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I bought this kit ages ago when ArundaleP arranged the group buy via his contact in Germany (Sergio I think). They seemed like well built Hella parts and worked fine after a bit of modding to the rear of the headlight. However one has stopped working and I've narrowed it down to a ballast box failing. Have been in touch with Hella and they cannot source me a replacement. Smithy gave me a ballast from another kit he had lying around, but it seems that this kit works differently. As shown in Boldy's pic above, the Merc kit I bought has 2 boxes (with 4 small low voltage wires between them) whereas the other has one box and a bulb holder (with 2 heavier voltage wires between them). I am guessing that most kits have one box for ballast AND ignitor functions whereas my kit has 2. So I either need to replace this specific box OR revert the light housing back to the original fitments. I am selling the car now so dont want to fork out 100s of pounds for replacement HID. :rolleyes: Boldy - do you have a spare of the Merc ballast boxes knocking around that I could purchase?? Anyone - do you have the dip beam spring clip/bulb holder assembly from a set of lights by any chance (I had to remove those when fitting the HID and lost them). Cheers Rich p.s. smithy - if you are reading this, I will send the ballast box you sent me back to you shortly - cheers again matey!!

In my opinion, the best looking gearknob is the Razo aluminium one I got from Smithy.

Hey guys I fitted a second hand arm but there is just as much play. Mechanic reckons it was pretty worn as well. So I decided to replace with new, but the numpties at local Nissan couldnt get me the part number as their system doesnt have my chassis number in it. Its a Jap import 1998 manual TT. Any ideas on how to get the part number - they're apparently saying there are 2 to choose from. I know what Greg said above about them being the same ... in that case why are there 2 part numbers, or does it not matter?? Cheers Rich

Thanks Greg. Is there a risk that re-using a second-hand one (or in fact only replacing one side) will result in an inbalance or some degraded handling or should it be easy to see from the part of it is defficient etc? Would it be better to get a new part from Nissan? In which case how accurate with date of manufacture would I need to be - cannot imagine the part changed between 94 and 96 for example? Cheers Rich

My off side upper suspension arm is knackered apparently. Load of wheel movement and looks like bushing has worn. Mechanic reckons that I dont need to replace the pair and that replacing with adjustable ones is overkill. Since I am selling up soon, I dont want to go overboard - any thoughts on this ?? Also any other thoughts on what I should get done at the same time? Where is the best place to get hold of the part? Car is a 98M Jap Import TT. When the mechanic went to local Nissan they could not match the serial number :headvswal to get the date of manufacture (they knew it was import but couldnt work it out apparently). I have looked at the relevant web pages and will see if I can identify the date myself. Help appreciated. Cheers Rich

Its getting there mate. Its going in this week for a service. I havent really done a great deal to it as been concentrating on the house over the last year or so. There are a few things I want to do to it now though to get the job 100% finished. Still turns heads though :)

Mate - that looks awesome!! :bow: I know you been through a lot of pain waiting for it to finish so please make sure you enjoy it!!!! Especially while this summer holds!!!!! :dance: By the way - I think I still have your Kahn tyre valve ... sorryyyyyyy (:mac1:). PM me an address and I'll send it to you. Rich

Hmm interesting one. I genuinely didnt realise I was out of tax in November and parked in Newcastle city centre. I got a ticket for "failure to display current vehicle excise licence" and a £30 fine. A right sod, but paid it anyway. Last week I got a letter from DVLA saying they had been notified of the same offence (same date, time and location) and demanding a fine of £52. :mad: Obviously both letters gave the usual shite about maximum fines of 1000 quid etc etc. 2 things spring to mind: - Is that allowed that 2 different bodies (Northumbria Police AND DVLA) can fine me for the same offence/mistake (total cost of £82); - Given that the offence took place on 10th November (day before my bloody birthday!) can they really fine me on 16th February - 3 months and 6 days after the event???? Surely that aint justice ?? :smash: Rich

maybe it is like a cruise - you know like a round trip so only one ticket required - stop off at hell to get some souvenirs for the family - maybe a piece of fiery rock for your gran :D

so are Grasshopper alive and well then ??

