Claire G

We have been approached by the organisers of Motorshow North West who have asked us if we would like a club display area at this show on 18 & 19 September, at Aintree Racecourse. The show is a very professional event and includes displays from Russell Swift Precision Display team and a range of performance, customised and classic cars. We have agreed to be part of this event and ask you to post your details below if you are able to come and display your cars! I'll be getting a full exhibitors pack in the next week or so, so can give you some logistics then, but in the meantime would appreciate it if you could confirm if you are able to attend :) More info on the event can be seen here: http://www.motorshow.uk.com/nw_home/index.htm

Got an Apexi air filter for my GS from AltezzaScott and I believe he had some for the IS too... Cost me about £40!

....and meant to say the words have to be in the Google dictionary!

Good idea, I'll post the details in Gold. If anyone else wants the info feel free to send me a PM

We went to see Dave Gorman's show 'Googlewhack Adventures' last night. Pure genius!!! Has anyone else read the book or seen the show? It's about this chaps' unintentional quest to meet Googlewhackers (2 word search on Google that brings up just one webpage - could be unrelated words like ostentatios zombie for e.g.). Anyway, wasn't quite the show I expected but it was really funny and highly entertaining - I'd recommend it!

flavours

If you take a look at http://www.meguiars.co.uk/ you should get a list of local stockists. I also use Zymol car wash and polish and I know you can pick that up from Halfords - from memory I think the wash is about £8 and the polish around a tenner. I really rate it.

Congrats! Hope the sleepless nights don't last long!

Luckily (well, could have been worse) the total bill came up to £175. Was really impressed with the local guy I used and will be going back there again. He said it was a pig to do, but only charged me £55 (incl. VAT). Driving great again!!! ....apart from the fact I have now managed to mash the b****y alloy on my way home. Grrr.

Forgot to mention that I have the 4 indoor passes. Once we've sorted out who's for definite, I'll get you to send me an SAE and get these out to you.

Some important info for you on this event INDOOR EXHIBITORS (4 places) - All cars must be set up and in place by 9.30am on the day of the event. Display vehicles must have batteries disconnected and fuel tanks under a quarter full. - Cars must be on stand until the show closes at 4pm. - Clubs may use this event to promote their activities and recruit new members. All clubs must display a banner or board with their name clearly indicated and the show cars separated from the public with ropes and posts (STEVE??!!) OUTSIDE EXHIBITORS - The outside display area is in Service Area C and you are able to set up in this area from 7am. You MUST be set up by 9.30am latest. Exhibitors in this area must stay set up in this area until at least 4pm when the show closes, as the area will be laid out with the trade stands around the outside and club displays in the middle ----------------------------- The organisers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any vehicle however caused (as with all our meets). ----------------------------- With this in mind, can I have a definitive list of those of you attending and who wants to display in the indoor area (Chris, I know you wanted to). I will also need to ask one or two of you to take responsibility on the day for setting up both areas, unfortunately due to family commitments I can't attend. This is a good, professional-type show and it'll be great to show off your cars and your Club!!!

Thanks Mike. The ball joints have already been replaced on the car (if I remember correctly, from the service history), so I thought I was pretty safe! The part came up to £120 with my Goldies discount, but I'm using a local independent that's been recommended to me. With any luck the bill for labour should only be about £50. I'm assuming I need to get the wheels aligned afterwards?

Nope, part only!

Thanks for checking Chris, appreciate it. I suppose the only saving grace here is that the garage I'm using is only going to charge about £50 for doing the work!

It's £131 for just the wheel bearing, no fitting included and it's the front nearside wheel. Would try to go and get this cheaper from the US, but can't be without the car for that long. If anyone can advise of the cost of the wheel bearing I'd appreciate it - Lexus has called to say it's in today and I don't want to get stitched up!

By some of the anti-bacterial Febreeze spray (get it in most supermarkets) and that'll help neutralise the odours. And yes, much rather you than me!!! Is the cat still in disgrace?!

My mate is looking at getting rid of his Toyota Avensis and buying a newer car second hand. Top on his list are a Mercedes C200, an MG ZT190, or a BMW 323 or IS200 Sport. Although he loves Jap cars, he thinks the depreciation is generally too bad to be worthwhile. He thinks if you compare the non-Japanese competition with these cars at a similar age, the others are worth much more (BMW 7 series, Jaguar XJ series, mercedes S class, Audi A4 etc......). He's just been offered £850 trade-in on his 98 Avensis (all the extras, albeit high mileage). Now this is the shocker - during his 'research' he's found that between a Lexus IS200 and a similar age, similar spec 3 series, the BMW is anything between £1000-£2000 more valuable!!!! Is this true??? He's got about £10k to spend but doesn't want to get a Jap car, only to find that in 3 years time its only worth £2k, but still owes £8k on it. Any advice? I'm trying to persuade him Lexus is the way to go ;)

Lexus has just quoted me £131 for my wheel bearing - eek - more expensive than I first thought. Is this what you'd expect to pay? Also looked into getting replacement locking wheel nuts as the chrome is starting to come off a couple of them - £120 odd quid! Ah, the joys of owning a luxury car eh!!!

I've heard of Powerhouse before and will definitely be using them in future. Just got back from the garage local to me though (didn't fancy a long drive) and they reckon the bearing is knackered and I shouldn't drive it. Ordered the parts from Lexus (a whopping £131 quid) and am booking the car in with this independent chappy.

Just had the car back from the garage and unfortunately it is the wheel bearing. Lexus has quoted £131 for the wheel bearing only!!!

Thanks for all the tips. Just spoken to an independent garage near me (recommended by a friend) and they're pretty sure it's the wheel bearing that's knackered. My husband is taking it over there for them to have a look and give a quote, then I'll go to Lexus to get the parts (and get my Goldies discount hopefully!) Fingers crossed it's not too painful an experience!

I've not had particularly brilliant experiences of Bracknell, which is the main reason I'm asking about independents! I am planning to keep to keep the car for as long as possible so am not particularly worried about future trade-in values. Thanks, think I may try and get some recommendations for garages in the locality - is there anyone you use?

Anyone know of any good independant garages in/near Bracknell? Not sure whether to take my 1999 to a Lexus garage or independant garage to get them to check out/replace the wheel bearing - think it's well and truly knackered! Is it worth keeping up the Lexus history (I'm planning to keep the car for a fair few years, until it disintegrates anyway!!!) or try to save some money by going with an independant?

I'll check the brake fluid, but no warning lights have come on so hoping it's not that. The grating noise isn't really noticeable on braking, but is worse when you turn the steering wheel to the left. On way home last night, grating noise was continuous.

I don't want to know anything quite so personal about you, I'm a married woman don'tcha know! :P