PeterR

Just a quick follow-up to my last post. I'm looking for a body shop to sort some corrosion out on my Z32. That means wings and sills. It would ease my mind if I was putting the car in the hands to someone who knows the Z32. Talking to Luke at the Z Centre, from whom I will get the panels etc, its quite obvious that there are useful things to know about this car when doing bodywork. Luke has a wealth of knowledge, but Nottingham is just a bit too far away... Anyone know of such a body shop in Scotland? Peter

Just for the record, I can update this list. Ref Calder Motor Company. I spoke to them this morning, and although they did handle the likes of the Z32, they have no expertise in the model now. Ref the Car Body Shop in East Calder, neither the land line number nor, the mobile for James, are active. I think the place must have closed. Can anyone add to this list? Peter

Thanks for that - yes, I am very well aware of the declining benefit of buying from the USA now. Thank you Brexit... Good to note that MJP and ZCentre still trading. Just a pity they are so far south! cheers Peter Edinburgh

I'm still finding my way around this site - hope this post is in the right place! I'm planning a biggish body sort-out on my Z32. Needed will be a couple of front wings and sills. So just a post to see if anyone has any advice on sourcing these items. Are the Nissan OEM items the only option? Does anyone have knowledge of purchasing from the USA? I used to get stuff from Courtesy in Dallas. They were pretty good, but that was a long time ago. thanks Peter

Ian - thanks, that is most helpful.

Elvington charge about £160 per day to join the fun. Is the Bruntithorpe price similar? Elvington also specify one has to wear a bone dome, which strikes me as a bit odd. Perhaps they should have been supplied as standard with the car!

It is a bit frustrating driving a 155mph car and never ever getting anywhere near this speed. So I did a bit of sniffing around, and discovered there are sessions at Elvington airfield, near York, in which people can explore higher speeds. The runway is a staggering 1.8 miles in length, and the tests are over 1 mile, with 0.8 to stop in. (See https://straightliners.events). As many runs as you like during the day. I am told bikes have exceeded 250mph... Has anywhere used this facility? Any comments on the surface? Could be interesting... :-) Peter 1990 TT.

SO nice to read these comments regarding the Z, with which I absolutely agree. I did 350 miles this last weekend, down to a Classic race meeting. I could have used dual carriageways, but the A road appealed more (the A68, Darlington to Edinburgh). Driving that at night, with remarkably little traffic (I passed 4 cars over a distance of 50 miles) reinforced what a really excellent car the Z is. Mine is the TT. Incredibly reliable too. I have had mine for 15+ years, still not needed to change either of the turbos (Mobil1 every3k miles without exception...). Any owners in Scotland planning a meet at all? Peter

Here is another example of someone missing Jeff at Tamworth! He did great work (and advice) for me. Question - I need to have inner wing corrosion sorted. It's not at MoT failure stage, but just want it done. In the good old days, I would have driven down to let Jeff sort it out. So question - as I am getting different answers from different body shops - does the front panel have to come off to enable one to remove the front wings? And if anyone can recommend a good body shop here in Scotland with which they would trust their Z32, I would really like to know. Peter Edinburgh

Useful info there - thanks all. Reconditioned versus new? As you say, it comes down to the quality of workmanship on a recon unit. This is where recommendations come in. Any advance on London Essex Auto Electrics?? Or indeed, how do you judge a quality recon outfit?

Thanks for that - yes, as 28 years work I can't complain. Can you recommend a purchase channel? Nissan main dealers seem to have outrageously high prices. Worth importing direct from USA (ie Courtesy)?? Or is there another UK source for new ones? What is the approx target price I need to condition myself to having to pay?

Its a long time since I took part in the forum, but nice to see its still going strong. And great to see you still active, Jeff (and thanks again for all your help in the past)! I too have a starter issue, which is why I'm here. Despite battery being A1 (regularly charged), very occasionally the starter will give that worrying sound as though the battery was low. Try it again, and chances were high that it would spin the engine and start as though nothing was wrong. The first time it happened was after a 200 mile run, when I knew the battery was fine. So, other than battery, I suspected either failing pinion drive on the starter, or (worse still) worn teeth on the flywheel. Took the motor off yesterday, checked flywheel - all teeth perfect, with perfect mesh marks. Starter motor pinion teeth fine too. Where does that leave me? I'm suspecting something inside the starter motor, but do I have it rebuilt locally, have it tested by a Nissan garage, buy an OEM, or send it down to James in Bristol?! Thanks Peter Edinburgh ps - after 12+ years, I still LOVE my 300ZX!

I know it is several weeks since I posted regarding taking my ZX300 down to Jimmer at Bristol, but it is worth noting that he did an excellent job, as well as tidying up some loose ends. He also fitted some decent high output lights in the dip beam headlights. What a difference! Yes, a long way to go, but as I was also attending the Classic Car Show in Birmingham, well worth the trip. Thanks Jimmer!

Thanks for the update Thomas300, always good to get 'local' recommendations. In fact, I have now arranged to take my 300 down to Bristol in mid November and have the cam belt changed with all the bits and pieces, as well as fit a new (ie used) rear diff. Mine is making really slack noises. Actually, if anyone wants anything ordered from PowerZed, I would be happy to carry it back in the car to Edinburgh, might save someone postage etc. peter

Yeah, I'll go along (red z32, h725arr) - can someone give me a location for kfc livingstone? Not familiar with livvy.

I've been away for a week - are we any nearer choosing a venue / time to meet up? I'm keeping tomorrow clear. Might even get time to clean the car... :-)

Should we set a time and place for the 14th? Dunbar is OK for me, but anywhere within an hour or so of Edin would be fine. Peter

Thanks for that, Ian. Still a long way to go. Before he left, Jeff (of Zedworld) recommended his customers go to Powerzed in Bristol. I hear good reports, but that is even further away... Peter

You are right! I missed the 2012, thinking last was 2009.... duh...

Yes, Wed 14th would be fine for me. Dunbar? On the way, will pass Tranent, where a very sad 300zx is lying up, waiting for the scrappy. To say tatty would be an understatement. Peter

I see no posts here for 7 years! Oh dear, does that mean the zed community is really thinning out?? An update on good zed garages would be good. Time for my 300 to have a new cam belt. I used to take the car down to Jeff at Tamworth (VG indeed), but he has retired abroad now. Can anyone recommend a Scottish garage which they would trust to do a cam belt change on my precious zed? I'm based in Edinburgh, but travel no problem. Peter

Yup, another owner still going, here in Edinburgh. Only a couple more months before I take my zed off the road for the winter. A bit chat sometime would be good...Peter

so how do I become fully subscribed?

I'm sure it's possible, but I cannot work out how to send a private email to one of our members. And if BigH is reading this, I really want to get in touch! thanks, PeterR

I think you may find 750bhp quoted on TwinTurbo.net. Seems very high... :-)