andy65b

The install process to get my demo was pretty basic. Install a DVD in the DVD rom, scroll through the Jap menu on your screen and enter on a few options on the screen. Quite simple even though you are guessing what the boxes say as they are in Jap but after that the process just runs. The demo I had that converted about 3 screeen took about 5 minutes so not sure how long the full version will take. I will know for sure if it is self install once I know what the security process is for each install. I am sure we will be able to install it where ever the car is. I understand the main problem encountered when doing the install is that the laser in the DVD rom can get too dirty over time and doesn't read the disc. In these cases the DVD rom need to be removed from the car to clean the laser. In Russia this has been the case in about 1 in 10 installs. Just counting down the day........ Cheers Andy

The Jap to Enlish language conversion will happen and is due in September. The actual conversion of language is not hard. I already have a demo of the conversion that changed my first screen and part of the fuel screen. The whole precess is also very easy to install. The delay is while they write a program to protect themselves from theft of their intelectual property. As the conversion is done from a DVD disc, they do not want to give the conversion away and would like to be paid fairly for the work they have done to work it out. September is just around the corner. Cheers Andy

I theory, yes it can be done but there will be quite a few obsticles to be overcome before it would be available. The english conversion of all the non GPS screens is due September and depending on the response to this first release the GPS conversion may be worked on as well. It all comes down to the comercial decision of the time and effort v's the return in sales. I am speaking on behalf of the guys in Russia who are doing the converting and this is what they have indicated so far. Cheers Andy

There are differences in dimensions as mention the biggest difference being the clearance, 180mm v non ARX models being 140mm. The biggest difference is not in the dimensions of the car but in the other benifits; ARX has standard; Limited slip rear diff HICAS Leather interior Electric seats Heated front seats 18 inch wheels All the above are standard. I don't think the handeling is any better on the ARX model and infact most people have found it too soft. A few people now have fitted the Bilstein shocks and springs which lowers the car around 40mm and reduces body roll significantly. Stiffer sway bars are also a great benifit in reducing body roll on this car. Hope this helps. Andy

I don't have the spec but I took my car to St George Steering Services. Very old school but very good job. Understands alignment rather than setting by numbers. From memory my car has the following settings. (my car has also been lowered so this altered the camber) Front: about 1-1.25 negitive camber, alignment toe out about 1-1.5 degree. Rear: negitive camber about 1 degree, toe in about 1.5 degree. I think they were the numbers but very good job done. (one minor c0mplaint and that was the steering wheel being a couple of degrees off centre but I think that may have as much to do with my old tires) Cheers Andy

Tyres = bridgestone Regio Pressure = Front 38, Rear 36. was running higher but made no real difference to economy No cargo I live at west Ryde so meet up would be good. I will see if I can get Jetwreck in as well as he is up your way. I am doing the fuel economy off the computer at the mo but I will check it by calculation next time. I always fill to ut off. (fill up every tuesday/Wednesday) Cheers Andy

Might have to meet up one day and do a Roll Off! need to work out if it is just what these cars are like or there is some binding. Don't get me wrong, it rolls all right but my subaru will roll to a faster speed down my street than the stagea will. It may be perfect but I just don't know for sure.

I don't know how you guys are achieving that economy. Wish i could get the same. My m35 ARX '03 model with 58K on the clock has been only able to get 7.5km /L around the city and max 10.1 on the highway. I don't drive really hard and O would think it unlikely that the O2 sensor is stuffed yet but I would love to improve the economy if i can. No mods other than suspension, and opening up the cold air intake on the air box. The only comment I would make about the car is that it does not roll (in neutral) as well as my Subaru Outback but that is a manual. It feels like it has a lot of drag through the drive line? Maybe it is just the way Sydney trafic flows? or should I say how it does not flow! Cheers Andy

interested in exhaust but do not want a loud exhaust, just better flow. maybe an impossible ask but I will try to find it. also cost is a factor as I would like to keep it in the budget. Cheers Andy

wait till you do the swaybar upgrade. not only a great ride but points and goes where you want it to around a corner using the throttle. soooooooo nice. just got to look at the exhaust now..............

mmmmm.... interesting. Some how I manged to make mine wrong by 180 degrees by pressing some buttons. Showed where I was coming from. I kept changing settings in the jap menu's and eventually managed to fix it or it fixed it's self. not really sure what happened. I would just see if it corrects it self. When we manage to get the menu's converted to english we may find the solution. Sorry I can not be more help. Cheers Andy

I don't know too much about turbo's but from what I have read there is usually a lot of smoke involved when they fail. I read about some one else with a similar problem and it was suggest that the check all the hoses for the turbo because if one cracks or they come off a mount there will be no boost. Cheers Andy

