Stephen

Is that noy byest as google learns to search through your cookies for relivence? Also type in 300zxclub see what you get.

Not so much to reinvent the wheel, more to make sure its as healthy as it can be. Im not sure about the 95% of people but I must be in the 5% I typed in 300zx owners club, I joined the us club first because of this, it was sometime before I found the uk owners club. I guess I just didn't look, I found zcentre before this place and spent well over the odds. If I had found this website first, I would have saved myself a great deal of time and money, but I didn't.

i pay my subs and havent got a zed not a critism merely a statement of fact, not pointed at anyone in particular, merely saying we cannot rely on the number of subscribed members as a golden guide as to how many zed owners we have reached. but what i cant understand is how it can be more of a club just by changing its name, its still going to be the same people as before, what changes can be made to make it more of a club than it is now, and with people so far apart how can we be all part of the same club without a forum? Changing the name is merely a first step, a very important step in an image change, the major thing we need to encourage is activity of the club in real life, better attendance to meets more high profile presence at shows. this forum is what makes the club is it not? Currently for many it is the beginning and end of the club, club activity doesn't extend beyond this forum, that isn't how to have a car club, that's how to have a website. I love the forum thats why im on here so often, but im on here aswel because im passionate about the z32 want to learn. as I say the forum should not be the be all and end all. also how has this got from parts available for zeds to what it should be a club or a forum? Obviously that's quite a complex question, and the thread has become quite long and in depth with many opinions and views, basically it seems what we think is the reason for expensive parts and poor aftermarket choice from within the uk, is the strength of the club and the number of active members. Its simply supply and demand, if the profile of the car is taken more seriously, the club increased in numbers and profile, manufacture's will be more interested in the z32 will produce more parts or import them in a more favourable way for us. Basically if we make the club bigger and stronger we can expect better access to parts at better prices, not to mention a better value of the cars and more sustainable future for the z32. The name change is a first step increasing awareness and profile, along with becoming an official affiliated and most importantly active club. I really hope that answers your questions, and I hope your on board now I've explained

If it was as simple as that steve it would be, but there a fair few members on here with no z32 at all, so you cannot count them, also we haven't had clarification of how many z32s there are exactly in the uk at present. Even if 80% of z32 owners were registered with the club id still want more, that's the mindset I'm currently in, (impossible I know) shooting for the stars is the only ambition to have, im not going to shoot low or simple be content with it as it is, I aim to improve the situation constantly. Its a real shame I didn't manage to collor you at japfest last year and have a really good discussion about the clubs and their future.

Not only is it spot on its a very easy change. Has the club ever approached Nissan and asked what the situation would be in allowing us to become their official uk z32 club, I know its not overly in there interest but as a marketing point it may well be. having access to ourselves and close relationship will allow them better ease to do things such as, if and when they decide to do a 50 years of fairlady (as I said previously they realised a 40th anniversary 370) what better way to launch anew model or show off their achievement then to drag x amount of each of these previous sports cars and their cult following to one location.

Now that I've got five minute's IL explain myself over AMS, Comparatively with the current products available they have a large range of products specifically for z32 that we simply don't have, I'm aware there have been some quality issues on some products, I 'am also aware of the great reviews other products have gotten. In the ideal world it would be great to have companies like Ashspec on board but in reality I see a real bug bears here, firstly costing, they come at a premium that most wont be prepared to pay, those that will be will also be prepared to purchase them straight from the states, im not writing the idea off and I will certainly get in touch with them, we may be pleasantly surprised. Ams have the range and the prices that are going to be of most interest to the uk market, rightly or wrongly, the ozzies and the yanks have had exposure to their products for a while and their experience's are for us to learn by, research is key here, and we don't have to buy everything, the current offers of pricing structure are seriously good, as are the offers they run, when compared to japspeed, a similar sort of company the following pros come into play, wider variety of z32 specific parts, similar if not better prices and more relevant group buys, as for quality you get what you pay for and the exhaust systems they do have recently been commented on by a few that they require a little persuading to fit, I don't expect the AMS products to be any different. I will be contacting Z1 tonight aswel, as they are a sponsor here, according to the top of the page yet we have no z1 rep, without a rep group buys and offers will hav eto be sought out not offered freely, and it may well work out that some sort of co-op situation may occur where they will be able to offer better prices and shipping costs by combing orders. That's where I'm at, at present.

