Discussion
Danj8608 said:
Just read through this, I'm on my 3rd St180, had 400bhp golf r but sold it and made a bit of cash with the silly covid prices. I picked up my current St180 (3rd) also in Race red now typically I'm not a red car fan however a mate of mine who sells a few fast ford's had this in.
What drew me to it was for £9500 it was already stage 3 ( really don't like this stage malarkey) came with a Turbo Technics S270, MSD 320 map and a M Factory LSD fitted. It came with a 3" mongoose non res and I absolutely hated it. I put up with it for a few months but in the end I went for a Miltek 2.75" non res exhaust. Its loud when your on it but around town the 2k rpm drone the mongoose had the miltek is in another league of better. I don't have rear seats just a false floor and the Miltek just isn't boomy what so ever. On my previous fiesta I had Bilstein B14 Coilovers which in the end was just too stiff, so with this current car being on Whiteline springs and standard shocks it's a bit like how yours was so I might go for the Bilstein Shocks. I'm on standard sized plain discs with Ebc green stuff pads and I think they are more than adequate even at my current power level. I won't be looking for any more power as this is more than enough to keep a remapped golf r honest.
Although I do notice there's always some car glued to my behind on my travels to work on a daily basis they must be admirers haha
I don't think for the money there's much out there I'd want to change too, running costs and servicing are really cheap.
I'd love to get the recaros a tad lower but there are no lowered seat rails available.
I shall keep following your progress.
£9500 is not much money for what you get when you weigh it up and its saved you a lot of money, the mods dont seem to add anything like the cost to the value.What drew me to it was for £9500 it was already stage 3 ( really don't like this stage malarkey) came with a Turbo Technics S270, MSD 320 map and a M Factory LSD fitted. It came with a 3" mongoose non res and I absolutely hated it. I put up with it for a few months but in the end I went for a Miltek 2.75" non res exhaust. Its loud when your on it but around town the 2k rpm drone the mongoose had the miltek is in another league of better. I don't have rear seats just a false floor and the Miltek just isn't boomy what so ever. On my previous fiesta I had Bilstein B14 Coilovers which in the end was just too stiff, so with this current car being on Whiteline springs and standard shocks it's a bit like how yours was so I might go for the Bilstein Shocks. I'm on standard sized plain discs with Ebc green stuff pads and I think they are more than adequate even at my current power level. I won't be looking for any more power as this is more than enough to keep a remapped golf r honest.
Although I do notice there's always some car glued to my behind on my travels to work on a daily basis they must be admirers haha
I don't think for the money there's much out there I'd want to change too, running costs and servicing are really cheap.
I'd love to get the recaros a tad lower but there are no lowered seat rails available.
I shall keep following your progress.
My son had a standard Golf R but it only lasted six months until he moved it on to realise the cash tied up in it, he drives an old CLK and when he is home he uses my ST and loves it, I have done all the stuff he wanted to, its not cost him anything and he can use it whenever he wants so thats not a bad deal !
I drove a BMW 3 series last night, nice car but reminded me why I like this, its quite liberating being happy with something and not wanting to change, in fact I now kind of avoid the Mustang question a bit with the wife as we have talked about getting one for ages, if we do this is staying.
Amazing how many people comment on it, the window cleaner was admiring it, I am a bit odd round here in that I am 51 and dont drive a big black/grey SUV.
Think I may ring Collins soon and get it booked in for an LSD. I think about the cash I put into it, then I realise that A, I can afford it and B, people pay £400/500 plus for pretty mundane stuff every month and dont bat an eyelid.
Danj8608 said:
I think I'm going to be looking into trying to sort the front end on mine, even with the LSD and ps4 tyres it does seem to move about under hard acceleration. Will have to do some research, locking wheel nuts are a pain I don't run them any more.
Yeah, got my new key now, some plain bolts on the way so will remove them and leave them off.Will put the new arms on this weekend all being well and report back as to how its changed it.
Got the drivers side arm on, then started on the passenger side, stripped a bolt so need to order one and something for removing the one I chewed up.
Cant tell much difference as yet, took it out and it felt so rapid, I had to undo a boost hose to get the drivers side arm off and am wondering if it wasnt 100 percent done up as it seems a bit quicker somehow.
