SoarerCentral: Oh no, my old UZZ31 is for scrap!

SoarerCentral Kiwi Corner General Chat Oh no, my old UZZ31 is for scrap!

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Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5380
Reg: 11-2005

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Monday, August 22, 2011 - 08:06 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=400588976&open_homes=&region=&district=

Unfortunately I was searching on Trade Me earlier and spotted my last UZZ31 that I owned from May 2008 to April 2009....

Appears it's been in a light crash and is now up for scrap!

I did spend a lot of time on this car, it was a bit of a wreck when I first got it, came up pretty good when I put a few months of TLC into it

Just not sure why I painted the engine red... odd.. although at the time it seemed 'cool'

Heres some photos of its life, just for the sake of it. (Even though I've converted to BMWs in recent years, theres some attachment to the soarers :-(

)

When I first got it

Upload

After tidying the 31 up over a few months

Upload

So yeah.... that was my UZZ31. It was a bit of a shame that I went off it and bought the 540i, which subseqently made me sell the UZZ31, I didn't really want to sell it but I had to for financial reasons. In hindsight it was the right thing I did as it's allowed me to experience a few other car models since.

...and here are the pictures of it 2.5 years later and at the scrap yard.

A pity..... but such is life!

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6458
Reg: 10-2005

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 06:59 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Soarer's are getting rare again in NZ, so many have been written off, and so long since they stopped importing them.

What is with that naff rear wing? I'm guessing you didn't put that on it Mike?

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5381
Reg: 11-2005

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 08:14 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Matthew Sharpe wrote on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 06:59 am:
Soarer's are getting rare again in NZ, so many have been written off, and so long since they stopped importing them.

Yeah too true, although the odd nice one comes up... did you see that immaculate 1996 VVTi facelift Soarer $9500?

Matthew Sharpe wrote on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 06:59 am:
What is with that naff rear wing? I'm guessing you didn't put that on it Mike?

Arghh! I saw that too, ghastly isn't it? I assume the muppet that had it put that on at some point, along with that dodgy stereo wiring.

Ironic as I spent $300 on getting that boots spoiler and badge holes welded up and painted so it was blank.

Although I was surprised the LS400 3rd Gen wheels were still on it.

Michael Collins
Tinkerer
auckland
v8

Posts: 25
Reg: 09-2009

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 12:09 am, by: Michael Collins (Mikenz88)

he wants $400 for the climate control unit dreaming

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5382
Reg: 11-2005

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 12:50 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Michael Collins wrote on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 12:09 am:
he wants $400 for the climate control unit dreaming

Pffft!

It's slightly bled anyway, and used to get quite bad in summer. Cold days it was ok.

Bradley Doughty
Tinkerer
Wellington
Soarer V8

Posts: 30
Reg: 08-2010

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 05:38 pm, by: Bradley Doughty (Holden_fan2005)

I asked him about the cup holder next to where the stereo sat: $150!!

Told him he was dreaming and he said that they paid top $$ for it. Guessing he will have it for a while...

Michael Collins
Tinkerer
auckland
v8

Posts: 26
Reg: 09-2009

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 08:09 pm, by: Michael Collins (Mikenz88)

im desperate for one but not that desperate i have a dead emv in my car driving me nuts
want to do the conversion put normal sounds in it not to keen on sending the emv to australia to get fixed

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5383
Reg: 11-2005

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 09:03 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Yeah just bin it all re wire it to work with the original A/C and aftermarket stereo.

After all... a 20 year old touch screen interface is hardly a joy to use... especially when its all in Japanese!

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6460
Reg: 10-2005

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Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 08:19 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Mike Beck wrote on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 08:14 am:
Yeah too true, although the odd nice one comes up... did you see that immaculate 1996 VVTi facelift Soarer $9500?

No, haven't been looking at all for a while. Did it sell?

Bradley Doughty
Tinkerer
Wellington
Soarer V8

Posts: 31
Reg: 08-2010

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Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 04:06 pm, by: Bradley Doughty (Holden_fan2005)

Yeah just bin it all re wire it to work with the original A/C and aftermarket stereo.

After all... a 20 year old touch screen interface is hardly a joy to use... especially when its all in Japanese!

Mike Beck wrote on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 09:03 pm:

Is there any info for doing this? I have had my touchscreen bugger out

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5384
Reg: 11-2005

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Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 05:02 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Matthew Sharpe wrote on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 08:19 am:

No, haven't been looking at all for a while. Did it sell?

Last time I looked it's still for sale on Trade Me.

