Posts posted by Stephen
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Lastly lets restructure the rep system, simplify it, writting a reason is long winded, a simple like button like facebook style would make people use it more, were all guilty of not using it properly. I also think x points should equal a level. Lastly the engine trans type should be displayed on the left of your post under your namenavatar, stops you having to ask is it na or tt etc before answering a question.
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9.Strength in numbers, working closer with other clubs, I'm not going to go into forum politics and the other zclubs, what im getting at here is closer links with skylineownersclub, sxoc etc and the other Nissan brands, this sort of harks back to the earlier point of knowing what fits, if group buys are organised in co-op with other clubs those numbers drag down the prices.
10.Simply be more positive and proactive, how often do new member join only to be told oh, your engines about to blow up and it will cost the earth and its a pig to work on. Maybe it will, maybe its not that clear cut, all too often we jump to the worst case scenario round here. Why do we tell everyone that if you up the power it will doe within weeks, across the pond many are running bigger turbos etc on stock block quite sustainably. In honesty aswel, how hard is a zed to work on? yes its tight in there, but its basic push, bang, pop stuff. Yes gremlins lurk in the electric's but that's nothing weird for a 20 year old car, once you pull all the intercooler piping off its a lot more spacious under there than it looks, if a monkey can do it(me) so can you...
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Off you go then lol....
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We're willing to continue looking for a way to make possible for the UK Z community to get our products.
We already have Twinchip as our dealer for Europe including the UK, so it's just a matter of finding a way to get the shipping costs more accesible for most people in the UK. We'll keep everyone updated.
Thanks.
good we as a community want the parts, we don't want to pay through the nose because they have to be imported from the other side of the world individually, the current situation is no use to you or us and a solution needs to be found.
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Right this is my 10 suggestions, feel free to amend, delete, add to, modify, comment on any or all. I will also try and explain why I think these are good ideas, I've only come up with these in the last few hours and I'm not the second coming so forgive me if there not what you would think or are unworkable, they are in no order of importance or process.
1. Make it free and open for non members to sell z32s with the forum. Just cars, not parts or breakers, cars can be sold as spares or repairs but not broken by non subscribed members. The reason I suggest this is, many people buy z32s without actually knowing much about them, it breaks they don't know what's wrong they sell it for buttons, if they were able to sell on here instead of ebay two things would happen. Firstly we as a club would have better opportunity to buy these cars, and get them back to health. Secondly they may hang around find out its a boost leak fix it and keep it, which would mean new members. Think how many end up on ebay that never end up visiting here.
2.Speak to companies like stillen, ams, twinz etc etc and see if we can form some sort of co-operation that would allow us to buy directly from them at retail price, this would reduce shipping, taxation, third party profit etc etc. It would also extend their market as they currently have no uk distributors.
3.Embrace the evolvement of club members par taking in racing, a kind of sponsorship if you like, if the car is publicly raced for example totb, time attack, professional competitive drifting, if they display a 300zx owners club sticker(obviously it would need to be of a reasonable size), they're membership is free for that 12 month period, or something similar.
4.Movement away from being known simply as http://www.300zx.co.uk, that's not a club name its a website. proper affiliation should be sought from Nissan to become the official uk 300zx owners club and be renamed THE 300ZX OWNERS CLUB or similar, z32 whatever would be decided as best. This is an owners club not just a chat room, I think some have forgotten that and don't participate in meets. I know its not hard these days but to make it to one show a year really isn't that big a commitment, I know money is an issue but if you can afford a fuel tank of fuel to drive around and play in your car you can afford it to drive to a show or meet, prioritise and think ahead.
5.Coverage in top Uk Japanese magazines such as banzai and Japanese performance, covering a rolling road day or the like showing a range of z32's this would necessitate some of the big hitters turning up to it, recent coverage has shown the car as a money pig, thinking back to madmaxe's car, it quite clearly explained the car cost 70k to build, that puts people off, and there are many many many cars on here that didn't cost a 10th of that. Internationally there are 100's of cars that are running 500+ bhp on less than 10ks expenditure.