In other news, we bought a 350Z convertible yesterday, my eldest has taken over my mantle of changing cars more often than is sensible and thinks buying a car that does 20 mph and has £600 VED is a splendid idea just as petrol prices nudge £1.80.
Its a 2006 in grey, 78,000 miles, Mot done last week and a new convertible top. Seems in a great condition, took my dad to cast his eye over it and he can find faults in brand new cars but didnt mind to find much. Headlight lenses are a bit milky, needs rear tyres, possibly a small exhaust leak. Bodily its better than my 2007 one which I had probably seven years ago, really is largely dent free, bit of peppering on the bonnet but couldnt fault it. Interior is good, maybe could do with recolouring the leather but the seller had prepped it very well, nice chap and a proper petrolhead with an M3 as well.
Drove it and initially it felt old, slow and heavy after the ST but when you dial yourself into it and realise the power delivery is completely different then it makes more sense. The ride is really good, steering is lovely, no scuttle shake really either.
Paid five grand, shouldn't lose any money on it if he keeps it a year, will keep the Merc CLK diesel he has as its worth very little and we can SORN and store it, worth keeping as a spare.
Cant tell much difference as yet, took it out and it felt so rapid, I had to undo a boost hose to get the drivers side arm off and am wondering if it wasnt 100 percent done up as it seems a bit quicker somehow.
In other news, we bought a 350Z convertible yesterday, my eldest has taken over my mantle of changing cars more often than is sensible and thinks buying a car that does 20 mph and has £600 VED is a splendid idea just as petrol prices nudge £1.80.
Its a 2006 in grey, 78,000 miles, Mot done last week and a new convertible top. Seems in a great condition, took my dad to cast his eye over it and he can find faults in brand new cars but didnt mind to find much. Headlight lenses are a bit milky, needs rear tyres, possibly a small exhaust leak. Bodily its better than my 2007 one which I had probably seven years ago, really is largely dent free, bit of peppering on the bonnet but couldnt fault it. Interior is good, maybe could do with recolouring the leather but the seller had prepped it very well, nice chap and a proper petrolhead with an M3 as well.
Drove it and initially it felt old, slow and heavy after the ST but when you dial yourself into it and realise the power delivery is completely different then it makes more sense. The ride is really good, steering is lovely, no scuttle shake really either.
Paid five grand, shouldn't lose any money on it if he keeps it a year, will keep the Merc CLK diesel he has as its worth very little and we can SORN and store it, worth keeping as a spare.
J4CKO said:
In other news, we bought a 350Z convertible yesterday, my eldest has taken over my mantle of changing cars more often than is sensible and thinks buying a car that does 20 mph and has £600 VED is a splendid idea just as petrol prices nudge £1.80.
I admire your eldests "you only live once" attitude! 
Enjoy it.
cerb4.5lee said:
J4CKO said:
In other news, we bought a 350Z convertible yesterday, my eldest has taken over my mantle of changing cars more often than is sensible and thinks buying a car that does 20 mph and has £600 VED is a splendid idea just as petrol prices nudge £1.80.
I admire your eldests "you only live once" attitude! Enjoy it.
He wanted us to look at one in Birmingham with a sketchy purple wrap, said no to that one as too far really, though I did buy mine from Windsor a few years back but that was worth it due to the deal I got.
This one is in better shape than mine was, I got two grand off as despite the low mileage it had lots of car park dings and a nick or two in the hood, this has no dings and a brand new hood, couple of the wheels could benefit from a refurb but nothing major, doesnt look to need anything other than the rear tyres.
He works hard and is generally very prudent with money so I dont advise him against buying cars, I am complicit though I did draw the line at MGF's, just mainly as they tend to be a little fragile. 350Z has higher costs but if you need to replace the head gasket, coolant pipes etc on an MGF soon eats into that margin.
cerb4.5lee said:
Nice one! 
That looks very sweet and in fantastic condition.
I absolutely loved the one that I test drove back in 2006, and that obviously led me to the 370Z Roadster a few years later that I have now.
Enjoy it.
