. These are brands we need.

Hands up whos actually got off there backside and gone to a meet in the last 12 months, hands up whos never been to a meet!

Raising the profile of the marque is only going to start with some actual effort. Time Attack Round 1 @ Cadwell Park. Where was the support for the two Zeds off this very forum? Where was everyone? Should have been a meet at the very least. There's hopefully going to be a 300zx team at TOTB. How many will drive more than 10 miles to show support?

 

A 300zx is cheaper to modify than an FD or Supra, and so much easier to tune without the need for an aftermarket ECU. It will decimate a high-powered Scooby/Evo after 100mph, it does well up the strip in standard guise and does well round the track with suitable suspension upgrades. We can run with the Supras in every way, the only issue is when something goes wrong, and for that to be less of an issue, we need places that can pull an engine reliably & cheaply, and a suitable option for a single turbo set up, which should really include a single-entry inlet manifold. Other than that, the only real difference is Paul Walker. These points are with regard to engine modifications & tuning, which are obviously my areas of interest.

 

Another real problem is a bit of a sore topic and that's the fracturing of the owner's clubs to the point where you can get banned from one or the other. That is always going to be detrimental. We should be having competitions on the dyno & up the strip, and any personal issues should really be quashed IMO. The car is the star, and I think that has been forgotten in the past.

Mike Feeney (MJP) is our Nissan parts trader and unless a part has been discontinued he can get it and usually at a good price. Engine parts are not that difficult to get hold of, but trims and body parts new are, because they are simply not made anymore.

Nissan garages/dealers are not interested in stocking 20 year old car parts, they push the latest models and make their money on aftersales for new cars.

 

As far as meets go, there are REO's for most regions, but when meets are arranged there is little support from members, either commitments, money or car not ready is an issue. The current economic climate has been a major factor in everyday life, so having the luxury of owning and running a classic sports car is pushed lower on the list of priorities for some.

Noz, you mjp, jeff and the crew, jimmer and mjp are some key cement in the future of zeds. And I totally agree that bob and jaffas involement in time attack.is a fantastic opertunity one we as a club should be grabbing with open arms.

Edited April 8, 201312 yr by Stephen

Mike Feeney (MJP) is our Nissan parts trader and unless a part has been discontinued he can get it and usually at a good price. Engine parts are not that difficult to get hold of, but trims and body parts new are, because they are simply not made anymore.

Nissan garages/dealers are not interested in stocking 20 year old car parts, they push the latest models and make their money on aftersales for new cars.

 

As far as meets go, there are REO's for most regions, but when meets are arranged there is little support from members, either commitments, money or car not ready is an issue. The current economic climate has been a major factor in everyday life, so having the luxury of owning and running a classic sports car is pushed lower on the list of priorities for some.

 

Totally agree, but how many will moan that £40 is too much to spend to make a meet then spend that the very next day on alcohol and cigarettes, times are tough and life is about choices, im not very well off in the slightest as many know, but I choose and preempt things.

Ive praised mjp, his access topattern parts is exactly the right way to go. However we as a club need to be more proactive, thats the bottom line.

Common dont just veiw this thread have your say.

Noz, you mjp, jeff and the crew, jimmer and mjp are some key cement in the future of zeds. And I totally agree that bob and jaffas involement in time attack.is a fantastic opertunity one we as a club should be grabbing with open arms.

 

I truly hope to be, I have had a genuine love of the Zed since it was designed. Given that it was one of the best cars released in the 80s/90s in standard guise, it should have a much better image attached to it now. I am Nissan through & through though, so very biased :laugh:

 

Pete, Jimmer & myself were all discussing the points raised in this thread at Cadwell.

 

With regards to regional areas & meets, I know there's been nothing suggested in the Midlands other than from members for a long time.

First off, this is a thread about our lack of availability on car parts, i hardly see how interforum relationships has any effect on getting parts from another country? Marty you always seem to want to raise this point the moment you get, so nip that in the bud, there was tension for genuine reasons and we are also not about to open the gates back up to people who have been banned for various reasons, as that's not in the best interest for our club.

 

Moving on.

