The methodical boilerplate build
#1
The methodical boilerplate build
I spent months looking for a nice G35 coupe with no luck. I was sitting at break one day searching for local cars and, BAM!, this sweet thing popped up. Wasn't even going to call because I figured it would be gone before I got to it. Luckily it was there when I showed up, was only on the lot for one day. Took it around the block and knew I had to have it. The car lot also had a black GS430 that I took for a spin. Loved the power but disliked the tan interior. Either way I was going home with the GS300. An hour later I bought it and forgot all about the G35.
The GS did have its problems. Three door actuators were shot and the fourth was going out. Mode servo grinds when switching to face. Also, when the AC was on it had a moldy smell. The dealer said not to worry and he'll replace all four door actuators and order the mode servo for me free of charge. The following day I drove down to the beach and stopped by Advance and purchased the in-cabin filter and swapped it in the parking lot and that took care of the stank. Few days later I had a rattle so when I went in for an oil change I removed the rusted heat shield that was causing the problem. I went to Charlotte last weekend and came out the next morning to a car that wouldn't start. I was MAD lol, so when I calmed down I found a corroded negative battery terminal. Replaced the connector and was in business again.
I finally dropped my car off Friday to have the servos installed and was given a 2000 Jaguar S Type 4.0, and man that thing is horrible. So many problems and has only 65k miles. I've looked over tons of build threads to get an idea of how I want the GS to look. I have a mental list of what I want to do but for starters is window tint. But as of now I'm just fixing all of the small problems. I'm also going to use this thread to serve as a reminder of when I did what. So all in all, here is the beginning of my new money pit.
2003 GS300, 133k miles, black interior, Parchment crystal, factory HID's, Navi w/ ML package
The log:
07/13/13 Purchased car
07/14/13 Installed in-cabin filter
07/23/13 Installed LED's for shifter light and the 4 switches below it
07/24/13 Oil change and had rusty exhaust heat shield removed
07/30/13 Rebuilt/Lubed steering wheel motors (white lithium grease)
08/10/13 Replaced damaged negative battery terminal connector
08/20/13 4x door actuators replaced. New mode servo installed. Another rattling heat shield removed.
08/22/13 Installed new hood struts.
08/25/13 Goo Gone chrome grille DIY
08/31/13 Suntek cxp 18% tint
09/04/13 Replaced pass side brake light/night time running light bulb (intermittent bulb light on dash)
09/10/13 New OEM floor mats
09/12/13 Aristo trunk bar and license plate LED installed
09/16/13 Philips 6k hids, 6k 13 SMD running lights, 194 door LED's, and broken license plate bulb holder replaced.
09/24/13 Dome and Map light LED conversion
11/28/13 Installed new windshield wipers
12/01/13 Installed GS430 shift ****
01/13/14 Installed VIAS SLI iPod intergration unit
02/20/14 Nationwide isn't on your side (fender bender)
03/04/14 Roof painted Maserati Nero Carbonio
03/19/14 Installed GS430 Ashtray
03/20/14 Wet-sanded & Buffed head lights
03/24/14 P0430 Code - Replaced 02 sensor (didn't fix)
07/??/14 Removed VIAS SLI (never used it)
07/16/14 Installed front brake pads
07/17/14 Debadged
07/26/14 Installed Autozone spark plug non fouler to fix P0430
08/05/14 P0051 code, cleared code, hasn't returned yet. Bank 2 sensor 1 heater element problem
10/15/14 DIY Felt solution for sunroof rattle (will take a few weeks to see if this works)... didn't work
01/30/15 Installed G35 18" wheels / hub centric rings 60.1-66.1 / 12x1.5mm acorn style lug nuts
02/??/15 Replaced drive belt (still have gear change squeak)
02/13/15 Muffler delete
03/15/15 Installed used belt tensioner (still have gear change squeak) Verifies crank pulley issue
03/28/15 Partial trans fluid drain/refill T-IV 3q
05/16/15 Replaced Bank 2 sensor 1 O2 sensor, P0051 erased
06/03/15 Replaced battery with Duralast Gold from Autozone
07/07/15 Replaced windshield
08/??/15 Replaced tires
09/05/15 Installed Megan EZ coilovers
The GS did have its problems. Three door actuators were shot and the fourth was going out. Mode servo grinds when switching to face. Also, when the AC was on it had a moldy smell. The dealer said not to worry and he'll replace all four door actuators and order the mode servo for me free of charge. The following day I drove down to the beach and stopped by Advance and purchased the in-cabin filter and swapped it in the parking lot and that took care of the stank. Few days later I had a rattle so when I went in for an oil change I removed the rusted heat shield that was causing the problem. I went to Charlotte last weekend and came out the next morning to a car that wouldn't start. I was MAD lol, so when I calmed down I found a corroded negative battery terminal. Replaced the connector and was in business again.