Bradley Doughty wrote on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 04:06 pm:
Is there any info for doing this? I have had my touchscreen bugger out

I'm not sure, although if you make a post some of the guys that have done it may have some resources to share.

Mark Donovan
DieHard
Auckland
V8 Limited

Posts: 710
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, August 26, 2011 - 06:11 am, by: Mark Donovan (Mark_donovan)

Bradley, I have a spare EMV but unsure if it works or not (never plugged it in). I'll connect it up tomorrow and let you know.

FWIW, I just had my own EMV fully overhauled by Damian Ware at the end of July.

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6463
Reg: 10-2005

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Friday, August 26, 2011 - 06:35 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Might be worth cracking it open and checking the glass fuses. there are two of them - might be simple as one of them being stuffed. Probably not, but worth a look.

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
E36 Coupe

Posts: 5385
Reg: 11-2005

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Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10:50 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Mark Donovan wrote on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 06:11 am:
FWIW, I just had my own EMV fully overhauled by Damian Ware at the end of July.

Good results?

Shanon Browne
Newbie
Northland
Mark 2 Turbo

Posts: 1
Reg: 10-2011

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Monday, October 17, 2011 - 06:01 am, by: Shanon Browne (Doribippu)

Good Morning all,

I'm Shanon, the guy who owned this soarer until it was backed into by a flatbed truck.

It was my pride and joy, and I put a huge amount of effort, and money into this car.

The rear spoiler may have not been to everyone's taste, that's fine, because it wasn't your car. It's a carbon fibre Origin labs lip, and went well with it's matching roof spoiler..

I had no intention of ruining your nicely painted bootlid Mike, so its only stuck on there with panel foam, and would remove with leaving any trace.

As for the wiring, that's where it ended up after removing the components, it didn't look like that while it was installed.

Up until the accident, it was sitting on some different wheels, adjustable suspension, whiteline sway bar's. I swapped the standards back in, because I didn't want to give it all away to the wreckers.

After I bought the car, as soon as i got it home, I took it off the road to remedy the front windscreen leak, which led to a find of a completely rusted out roof. This was replaced and re-painted to match. It was then lightly backed into by my friend's parents. While this was getting fixed, both sides were fully re-painted. The bog in the left quarter behind the door was replaced with new panelling, and the left rear quarter damage pictured above, was properly repaired, and the *fibreglass?! and bog (*why fibrelass was in there I have no idea) was removed, and replaced with new steel.

While it was in the panelbeaters, I noticed the old Soarer problem with hinges hitting on the guards, so I replaced both hinges with New Genuine parts, and got the front guards fixed.

I also got the rear guards slightly rolled while they were bare metalled.

The car then went into paint, getting new FSG on the Front Guards, Both Doors, Both Quarters, Front Bumper, Bonnet, and Roof.

Then, to get the rest of the car to match it's mint exterior, both front seats were re-upholstered to match, and new headlights were installed, and retrofitted to 6k HID's.

I guess what i'm saying here, it whoever buys this shell is in for a great vehicle.

The only reason I didn't buy this back and repair it is beacuse I now have a JZX110 which demands the attention, and having both vehicles was not practical for me.

Please consider the care and pride I had and have for this vehicle, before jumping to conclusions, and calling me a "Muppet" as above, and all the rest which goes with.

The spoiler may not be to your taste, but if you had seen this vehicle in its final form, after all the work was put it, you would be been in awe. Easily one of the best examples in NZ.

Thanks for your consideration.

Kind Regards.

James Johnson
TryHard
Auckland
UZZ31 Soarer x2

Posts: 480
Reg: 03-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, October 17, 2011 - 07:35 am, by: James Johnson (Jimbo)

Shannon, do you still have this car or did you let it go to a wrecker?

Shanon Browne
Newbie
Northland
Mark 2 Turbo

Posts: 2
Reg: 10-2011

Rating: N/A
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Monday, October 17, 2011 - 08:08 am, by: Shanon Browne (Doribippu)

Unfortunately, the insurance company taketh away from me. They wanted a ridiculous price to buy it back. It went through Turners as a wreck to Northland Parts Warehouse as far as I'm aware.

Hopefully the parts get someone else's pride and joy back on the road.

James Johnson
TryHard
Auckland
UZZ31 Soarer x2

Posts: 481
Reg: 03-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, October 17, 2011 - 10:49 am, by: James Johnson (Jimbo)

Damn I hate insurance company's, $600 for a full 4 star alarm install and a gps tracking unit that you can txt to make the immobilizer kick in and also give you the longitude and latitude. All I need is 3rd party now. No insurance company is taking my baby away....

