autech_axis

Yes, I sincerely hope that this does not end up in court. I am still trying to remain positive that your compliancer will be able to get the emissions passed for both your sake and mine. I would certainly feel much more vulnerable if I didn't know that you were in the exact same predicament. I will be taking legal advice over the next few days, just in case. I want to be sure that whatever happens next I don't prejudice the outcome of a suit against the compliancer. As you say, ignorance is no defence. I think the RAWS shop (or import agent) has a duty of care to provide accurate advice to their customers, and I'll be asking my attorney for clarification on the liability attaching to the RAWS shop. As for DOTARS, well you can't really blame them. As I understand it there are criteria for a vehicle to be added to the SEVS register, such as kW/tonne etc. If an application is made, and the criteria are met, an approval would be issued. Whether or not compliance becomes available for each model is a matter for evidence being produced under the relevant ADRs for the year of manufacture. I think this is how it works, and presumably this is what we've gotten caught up in. Its up to the RAWS shop to provide evidence that the car meets the standard (and at their expense), otherwise DOTARS would have to test each vehicle, which really would be a waste of taxpayers money. I suppose what you could argue is that an import approval should not be issued until a SEVS register entry was approved AND evidence had been produced by at least one RAWS shop. At the end of the day we both want the cars we have purchased in good faith, on the road, complied, in a timely fashion. If this involves a wait of a few weeks, then so be it - annoying but not terminal. A few months - or longer - or not at all - is another matter altogether.

The advice I have now from Muz's compliancer is that this had the potential to turn into a major SNAFU. Apparently the emissions testing for the pre-04 models was something of a circus, so heaven only knows how Muz and my cars will go - if at all. As you might imagine there have been some pretty sharp words between me and the compliancer who told me that 'any M35 with 2.5 turbo' could be complied. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. So to anyone thinking of buying an M35, do not buy any later than 12/2003.

Well what do you know...? Having grilled the compliancer at length, and forwarded some comments that Muz made to me, it now seems that 'my man' does NOT have emissions compliance for 2004+ models. So we're waiting on testing in Melbourne on what I assume is Muz's ARX4 to come through. Hopefully this will be done by the time may car arrives at the end of the month. Thanks to Chris and Muz for making me aware of this issue.

Very tasty Muz. Why, O Why is cruise not an option on the Axis?!!! Still - lucky Chris gets to do it

Rezz - that's fine, but... attached some pics of an install I found on a Japanese M35 owner's website, where it shows that the parts are available, and a 2 DIN set up being installed in what does not appear to be the Nissan factory! So perhaps it is possible?

Rear camera would be very nice (better than parking sensors surely?). Car is now booked and confirmed on a ship arriving ETA 21 June - yippee! Hope I like it... (BTW - can someone tell me how to change the 'RB20DE' that appears below my picture? For the life of me I couldn't find anything in the profile that relates to it)

Have a look at the attached pics of another M35 (not mine) - aftermarket screen integrated into dash - there must be a replacement dash panel assembly available? Also some pics of aftermarket speakers going into the doors. But I'd still rather keep the original LCD monitor and use it as the display for some kind of aftermarket GPS system. Since there is already a MiniDisk changer in the centre console, presumably it should be reasonably easy to install an iPod in there as there must be audio feeding the stock stereo through an aux input?

OK- I have now got definite confirmation that 2004 can be complied - emissions all OK apparently, so will all happen lickety split. Christian Elliot of Japan Imports is organizing it all for me.

Um - you've got me a bit stumped there Chris! Looks like a stock Stagea RX250 M35 from here (apart from the little tweeter by the air vent). Why do you think there is no compliance for an '04? My compliancer tells me he has the evidence for any M35 with VQ25DET motor, also the SEVS entry at DOTARS - http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/sevs/336-01.htm - states 2001 to current. I you know any just cause of impediment why I should not be joined with my Stagea, speak now! (PS - will call you to do the cruise control when the car arrives, that's a definite). VIN is NM35-320865

Anyone know where I could track down an Impul ECU for VQ25DET locally?

Well one of them's mine. The other one is my brother's ... Fair comment though - I can only go on what I spotted at auction, and to find good a 2.5 turbo 4WD Axis with leather and all the fruit is not easy. You can't tell from the exterior whether they're 3.0NA, 2.5NA, 2.5turbo, 2WD or 4WD. Maybe one in 30 NM35s fits my bill. The Axis models certainly go for a lot more at auction - from 1.5 to 2.5 million depending on year, spec and condition.

Thanks guys - yes I had noticed Chris in the forum, and will definitely talk to him when the car is ready in around 6-8 weeks hopefully. I'll be looking to install a really good cruise control system (not even an option on these cars, can you believe), and unravel the mystery of the audio system. As well as the stock 5 disk in-dash CD changer, there's an MD changer (which will get the chop) and some kind of mystery DVD box in the boot. I suspect the satnav system is in the too hard basket, and the dash design does not readily lend itself to an aftermarket solution. Some of these cars (but not mine) have a Bose system with the subwoofer in the spare wheel well! A really neat solution. See attached pics...

Thanks Rezz. I found the right part on the Impul site. At over $2k it would want to make a difference - are there any specs published for this unit?

It does seem that Autech's contribution to the Axis is limited to bodykit, wheels, suspension and interior specs. The motor is I believe a stock VQ25DET - LSD is optional - ATESSA system standard. I decided on this car as I thought the 'regular' Stagea looked very dowdy, and the Axis factory body kit looks very classy. I still can't believe what Nissan was thinking of when designing the wheel arches: even a set of 20" wheels would look puny in those huge chasms! I guess my rationale was that, for similar or a bit less money than a Liberty/Legacy GT or 3.0R wagon of similar year, I have a very unusual, head-turning car that is quicker, bigger and more comfortable than the Subie. Resale may be a worry, but these cars are rare even in Japan - about 1 in 30 M35s that come to auction are Axis or Axis S. However, there is no cruise control (even as an option) on this model, which I found amazing. And the sat nav system is useless, so I'll have to come up with some ideas for dealing with that. My car has an aftermarket DVD player which I think may work on the TV screen - we have much to learn! 3 years ago I though of buying a Stagea but (and I hope I don't upset you guys here!) I couldn't live with the styling. Each to his own I guess. So when I discovered compliance had become available on the M35 I started looking, after spending a lot of time test driving new Liberty GTs, Passat 3.2V6 etc etc. We've bought several cars at auction in Japan (UZZ31 Soarer, Delica PE8W, Celsior etc etc) for family and friends, and have done very well out of them, largely avoiding the big costs of depreciation. I've also bought a couple of large boats, but that's another story...

He's got the car in his workshop. Pop round and see him

Thanks Rezz - I couldn't find the VQ25DET listed in the Impul ECU product page, and I wonder how effective an ARC intercooler would be given the limited ariflow through the large front grille? An ECu upgrade is the same a 'chipping' a car?

Rezz - you're in Kobe? Do you know David Zozuk? www.kobecars.com.

I've just bought an Autech Axis M35 Stagea 2004 4WD with VQ25DET 2500cc turbo motor. (See my post in the Stagea sub-forum). Currently on the wharf in Kobe. I think this car was the only Skyline / Stagea fitted with this motor? Anyone know where I can go to find out about chipping, modding, etc to produce a moderate power increase? The only mod so far is a Fujitsubo 3" exhaust. (New to forum so sorry mods if this is posted in the wrong place)