john-boy

Hmmmm, I had a 944s a few years before I had my first 300 (having had a 260 and a 280 prior to that), and whilst it was a very pretty car, and handled nicely, was never really that sold on the performance. I thought the 2.5 16v 190 bhp was a bit naff tbh... It doesn't measure up in any department, other than quality of tin it's built from!! :D I also had a 924 turbo previous to that which was much more exciting, if less attractive. However, despite all the trumpets for German engineering, both of them required engine rebuilds... 1 for compression in the crankcase, and 1 for a broken cambelt (not it's fault really, I guess). The electrics weren't great either. Which kinda put me off old-skool porkers - despite the good looks. Traded the 944 in for a lovely S14 - never missed a beat in 2 years of cracking ownership. Been sold on Jap Sports Cars ever since. To date, the worst issue I've had with a 300 (and I'm about to pick up my 5th) is PTU trouble. Touch Wood! In answer to the question posed, however, it's certainly my Z at a shade over 4k... : Click here for my Z for sale thread :hyper: I need the space before new Z turns up and I guess I'll have to resort to flea-bay/autoturder. :( CheerZ, JB.

No mate - I'm not sure agree with this, having already been there, got the t-shirt etc... You'll miss the thrill of boost, believe me!! :D The 350 is a lovely motor, but you'll end up regretting it!! Go for the upgrades - you know it makes sense!! :D Cheerz mate, JB.

:rofl: Class.

That's right - Later (E39) 530 and above are all V8. You'll have to let us know how it pans out James, just the motor I'll be looking for in the not-too-distant to replace me 'ol 525. If you don't mind me asking, what was the damage? CheerZ, JB.

Hi Mate, I can get a Mamas and Papas "familia" (sp?) seat in the back of my Z OK. Doesn't leave a lot of legroom for the little fellow (he's 11 mths, but on the big side). Have to put the passenger seat right forward too - but, on the plus side he loves it with the tops off and the wind in his hair!! :D Also, the seat needs the 3 point belts to fit. Have also read on here somewhere that Britax do a decent one that fits too; it's all about getting a sufficiently narrow base to fit in the "bucket". I'll post a pic when I get a chance. CheerZ, JB.

I did pretty well - latest copy of Top Gear magazine, M&S Seafood Platter and a pair of cufflinks like mini-bakewells!! :hyper: Good effort from a son who's only 11 months old :D

Si, won't be selling just yet - but I'm guessing around 1200 quid when it comes to it. They seem to vary up to about 2.5k from a dealer... Happy to drop you a note when ready to sell, if you're interested. CheerZ, JB.

Yep - totally standard - dark blue, 95 'N', Auto. It's in good nick generally, polishes up very nicely, but it has done 160k so it's no spring chicken, mind you, having said that they do seem to carry on in the 200s fairly easily. The only down sides it has are a) it's not got air-con fitted, only "manual" climate control (as the bloke who sold it to me said) - which means it's go degrees C printed round the heater knob! And b) if you boot it suddenly after pottering along for a while the person behind gets "sooted"... She doesn't burn any oil or have any other problems I'm aware of. Apologies to Jaffa for thread hijack! CheerZ, JB.

Ay, great value for money it's been too - first beemer I've owned and it's totally converted me to the joys of Bavarian engineering (for family cars only, you understand :smw: )... I'd really like to replace it with a common rail type E39, but they're still a bit pricey - may be tempted for a petrol one for now; it's mostly motorway miles I use it for anyhow. In fact, just about to start looking for an E39 myself... Anyone got one out there, they're thinking of getting rid of?

IMO, a 5-series is a great choice, with the following caveats: I've currently got an E-34 525tds as a family/workhorse. It's a great car, if you can live with the languid performance. It does return between 40-50 mpg, which is great! However, I think you'll struggle to get a nice diesel E39 for that budget, maybe only an early tds (still with the 143bhp mine's got). The newer 525d and 530d are much better options, but still command good money (prolly 6k upwards). Any other E39 and I think you'll struggle to achieve that sort of mpg, other than on a long run. For motorway work it'll do it no probs - my mate's 740iL gets nearly 30 when we're on a long run for business! :D Perhaps a 520, but they're a little underpowered. As Si says, I think the E-Class is also a good choice, but overall is bettered by the E39 IMO. HTH. CheerZ, JB.`

Cheers Mike - Happy Spitfiring. All the best, mate. Happy B'day Rich too. CheerZ, JB.

There is usually a Z club stand there, however, so there will be some Z presence... I'm sure there'll be info in time at http://www.zclub.net Steve Lack from the Z club normally organises this. CheerZ, JB.

