Palazzo

Ooops. Yeah, as Apex said, wax finishes the job. Meguiars Gold class (?) seems to have a nice finish.

Any half decent polish/restorer should do the job. My convertible bonnet (zinnoberrot red) was completely faded to a nice shade of pink. Couldn't change it by hand.

I used Shell (yes, really) Polish Restorer the first time around, with a power buffer and it transformed the car. I have subsequently used Meguiars Fine Cut over the whole car and it brings out a brilliant red shine.

Good luck, looks like a nice car.

Read the mechanical report. This car has been through at least 3 times, with the price dropping each time. Might be a good buy for Glenn as a fix and flick, but not most I suspect.

Yeah, but who is going to write out a cheque for that amount on the spot?

These property deals never work. Why would want to get stuck with something you then have to go to the effort of trying to find a buyer for? You would only ever want to trade it for an amount someone else has promised to take it off your hands for. With this sort of car, I doubt there would be many buyers out there - especially at a premium price.

In this case, I doubt a dealer would want to retail it for more than $29,995. Yes, there may be some for sale around the $50k mark - but who is buying them?

Your client would be ill-advised to pay anything more than $20k for this car, unless he has a buyer lined up who is willing to pay more.

You are wrong. These property deals work all the time. If you'd considered what I said, in that both parties inflate the value of their respective trades, that is precisely why they work. I have seen a deal involving 8 cars, a boat plus cash for 3 houses. All the cars were at retail plus and all the houses were above market. Both parties factor this in and end out coming out with the result they want.

And there are plenty of people out there to whom $50k is nothing for the right car.

As with any property trade deal, I'm sure both parties have inflated the price of their side.

I would have thought it was worth $40-50k if it is a genuine CSi.

Hilarious. My M325i was first regoed that month, with leather and aircon it must have been $90k + and the convertible was 4 months old, with Mtech bodykit and 15" weaves for $95k +? How the pricey have fallen.

Those guys are so full of it, I took a friends late model Lexus through recently and got told one tyre was "borderline" at 4mm. Ask for a check as per the LTSA site, might not have to change the muffler.

Interesting. Did they do the Quick Noise Check as per the LTSA site? Or was it purely his opinion?

Behind the Ricoh/Hawkins buildings on Stanley ST, prob on the Carlaw Park Business Park site?

True, it did ok considering the cost. But 20-25k!! Where are they for that price? This one is second hand and is still double that.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-151905254.htm

I have driven the old version of this car and it’s not quite a match for the rest of the field, would be nice to see Nissan do a hard core Skyline. I think they are going to be bringing out a 3.7ltr version in the next year with a bit more grunt though.

It was a guess on my part. Even $47k is a world away from any of the others.

Interesting. The IS-F had the fastest lap and a $20-25k jap import with some suspension mods is probably the best buy of all.

Glenn at Botany Motor Worx, in Botany. Very helpful and a forum sponsor.

Withdrawn by administrator.

Pity, that was hilarious.

Sorry, M20B25, I think Glenn might be right about the throttle cable, I've probably pulled it too tight. Will try that.

Anyone?

The X6? I was too scared to go within 20 feet in case it rubbed off.I saw these at JCBMW last week, the only redeeming feature looks wise is that it makes the 1 series coupe not quite as ugly. Just my opinion of course.

As per my losing coolant post, I cleaned out the throttle butterfly valve which has given a nice smooth idle when warm. Only problem is, it's slightly too high at about 1k rpm, or even fractionally over. According to Haynes, it's not adjustable. Any ideas? Pushing the throttle spring back against it's stops gives the desired effect, but can't imagine this is the cure? Cheers.

Well, I wouldn't say it was a 5 min job, but for $1.80 worth of gasket and $16 worth of sealant, leak fixed. And a thorough butterfly valve clean has resulted in a nice smooth idle again.

I was told this was normal on GenIII Holden V8s as well, whether on a GM or BM, I'd not be happy at that rate.

If it's the same stuff (Meguiars) that you use on convertible (plastic) windows, it works great. Took all the yellowing out and most scratches. If the lenses are plastic, should do the same.

Had a chat with Glenn and he was spot on (as usual), it's the cork gasket on the throttle body. Spraying straight down on to that hose. $1.87 for the part! Cheers again Glenn.

I think (hope) it is that hose, although how you replaced it in half an hour is beyond me! I can't even get my hand near it. I'll have a chat to Glenn tomorrow and see if he thinks it can make it to Botany. Thanks.

This morning, the low coolant light came on (FL 325i E30), nothing too unusual there, kept an eye on the gauge, didn't move until I got into the driveway at home.

Got out to a hissing sound, checked under bonnet and there is a leak/steam coming from around the top of the engine, under the inlet manifold.

Are there any pipes under there, or is this impending disaster? Any ideas? There is coolant visible in the hollows of the top of the motor.

Bellars is on the Shore off Constellation Drive (I think). I will never cross the door of Civic again and told them so. the place next door doesn't necessarily do a bad job, but they will milk you for every cent.

Alan Giess should be back next month.

Master cylinder? I had this problem in the convertible in April and to top it off got two (!) dud masters from Autostop. Got a working one from one of our sponsors, EuroItalian. I assume it still works, haven't driven it since. Glenn from BotanyMW was most helpful.