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i

Posts: 5414
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
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Monday, October 17, 2011 - 08:02 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Wow, the roof was rusted out?

Yeah the bog and fiberglass repair....... What was I thinking of back then!

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6490
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 01:10 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

No offence intended Shanon, just in my opinion stick on mods like that don't look good & don't add anything to performance or safety - hence the "naff" comment. Of course other peoples opinions differ - otherwise it would be a boring bland world. Glad to hear you took a lot of pride in it.

Michael Collins
Tinkerer
auckland
v8

Posts: 27
Reg: 09-2009

Rating: N/A
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Sunday, October 30, 2011 - 03:10 pm, by: Michael Collins (Mikenz88)

Mark do you still have that spare EMV ?

Mark Donovan
DieHard
Auckland
V8 Limited

Posts: 724
Reg: 07-2005

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Wednesday, November 02, 2011 - 01:55 pm, by: Mark Donovan (Mark_donovan)

Yep, still got it, Michael.

Ross Cochran
Newbie
Waikato
Soarer UZZ30

Posts: 2
Reg: 12-2011

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 05:40 am, by: Ross Cochran (Cocko)

Hi NZ folk.
Thought Id ask here as well as on the main site. Anyone know how to fix the blacked out lcd odo screen, also the AC screen is black.

James Johnson
DieHard
Auckland
UZZ31 Soarer x2

Posts: 503
Reg: 03-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 01:21 pm, by: James Johnson (Jimbo)

Ross Cochran wrote on Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 05:40 am:
fix the blacked out lcd odo screen

Is it just the odometer/kms part of the dash? If so then I think you might have a plug that is loose in the dash.

Ross Cochran wrote on Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 05:40 am:
the AC screen is black.

Every now and then there are group buys to get new screens for about $105AUD and there is a how to tutorial on here to show you how to replace the screen your self.

Evan Kaio
DieHard
"Beautiful sunnny, (our Coach sacked most of our All Blacks) 'Canes' country
'91 UZZ31. 92 TT

Posts: 906
Reg: 01-2007

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Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 02:13 pm, by: Evan Kaio (Knave)

Ross Cochran wrote on Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 05:40 am:
Anyone know how to fix the blacked out lcd odo screen

Could be the lcd screen has leaked. Not sure it's fixable. Had the same problem on my wrecked V8.

Mark Donovan
DieHard
Auckland
V8 Limited

Posts: 734
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 10:25 am, by: Mark Donovan (Mark_donovan)

Mike Beck wrote on Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10:50 am:
Mark Donovan wrote on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 06:11 am:
FWIW, I just had my own EMV fully overhauled by Damian Ware at the end of July.

Good results?

Yep, my EMV is fine now although radio reception is sometimes not as good as expected, with stations dropping out when i think the reception may be blocked by something in the immediate environment - metal shed, garage door etc., although I think some of it may be just down to the antenna in the rear window. Since having had the EMV repaired, I have now found comments on SC with people mentioning the not-so-great reception compared to having a proper aerial. Doh...

However, Damian was unable to repair the ECU fully.

I have since had it sent to a place in Nelson via The Cartune Company in Hamilton, have had it returned & it's been back in the car for a few days and seems to be running well so far, with none of the symptoms that were present before. I don't know how extensive the repairs were but will advise NZ owners who suspect ECU issues (or any other Soarer problem) to contact Kelvin at The Cartune Company (search for that company name on Facebook). He's a friendly guy, very knowledgeable and has owned multiple Soarers himself so can pinpoint any number of issues very quickly.

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i

Posts: 5441
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 12:56 pm, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

Good to hear that about the EMV, shame about the signal though, I guess back in the 90s, in Japan that style of antenna was sufficient.

Mark Donovan wrote on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 10:25 am:
However, Damian was unable to repair the ECU fully.

I have since had it sent to a place in Nelson via The Cartune Company in Hamilton, have had it returned & it's been back in the car for a few days and seems to be running well so far, with none of the symptoms that were present before. I don't know how extensive the repairs were but will advise NZ owners who suspect ECU issues (or any other Soarer problem) to contact Kelvin at The Cartune Company (search for that company name on Facebook). He's a friendly guy, very knowledgeable and has owned multiple Soarers himself so can pinpoint any number of issues very quickly.

Bugger about the ECU, leaking caps? I was lucky enough to save mine just after it happened.

Yeah Kevin is rather knowledgeable, certainly made a few bucks about of being involved with the 1UZ! I recently got a wiring loom for an A650E 5 speed automatic off him which has been useful in wiring mine up to a special trans control unit.

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