I finally dropped my car off Friday to have the servos installed and was given a 2000 Jaguar S Type 4.0, and man that thing is horrible. So many problems and has only 65k miles. I've looked over tons of build threads to get an idea of how I want the GS to look. I have a mental list of what I want to do but for starters is window tint. But as of now I'm just fixing all of the small problems. I'm also going to use this thread to serve as a reminder of when I did what. So all in all, here is the beginning of my new money pit.
2003 GS300, 133k miles, black interior, Parchment crystal, factory HID's, Navi w/ ML package
The log:
07/13/13 Purchased car
07/14/13 Installed in-cabin filter
07/23/13 Installed LED's for shifter light and the 4 switches below it
07/24/13 Oil change and had rusty exhaust heat shield removed
07/30/13 Rebuilt/Lubed steering wheel motors (white lithium grease)
08/10/13 Replaced damaged negative battery terminal connector
08/20/13 4x door actuators replaced. New mode servo installed. Another rattling heat shield removed.
08/22/13 Installed new hood struts.
08/25/13 Goo Gone chrome grille DIY
08/31/13 Suntek cxp 18% tint
09/04/13 Replaced pass side brake light/night time running light bulb (intermittent bulb light on dash)
09/10/13 New OEM floor mats
09/12/13 Aristo trunk bar and license plate LED installed
09/16/13 Philips 6k hids, 6k 13 SMD running lights, 194 door LED's, and broken license plate bulb holder replaced.
09/24/13 Dome and Map light LED conversion
11/28/13 Installed new windshield wipers
12/01/13 Installed GS430 shift ****
01/13/14 Installed VIAS SLI iPod intergration unit
02/20/14 Nationwide isn't on your side (fender bender)
03/04/14 Roof painted Maserati Nero Carbonio
03/19/14 Installed GS430 Ashtray
03/20/14 Wet-sanded & Buffed head lights
03/24/14 P0430 Code - Replaced 02 sensor (didn't fix)
07/??/14 Removed VIAS SLI (never used it)
07/16/14 Installed front brake pads
07/17/14 Debadged
07/26/14 Installed Autozone spark plug non fouler to fix P0430
08/05/14 P0051 code, cleared code, hasn't returned yet. Bank 2 sensor 1 heater element problem
10/15/14 DIY Felt solution for sunroof rattle (will take a few weeks to see if this works)... didn't work
01/30/15 Installed G35 18" wheels / hub centric rings 60.1-66.1 / 12x1.5mm acorn style lug nuts
02/??/15 Replaced drive belt (still have gear change squeak)
02/13/15 Muffler delete
03/15/15 Installed used belt tensioner (still have gear change squeak) Verifies crank pulley issue
03/28/15 Partial trans fluid drain/refill T-IV 3q
05/16/15 Replaced Bank 2 sensor 1 O2 sensor, P0051 erased
06/03/15 Replaced battery with Duralast Gold from Autozone
07/07/15 Replaced windshield
08/??/15 Replaced tires
09/05/15 Installed Megan EZ coilovers
Last edited by Mrmartin; 09-14-15 at 05:36 AM.
#5
Picked the car up today. Had all the door actuators replaced free of charge. Now I can finally use my key FOB to lock the doors. The dealer also bought me a new hood latch cable because when I looked at the car the hood wouldn't latch shut. Never had a problem since but he bought it anyway. He also bought me a new mode servo, so I came straight home and installed it. No more grinding!!! I posted a video on YouTube of the horrible sound and what the servo looks like in action. Next on the list will be replacing the hood struts. Searching for the best route now; OEM or strongarm from eBay.
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#14
Aristo chrome trunk bar came in today. Also installed some T10 5 SMD LED's I picked up from Nigel last week.
Found this taped in place with masking tape. I didn't notice it till replacing the bulbs. Little aggravating to see people that cheap that can't do a correct repair. No worries since another member on here had the replacement part.
These are the LED's used for the license plate.
I also have these left over from the floor mats (mat retainer clips) I don't need them so if someone here does feel free to PM me.
Found this taped in place with masking tape. I didn't notice it till replacing the bulbs. Little aggravating to see people that cheap that can't do a correct repair. No worries since another member on here had the replacement part.
These are the LED's used for the license plate.
I also have these left over from the floor mats (mat retainer clips) I don't need them so if someone here does feel free to PM me.