AudiOn19s

How about a 97-99 A4 1.8T. Find one that's recently had the timing belt done and you're good to go. My 99 is about to reach 120K, still on the origional turbo...been chipped since 30K and has never missed a beat with regular oil changes and maintenance. If you can find a FWD as opposed to a quattro they're even easier on gas and maintenance costs. Plus the leatherette in the 1.8T is durable and easy to keep clean. Just my .02 on the matter

[ 25. October 2004, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: AudiOn19s ]

P.S. No matter what you choose...PLEASE stop using Armor-All. If you want to use something good that you can get locally get Lexol products (passen and other high end automotive places should have them). I detailed a Ferrari 348 that the owner used Armor-All on since it was new. The dash vents had to be replaced this year because the Armor-All had caused them to physically decompose. If you touched any of the plastic in the vehicle that Armor-All was used on you would come away with a black residue on your finger and leave a finger print in the plastic. Cost the poor guy over 1000 in parts alone just for plastic dash vents. NOW it could be argued that this was just some cheap plastic that the Italians used in their cars BUT with all of the Negatives that I've heard about Armor-All it's your best bet to just stay away.

As a detailer I suppose that I feel qualified to answer this question. 303 Aerospace protectant is probably the best stuff out there if you want protection for your dash. I don't use anything else. BUT yes it's waterbased and doesn't last as long as the others BUT the positive aspects to this product FAR outweight the negatives. Biggest negative is that you cannot get it locally...at least not that I can find. You can get it through all major detailing distributers on the 'net though. Andy

there are a few Hayabusa's making those kind of numbers currently...not a lot but there are some out there. One guy from the Gixxer bulletin boards that I read owns the Silver Hayabusa built by SuperKaos racing that was featured in Sportbike last month...I think that it's making 500 at the wheel and he's building it to make even more. There's also the Lee Shierts bike (painted like Dale Jr's Bud car) that has to be making close to that number. So...back to the 12's...if a Hayabusa can make that type of power then I'm sure a 12 could muster it too...

When I detail I only use Zaino interior stuff because I solely use their products for my business BUT I found out an interesting fact about Armor All and Ferrari's...they donot mix well. Apparently the owner of this car had used Armor All in the past on the dash of this car and it actually caused the plastic dash vents to break down in composition. If you even touched the dash vents inside the car you would come away with black plastic goop on your fingers. He was awaiting parts to get that fixed ($1000 in parts for dash vents).

Even though the car was in pretty sorry shape I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. I guess the fact that the plates have been expired since 3/03 tells you how much the guy really drives the car though. http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_0031.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_008.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_0101.jpg tucked in for the night. http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_0231.jpg

Kevin, It's a 4.6 under there...and I wish I had a before and after of that engine bay because it was a mess when I started.

This one will probably be a board favorite though!.. http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_023.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_024.jpg

few more... http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517IMG_1010.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517IMG_1397.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_010.jpg

more... http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_002.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_005.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_009.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_006.jpg

Just thought I'd share some of my latest work as I've been detailing some pretty cool stuff lately. (minivan's were starting to suck although they pay well). Please forgive my lack of talent with a digital camera. http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517IMG_1508.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517IMG_1509.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_004.jpg http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/8517Picture_003.jpg

+1 for Quality as well. I had my Audi done there which has that annoying dot matrix crap around the edges of the glass and so far I've had no peeling issues at all. Generally if the dot matrix is not tinted correcly the tint will start to separate from it after awhile.

You're correct about the fact that swirls cannot truely be removed without a machine and usually hours of polishing or compounding (depending on how bad the swirls are). Zaino's Z5 product is designed to be a filler to help eliminate the "APPEARANCE" of fine scratches and swirls in the finish. I add additional coats of the Z5 for $15 per coat and generally find that 3 coats of it really makes the appearance of the swirls disappear...BUT these will be uncovered in time. this is where the longevity of Zaino helps out as well. I've had many customers that were very happy with the way that the Zaino has helped diminish the appearance of swirls without spending 100's of dollars to have a shop machine compound and polish their vehicles. I know it's difficult to portray this with pictures but if you e-mail me at zainoandy@excite.com I'll send you a couple of examples. -andy

I charge an extra $20 to do the engine bay...BUT if there are lots of polished parts down there that need polishing it will be a bit more. As long as you've got a water spicket and electrical outlet that I can have access to at your appartment I can come there to detail your car. for such instances where I cannot find suitable shade I bring a big pop-up canopy. If one of the above variables doesn't exist or it's just plain easier you're more than welcome to drop the car off with me and I can do it in my garage. As for scheduling...I'm usually don't book much in advance becuase it's too hard to predict the weather AND becuase I only do evenings in the week. Feel free to give me a call for any further details. Andy 614-747-0002

Rogue, This weekend I have appointments both afternoons BUT my mornings are open if that works for you. Only downside is that it's supposed to be pretty wet this weekend so if the car's going to be in a garage all weekend it will be fine otherwise early next week is probably best. During the week I detail in the afternoon/early evening generally starting at 3:30. Both Monday and Tuesday are open at this point. Please feel free to call me 747-0002 when you're ready to set an appointment. Andy

Morgan, I believe that if you go to the Ross-tech website they have a message borad and a locator of registered users in the area that have the software...you can then contact them to see if they can help.

1.8T misfires SUCK!!!. I've had my car for 2 years and replaced 2 coils AND that stupid little control module. If you can find a control module used that works get it now as I couldn't source one either when mine went bad and ended up having to purchase one new.

back to the top

To any of you out there that are interested in having your cars detailed with Zaino products please look for my post in the Speed Shop forum and on the Registered Vendors list on this site. Thanks, Andy

I posed the same question to Sal Zaino and the response that I got was that basically the ZFX acts like a hardner for the polish to help it cure faster on the paint. If left in the polish too long it will begin to harden and cause the polish to become streaky and could harm the finish of the paint because some of the polish could be hard. BUT...I tend to agree with Throttle Jockey...I won't mix the batch with hardener back into the main bottle...BUT generally unless I see obvious hardened clumps in the mixing bottle I don't throw it out.

please don't take this post the wrong way...I'm not trying to sell any Zaino products, I'm about to make an order and wanted to see if anyone needed anything and wanted to go in on shipping with me. Seeing as though I order quite a bit for my detailing business I know how much of a pain in the butt shipping costs can be if you only have to order a few simple things. If anyone needs anything and wants to share the shipipng costs now is your chance. Please let me know. best way to reach me is via e-mail: kutscha@nationwide.com Andy

TTT

anyone interested in pictures please e-mail me at kutscha@nationwide.com I'll be cleaning up the bike this week in order to have pictures taken by cycle trader this weekend and I will also be taking pictures that I can e-mail to people as well.

anyone interested in pictures please e-mail me at kutscha@nationwide.com I'll be cleaning up the bike this week in order to have pictures taken by cycle trader this weekend and I will also be taking pictures that I can e-mail to people as well.