Paid by Bank Transfer.. :( RIP, JB.

Got mine this morning, Thanks Steve - very impressed with the contents too... nice. :D Thanks mate, CheerZ, JB.

Congratulations to you both...!!! :hyper: Don't worry, Mamas and Papas baby-seat fits in the back of the zed a treat, once he's about 20lbs (don't take long!!)... :D Not sure about before that - was Zed-less for the first 6 months... CheerZ, JB.

Good luck Steve (and Sarah) - just don't drop off half an hour after the birth, like I did :nono: - She'll never let you forget it!! CheerZ, JB.

1, Neil (Darkside TT) - March, Cambridgeshire - Jap Auto TT LWB - Anywhere in the South east! 2, Joel (Joely P) - nr Stansted, Essex - Jap Manual TT LWB - Anywhere on earth! 3, Steve (cybernet) - Croydon, Surrey - UK Manual TT LWB - anywhere in the SE* 4, John (TBA) - London / Kent - JDM N/A Manwell LWB - anywhere in SE 5, Habee (Twincam) - Nr Heathrow - Black NA manual LWB - Anywhere my wallet allows 6, Darrell (Coopers-SWB) - Great Offley, Hertfordshire - Jap manual SWB TT - Anywhere in the universe as they they have beer and food 7, Steve (Steve666) - Catford SE London - Jap Manual LWB TT - Any where in SE! 8, Chris (Cav584) - Farnborough - Jap Manual LWB TT - Depends whats on!! 9, Chris (Deve8uk) - Southend - Jap SWBTT (aboout to change) - If its awsome, anywhere 10, James (James Funge) - Streatham - Jap SWB TT MAN - 20 miles more if cool 11, Andy - (AndyP) - Nr Dunmow - Jap Man TT LWB - Depends whether I'm here and time etc 12, Wayne (spongey) - Milton Keynes/Bedford - UK TT LWB - Anywhere as long as theres food! 13, Paul (300_zedx) - Rochester Kent - Jap Auto TT LWB - Anywhere in South East 14, Lee (Executor) - Gillingham Kent - Jap Manual TT LWB - Anywhere 15, Rob (Robz) - Basildon Essex - Jap Z32 LWB - will travel Anywhere 16, Carl (carls got a zed) - UK Manual LWB - Travel S.E & surrounding area's 17, Chris (Chrissy P) - North London - Jap Auto N/A - I'm there..... 18. Vince (viniboy) Bedford - Jap auto TT - work allowing I will travel to where my wallet allows. 19. Nick (nickc) -surbiton, surrey - jap manual TT - anywhere interesting 20. John (john-boy) - Maidstone, Kent - UK Manual TT - Anywhere circumstances allowing

OMG - First log on for a few days and this... what awful news... :cry: Condolences. JB.

Just to add: pathetic pastiche (sp?) of living for 12 hours in a smart car - erm, didn't Top Gear do it (Hammond and May) in a Smart for four about 2 years ago? :slap: Poor man's Top Gear it is too - poor effort. :nono: Just my 2p. ;)

Many congratulations!! :dance: 'tis true - baby seat fits a treat in the Z - our Mama's and Papa's one is a doddle - so long as the passenger seat is moved forward a bit!! :D CheerZ, JB.

Snake in grass that I am, I felt compelled to share the fact that my best mate's ex-missus once asked me if it "cost much to heat the car?"... God bless her one in a long line of classics from her. Happy days. :p (Brunette, btw - what does that say?) CheerZ, JB.

I'm reading 77k on mine - I think it's genuine got plenty of bills to support... Including new tubs and cam-belt at 30k??? What's that all about - fitted by Mandella at vast expense... :nono:

Not for me, I don't think... Looks kinda like a 959, which although it had amazing peformance (at that time), it was always pig ugly IMO.... Interesting idea - but I always thought that model of RX-7 was one of the best looking Japs around (after the 300, of course ;) ). I guess Less is More sometimes! :D CheerZ, JB.

Wow - I'm jealous, mate - always thought the road up through Glencoe, then on from Fort William up to Kyle of Localsh would be superb in a Z... Nice one. Watch out for the Sheep! :wack: :smash: Love that area of Scotland.... fooking ace. CheerZ, JB.

Hi Mate, it's just before the Dartford crossing in Kent - off the A2. I think it's the largest shopping centre in Europe - so plenty of signposting... hard to miss :D Easiest way from Hampshire, round the M25 and down the A2 (towards Dover) a couple of miles. CheerZ, JB.