UKtom's Project Three Fiddy

[UKtom]

After a long hard decision the MINI was unfortunately put up for sale a few weeks ago. I tested the water and advertised it for £3900 (03 plate on 116k) and the first guy that came to view it fell in love and paid £3800... happy days! The last of the MINI:
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/d79408ac-8e81-4b99-8faa-32761fdbd356_zps23308436.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/d79408ac-8e81-4b99-8faa-32761fdbd356_zps23308436.jpg.html)

So the new car was picked up a week or two ago, a 2006 facelift Nissan 350Z. Full Nissan Service History, 44k, Bose Sound System, Sat Nav, Leather seats, heated seats, electric seats, cruise control... basically top spec. It's a 3.5 306bhp engine which drinks petrol quicker than I drink water, but it drives and sounds like an absolute dream!

The paintwork was awful, it had been put through car washes it's whole life so was very scratched and had loads of swirl marks... so I got to work restoring it to its natural beauty ;)

The evening I picked it up:
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsafb4ec00.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsafb4ec00.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf3ce7e97.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf3ce7e97.jpg.html)

Getting to work restoring the paintwork:
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb71c92c4.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb71c92c4.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf96e4e53.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf96e4e53.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse11affa1.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse11affa1.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps181e7d9c.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps181e7d9c.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse84e53c4.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse84e53c4.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps07c84865.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps07c84865.jpg.html)

So far I've done the following:
- LED SMD Exterior bulb upgrade
- Flat Wipers all round
- 2x New Bridgestone Potenza Tyres (specifically made for the 350z)

The plans are:
- Coilovers
- R35 GTR Exhaust System
- Carbon diffuser, splitter & skirts
- Some form of wheels ;)

Hope you like!
Tom.

[Jigs2895]

:fcuk: Looks brilliant. Screams de-wiper though!

[Dany4494]

Wow what an awesome car, you done a mint job getting paint work back to its former glory and these sound the nuts with a decat ;)

[PastyVTR]

Looks really nice, yeah agree with a dewiper! Paint looks amazing, how did you manage that ? What products did you use ? Thanks

[UKtom]

Cheers for the comments! De wiper is a possibility but I missed it so much on the mini it feels like a luxury having one back again haha! I'm still not 100% happy with the paintwork, needs a machine polish and it'll be up to scratch :)

I washed it using the following:
- Pre Rinse
- Autobrite Snow Foam
- 2 bucket method wash
- Autoglym Clay
- Wash again
- Autoglym deep shine
- Mer Polish
- Autoglym HD Wax

Tom

[CorsaDestroyer]

Looks like a little gem! These are growing more & more on me, think I need to own one at some point in my life!

Don't know how people put so much time/effort into cleaning their car, the classic bucket & sponge is enough for me lol. Maybe I will if I ever own something like this though haha :)

[Ryancoyle]

Looks like a little gem! These are growing more & more on me, think I need to own one at some point in my life!

Don't know how people put so much time/effort into cleaning their car, the classic bucket & sponge is enough for me lol. Maybe I will if I ever own something like this though haha :)

I think it depend's on car really, if the paintwork isn't the best like on my last car I didn't really bother with the polishing / waxing etc. as it made fuck all difference. My little black VTR before that had good paint work so when it was polished / waxed etc. it looks super clean, especially in the sun.

As for the 350Z, nice upgrade, I was keeping an eye on your Mini and that turned out well so I expect the same for this one. :y:

[Prickle]

gas.

Looks nice tomas.

[Giraffe]

Quite like these, wouldn't have one myself but do think they look and sound nice!

[MuZiZZle]

Cheers for the comments! De wiper is a possibility but I missed it so much on the mini it feels like a luxury having one back again haha! I'm still not 100% happy with the paintwork, needs a machine polish and it'll be up to scratch :)

I washed it using the following:
- Pre Rinse
- Autobrite Snow Foam
- 2 bucket method wash
- Autoglym Clay
- Wash again
- Autoglym deep shine
- Mer Polish
- Autoglym HD Wax

Tom

So all the swirls are still there?

[UKtom]

Looks like a little gem! These are growing more & more on me, think I need to own one at some point in my life!

Don't know how people put so much time/effort into cleaning their car, the classic bucket & sponge is enough for me lol. Maybe I will if I ever own something like this though haha :)
I think it depend's on car really, if the paintwork isn't the best like on my last car I didn't really bother with the polishing / waxing etc. as it made fuck all difference. My little black VTR before that had good paint work so when it was polished / waxed etc. it looks super clean, especially in the sun.

