lwells

Do you have the trunk GT-R badge? If so, how much? LW.

Maybe he has changed the email, but mine was obviously based on a template and called "Further Information". End of the day worst that can happen is DOTARS says "no", and you send it again later. LW.

No, he was more specific than that, ie. engine temperature can be quiet important, etc, etc. LW.

This isn't meant to sound provocative, but I am tired so I apologise in advance if it does sound that way. Is that really saying much though? Throw enough money at most half-decent engines are you can extract significant power. How does it break down in terms of bang-for-buck (ignoring initial purchase price)? Surely the RB26 starts with an advantage? LW.

siksII: It could be the method of measuring you (or whoever) is using. To get accurate readings you have to be very careful about your methodology. I seem to remember SK posting a very good rundown about it somewhere on here. LW.

Interesting. So just how many UNSW students do we have here? What do you drive? What degree/s are you doing? LW.

They also have a different pattern around the studs (many holes, rather than either 4 or 5 on the TE-37). LW.

Godzilla32: from the email I got from Geoff after my car was purchased: LW.

I know this thread isn't all about me and my problems, but just a little update. I spoke to Anton (Japan Auto Direct manager) over the phone a few minutes ago. I must say I found him extremely pleasant and most apologetic. He promised to track down exactly what happened and get back to me on Saturday (when he gets back to Japan; he is currently holidaying in Queensland). So I feel a bit better now. Hopefully it will all be sorted.

fatz: arr, gotcha. Well, I certainly payed enough to acquire a good example, so I hope it is You won't be able to miss it at Nathan's: it will be the one that smells like an old sock LW.

LOL. it would be more like Tupac Bitchin Black LW.

You sure? I am almost postive they were HWSTAR. I though maybe he was some computer engineer (hardware star?). You probably know better LW.

Not beyond the engine bay (of which there was none) and the rotors (some surface rust, suprise suprise) Everything was sodden down at the docks, and as so much of it is gravel/dirt crawling around on my hands and knees was not very enticing. I will definately have a better look tomorrow. Time to ring Nathan and let him know that, all things going well (HA!!), it should arrive tomorrow. LW.

SteveL: I agree about the mould. I think its just a result of storage and humid weather, and shouldn't be a huge concern (no stains I hope). Car really needs an airing. I had a (very) quick look at the paint after KILL HSV's experience, and it seemed to be OK so even if they cover is MIA it was hopefully used during storage. LW.

Duncan: heh My mood is improving; I just don't need too much bad news ATM. I thought perhaps fatz was making a comment about J.A.D.: I should point out that its not one of cars out of their stock. The wheels is an interesting one... Hopefully they just forgot to do it or fitted them to some other car I can chase down. I think the steam cleaning is supposedly to stop mould/bacteria, so I am not really expecting too much of an issue (but hey, I am sure someone can scam some extra money somehow ). Car smells bad enough as it is LW.

Hobbs is the steam cleaning company (required for AQIS unless you are extremely lucky). They will borrow $210.10 of your hard earned cash.

Why do you say that? LW.

No idea: I have emailed Anton @ JAD asking for him to tell me WTF happened. I wish the books were still there (maybe they are somewhere; didn't rifle though it too much) as I want them for providence reasons. I saw a nasty black R34 (GT-T I think) missing most of its front suspension -- which made me think of your car sewid -- and a bunch of other cars that all looked rather used: Supras, 180SXs, S13s, another R32, and some other cars I can't remember. The chick from the port authority told me there was still a number of cars from the Polaris Ace to be picked up. And god damn Hobbs looks dodgey as (after I eventually found them)!! Should be ready by about 2pm tomorrow apparently -- unfortunately the inspectors were with Brendon so I didn't try to slip him anything And now for some actual impressions. Car sounded rather lumpy in that beautiful RB26 kind way. Certainly rather willing to rev (although I was very careful to try and keep the revs down: max I hit was 4,000 in second gear), and had a really nice exhaust note. I popped the bonnet and had a quick look at the engine; it certainly does look clean (no peeling on plenum, etc, etc). As I said, it didn't explode (which is good!) and I think its probably in good mechanical order. The clutch didn't seem to be slipping much, and I rode it quite a bit because of all the manuveuring I was doing (obviously don't know what its like as revs rise). Gearshift action felt nice and tight. I was suprised by how easy the car was to drive actually -- very easy to steer, clutch takeup was fine, nothing broke. LW.

Lost? No. I don't think they were ever attached. No sign of the log books or any paperwork, or the car cover I supposedly paid for. LW.

Well today has been the lowest point in the whole importing experience. Apart from all the troubles I have already listed, there were more. Courier arrived (thankfully) at 12 on the dot with my documents, and a grabbed a cab almost straight away. We managed to get very lost on the docks (at first we were down with the sugar import/export :Oops: ), but eventually got to the right place. Handed over the paperwork to a nice chatty young women, who didn't ask me for any ID at all (?!). Drove the car down to Hobbs, after eventually finding it. The good news: * The car ran, and didn't explode Ok, the bad news: * There is no sign of my Volk TE-37s which were meant to be attached to the car. * The inside of the car has mould through it (I guess this is to be expected after storage for 4-5 months). * Today has cost me $100 is taxi and courier fees. Someone pass the razor blade because I have had enough for today. LW.

It is a marketing driven distinction, and as such remains extremely loose and flexible (ie. worthless). LW

Sewid: someone really needs to give Colin a slap. He doesn't answer emails properly (just ignore half the questions) and doesn't give you the full details of anything. Seriously unimpressed, but I won't say more should it cause SAU problems. Yeah, I have heard about the rather lax security at Hobbs. But apart from the wheels in the car (assuming they are still there), there is nothing to steal except the car itself. I will take the wheels out of the car and with me when I leave this afternoon, and just leave the car there. Hopefully it will be ready for the 8am inspection on Friday (might have to have a word to this Brendan guy about that ). Edit: two things I meant to ask: 1) How exactly do you get from wherever you pickup the car (which Colin thoughtfully hasn't explained) at the wharf, to Hobbs? Is it just a short trip down James Craig Rd? 2) When do you pay Hobbs? When delivering the car, or when picking up? Lucien.

Its not the inconvenience that angers me, its that I wasn't told any off this despite asking in a couple of emails. Communications is the most important aspect of a business, and I feel extremely let down at the moment, not to mention the additional costs which could have been avoided if I was just told. Edit: I also don't have access to private transport today, so there goes more money in cab fees LW.

Yeah, I am a member and I am aware of the discounts; of course you don't get the October special if you ask for the discount. My heart isn't set on Brant. Lucien.

Really, really unimpressed. Turns out CGL did not organise the steam cleaning aspect, but more annoyingly, did not tell me. Moreover, the docks close at 1:45pm today (which I wasn't told), and I have to get some documents picked up from CGL over in Botany (which I wasn't told), all this after organising with work to take the afternoon off, which is now totally useless. So, now I have had to order a courier at the nice cost of $76 to pickup the documents and deliver them within an hour, had to take more time off work, and will have to get down to the docks by 1:30. Moreover, Hobbs is extremely busy so the car has to be left there overnight. Can I just say, I am not impressed. LW.