Got any pics of yours (The 370Z I mean) ?That looks very sweet and in fantastic condition.
I absolutely loved the one that I test drove back in 2006, and that obviously led me to the 370Z Roadster a few years later that I have now.
Enjoy it.
I have never seen a car of the size to cabin space relative sizes as a 350Z convertible, all bonnet, boot/hood lid and a little bulge of cloth where you sit.
Be interesting to see how much of an improvement the 370 is over the 350.
Do you still drive the 370Z much now you have the M4, bet it feels a bit slow after that ?
J4CKO said:
Got any pics of yours (The 370Z I mean) ?
I have never seen a car of the size to cabin space relative sizes as a 350Z convertible, all bonnet, boot/hood lid and a little bulge of cloth where you sit.
Be interesting to see how much of an improvement the 370 is over the 350.
Do you still drive the 370Z much now you have the M4, bet it feels a bit slow after that ?
I don't use the 370 all that much to be fair, however I have tried to use it this year a bit more that last year up to yet. I only did 1500 miles in it last year. Interior wise I find it fine for size, but I'm only a short arse though! I have never seen a car of the size to cabin space relative sizes as a 350Z convertible, all bonnet, boot/hood lid and a little bulge of cloth where you sit.
Be interesting to see how much of an improvement the 370 is over the 350.
Do you still drive the 370Z much now you have the M4, bet it feels a bit slow after that ?
It does feel a lot slower than the M4 because the cars weigh about the same, but the 370 wins hands down in the noise department for me though!(it has a full stainless exhaust and HFCs, plus stillen gen 3 intakes on it). Plus I like that the 370 is a manual whereas the M4 is a DCT.
Some pics.
cerb4.5lee said:
J4CKO said:
Got any pics of yours (The 370Z I mean) ?
I have never seen a car of the size to cabin space relative sizes as a 350Z convertible, all bonnet, boot/hood lid and a little bulge of cloth where you sit.
Be interesting to see how much of an improvement the 370 is over the 350.
Do you still drive the 370Z much now you have the M4, bet it feels a bit slow after that ?
I don't use the 370 all that much to be fair, however I have tried to use it this year a bit more that last year up to yet. I only did 1500 miles in it last year. Interior wise I find it fine for size, but I'm only a short arse though! I have never seen a car of the size to cabin space relative sizes as a 350Z convertible, all bonnet, boot/hood lid and a little bulge of cloth where you sit.
Be interesting to see how much of an improvement the 370 is over the 350.
Do you still drive the 370Z much now you have the M4, bet it feels a bit slow after that ?
It does feel a lot slower than the M4 because the cars weigh about the same, but the 370 wins hands down in the noise department for me though!(it has a full stainless exhaust and HFCs, plus stillen gen 3 intakes on it). Plus I like that the 370 is a manual whereas the M4 is a DCT.
Some pics.
I must admit I do prefer a manual most of the time, this is a bit notchy until it warms through where with the the Fiesta its the same all the time, it feels quite "rustic", but in a good way.
This isnt that nosiy as its on a standard exhaust but that has already been mentioned, the modding has started and he hasnt driven it yet, coming home tonight for a few days, wonder why....
Read from the beginning today, at least now I have a registration to avoid the bewilderment whilst out and about in my 355 
Also reading this reminded me of my experience with my championship white fn2 type r, I remember leaving TDI north ( Honda tuners) with a huge smile after my first tuning package, satisfying starting from standard rather than buying an already tuned example
Also reading this reminded me of my experience with my championship white fn2 type r, I remember leaving TDI north ( Honda tuners) with a huge smile after my first tuning package, satisfying starting from standard rather than buying an already tuned example
J4CKO said:
Lovely colour that, they look a bit shorter than the 350Z which I think works better. in terms of interior space its fine for me at 6ft, more just about the size of it vs that little area you sit in compared to the length of the car.
I must admit I do prefer a manual most of the time, this is a bit notchy until it warms through where with the the Fiesta its the same all the time, it feels quite "rustic", but in a good way.
This isnt that nosiy as its on a standard exhaust but that has already been mentioned, the modding has started and he hasnt driven it yet, coming home tonight for a few days, wonder why....
Thanks. I must admit I do prefer a manual most of the time, this is a bit notchy until it warms through where with the the Fiesta its the same all the time, it feels quite "rustic", but in a good way.
This isnt that nosiy as its on a standard exhaust but that has already been mentioned, the modding has started and he hasnt driven it yet, coming home tonight for a few days, wonder why....
The gearbox is a bit challenging on mine too when you first start it up. I have a bit of a manoeuvre to get off the drive and onto the road where I have to go into reverse after first gear, and you can always feel that it doesn't like it very much.
They are quite muted as standard exhaust wise I think, and I was pleased that mine had been modded by the previous owner...because it saved me having to do it. After having the TVR I tend to a prefer a car that is a bit on the noisy side!
The M4 is really quiet in comparison, especially because it has the emissions fuel filters on it.
Am I right in thinking that you had an upgraded exhaust on the 350 you had before?
355spider said:
Read from the beginning today, at least now I have a registration to avoid the bewilderment whilst out and about in my 355
Also reading this reminded me of my experience with my championship white fn2 type r, I remember leaving TDI north ( Honda tuners) with a huge smile after my first tuning package, satisfying starting from standard rather than buying an already tuned example
Lol, yeah it’s fun going through the process, missed out when younger as had small kids and no money so this is cathartic.Also reading this reminded me of my experience with my championship white fn2 type r, I remember leaving TDI north ( Honda tuners) with a huge smile after my first tuning package, satisfying starting from standard rather than buying an already tuned example
Don’t think I am in any way comparing a Fiesta to a Ferrari, it’s just hilarious how things have gone where you can get 300 bhp or more so easily from a shopping car.
Nice having the 350Z as well, they are so much better than I remembered to be fair, at the time I was itching for a barge and had done that, they usually say don’t go back but it’s like putting on the proverbial comfy old slippers.
Be interesting to see what my lad makes of it, he was a bit nonplussed by his Golf R, he was offered the M135i for a decent price but having driven it extensively didn’t want it.
Some car get under you skin, some don’t and you can’t always predict it.
cerb4.5lee said:
J4CKO said:
Lovely colour that, they look a bit shorter than the 350Z which I think works better. in terms of interior space its fine for me at 6ft, more just about the size of it vs that little area you sit in compared to the length of the car.
I must admit I do prefer a manual most of the time, this is a bit notchy until it warms through where with the the Fiesta its the same all the time, it feels quite "rustic", but in a good way.
This isnt that nosiy as its on a standard exhaust but that has already been mentioned, the modding has started and he hasnt driven it yet, coming home tonight for a few days, wonder why....
Thanks. I must admit I do prefer a manual most of the time, this is a bit notchy until it warms through where with the the Fiesta its the same all the time, it feels quite "rustic", but in a good way.
This isnt that nosiy as its on a standard exhaust but that has already been mentioned, the modding has started and he hasnt driven it yet, coming home tonight for a few days, wonder why....
The gearbox is a bit challenging on mine too when you first start it up. I have a bit of a manoeuvre to get off the drive and onto the road where I have to go into reverse after first gear, and you can always feel that it doesn't like it very much.
They are quite muted as standard exhaust wise I think, and I was pleased that mine had been modded by the previous owner...because it saved me having to do it. After having the TVR I tend to a prefer a car that is a bit on the noisy side!
The M4 is really quiet in comparison, especially because it has the emissions fuel filters on it.
Am I right in thinking that you had an upgraded exhaust on the 350 you had before?
Cobra sent me the first one and the tips were on the Piss, they said I fitted it wrong, I sent photos and they agreed it kind of looked like the space shuttles engines and hadn’t been bent to the correct angle and sent me a complete full exhaust.
It’s was quite loud, sounded nice but I always like. It to the over acting Thespians in Blackadder, the ones that can’t hear the word Macbeth, lots of noise and posturing but little actual delivery, it wasn’t slow but the forward motion didn’t live up to the comparatively modest forward progress which was apocalyptic. I always got the feeling that it turned VPower into sound, bhp at the wheels was probably 230 bhp, bhp at the ears, about 500 !
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