As for the 350Z, nice upgrade, I was keeping an eye on your Mini and that turned out well so I expect the same for this one. :y:
gas.

Looks nice tomas.
Quite like these, wouldn't have one myself but do think they look and sound nice!

Thanks Guys!:hug:

So all the swirls are still there?
Yeah. Don't think you can remove many swirls by hand hence the need for a machine polish... looks 10x better from a little TLC though!

[MuZiZZle]

Thanks Guys!:hug:


Yeah. Don't think you can remove many swirls by hand hence the need for a machine polish... looks 10x better from a little TLC though!

A right I thought one of them was a filler like black hole

[UKtom]

So yesterday was a day spent on the car (again), I tinted the rear side windows which came out really well - no bubbles or creases at all, they look really good up close!
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps26e4a7cb.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps26e4a7cb.jpg.html)
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6c08b299.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6c08b299.jpg.html)

Also LED Exterior bulbs, numberplate lights look so much better:
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8071c258.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8071c258.jpg.html)

I'm waiting on my personalised plate to transfer over, still undecided whether to have shortened plates (like on the mini) or just normal sized - any opinions?

Tom

[Cal]

Looks good mate, looking forward to see what you do with it :y:

[bushy90]

Really tempted by one of these. I already commented over on MT!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UKtom]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm loving it so much so far!

So my number plates have finally transferred over... only took the DVLA 6 weeks! Fitted a shorter front plate and a new standard size rear with GB badge. Front immediately looks ten times better; a couple of pics from Japfest:

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/F204CA17-6803-4342-9044-5CB9581E9CE9_zpskqfqq7dq.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/F204CA17-6803-4342-9044-5CB9581E9CE9_zpskqfqq7dq.jpg.html)

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/18C9CEA3-EA31-4474-BF8F-776DDF294182_zpshv8gsatg.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/18C9CEA3-EA31-4474-BF8F-776DDF294182_zpshv8gsatg.jpg.html)

Whilst at Japfest last weekend low and behold, I got sucked into purchasing a new exhaust from the Scorpion Stand. I got it at a bargain price so couldn't really say no, £110 off list!!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/3C8E7578-8885-4578-81D6-5583557AD20B_zpsqhoj9ahp.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/3C8E7578-8885-4578-81D6-5583557AD20B_zpsqhoj9ahp.jpg.html)

I couldn't wait to fit it, so yesterday evening got the car up on the ramp and it began :D

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/EF2D8274-B289-4C25-90DF-6AD9D45C2E25_zpsvuge8xss.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/EF2D8274-B289-4C25-90DF-6AD9D45C2E25_zpsvuge8xss.jpg.html)

Back box off:
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/DBD5663C-E850-4889-A579-4451C661D313_zpscx4enmbe.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/DBD5663C-E850-4889-A579-4451C661D313_zpscx4enmbe.jpg.html)

too tempted to leave it like this...
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/D4686C1D-51A8-47E7-B223-95D8F1AE156E_zpszmbjujax.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/uktomhams/media/D4686C1D-51A8-47E7-B223-95D8F1AE156E_zpszmbjujax.jpg.html)

and the finished product.. a nice v6 growl:

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/th_4321A0F1-4B45-4485-AF6E-20FAE2471551_zpsora251zg.jpg (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b446/uktomhams/4321A0F1-4B45-4485-AF6E-20FAE2471551_zpsora251zg.mp4)

Hope you like! Next on the list of things to do include:

- BC Racing Coilovers
- Double Din Headunit
- Gloss Black Badges
- Booked in for window tints & sun strip end of the month
- Clear front reflectors

Thanks for looking!
Tom

[Cal]

You need this ;)

Facelift shape carbon bonnet, would look the tits on Kuro Black.

http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/85523-hr-carbon-bonnet-repair-required/

[PastyVTR]

Wow that sounds nice, is that just the back box? Made quite a difference.

[UKtom]

You need this ;)

Facelift shape carbon bonnet, would look the tits on Kuro Black.

http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/85523-hr-carbon-bonnet-repair-required/

cal you're a bad person :( wantwantwant!

[Cal]

cal you're a bad person :( wantwantwant!I'm open to offers matey, had a few on the forum already... Drop me a message on FB if you do decide you want it :y:

http://articles.dashzracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/nissan_350z_3.jpg

[UKtom]

Wow that sounds nice, is that just the back box? Made quite a difference.

back box and centre pipe dude, it only removed one silencer and sounds epic! I think I'm gunna decat it somewhere along the line... but it has two cats so could be pretty loud :oops: