NATIONAL VIRTUAL MEET SUNDAY 5TH APRIL

[Dave Marshall]

Lovely slideshow but you should have put me at the end it's too scary for most folk. Only joking it was a great idea.

 

[Sharon-Tina]

Thanks we love it haha if I was living down the road I might’ve helped! It was seriously hard work I will be honest! Check out the ‘detailing world’ forum if you want some tips on the correct way to clean and polish etc, I learnt a hell of lot on there xx

Thanks mate

 

[Harvo]

Hi. I'm Lee, 46 and I've been around here for a while. I've had my E50 for 5 years and she's pretty standard. I've done bits and pieces but nothing noteworthy. She's been the most reliable car I've ever owned and continues to serve me well. Think she will be in the family for long time to come. Sorry for the late arrival but I've been working all day (pharmaceutical operator making meds for the NHS).

Who's eaten all the pringles and I can't find the alcohol? I really am too late......

 

[Pixelpoker]

Fashionably late

I’m Adam. Born and bred on the isle of wight.

Always been into JDM (bongo before the e51, R33 before that, etc etc)

I’m late because mine looks like this (again)...



...and probably looks like this (up with Stevemen for the foreseeable future - just managed to get it up to Yorkshire before lockdown) ☠



When it’s not broke it sometimes looks like this...


..or this


I’ve had it for 1.5yrs and bought it dirt cheap (like really cheap).

Off the top of my head I’ve done:

• Under seal ( 3M and cavity seal)
• New brakes/pads all round
• All new suspension components
• New manifold back complete custom stainless steel exhaust (200cell front sports cats, middle box and kanatabe muffler)
• Here's the engineering level drawing i gave the exhaust place
• 
• New rad
• New starter
• Power flex bushes on everything
• Refurbed my nismo factory suspension
• Resprayed / refurbed front bumper and side skirts
• New timing chains, water pump, tensioners, pcv, cam gaskets, belts, various pulleys (swapped for 350z ones) and other bit's n'bobs
• Cone filter (old pic-it now has custom stainless pipe work and hoses feeding the intake)
• 
• Various electronical fiddlings/tidyings with all the aftermarket garbage the previous owner added in japan.

Still to do
Here’s some bits kicking around my garage waiting to be put on.

• Hood spoiler
• 
  
  
• Halo lights
• 
  
  
• Autech Roof spoiler
• Mid and rear cusco braces.
• Rear light LED conversion (straight swap with aftermarket one bought in Japan)
• New 18" matt black rims (don't have the details to hand, but they are bit like 5 spoke LMGT4's)
• Either paint brake calipers, or go big brake kit
• wrap upper and lower grill (bit like this) with a blue accent (probably)
• 

 

[stutgart69]

So late to this party I have almost missed it altogether!

Spent the day washing and polishing the van (although these pictures are actually from last week).

This is my 2002 E51 XL.
I got it Last September,and have converted it to LPG, which was essential really since it is my daily driver.
Took the rear seats out today in preparation for a Campal getting fitted once this lockdown is over.
Haven,t had the chance to do much else to it yet, but would really like to get the speakers upgraded as it sounds terrible at the moment.
I must say though, I really like some of the mood lighting that some of you guys have going. I think I needs to be getting some of that


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[blingo]

Ah fuck sticks, Forgot all about this and was trying to have a non internet day!

 

[Lize]

Ah fuck sticks, Forgot all about this and was trying to have a non internet day!

Haven’t you a flash on you phone?

 

[blingo]

Ok, the best I can do...

I'm Simon, I've had my Elgrand 5(ish) years. Most recent photo I can find of it (last time it was washed - last july

 

[concept]

VERY late to the party sorry all. Checked in this AM but the server was not playing.

Adam, Elgrand newbie. Previous to that I was a BMW nut (cheap 10 year old 6 cylinders for the win---my last one took me to Morocco and back last November). I work as a gas engineer (hence the PPE ; ) but always managed to avoid vans until this year when I needed something for a new business venture. The Elgrand hit all the spots for me as it could act as a van / day tripper for 4 people / luxury motorway wafter / interesting engine I can get nerdy about. Couple of months into ownership now and got used to the fact that it doesn't corner when full of work gear. I love it!

38 years old, born in Shotley Bridge (for the big NE crew on here!), lived around Gateshead / Durham / Newcastle riding BMX, surfing and playing in bands before moving to London in 2010. I did a year in 2017/18 in San Francisco studying and working in tech too, partly as recovery from a big BMX injury put that part of my life to rest. I mainly just surf now, another reason for the Elgrand : )

I don't know what model it is as @Winchester suggested it had an obscure combination of interior trims (anthracite carpets / silver leather / beige roof lining?!). It came from JP with the murdered-out grille and debadged, and as it turns out also running some seriously fugly aftermarket tail lights (anyone want to swap?) and a full set of blue white interior lights which give me an instant headache. It's a 3.5 S2 and more happily came with a Nismo suspension setup.

So far I have limo tinted the windows, removed the two rear seat rows (the rearmost being kept for when I need a 4 seater), stripped out the million seat rails from the middle row stuff, levelled out the floor using recon foam and rubber gym matting. It's had five new Bridgestone Dueler tyres (one lasted <1 week before getting shredded by a nail in Chelsea), two coats of carnuaba wax, a replacement OEM amplifier (thanks to this forum). Yesterday I installed an Apple-friendly mirrorcast box (hidden next to the TV amp in the rear), and I also have an ELM327 plugged in which has already solved a blown fuse on the O2 Sensor that fired an engine warning light after a trip to the car wash.

Plans: OEM tail light units? At least some that match the rest of the red lights on the back (any advice appreciated). And if anyone can point me towards warm white LED bulbs for every interior light my eyes would be most appreciative. Need to source a rear numberplate that fits better. Aside from that I'm going to keep it pretty as-is externally---one of my favourite things about these are the vannish looks that betray what they are underneath, especially the stock wheels : )

Oh... might get it wrapped in gloss black. I like the reptilian green fleck in the sunlight but not sure the mad purple is exactly my thing...

Already had a ton of help and good advice on here so thanks all! And please to see the large NE contingency too ; )

More photos please of interior foam flooring, and whats wrong with the rear lights they look normal? love the deep paint and sits lovely!
jump onto ebay for the warm white bulbs along with the number plate (get your measuring tape out)

 

[Karl]

Well this has truly been an all day event. It is beer o'clock now.

For anyone still wanting to join in, go ahead! Better late than never.

But from me for now, it's time to retire to the land of rum... The very same in my opening photo

Thank you to everyone for getting involved and putting up with the server issues this morning, this thread has been fantastic.

 

[HoopDogg]

Hi all sorry we’re late

Im Rhys and I’m 36, living in Kidwelly in South Wales with my fiancé Nikki. We’ve had ‘Fugzy’ our 2004 E51 highway star since the beginning of March this year and we absolutely love him!

We’ve managed to have a day or two out with him before the lockdown so we can’t complain I suppose one plus of being on lockdown has meant I’ve managed to spend the last week doing the following:

snowfoam
Hand wash
Iron remover
Clay bar
3 stage machine polish on front
2 stage machine polish on rest of van
One layer of FK100p sealant wax (another two to three will be added this week)

Anyway enough of my waffling...here’s some pics of Fugzy and one of me and the mrs



View attachment 32452View attachment 32459View attachment 32460View attachment 32461View attachment 32462View attachment 32454View attachment 32455View attachment 32456

My eyes are burning from how shiny that van is

 

[blingo]

Here is me, last JAE (I think) that counted

Well this has truly been an all day event. It is beer o'clock now.

For anyone still wanting to join in, go ahead! Better late than never.

But from me for now, it's time to retire to the land of rum... The very same in my opening photo

Thank you to everyone for getting involved and putting up with the server issues this morning, this thread has been fantastic.

View attachment 32485

View attachment 32486

Ace., it's been beer oclock for some time here... I'm trying to post a pic of myself but technology /alcohol mix is giving me shit!

 

[dognero]

UK meet A4

 

[blingo]

ignore the fat child thumbs, me at the last (worthwhild jae)

 

[Fugzy]

Lovely wheels, and good shine on paint work

Sorry mate didn’t realise I hadn’t replied to this message! Thanks for the kind words I’m very pleased with how it’s coming along, a week of compounding and polishing was hard work but worth it I think

 

[blingo]

Back when things were good, JAP show 2015...

 

[Fugzy]

My eyes are burning from how shiny that van is

Haha thanks

 

[blingo]

Apologies for the inept postings! Background: bought on a complete whim 5 yrs ago - had one in my rear view mirror and WTF was that, had to have one. Been on many holidays /adventures, sealed the JDM deal with my son... no regrets. Not been getting used so much last year and recent shitstorm obviously hasn't helped


Currently sorned, but hopeful it will return from the ashes... weirdly addictive car!

 

[blingo]

Haven’t you a flash on you phone?

I believe it does, but there is such darkness here - I'm not sure the cheap / chineseness would coped. I have also drunk all the wines so that ain't happening!

 

[Daddyof4]

Fashionably late

I’m Adam. Born and bred on the isle of wight.

Always been into JDM (bongo before the e51, R33 before that, etc etc)

I’m late because mine looks like this (again)...

View attachment 32467

...and probably looks like this (up with Stevemen for the foreseeable future - just managed to get it up to Yorkshire before lockdown) ☠

View attachment 32473

When it’s not broke it sometimes looks like this...

View attachment 32468
..or this
View attachment 32480

I’ve had it for 1.5yrs and bought it dirt cheap (like really cheap).

Off the top of my head I’ve done:

• Under seal ( 3M and cavity seal)
• New brakes/pads all round
• All new suspension components
• New manifold back complete custom stainless steel exhaust (200cell front sports cats, middle box and kanatabe muffler)
• Here's the engineering level drawing i gave the exhaust place
• View attachment 32477
• New rad
• New starter
• Power flex bushes on everything
• Refurbed my nismo factory suspension
• Resprayed / refurbed front bumper and side skirts
• New timing chains, water pump, tensioners, pcv, cam gaskets, belts, various pulleys (swapped for 350z ones) and other bit's n'bobs
• Cone filter (old pic-it now has custom stainless pipe work and hoses feeding the intake)
• View attachment 32481
• Various electronical fiddlings/tidyings with all the aftermarket garbage the previous owner added in japan.

Still to do
Here’s some bits kicking around my garage waiting to be put on.

• Hood spoiler
• View attachment 32470
  
  
• Halo lights
• View attachment 32471
  
  
• Autech Roof spoiler
• Mid and rear cusco braces.
• Rear light LED conversion (straight swap with aftermarket one bought in Japan)
• New 18" matt black rims (don't have the details to hand, but they are bit like 5 spoke LMGT4's)
• Either paint brake calipers, or go big brake kit
• wrap upper and lower grill (bit like this) with a blue accent (probably)
• View attachment 32479

I'd be interested in those halo lights if you ever feel like selling