M35 - Total Disaster...

[autech_axis]

Well the news is not good. Not good at all. On the basis of the information I have been given by the emissions testing facility in Melbourne, and by a RAWS evidence supplier who is familiar with the debacle the Muz and I find ouselves in, it would now seem highly unlikely that our 2004 Model M35 Stageas will meet the ADR emissions standard in the near future, if at all.

As you may recall from my posts a few months back, the car was purchased on the express written advice from the compliancer that "any M35 Stagea can be complied". This was wrong. Unfortunately I didn't find out until the car was landed here.

I would love to elaborate on the breathtakingly appalling level of professionalism shown by the RAWS industry culprits with whom I have had the misfortune to deal - and there are several - and to replay to you the foul-mouthed, expletive-ridden responses I got this morning to very simple questions about what progress was being made. But it now seems that this matter will end in the courts, and I have no other choice than to seek redress by suing the relevant parties for all of my costs associated with the purchase and importation of my Autech Axis Stagea. It has sat in my garage for three months - Muz's for even longer - and little or no progress would seem to have been made towards obtaining a plate for the car.

I provide this information as a warning to all. Do NOT buy an M35 built later than 31/11/04.

Wish me luck in court. What a pity I will never get to drive my car...

[Stinky Rooster]

Aw dude, duuuuude......

I feel so sorry for you. That sucks in ways that most of us can't even imagine. Heaviest comisserations to all involved, and I really hope something eventually comes of it.

[Sumo]

Not good to hear at all.

Their are to many people out their that are full of shit

[m3gtr]

Im really sorry to hear about this. Personally, i feel even worse that youre having to resort to the courts to get your justice...

I cant imagine what kind of stress youre under right now but as someone who doesnt know you, i still want to give you my commiserations and hope you get a successful end to this rubbish youre going through.

Best.

[ssshonky]

bad news indeed! but I really struggle to comprehend how earlier models can be complied ( and I presume pass emmisions testing ) and more recent ones cant.!

have you been given a good technical reason as to why it wont pass emmisions test?

I would have thought with a new cat converter and a good tune etc it should have been ok

[autech_axis]

bad news indeed! but I really struggle to comprehend how earlier models can be complied ( and I presume pass emmisions testing ) and more recent ones cant.!

have you been given a good technical reason as to why it wont pass emmisions test?

I would have thought with a new cat converter and a good tune etc it should have been ok

Simple. Our government changed the rules as of 1 Jan 2004. Made emissions standards much tougher.

Every time I see an old smoking Commodore bomb disappearing down the QLD road in a ball of rust and blue smoke, I dwell on the irony of it all...

[ssshonky]

sorry man it still boggles my mind!

if you tuned it so it didnt run as rich .. and maybe lowered boost( I dont know much about the m35's to be honest) if you do that it might just pass.

so how bad is it? I mean how much better do you need to make it to pass.

I am sure there must be SOME way of dealign with it?

Simple. Our government changed the rules as of 1 Jan 2004. Made emissions standards much tougher.

Every time I see an old smoking Commodore bomb disappearing down the QLD road in a ball of rust and blue smoke, I dwell on the irony of it all...

[stasis]

hmm did the car failed the emmesion pretty bad? Then how are the 350Z sold here? and the V35? Who did you import through?

[ssshonky]

so the import place definately told you it could get complianced no problems yeh?

[Wink]

This is the absolute worst nightmare that any one importing a car has to face...

Importing a car that cannot be complied and not only that, you were told by those (apparently) 'in-the-know' that it would be good for compliance.

$30k+ for a car that is undrivable. Holy moly.

[ssshonky]

yeah.. sure is.. but least he sounds like he has a good leg to stand on from a legal point of view

I am still interested to see how far its off passing.

[Tangles]

that sux goat balls

sue, fair enough

did you research the available info yourself prior to ordering that particular year/month built car?

or just take some random persons 'written' word for it?

good luck with it mate.

as fas as I knew, any Stagea after 2001 was risky to import (ie compliance availability)

[japhearse]

That really sucks.

But the info came at a good time, was interested in a white 04 model on J-SPEC think i will give it a miss now

[DECIM8]

Sorry it only needs to pass once right? why dont u get a really shit cat that restricts flow and a low flowing custom dump.. and a power fc and make sure its a perfect as possiable in tune.. Just an idea..

Good luck with the case anyway .. Hope you win im sure you will

Edited August 24, 2007 by DECIM8

[m3gtr]

Simple. Our government changed the rules as of 1 Jan 2004. Made emissions standards much tougher.

Every time I see an old smoking Commodore bomb disappearing down the QLD road in a ball of rust and blue smoke, I dwell on the irony of it all...

it shouldnt be ironic though given that the government will do everything it can to protect local investments i.e holden, ford and to a lesser degree, Mitsubishi from the invasion of foreign made products that could totally wipe out the ADM as we know it, LOL....

i see the irony in that.

good luck with the suit, by the way..

hope you get some pay back.

[jasevr4]

They need to be standard to pass. PowerFC will not fly. An exhaust with a heap of restrictive cats may pass, but it still needs to resemble a standard exhaust.

The guy that complied my evo had a late model 260rs and he said he had something like 3 cats in his system...

[rb26stagea]

That bites.

[n15m0]

Sorry to hear but I'm interested as to what the importers have to say???

[Primordial]

I was thinking the same thing. Is it simply that vehicles built after that date CANT be complied full stop, or is it that you can't pass the emissions requirement?

If it's an emissions test you have to pass, maybe you could get 3 cat converters welded in series into your exhaust or something outrageous to get under the emissions requirement?

[Brycey]

hmm did the car failed the emmesion pretty bad? Then how are the 350Z sold here? and the V35? Who did you import through?

thats exactly what i was going to ask, as far as im aware the 350z has the exact same VQ35DE that the M35 has :? and if anything a standard 350z has a even more open exhaust than what M35 has! whats the deal??

extremely sorry to hear about this mate i can imagine your pulling your hair out.. hopefully things will turn out bright in the near future