sark021

Didn't think to get before and after shots now that you mention it, but before it was like the classic warm yellowy filament glow and now it is a cool white/blue colour which kinda looks ummm, you know....cool. I have to say that it is more obvious because I have white number plates with black lettering. Don't know how effective they are with other colour plates.

Decided recently to continue replacing as many of the filament globes with LEDs around the car and this time got as far as the number plate lights. Bought 5 point white LEDs for this but found that the overall circumference of the globe wouldn't go into the hole of the housing which holds the T10 wedge socket in place. What to do? Could buy 10mm dia. LEDs but these are usually single point and might not have enough illumination. Anyway, after a while I thought that if I could create an access hole in the lamp housing, I could then leave the socket in place and pull out and push in globes at will. Anyways, this approached worked. Sorry if this has been dealt with before somewhere, or whether is doesn't take a genius to work this modification out, however I thought I might post some pictures in case anyone has a similar issue with getting over-sized LEDs into the number plate light housing. Used a hack saw to make the slots right down to the diffuser. Gently ripped them out with long nose pliers. Left about 10-12mm of housing in place at the socket end.

Had my tyres done as well and was told the same thing. But, couldn't live without shiny tyres so looked around for a product without silicon and stuff. As I was already using some of the CHEMICAL GUYS products (which are brilliant), I ordered their Black Forever Gel which is a water based product. Not as shiny as the silicon stuff, but rather gives the tyres a "as new" satin look which kinda looks awesome. Seems to last pretty well between applications (using a foam applicator) and I hope it will be "soft" on the red walls over time.

Small Groove then fill with paint.

Had the tyres done over with red walls recently. At the time I thought it would be a really cool things to do and would look fine. Trouble is....does it? When I emailed a work friend some pictures he thinks it looks s**t (mind you this is from a bloke that drives a VW Golf!). He thinks it looks a bit too ricey. Can you guys give me an honest opinion. Too late to go back now (unless of course I ditch the Dunlop 3000As for a new set of Goodyear Eagle F1s. So what do you guys think??

Whoops sorry, double posted.

Bought a Meguiars orbital a while back. Didn't use it for a long time as I wasn't confident because I was always used to doing it by hand and was afraid of doing something wrong. Once I got the courage up, I too was disappointed with the result. But after playing around with it for quite a while, I found out the following: I was too conservative with the speed, bumping up the speed to 5 out of 6 was the way to go. Using a speed of say 3 was useless. Also, I was too conservative on the grade of pad as I was scared of too much abrasion. I need not have worried about that either. So with a higher speed, a higher grade of abrasive pad and a product like Scratch -X, the orbital did the trick and got the swirls out and left a very clean smooth finish. Then with a layer of good quality wax and your laughing. IMHO, I wasted way too much energy (and too little result) doing it by hand and the orbital is the way to go if you get the set-up right and a bit of patience. But for those who think that hand polish is the way to go - go ahead - I'm sure you will benefit from the exercise (remember Danielson: wax on, wax off!).

Decided to invest in one of these ball valve drain plugs as I intend to change the oil quite regularly and thought it would be quicker and a lot less messier. So somewhere else in a forum that others have recommended them. Anyway, ordered the one for a Barra 4.0L 6cyl (Code: F-109) and tried to fit it today....and guess what....it doesn't fit! Wrong thread pitch or something (Murphy's law has it that this sort of thing always happens to me). Now, before I get severely bitter and twisted and send of an email to these guys, has anyone else had a similar problem and what was done about it? I have a n/a BFII XR6 and I'm sure that I purchased the right one according to their sizing chart. Did the sump plug thread change in the life of the 6cyl Barra motor or what??? Would like some feedback before I demand a refund or a replacement.

I think you might be right....though I don't begrudge money spent on the Opera House. But as a new south welshman.....I can tell you 100% that they are not spending on the roads. The roads are pathetic, their management and upkeep are pathetic, and any decent road you want to use to get around this damn place you have to pay through the nose for in tolls. Where is all the money really going......someone tell me pleeeeeze!!!!!

