kcorro

there are things which are time based such as coolant and brake fluid

can you upload a photo of the concern you have?

factory should be flush fit. if it was removed it is possible for the parts not to clip into place very well. usually trying it again can get the parts to fit again.

first service at 1,000 km to break in the engine but being 2003 model it should have past that right?

i remember reading in a sales brochure for the 2003 corolla about gap tolerances and how the factory uses state of the arts equipment to ensure panel gaps are even.

i have looked around some corollas and found funky gaps such as around the boot, the gap between the back door and front door, the gap where the dash meets the front doors

which city you in would help as rules are different.

i think law enforcement can speed or you could just outrun them.

if you went to court it would be your word against a sworn law enforcer.

you can make them because those were home made. that web page used to have step by step with photos.

factory LED only came out with the sedan! though the style is ugly to me.

touch up paint is really for stone chips and using it for lines would be a mess. you would cover the damage but it will still be noticeable because of the touch up. respray is the way to get it back to new.

i think you have the coilovers that were originally mine and if that is so your d2 are version 1 since i was the first in australia to have them in 2003. because i sold them to someone who got a set of new shocks.

the group buy that happened a few months ago members would have got version 2. version 2 is better designed.

he has a shop and would need to pay rent and tax which adds to the cost of the products he sells. product knowledge is important too but i doubt you are paying for that. he used to ask what an oil filter is all the time. i can get parts cheaper because i get them direct. japanese parts are never cheap anyhow unless used.

i looked at hotbits and was going to get them since around the same cost as japanese coilovers but custom made and installed (was looking for a serious drop, lower than off shelf coilovers). servicing is cheaper since hotbits are designed and developed locally and warranty can take the car over to them to look at.

there are 2 versions

a few years ago only 2 sets were in melb. the first set trd141 took and later sold to e-gene. the other set i cannot remember where it went.

both sets were chosen to be plug and play with no modifications required.

maybe mr runx? i saw his car few years ago, b4 i had the rolla, and saw his tail light and fall in love with it instantly :P

whats the other version like?

yes it was mrrunx! he bought a lot of good stuff from a car that was changed to stock.

the jdm head lamps come in 2 varieties. the original is clear chrome with the black shading. the other one is light blue chrome with the black shading. about $240 a pair for the original and more for the light blue chrome.

there are 2 versions

a few years ago only 2 sets were in melb. the first set trd141 took and later sold to e-gene. the other set i cannot remember where it went.

both sets were chosen to be plug and play with no modifications required.

i like this photo. shows the difference between genuine and copy. obviously the genuine LED is more effective.

PCD means the number of holes usually 4 or 5 and the space between them. small cars usually 100mm.

Does wax have any cutting agents in it?

wax is wax therefore no.

meguiars scratch x does since it cuts to eliminate fine scratches.

meguiars nxt i am also using since it is new age stuff.

for wax i swap between using meguiars and not so popular t-cut color fast? i think that is what it is called. i like the idea the wax is the same colour as your car. so if black, you get black wax plus a chip stick for any chips around the car.

i found that the colour wax blends in and hides a lot of small marks around the car.

sportiyo (ex e-gene) is the same i know because i sold them to trd141 who used them first them sold to e-gene.

so sportiyo you are the 3rd hand :)

good to see the parts staying in melbourne family.

xploshun i can keep an eye out for a set over here for you and if the wiring is different rewire it for you before shipping it downunder.

does yours light up like his??

hes got a bunch of photos of his rolla's back

toyota changed one of my studs. they charged $6 for the part and i think it was $25 for labour. i had aftermarket wheels and lowered suspension they did not care.

even with the modifications they gave warranty on new brake pads and rotors all corners :)

i just needed to pay for the stud

for reference with the sedan i had to buy new sockets as the original ones do not fit into the jdm tail lamps (toyota changed the thread size). the sockets alone cost me over $100 for the set and being jdm there is extra socket on both sides.

i had to rewire them in order to work because jdm to aust gets mixed up, i found that for example brake activated the reverse bulb, indicate activated the brake bulb. after thinking about the problem rewiring them was easy. cannot explain how it was done here though because it is complicated to put down in words.

trd usa only produced the sc for the 2003 1zzfe. it was discontinued many months ago. now that toyota usa bought trd usa the sc is found in inventory on back order so it may be available again in usa.

where are those eyelids from? never seen that shape before.

along with your debadging you can also remove the mudflaps to get the car smoother.

out of interest what is the wheel specs? PCD, offset and wheel width?

I have washed it twice already and both times it rained after leaving it dirtier then before i washed it.

rain is dirty plus you pick up grime from the wet road you cannot help that but leave your car undercover when it rains

I was told by the salesman that with the clear coat that polishing it would not be a good idea, is this correct?

polishing it everytime is not ideal since polish cuts the layer of clear coat. if you do it too often and cut away all the clear coat you will have exposed paint. polish can be used when you feel the paint surface is tough to touch maybe every 4 months.

Chamois, there are all different qualities, can you suggest a good brand \ type?

i use meguiars found it to be the best. although it costs the most it is worth it as it will last and is much easier to use.

Finally, if i can polish/wax it, what’s the best way to do it, and with what.

probably by hand because without experience using power tools you may do damage to your panels. be careful with wax not to get onto unpainted plastic trims because it will stain it.

just the standard you mentioned

i am sad to see this go but times change and you need another car for the family congratulations. i will miss the times we (and the old team) would meet at your shop and then go into lygon for dinner. also the times we cruised to destination x.

i still remember the time i met you at the newsagent to get something done to your car. looking forward to seeing what your next car is. for me although i have moved away for over a year i still have my car. it may be time for me to sell too given that it 2003 and i have 1 year warranty remaining.

it is bitter sweet to think about selling the car after all the work that has gone into it and how familiar you become to it. but sweet to think about the new possibilities. we should catch up next time i am back in town.

good info shaohaok. i never knew there was fake tein springs.

the counterfeit looks professional. the painting quality looks very good. the tein logo as a sticker is a real give away that there is something wrong with the product.