₦airaland Forum

I was actually going to talk about this. I received an updated topic notification on your thread and lo and behold I saw that your post had been hidden.
I also come across many threads that have a whole section of 'this post has been hidden'
As a current member and power user of UK's AVFORUM the differences between that forum and this are quite glaring. But then so are many things when you compare the UK to Nigeria.

I haven't posted a new thread in a while so here goes.

I recently returned back into the country after a spell abroad to try and 'Make it in Nigeria'. This, however isn't the reason for this post.
On returning to Nigeria, I realised first of all, mobility was important (One can only enter so many cabs before you realise owning a car is essential). However, there was the old trusty 1994 Ford Explorer which has been parked in the same spot since 2008.
I took it as my duty (a bit like Sienna but without the pics because quite frankly, I got the help of a mechanic) to bring this vehicle back from the dead. And so far, i have to say, the journey has been tough although rewarding and when I got her running I felt like a very proud dad.

BUT

Whenever I go out my friends with their 05 - 11 Honda's and Toyota's look at me crazy like 'What is he doing driving such an old car'. I must admit she looks worse for wear but all she needs is a fresh coat of paint and a couple of suspension parts and ball joints.

Which brings me to the point of this thread. She might be old but I really do love her and in particular, love the way the solid block 4.0 V6 sounds under acceleration (in comparison, a family members RX350 pretty much wheezes like a sick puppy). I also want to purchase some cars in the future that i absolutely loved when i was growing up but naturally could not afford.

But then I heard that the Nigerian Customs Service does not allow importation of Vehicles older than 15 years since first registration. Whilst this is a noble albeit silly cause to reduce the amount of junkets we have on the road. I do feel the right thing to do would be to allow individuals who love old cars still bring in these vehicles for personal use.

The cars which I would really love to own are the Mercedes Benz 190E 2.6 or Cosworth and a 1990 - 1993 3.2CE. Because I do believe it is not what you drive but how you feel when you drive what you really want to.

So Nairaland, what are your thoughts about this or am I just a really old man in a slightly youngish man's shell?

I often refer to my car as a she, I have this habit of naming my cars (dont we all?)

I just need a little bit of clarification here.
If we are using you, do we need the whole FIRS thingamabob? or will our name on the bill of lading and you as a clearing agent suffice.
I called you some days ago about bringing my car home. A 2003 Honda Accord Euro (RHD) and you gave me a quote.
If this is going to be a bother, i could just sell it off in the UK for cheap and count my losses.
Please do let me know.
Regards.

I think this has gone far enough.

Ikenna you are permitted to bring the Ban Hammer down on this guy.

They lost me at Diesel

[quote author=au.hanson]Recent pictures of my machine[/quote]Hello Hanson, what is the reliability and parts availability of this like?

Is yours a compressor or naturally aspirated engine?

Thanks.

Daytime Running Lights. And it is actually a safety feature. To help other drivers know your Car is in operation.

Comparing an M class to a Crosstour?

This world has truly gone to the Dogs!

purefella: applause for you but the bold part is zero, don't bring in tribe issues ,i am not Yoruba .I was born in the UK but raised here in Lagos Nigeria

And you still don't have a clue on how to properly speak or construct lines of grammar?

Ignorant Troll is, and will continue to be ignorant.

A shame i actually fed this troll.

BusHouse: ^^^Are you new on this forum? Your question has been treated by fox gurus on this forum before. So my oga @ the top over to you.

Yes I am new to this forum. But I do believe a simple Yes or No answer would have sufficed re: my first question.

abdulkadir: Read, read thru the thread please.

I don't have a problem with reading. but going back 18 pages to search is daunting.

Thanks "Friendly" Peugeot community /s

clemz85: SIENA SIR, thanks for ur impart here, pls is toyota fj cruiser using turbocharged or NA?

I do believe the TRD package for the FJ cruiser lumps in a Turbocharger as well. Don't quote me though.

Now, what's the current progress on this A4 Avant?

Will you use the same body kit as your previous (white) A4 Avant

Hello Peugeot owners,

I just have a quick inquiry.

Are the 406 coupe and sedan mechanically identical?

And are there any problems with 406 RHD to LHD conversions?

I was thinking of importing one (406 coupe) from blighty and converting for use as a daily runner.

Your thoughts please.

Siena:

The Toyota Sienna I would rule out straight away.

Siena does not fancy Sienna's.

Who would have thunk it?

Also following closely

Siena, after observing the work you have done on several Audi's (Engine modifications, engine swap outs), I have one Question for you.

Is it at all possible to do a swap out the 4 position Pneumatic system in an Audi Allroad (A6 variant, first generation not too dissimilar from your RS6) for more conventional Suspension setup? For instance, will the Bilsteins you just purchased, fit in the Allroad?

After seeing your RS6, this idea just lit up in my head. I love playing mechanic on my cars. And i wish a lot more car talk topics were based on DIY projects.

[quote author=inspired_m]
2008 VOlvo S80 is 2m
Cheers
Inspired
www.BLOCKED[/quote]Mr inspired, is the above price for the S40 or S80.

I find it hard to believe the S80 can be so affordable. If it indeed is, We shall speak shortly.

