Andy Spencer

Now not going to France so still for sale..........

Oh well the sale fell through, he can't insure it in France, they don't recognise RH's, only Caterhams or Westfields (apparently), either that or he's spinning me a yarn, but he's lost the money on his air fare and ferry back from Newhaven and seems pretty gutted. Apparently the few other RH owners he's spoken to in France are all running and insuring off Sierra logbooks, sounds iffy. Don't think it was a scam but also proves much caution needed when selling outside of UK, and certainly don't withdraw from sale until cash in the bank. The best bit is I can now take it to work for the next 2 days now the weather has perked up!!!

No its not Thomas Mills. My buyer has booked his flight today and forwarded me the confirmation. Price is agreed, as is exactly how we'll play things when he gets over here. We've also exchanged addresses and phone numbers. At the end of the day it looks genuine, the car won't go till the money is verified and banked, the adverts will stay live until he drives it down the road so the worst will be it remains for sale. A friend of mine in the village sold his Caterham to a Belgian chap a couple of months ago, no dramas, so it can be done. Fingers crossed. Thanks all for the advice.

For interest, and if anyone else ends up in a similar position, this is what the DVLA have said in terms of the V5. Seems simple enough. Dear Mr Spencer Thank you for your email received on 1/8/12. It may be helpful if I explain that, if you are selling your vehicle to a purchaser outside the UK the following advice applies to notifying export. You, the current registered keeper of the vehicle, shown on the registration certificate V5C, should notify disposal by writing to: DVLA Swansea SA99 1BA including the: • vehicle registration number • make/model • date of sale • who the vehicle is sold to Please note we are issuing automatic acknowledgement letters to confirm that keepers are no longer responsible for the vehicle. If you do not receive the confirmation letter within 4 weeks please contact us. The complete V5C should be handed to the new keeper who should fill in section 6 of the V5C. Both yourself as current keeper and the new keeper must sign the declaration section 8. The whole V5C should then be handed to the new keeper and this can be used to re-register the vehicle in the host country.

Cheers Si Its certainly not that guy. I'm getting happier that its genuine. The plan now is no deposit, pick him up from the airport, check the car over, if happy take cash to the bank for verification and pay in, do the paperwork and he takes the car. I've looked and my buyer has a facebook page, can also trace him to the area of France where he says he lives on google. Always a slight worry but seems genuine in this case. Unless anyone can see any catches with that plan, its set to go ahead around the 14th.

3 litre straight six, so sounds like I'll be OK..........

Already done! In fact I'll be buying it for him if he takes the car. I'll also be staying a paid up member, though not sure my next proposed 'weekend car' buy meets acceptable club criteria........

Last chance anyone before it probably makes its way to a new life in France in a couple of weeks?

Thanks, very good advice. Spoken to the potential buyer again and he's happy to go along with whatever is necessary. He bought an MX5 from the UK in 2010 and (in his words exactly) the process seems to be: "As far as I remember, you haven't to pay any tax for export ; the seller just has to cut the V5C/4 part (in purple) ("notification of permament export") and send it to the DVLA : dislike a sale between 2 UK citizens, a foreign buyer keeps the whole V5C (except the V5C/4) : the first time I bought a car in UK, in 2010, I didn't know that and then couldn't registrate the car in France (hoppefully the seller subsequently sent me the V5C). But the DVLA will explain you that better than I do." Have emailed DVLA, impossible to get to talk to a human on their phone helpline. Checked a couple of other forums and the above seems the genuine process, a lot of people seem to have done it. He seems a decent guy, so looks like my car might be on its way to a sunnier life in France soon Have to get thinking seriously about next project now!

