Hey all, I spent the summer of 2015 learning to drift in my E46 Touring. Met some really cool people and learned so much, but the BMW was a car I'd bought to learn in and that's it, I didn't want it to turn into a super expensive project car as my heart was always set on something else for 2016 once I was confident enough in my ability to move on. BMW Thread, short as it may be. {} {} I took a trade on the BMW for a little Lupo at the end of the summer months as the BMW was in need of an investment to refresh most of the rear end, and it would mean I could start putting money away for my 2016 purchase. Speaking to Luke and David at OPJP sealed the deal - I had always wanted to import a car for the experience, and having something fresh and rust-free was a priority for me after a shitty experience with an S13 in 2014. Well here she is! March/2000 ER34 Nissan Skyline GTT 4 Door Grade 3.5 120,000km The car left Japan on Christmas Eve, and the shipping schedule says the boat is due in on 6th February. Hopefully I'll be able to collect the car in March, just in time for my birthday. Unfortunately there was a hiccough during the loading/unloading process so the originally spotless URAS front bumper is now crunched... Still, these things happen, just have to have a play with some fibreglass and filler when it lands. Otherwise it looks pretty spotless and has some goodies already installed. {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} Got about 30 photos through but I think 10 is enough for this post haha. Having read through the auction sheet the car has: HKS FMIC HKS Coilovers Work VS 18s Trust air filter URAS kit A "metal clutch" which I am guessing might mean a paddle clutch? If anyone has heard similar translation please let me know "2 exit muffler" I thought the exhaust was standard, this might be the case but it is listed anyway so I might be wrong. The car still has the HICAS 4 Wheel steering system fitted, so the first things to address when I get my hands on it will be a lockout kit and a service. I also need to look into the oil starvation issues that RB's have, I'd rather spend money on making it safe now instead of spending even more money in the future rebuilding it.. I'm undecided on the URAS kit at the moment, I'd like to think it'll work better with some man sized wheels and a proper drop, Minty Fresh style maybe. Thanks for looking
Not too far away from UK shores now, due to land here in a couple of weeks and then it'll be another few weeks until it's registered and on the road! In other news I sold my little Lupo daily this week and picked up a Volvo V40 to use for the work run. I must admit, they're damn nice cars, and drive much nicer than expected. Perhaps I'm just grateful to be driving something other than a ragtop Lupo...
The car is in the country (I think) now, and being cocky and impatient I decided to book myself on the Rocki-Drift day at Rockingham in May. Plans are to get the car healthy and safe, then lockout the HICAS and sort a pair of wheels to take with me for tyre changes and make some smoke [emoji41]
So, the car gets collected from the docks on Tuesday after extensively being fingered in the bum by customs for over 2 weeks now. Then it's a case of MOT and registration which should be another couple of weeks or so. It was my birthday yesterday and my lovely Mrs bought me a Nardi after months of hinting, so that'll go in once I've got a hub and quick release bought. I've also treated myself to a pair of 18x10.5 ET12 Work Wheels T7R in GT Silver which will be my front wheels, I'll sort another pair after my drift day in May and funds have come back. Aggressive fitment is the name of the game [emoji41]
The jealousy is unreal. I would kill for the R34 four door. Look forward to your progress on this mate!
Fortunately that's what OPJP will be sorting out as part of the OTR price I paid, but I'm still not looking forward to the wait. How long did the DVLA take to issue your registration stuff after your MOT?
Erm officially it was about two weeks after I submitted the MOT and all the extra paper work. But I phoned them after a few days and they gave me the registration over the phone, then I got the plates made up. Bet you can't wait.
Oh really that's pretty good. Yeah man I'm pulling my hair out; if it hadn't have been held up so long at Customs I might even be getting ready to collect by now
Bit miffed because it failed it's MOT on silly things that it shouldn't have, but I won't go into it. Waiting to hear when it will next be MOT'd. Karl Gibbons from Mirror Finish Detailing gave the car a 2 stage detail and headlight restoration today; which cheered me up, as it looks much better than expected aside from the obvious knackered bumper and shit bonnet. I'm particularly happy with the headlights, considering the state of them. Highly recommend Karl for the money. Amazing how much you can restore paintwork with a DA and some polish. Will update again when I collect the car hopefully.
Looking Mighty Clean there fella!! Hope you don't mind me asking what happened with customs, and how much was the Nardi.