6.Investment by the club into pattern parts, these cars arn't the best in terms of rust, and it makes fantasic sense that the club owns the rights or at least has a historical record of panel patterns for them to created or fabricated by a third party if the need arises. Hell we should be investing money into the production of panels now, how many struggle to get the bits for there rusty inner sills, or spend a fortune on the bits they can get.
7.Sticky thread, listing a comprehensive and guff free list of parts available from other models than can be used. For example you can use an xtrail reverse light switch, from euro car parts for £18 instead of the z32 specific one from Nissan which is £70. many of our chassis components are use don other cars, 200sx parts are cheap and plentiful, knowing which fit and are of use would be a great help to all of us.
8.The implementation of a z32 census, obviously not mandatory, but it would be good to at least have a list of how many there are and where they are, Many do not want to be part of an internet forum, but many would attach themselves to a register saying they own one.
dinner is ready so points 9/10 will be after that please be patient before you reply. :)
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Im looking forward to this 10 step action plan, i think you may be surprised what has been done not only behind the scenes, but more recent media promotion regarding the z32. I wait with anticipation.......
Any suggestions that we as a club can do to lift the profile is only a good thing and welcomed, but lets make this a positive and proactive thread.
We have very good relations with the zclub and in partnership promote all events and meets, but also not to forget that we have had one of the longest winters on record, so im sure as soon as that bright light in the sky decides to show itself a bit more often, then members are also more likely inclined to attend meets and events.
I really hope you realise that I'm not trying to stir the pot or put down the previous work done, I'm aware considerable effort has occurred with the media. what im trying to do is take things forward as a club, the whole club, improve the scene and improve the image of the z32, whilst ensuring the present is catered for as well it can be and preserve the future.
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To be fair
Adjustable suspension - DW/Japspeed
Uprated rad (cheap-expansive) - Japspeed/Koyo
I/C (cheap-expensive) - Japspeed/Autobahn/Greddy/HKS
Intakes - readily available
Wheels - readily available
exhausts/downpipes - readily available
Gucci seats/steering wheels/gearknobs etc - readily available
Hoses - Samoco/SFS
ECU - Noel etc etc etc
It's only really when you start to go beyond the usual bolt on upgrades that importing from the US really comes into it (ie. engine bits/turbos etc)
For the vast majority of zed owners who maybe want minor bolt on upgrades and modifications, the parts are readily available in the UK and in all honesty I can't see that any UK based company would see the stocking of expensive parts such as turbo kits etc, as a financially viable option.
Z1 and CZP can usually turn the kit around pretty quickly and it's on your doorstep within 48hrs, it's the import duty and shipping that's the ******* but is just a fact of life! The UK price (if stocked by a UK company) would have to incorporate the additional taxes associated with shipping the parts in the first place.
I do see your point, however im not really even talking about advanced stuff im talking about bolt on mods that make big differences to the stock systems, you say exhaust systems, well I seem to remember that people struggle to buy anything but 2.5" systems for lwb's. A 3" system has great gains over 2.5" but does anyone sell them? and yeah im talking big gains on stock equipment. Intakes, well if you can find 2.5" intake systems for our cars available here in the uk please point me in the direction. As far as intercoolers go, the only smic available here off the shelf are the japspeeds, which are out of stock since the first run. the front mounts are generally cheap, and of not the greatest quality, I know someone once made a dump load of power on an autobahn one, but ive also read write ups, where some of those front mounts because of the quality are worse than stock....
I know we wont ever have the turn over to be able make is financially viable to stock big turbo kits, but there's no reason why kits like the gt525 tubs aren't the go to when the stock t22 die a death. Im not talking big things here im talking the little things, a few month ago I looked at coil pack pigtails, stupid money!
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Re: "what cant you get"
What can you get thats aftermarket decent and zed spefic eithout importing it or paying silly prices. Case in point, 2.5£ intake iping, makes a massiv ws difference over stock, 3 different manufactures in the us.here manydont even know what its for, it certainly isnt available off the shelf.
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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.
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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.
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What the hell is with the parts market for the z32
in General Discussions - 300ZX Related
I can see cos its my post and let me tell you there's a hell of a lot of people of that list that have said squat.