If the Emerald already has a base map (or GBS map) for the zetec loaded then it should at least start. You may find it does not run well until mapping, depending on your setup. If no map loaded you will need to get hold of one and 'download it' to the ECU by opening the software, opening the map file, going into the comms menu and clicking 'program map' while PC connected to ECU. Good luck Andy

Hi all, after a bit of advice. As many of you know my car is for sale at present and I have been exchanging emails with a guy from France for the last couple of weeks. He seems very genuine, and after numerous questions about the car he seems ready to do the deal. Basically he has offered a £1000 deposit via paypal, then he will take a flight to East Mids and bring cash which we can pay into the bank before he takes the car. Can anyone see any catches here? Always have to be ultra cautious about ensuring funds are cleared but I can't see any issues here. Seems that registering new kits in France is a pain but if a copy of the SVA report is present (which I have) then less of a problem re-registering in France. Any advice appreciated. Also what do you put on the V5? The export section is only if I export it myself....do you just fill in the new keeper address box with the French address? Cheers, Andy

If you look at the attached power band for mine on Emerald's rollers then it confirms Nigel's advice.....I have my rev limiter set at around 7000rpm but peak power at 6800ish. Solid lines are the ones to look at, dotted were earlier runs. Zetec power curve.doc

Agree with Nigel as always, but don't lose faith. I've been running a raceline rail since 2006, many thousands of miles with no problems at all. 85ish degree stat, two 3mm holes drilled. Enough to get flow for water to open stat, but also warms up to stat opening within 3 or 4 miles, even in winter. Runs at just around 90 degrees on the move, will sit in a traffic jam with fan cycling on / off and sit at about 100 in the hottest weather conditions, less when cooler or in winter. Doesn't use or lose coolant. It can be done, but as Nigel says a bit of trickery required to overcome the design and principle shortfalls.

Drilling a lot more holes in the stat will also mean your warm up cycle extends considerably, especially in winter. I have two 3mm holes and works fine. I'd go for the lower stat first and see what happens, mine is an 85 degree.

Didn't get back till 9.30 - damn - hope you all enjoyed the fine weather

Will try and get over, in Southampton till 5ish so might be a bit touch and go!

Yep and me, couldn't see a free option

Chris Brown's 2b would be well worth a look as well - closer to you than me, a well proven car at a good price.

or that the lightweight was SVA'd in 2007 and this built on its identity. That's the fact you need to try and establish if you want total peace of mind, but like Grim I'm not sure what the true legality of the situation would be even if that were the case. I suspect if you asked the question of the authorities you'd get the answer you didn't want. Is it worth the risk? I promise I'm not trying to put you off this one to come and look at mine (I'm struggling enough with the concept of selling it anyway) but I'd hate anyone to have their fingers burnt. If this falls through and you want a good Zero, save up a bit more and wait for one to hit the market.

The zetec engine number is in the red area marked on the attached photo if it is not a crate engine. Mine is a 12 digit number starting with EDD. Sounds like that is definitely wrong on the V5 but possibly overcome if he bought the engine from GBS and you can get receipts, proof etc.

If the engine number is the Pinto (certainly sounds like it - zetecs have a much longer engine number and Pinto's are in the format you describe as on the log book) then you'll have to change it to be properly legal, and DVLA now ask for proof of where the new engine came from, receipts, donor registration etc. I think it can be overcome but I know a few people have found it a hassle. Engine number is on block on flange that bolts onto gearbox. Got a feeling zetecs start with NGA, will have a look at mine tonight and confirm where it is. Personally, I'd say don't rush this purchase...it could all end in tears...something doesn't sound right to me (especially the knackered 2b story) - either walk away or spend time getting all the facts in a line first and be 100% sure before handing cash over. 2007 registration sounds very early to me for a Zero and loads of 2b's were still being registered at that time. I do hope you get it sorted, but the price to me for a good Zero seems way too low. Good luck. Andy

My Dad's gone down in his AC 3000ME and says its the busiest he's ever seen it, and loads of really interesting cars.

Probably won't be possible, as we've all found that we need different maps even for exactly the same setups. Believe me its worth the rolling road, had mine done 5 odd years ago at Emerald and not touched it since. I do have 3 or 4 different maps you can try, but being honest I doubt they'll work. PM me your email address and I will send them over to you. Have to add the caveat that as they are being given out for free, I can't be responsible for any damage from using them. Dave at Emerald has rolling roaded loads of cars that are not run in. Trust him. Andy

Never too old for that, you only live once Bistro Live is good though isn't it, were people dancing on the tables? !!

That's a fab turnout, hopefully I'll still have mine next month and can make it...having major wobbles about putting it up for sale. Maybe see you all then!