 

There is a car in the UK that currently has no supplier of parts apart from the club its self, that managed to stock pile large quantities and also get the patent rights to the parts so they could get them made. i see no reason why if a part is now discontinued from Nissan that we can not try to approach them and ask about the patent rights to the discontinued parts, and get those parts made here in the UK, as and when required. if we get part patents, we could end up being the sole supplier / manufacturer for Nissan 300zx z32 parts that other countries then come too when they need them.

 

Not sure on the best way of going about doing something like that. or how financially viable it is, but it is an option.

 

Just remember though, that might not always be viable, the z32 shares quite a few parts with other Nissans (skyline r33 gtst?), it might be a better option going back over the other car parts lists and seeing what is actually compatable and getting a proper list together.

*Deleted: as it was clearly more a reflection of my own grumpiness, depleted tollerance levels and lack of social skills.

Im liking some of those ideas ian, how about a sticky of parts from other cars that fit.

*Deleted: as it was clearly more a reflection of my own grumpiness, depleted tollerance levels and lack of social skills.

 

Lol touch of the grumps ey?

I can't really comment on the car parts as i no longer own a zed but i can can comment on the clubs support as a member and yes i have attended a meet all be it the once but i still supported the club by attending JAE, i was however shocked at the number that actually turned up, yes i am aware these things cost money but there is a year in between to save for it!

 

Hopefully this year numbers will double and we can show everyone that 300zx.co.uk is the place to be :)

 

Going back to my washing up now

I was not stating anything about interforum relations i was talking about poor relations with parts suppliers as is the thread of the topic before people get carried away and OT

 

Other Jap cars have done well in the UK with a good source of aftermarket parts and the Z32 does very well in the US so the issue is UK based i believe

I have to say. From an outsiders point of view. This forum/community does fell slightly disjointed compared to the others I am/have been part of.

Thing the fact the platform is so rare and there is very little if any interest from the general outsider/public does show in the lack of oem parts available and the stockists of aftermarket stuff too.

 

Having never been to a dedicated zx meet but having been to plenty of jap shows, I do feel there is little support from the group, I have loved z32s since young and that's what attracts me to them, so I am always on the lookout for any at shows, but there rarely is any and defo nothing that seems like an organised turn out.

 

Looking at buying my 1st Z and have been parts hunting, but it is so difficult over here as the US and Latin America seem to have all the share of supplier/manufacturers outside Japan and OZ a little too.

 

Guess what I am tryin to say is, build up the community itself into a strong backbone for the platform before focusing on import/export or manufacturing of patterned pieces. If there is a weak backing from the group, it will always fail.

 

Build a bond, raise the profile, increase demand and then go into business. That's how I would do it and have knows people to do it and be successful.

 

My 2p.

 

Mex

I have to say. From an outsiders point of view. This forum/community does fell slightly disjointed compared to the others I am/have been part of.

Thing the fact the platform is so rare and there is very little if any interest from the general outsider/public does show in the lack of oem parts available and the stockists of aftermarket stuff too.

 

Having never been to a dedicated zx meet but having been to plenty of jap shows, I do feel there is little support from the group, I have loved z32s since young and that's what attracts me to them, so I am always on the lookout for any at shows, but there rarely is any and defo nothing that seems like an organised turn out.

 

Looking at buying my 1st Z and have been parts hunting, but it is so difficult over here as the US and Latin America seem to have all the share of supplier/manufacturers outside Japan and OZ a little too.

 

Guess what I am tryin to say is, build up the community itself into a strong backbone for the platform before focusing on import/export or manufacturing of patterned pieces. If there is a weak backing from the group, it will always fail.

 

Build a bond, raise the profile, increase demand and then go into business. That's how I would do it and have knows people to do it and be successful.

 

My 2p.

 

Mex

 

Make sure you save your pennies and come along to this years JAE then you won't be disappointed and you'll get to see steams in his mankini!!!! Thats gotta be worth the money lol

First off, this is a thread about our lack of availability on car parts, i hardly see how interforum relationships has any effect on getting parts from another country? Marty you always seem to want to raise this point the moment you get, so nip that in the bud, there was tension for genuine reasons and we are also not about to open the gates back up to people who have been banned for various reasons, as that's not in the best interest for our club.

 

Moving on.