yeah one eye witness described what looked like a bomb belt - I reckon 5 shots is a good effort to ensure that any serious threat to innocent lives was neutralised. If there was an innocent explanation for the guy havin wires comin out from his belt - he shouldn't have legged it into a crowded subway in an attempt to get away - and should have put his hands in the air. NOT in favour of similar force against lesser immediate threat though - in those cases, arrest, trial and sentence is the only fair way!!! Am pleased to see the apparent progress bein made by those in charge of the investigation of the first and second (attempted) wave of bombings tho!! Good on them (although the personal ID and travel documents carried by the first attackers must have helped somewhat!!). Am more impressed to see the way in which the emergency services and security services have reacted to both events though - I wasn't in the middle of it, but a lot of my colleagues were (several stories of colleagues leavin a subway and hearing the explosion seconds later) - and the communication and direction provided by the authorities seems to have been outstanding!!! All imo obviously ;)

hi mate - I got the belkin one which has a 4 position switch to choose from 4 frequencies. Unfortunately the frequencies all coincide with BBC2 and so pretty much anywhere I have been over here I do not get good receiption. I have heard but can;t confirm that the itrip is more congurable and a much better be. hth Cheers Rich

there's some pretty good stuff on that site .. this may already have been posted but .. http://www.nearlygood.com/video/driftinga1.html. Nutter!!!

http://www.nearlygood.com/video/bigmscrash.html Thats horrific - check out the slow motion bit right at the end - I am sure you see a spectator in yellow being hit ... :shock:

Cheers for the responses guys. I tried Norton but they wanted it in a garage (its in secure parking that cannot be seen from any public highways, but that wasn't good enough). AON said I had to be 30 and I'm 28 :) - its hard to p1ssed off with being too young really! A-Plan = £850, which is half of the nearest quote. Only thing is that they said that modded parts would be replaced with standard, which means I would stand to lose a bit if it was nicked, but thats the risk you take - I would never get back the money I spent on it anyway. Not sure how they'd replace wide arches with standard ones though :D Cheers again, Rich

Right! Insurance companies. Why is it that I have spent the last 4 hours on the phone to these *******s discussing the car and the fact its imported and the fact its got mods and the fact that I am 28 and where I live and what colour underwear I'm wearing. I then ring around another few companies before ringing them back to accept - only to find that when they do the "official" quote it is a grand (yes thats £1000) more expensive. This has been done by Bell Direct (went up 500 quid), Firebond and Adrian Flux (went from 1400 to over 2300). ****ing outrageous!! All this after our esteemed club insurer Houghton wrote to me last week to say they won't be able to renew because the insurer have changed their criteria for classic policy - it now has to be a second car and garaged. Anyway the consequence of this is that I can no longer justify the cost of insuring the car so it is up for immediate sale. I will be posting details shortly - anyone interested in making me an offer on this unique car, please let me know as soon as poss. Regards Rich

Me too - I think you'd get on very well with another mate of mine - cerb78 on this forum :D. The guy doing the gumball races that thing as well.

Too right - check this vid out. Watch out for the Lambo pulled over - ouch!!

Good knowledge Dave!! I pasted the details from the Gumball site. It turns out it IS a 288 GTO original body but the engine is from a 308. Rich

Fair point ... :D

Apparently the lancia IS a concept car and was just there for show - its not actually running in the race - someone saw it on the back of a low loader after the start. A mate of mine is running in it in a 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB. They're both dressed as vicars - he sent me a picture of him with Caprice and some other lovely draped all over him - lucky b4stard!

No but when I had the Cerbera, I was away with the girlfriend and took a wrong turn. Approached a T-junction where the road was empty so decided to do what I'd practiced many times in empty car park and stopped, built the revs turned the wheel and released the clutch to spin it 180 and head back in other direction. Unfortunately it swung too far and the back wheel bounced up a curb - buckled the wheel and had to drive back from London to Newcastle. Girlfriend was not impressed!!!