We are talking about perception here. The general opinion seems to be that this place is really nothing more than an Internet forum, and having a url as a name certainly doesn't help this perception. Changing its name, so that Logo's read something like : The 300zx UK Owners club - http://www.300zx.co.uk - I can't imagine any real confusion there. As for costs of mechandise, its something you would change over time. Membership packs get updates as new stock is ordered, and when it comes to items like club banners the cost is not really an issue with the clubs financial situation, and no reason why existing banners cant still be used alongside new banners, they mostly just show the clubs website address. Ofcourse the club would need to do a lot more than just change its name to become better recognised as one, but the name is surely an obvious first step. I don't think anyone meant to suggest losing the .co.uk or to alter the domain name in any way, just to have more of a focus as a 'physical' car club. I don't want anything I type to come across as criticism for criticism's sake. I am genuinely passionate about the Z32, the work I do as part of this club and the fellow Zed Heads I've met. I really wish there were more meets & there was more of a proactive community effort away from the boards. Anyone that's met me knows I live & breathe all things Nissan, I really want to push awareness of the car & this club, both from a trader's point of view and as a genuine enthusiast. My local section, the Midlands, is woefully quiet. There hasn't been one official event organised in a long time, which is a real shame. On the other side of the coin, when a karting meet was put to the Midland Massive, there wasn't a great response. But it was more like a few of us trying to do some karting, rather than a 300zx.co.uk Karting Competition, for example. For me, personally, I want to wear this Club's colours loudly & proudly at every show, meet, track day, drag day, barbeque etc etc, but it's a bit difficult as it is very internet-based at the moment. It's a great forum populated by a diverse userbase judging from the people I've met, it would just be nice and a real positive step forward to see it all in person on a much more regular basis, rather than a few die-hards at Santa Pod on occasion. Maybe a more 'club'-oriented focus would result in this. I think any person's posts that come across a bit frustrated, ungrateful or pushy is borne out of a genuine enthusiasm to have the marque more widely recognised & respected as it should be. YES and YES This needs to become more than just a forum, currently its my opinion that this is a forum first and a club second, intentionally or not. This is what I mean when I say aboutr becoming more official, I think the main issue here the fact that the club doesn't transcend beyond this forum, for too many members there involvement starts and stops right here at 300zx.co.uk. This is sad, and really needs to change. Im going to have a chat with the capri club this week find out exactly how there club model works and report back here explaining there method, I really think we can take something from this approach. - - - Updated - - - z32 or rx7?

I personally don't have an issue with the pricing structure. What you have provided there though is a great set of figures, 672 paying members, honestly when compared to the amount of zeds in the uk presently that's crap, I would say the vast majority of z32 owners are not only not members, but not aware or possibly interested in our existence, this is one of the key things that must change, it also raises its own questions, why arn't we reaching these people? I've also seen that we gain members that then don't hang around, why? I would be extremely surprised, if there are more rx7's in the uk, than 300zx's, I assume that's a global club? but even so that's a massive number in comparison.

Now that is an idea, a frontage page with 300zx related news, mission statement, the registation part and media linls for example. This would certainly create the impression this is a club not just a forum.

You need to know the width, without it offset is meaningless, theres lots of calculators for this, but you can get a tape out and measure your hubface to arch and see how much room youve got, dont forget the lower arm and hicas joint can cause issues on the rear face.

Which is exactly why they lack credibility, I could start s new forum tomorrow and call myself, 300zxworldwidepremierclub.co.uk. I realise theres a degree of work or finance involved in becoming offical but surly its worth the headache.

I do stand corrected there joel, but tax disc holders club stickers etc font have this, also being offical rather than premier has far more credibility.

Exactly that, the website address is immaterial, however look ay the top of this page it meerly reads, 300zx.co.uk, as do the banners posted earlier, no mention of an owners club. Have a look at the way the capri club work, not all of it is workable but they are seriously organised and are an officaly regonised by ford car club.sometimes the club feels a little like a forum, the forum should be a helpfull addition to the club not its focal point. I really wanted to post more as ive been thinking alot again today but ive just not had time.

Classic valve stem seal issues.

I've got a printout already kept the original, at least its a usefull thing to have. :)

Mine will be heading there once ive sorted a few things. :)

Il be on later, as im out the office today, but yes this is right il explain my thought process later.

How depressing that sun is now that rare we photograph it haha

Ok, so maybe I should be contacting them? Ive seen some great stuff coming from ashspec!. Obviously theres eithical points but are there parts any worse than say japspeed?

What brands are missing over here that ud like to see guys?

Well yes, that's why it was simply an example, of the interest and trader numbers other clubs have. Everything I've done so far has been as you say, " parts overseas that we cant get " hence the reason I got in touch with ams as they haven't got a uk foot hold and have got great parts. I must admit I have also contacted one Uk based company as they provide some parts that cannot be sourced here elsewhere, and they may well be a great addition to the forum. Its becoming increasingly difficult to keep on topic, as theres so much floating in the air, but I will endeavour to try and build better relations with us suppliers and increase active members. Sorry if I didn't explain myself very well.

Its not that I want all of them, rather that its an example of what other clubs have available. However bringing in traders for things we dont currently have is a good step and as you know something im investigating. However you the committe will have the power if this can go ahead obviously.

just look at all the traders the 200sx guys have! Traders Forum (8 Viewing) SXOC Authorised Traders 800bhp (52/429) Aerokit (2/7) Apex Performance Parts Automotive Performance Tuning (458/3553) DB-Power (1458/18474) Detailing Jem (113/1008) DriftBitz (162/539) Driftgarage (8/85) Driftworks Ltd (408/2350) Emperor Garage (14/44) EP Racing (272/1989) Fuyai Import (1/5) GDUK Jap Parts (289/982) Horsham Developments (410/2434) Japspeed Performance Parts (255/6569) JDM Garage UK (125/454) Mazworx Racing (85/474) Opie Oils (343/2883) Project-D (33/289) Rare Rims (41/692) SFS Performance (56/490) SRBPower Ltd (2477/24543)

cheers joel, its steve. :) yeah we have a real good tight knit crew in Bournemouth who are happy to crack on with the spanners and welcome any new member. Hopefully we can extend our mentality and ways throughout the club. it seems we have pockets of bloody good members, we just need to drag in the ones roaming the wild unaware of us.

Your on the ball Anthony and the production of quality parts is the way forward, the scuttle panels are fab, ive seen them in real life. you've solved two problems with that and I really praise you for it.