 

There is a car in the UK that currently has no supplier of parts apart from the club its self, that managed to stock pile large quantities and also get the patent rights to the parts so they could get them made. i see no reason why if a part is now discontinued from Nissan that we can not try to approach them and ask about the patent rights to the discontinued parts, and get those parts made here in the UK, as and when required. if we get part patents, we could end up being the sole supplier / manufacturer for Nissan 300zx z32 parts that other countries then come too when they need them.

 

Not sure on the best way of going about doing something like that. or how financially viable it is, but it is an option.

 

Just remember though, that might not always be viable, the z32 shares quite a few parts with other Nissans (skyline r33 gtst?), it might be a better option going back over the other car parts lists and seeing what is actually compatable and getting a proper list together.

 

I think it's because it is all related, the point was raised in the opening post:

 

So how do we move forward? How do we push the z32 out of this stagnent position of poor parts, high prices and poor availability. Theres enough.of us at the end of the day. How do we move the club away from the screen and into an owners club, are we the offical uk zxclub? Is there even one? I know this sounds like a rant but I want to still own my z in 20 years time

Its high time the z comunity raised its profile

 

The forums are the first port of call for new owners and potential customers of interested parties. Raising awareness of the car involves many different aspects. If a parts supplier is interested they will check out the owner's club forums to see if it's worth their while. The MKIV Supra forum has a huge amount of politics involved (lot of companies threatening to sue back in the day), but also backing from a large number of big traders as the money is obviously there.

 

It will require a strong active userbase, and that is helped by numbers & activities promoted. It's going to take a collective effort by everyone with a solid network of well-known/respected companies & specialists working together. Most places flat-out refuse to work on the Zed due to the complexity of the car. This hurts its reputation. I'm looking to push awareness of the car up the strip & on the dyno as a viable & tunable vehicle the same as the Supras, Skylines & FDs. Drag racing in this country is increasing in poularity all the time, and Zeds do well up the strip for a big boat, getting the power down better than a Supra. They are getting more exposure from Time Attack. If TOTB goes the way it's been discussed, that could help a great deal, too. People just don't realise the potential of these cars. Supras: easy 550-600bhp on stock internals, £4k for a ropey Auto. R32/R33 GTR: 550bhp on stock internals risking #6: £5-6k. Z32: 550-600bhp on stock internals: £500 for an Auto with a broken PTU.

 

IMO, it's all tied in together as far as parts availability is concerned. Parts supplying is not my area of expertise, however, so it is only my opinion. Who knows, maybe it just wasn't meant to be and the Zed will never get the kudos it deserves as heaped upon the Supra/Skyline/FD from the general population. I'll be damned if I'm not going to play my part, however :D

 

Z32bolt's post shows genuine enthusiasm for the car, it's great to see :thumbup1:

Edited April 8, 201312 yr by Noz

[quote name=Gonzo

 

Other Jap cars have done well in the UK with a good source of aftermarket parts and the Z32 does very well in the US so the issue is UK based i believe[/quote]

 

Correct the question is why, and how do we fix this.

I have to say. From an outsiders point of view. This forum/community does fell slightly disjointed compared to the others I am/have been part of.

Thing the fact the platform is so rare and there is very little if any interest from the general outsider/public does show in the lack of oem parts available and the stockists of aftermarket stuff too.

 

Having never been to a dedicated zx meet but having been to plenty of jap shows, I do feel there is little support from the group, I have loved z32s since young and that's what attracts me to them, so I am always on the lookout for any at shows, but there rarely is any and defo nothing that seems like an organised turn out.

 

Looking at buying my 1st Z and have been parts hunting, but it is so difficult over here as the US and Latin America seem to have all the share of supplier/manufacturers outside Japan and OZ a little too.

 

Guess what I am tryin to say is, build up the community itself into a strong backbone for the platform before focusing on import/export or manufacturing of patterned pieces. If there is a weak backing from the group, it will always fail.

 

Build a bond, raise the profile, increase demand and then go into business. That's how I would do it and have knows people to do it and be successful.

 

My 2p.

 

Mex

 

Very well thought out reply, we.have a great comunity wighin this club, but too many dont get involved in the club. We need more members. Theres so many zs out there that are unaware of the club.