I have seen Chris Rogers put in english buttons so yes, it is possible. Cheers Andy

mmm. lot's of questions but I'll answer what I can. Can you get them sideways? I would say yes but I am not a drifter and don't look to get it sideways a lot. The ARX has standard a limited slip rear diff and the power mostly goes to the rear untill slip is detected and then sends more power to the front wheels. In the wet, it is easy to let the back step out but in the dry you have to work at it. Not sure about the turbo. Firstly, they do not have a DVD player as standard, they have a DVD rom that is used for the GPS maps and manages the other functions of the cars multi function computer. You need to install an Australian TV tuner, Chook offers these for about $300 if you want to do it yourself. Read the attached link, http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/St...html&hl=v35. Not sure about the sat nav, current version will not work untill compatible Australian maps are availble on DVD. Currwently none availavable and not too likely to ever be available. Talk to Chris Rogers and he can advise on the best GPS solution. You can easily set up an AUX input to run a Ipod or similar, see link, http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/di...html&hl=m35. The language on the pop up screen is all in Japanese, there is a company working on a language conversion to english that should be available around September. Cost is estimated at around $250 (but not confirmed) that will change all the Jap to English on everything but the GPS menu's. I already have a demo version that has convered the main menu + a couple of other titles to see that it is possible. Be wary of the solutions offered for these things as they are very complicated and interrelated. Ie. you can not remove the DVD rom and keep all the other functions. The M35 was offered with cruise control but is quite rare. It is a radar based system that will slow the car if a slow moving vehicle is detected in front of it and resume the speed once clear. They are obvious because they have a large black pannel where the nissin badge is in the front grill. There is an aftermarket solution that fits very well on the steering wheel but is a $800 option. If you want the contact details of the company that installed mone send me a PM and I will send it to you. Hope this helps. By the way, love the car. Cheers Andy

Spotted a White/Pearl M35 ARX with grey aftermarket mags parked on Victoria Rd, Drumoyne on Sunday around 1pm. So nice to see some more M35's

You can also go one step further when intergrating the ipod through the stereo. All you can buy in Australia is the 3.5mm headphone jack to RCA plugs. The problem with using these with the stereo is that the volume is controlled from the ipod. One better is a cable that plugs in off the standard Ipod plug in the base that goes to RCA and will charge the ipod. I purchased mine from the US from this site, http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-353-194-ipo...ging-cable.aspx. If any one is interested I have one available that I do not need. It is the stereo version (2 plugs) and doen not have the video output. Cheers Andy PS. Frank, great thread.

The timing is still estimated as September for finished product. They are also changing the fuel consumption to read "liters/100km" instead of "km's/Liter" as currently shown. As soon as I have some concrete stuff to post I will put it up on the forum. Cheers Andy

agreed. Put up some more pics of your car!

Spotted a nice black S2 stagea at Cremorne parked in a side street on Saturday.

Got to agree with LSV. Insurance cost was marginally cheaper but excess was 1/3 of JCI and less age restrictions on drivers or having to niominate drivers.

I bought my car through Ben at Nortshore prestige. As a first import car I decided to buy an already imported car from a dealer to ensure I had good after sales support. Which has definatley worked. The side curtain air bags are a factory fitted option so you just need to check what extra options were fitted. Mine was a bit of luck, was going to buy one car but it was damaged by vandalism and the next car available with low k's and other options I wanted happened to have the side bag option. All worked out for the best in the end.

Hi Juggler You have probably spoken to Jetwreck by now and got most of the low down on the M35 Stagea. Key date is no vehicle built later than 11/03 can be complied. You can comply early 2003 models (this is what I have) and the ARX is definatley the pick of this model. I also managed to get one optioned with side curtain airbags and active head restraints. So if safety for the family is a big issue this option is a good one to find. Cheers Andy

Hi Guys I was talking to the software developer about the timing for the finished product this week (not confirmed yet, but latest should be September) and he mentioned that he is able show the fuel consumption in either km's/litre or litre's/100km's. From what I see the norm is to talk about L/100km's. He is able to convert the fuel economy (or lack of it) screen to read this way. I would think this is a great upgrade in the english conversion but I just need to know if anyone would not be happy with this change in showing the fuel usage? Let me know your thoughts? Cheers Andy

Fit free fitting exhaust 1st. This takes the boost from around 8psi to around 14-15psi. I have upgraded the suspension to bilstein shocks and springs plus upgraded to sway bars to solid 32mm on front and 24mm solid on the rear. This really improved the handling and balance of the car. This also lowered a ARX from around 180mm clearance to around 140mm. That is as far as I have gone so far but other upgrades worth considering are shift kits (to improve speed of shift). Cheers Andy

Sorry, nothing new at this stage. Still expecting solution by September. Cheers Andy