New Stag Owner

[KeeL]

Hey all, long time listener first time caller.

Bought a dual-sunroof 2002 M35 250t RX FOUR in black, (96,000kms $6250) 2 weeks ago now. Extremely happy with it, though there are a few things I'd like to address on it and considering the price and mileage there's a few physical trade-offs I've had a hard time finding exactly what I'm looking for without having any real amount of technical knowledge... So I'll just go ahead and list my issues and hopefully you guys will be able to help! Sorry if this stuff has been answered before in other threads.

1. How have you gone about getting parts from Japan? My cousin has lived there for half a decade now and is happy to collect and ship them for me if I sort it all out, but I've had a hard time finding exactly how their mail works and how much I'll be paying to have stuff sent over (for example, I'm after a beige steering wheel with cruise/audio controls to replace my crappy one that doesn't have the extras on it).

2. As above, if I were to buy a new steering wheel is there anything else I would need to hook it up? Do they have the looms and everything there, ready to connect? Or going from a base wheel with nothing on it to one with cruise/audio controls, am I going to have some issues?

3. Insurance. How did everyone else go? I got quoted $971 comprehensive at Shannons with a $500 excess and 1 free piece of glass replacement per year. At Justcar, theirs was $940 with an excess of $700 and no glass. Ended up going with 3rd party fire & theft because I'm broke, and could only get that with Justcar for $340. Everything else was blown out of proportion. I'm a 26 year old Rating 1 male.

4. A mechanic friend (4th year apprentice, minimal experience with imports) and I have been looking into a clunky wobbly noise problem in the front end. Previous owner said it was the ball joints, but we've been looking at replacing the D bushes on the front sway bar, as everything else seems alright. If it turns out not to be what we think, has anyone else had similar problems and what was the issue? Can you simply replace the ball joints on these or is it a matter of getting a whole new control arm? Any suggestions on what else it might be?

5. What's the radius of a stock sway bar, so we can find the right bushes to order? I read somewhere on here that it might be 29mm. Just need confirmation if anyone can offer it!

6. Lastly, what I'm assuming will be the biggest headache - the TV. My screen doesn't turn on, assuming it has something to do with there being nothing at all in the slot in the dash and nothing in either of the side panels in the boot either. Can't see any holes so doesn't look like something was removed, just looks like my Stag never had what's supposed to be in the boot to begin with. What has everyone done with their screens, and how? I'd really love to just have it as a working DVD/USB player, with the added bonus of the trip computer and all that other stuff as a plus. Obviously I can't read Japanese, lol. I read a bit about somebody here supplying English units for $250 or thereabouts - what's the deal? Is it possible to have all of the features I listed without having to install a second unit somewhere?

Sorry about the noob questions! Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

KeeL

[TCO]

1. Import Monster / Jesse Streeter (Amayama//RHD Japan/ Just Jap for new parts)

2. Audio controls should be fine - I beleive Josh just did an install, check out the what have you done thread, there was some aftermarket cruise options...

3. $6XX Full comp with glass from SGIC

4. Compression Rod Bushes

5. 29mm sounds about right

6. Is it the standard pop-up screen or one of the other options / aftermarket that was available on these. Stock popup would be a headache without the rest of the gear already in there.

[KeeL]

Thanks for the reply!

1. I'll check em out. Wasn't sure if it'd be cheaper for me to import them personally or deal with the mark-up and get it through a company.

2. Will look around for it. Clock spring needs replacing so I guess I'll try and coincide the installations.

3. Wow. Pity I'm so broke. Might be able to swap during my cooling off period.

4. We'll check those.

5. Cool

6. Stock pop-up screen, this car is pretty close to completely stock as far as I can tell. This is bad news