I didn't want my rant to be too long....but yeah I'm well aware of their new offices. What a waste of money. Now...I can understand some companies needing to be in the city like big law firms and multinationals as a city location provides a measure of prestige for them. But the RTA!!! They're just a bunch of friggin public servants. Whats wrong with head office in say Parramatta, Liverpool or Penrith. Oh no, can't do that, then the fat RTA cats won't get their harbour views and indulge in their latte sipping extended play lunches. We, the public are just biggest bunch of suckers ever. By the way...keeping an eye on Bangkcock. People power in action.....is that the only way to get rid of this darn pathetic and incompetent labor state government (sorry for the politics). Oh bye the way exarsixturbo, checked out the ACT site for plates and a personalised plate..say.....AA 123 costs $360.00 ONCE! In NSW that is the cost for first year only..then another $90.00...read again...$90.00 every year after that. They just keep shoving their dirty mitts into your pocket year after year! Money for jam! But I must admit, some of their other personalised plates are a definitely rip-off. And I forgot to mention, in ACT.....NO ANNUAL FEE!

After seeing a news item a couple of weeks ago regarding the introduction of new styles and pricing, the article was miss leading as who ever wrote it gave the impression the existing range would be more affordable. Well, as usual, when papers aren't straight out lying they just plain otherwise get it it wrong. And as no one has yet seemed to noticed since the 8 April intro date, please, let me be the first to be outraged. As usual (in NSW) this re-organisation of the number plate range and pricing is nothing more than a cash grab from motorists pockets that the government seemingly thinks is bottomless. From my understanding, in the other states you pay a once only up front payment and the darn things are yours until you decide to give them up. But, oh no, not in NSW, they put their greedy hands in your pocket every year. Some of the annual fees (on top of the ridiculous order fee) are straight out criminal highway robbery for a piece of metal which most other motorists don't even care to notice on your car anymore because there are so many out there already. My own number plates last year were $30 to order and $90 a year to maintain. Now $90 is approaching the pain threshold as this gets added to my already expensive NSW rego fees each year. But why is it now $110 to order. Sorry, has something really changed...like are the prisoners in Long Bay now demanding more money and privledges to make them for the RTA before they riot or what?....somebody please tell me and justify it. Ok...so it may not be a lot of money in one case, but the whole structure of the new pricing is obviously a cash grab. And if you think I'm hyperventilating over nothing, don't forget that you may not be keen on a set of plates now, but when you are, this or the next government will just keep jacking them up over time because they can without immunity and don't care at the slightest what we think. Good on you NSW government...good thinking, no wonder were lagging behind the rest of the country.

I see that the audiax DGT-201 is still available from minidisc.com.au for $70.00. As I said earlier...it cuts through the interference and has a very good strong signal.....makes all the others I've tried sound absolutely lame. Other than this....these FM transmitters are pretty much a hit and miss affair. One good resource for gauging performance is looking at the user reviews on Amazon.com. I will always consult this resource for feedback before committing to a purchase for a similar product offered in Australia. The reviewers are always happy to bag a dog of a product where warranted. Always good to learn from others mistakes. However, even though the AudiaX takes a battery which doesn't last all that long...I run it off a previously disused cigarette adapter I found in my junk drawer. On another point....for those in Sydney....I've found 103.7 to be the best clear frequency.

Have tried (and wasted money on) a few of these transmitters myself and I agree, the Belkin one is woeful. Nice idea with a cradle and all but it just doesn't cut it....I don't use it anymore. HOWEVER... If you want a recommendation on a really effective transmitter, I finally found one about a year ago by sussing out many reviews and comments on the net. What I found and bought was one called an AudiaX. Great strong reception and nothing interferes with it. Small...but a real good little performer. Trouble is it won't charge your Pod but if you can live without that capability, the AudiaX will not disappoint! Not sure if you can still get AudiaX as I got mine some time ago. But if you can still get it....I can highly recommend it.

I know it sounds too simple...but this did happen to me when I got the car back from the panel beater and I thought they had buggered something up. No courtesy lights and the door ajar light always on. My simple solution was to replace the blown blue 15amp fuse under the dash....then lights came back and door ajar light went out. Sounds simple....worth a try?

Thanks ORMSBA Not worried about the cost... Just don't want to stuff the dashboard (the wife will kill me for "F"ing around with it. But it really bugs me when at some angles of the light you can see marks that you can't get to. The average person probably won't notice but I know its there...arrrrgh!!