The are always the usual faults that will plague every vehicle and none are exempt from these.

But my explorer has proven most resilient (knock on wood) she is currently at 140k miles and I think I might be due another transmission soon as she seems to struggle whilst going uphill.

skipo123: Tanx,are you saying apart from transmission it does have any other problem.also what is the time interval b4 u changed ur ford transmission?

I currently own a 94 Ford explorer and i am on the second transmission.

Transmission faults plagued most Explorers from 1991 till up to 2007 or so.

Keep that in mind before making your purchase.

Regards.

Ikenna351: Lets post current Pictures of our Cars.

Let me start.

Ikenna.

That's a nice classic you have got there Ikenna. I am looking for a clean 92-93 300E to purchase myself.

What in the world is a V4?

That is a GS300 not an ES. Know what you are selling please.

Hello sienna, what do you consider to be the most reliable A6 model year. Looking at a C5 typ 4B.
There are some pretty good examples on autotrader UK and a ballpark figure of LHD conversion.
Planning on my move back home and would like to take a car back home with me.
I could also move over to a B6 A4 if costs would be too prohibitive for the A6.

defhenry: bia,inspired,i sent u a mail,abeg get back to me asap,i need a sienna xle from 2006 model upwards,price will determine my choice of model year......henryemembolu@yahoo.com

Henry Emembolu, Formerly of ARU? If you are indeed him, Try and guess who i am.

cne010: I'm loving the white hot hatch beside the camry what car is that?

VW Scirocco.

Surely you dont think we are that stupid that we wouldn't realise that the side view is that of another vehicle?
If, however, that image was uploaded in error, accept my sincere apologies

This might be a little late, but here goes,
I grew up in what i would call a 'German auto home'. Over the course of growing up, we had a VW Jetta,
VW Beetle 1300, VW B1 Passat (Gls i think, if my memory serves me correctly), Mercedes Benz 200 (both flat and straight engines),
MB 230E and 300E. My dad always scorned Japmobiles (Much like Siena does)
However, He purchased the first Toyota for my Mom just on or before the turn of the century.
To cut what could be a potentially long story short, That Toyota was the beginning of a love affair with the Japanese.
During my undergraduate days, the car was involved in lots of illegal street racing, hand brake turns, inshort, anything involving high revs.
In response to the topic, I will be biased because i have only ever driven Toyota's due to the reliability
of the first one (Which believe it or not was still running strong when i visited Naija last Christmas at approx 370k odo reading).
It has only ever needed the occasional servicing, and replacement of the drive shaft and a few electrical niggles)
Based on my experience with the Toyota brand, and the low level of disposable income in Naija
amongst the average Naija folk, the most logical choice is the Toyota.

Attached is the picture of the Toyota, taken during my visit home. Approx 11 years and she still looks good!
TOYOTA/LEXUS FOREVER!!!!!

PS, @Siena, you should know that all the Japmobiles, koreanmobiles and the yellow Chinesemobile in the picture are running fine,
but under that Tarp to the bottom right was my Dad's Pride and joy. A BMW E38 750iL V12. Its been there
because the cost of repair was too,  "Prohibitive"  plus next to it, (not shown in the pic) was his Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer ed.
There is a reason Japmobiles are loved by Nigerians 

Hi Siena, In a month or so, i'll be looking to purchase a vehicle, price range circa 4000 quid. I have considered the Audi A4 B6, the Mercedes C-class W203, the VW Golf A5 and the VW Jetta A5 (I actually prefer the A5 Jetta over the A5 Golf cause it has the signature R32 grille).
My question is, in terms of reliability and repair costs, which of these will go easier on the wallet?
I know u are slightly biased towards Audi and i didnt really like them before but after seeing yours and a stonking A4 sedan with a custom body-kit on the M11 yesterday, i had to add it to the list.

P.S i will be buying an auto tranny.

oprah007:
i was given an offer for a clean fat PS2 and Xbox360 with the same price tag. Now i need your advice on which one 2pick.

I take it you are joking right? How can a Ps2 and 360 even be the same price?

There is this little key to the left of your keyboard labelled 'Caps lock'. Have you seen it? Try turning it off

emeshot:
COMPARING THE CAMRY AND THE AVENSIS IS REALLY AN EVIDENCE THAT MOST OF YOU DONT KNOW WAHT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I guess a little bit of enlightenment is in order. Please enlighten me more on the USP's of the Avensis over the Camry.

Basically, i think it has to do with where the majority of the vehicles in Nigeria are sourced from.
A high number of vehicles, (Not sure of the exact percentage) are gotten from the United States where it is quite difficult to
get diesel vehicles. This train of thought had actually crossed my mind earlier due to better Mpg gotten from diesel engines
in comparison to their petrol equivalents.
I had initially thought of buying a LHD vehicle (preferrably diesel) from elsewhere in the EU to use in the UK and when my time here is done,
ship it back to Nigeria to use it.
However research on the issues and the cost of the modifications to the vehicle (headlights, speedometer cluster) for it to pass MOT in the UK
have started swaying my mind from that decision.
And as u stated in some earlier post of yours about the cost of conversion to LHD from RHD being prohibitive. I might just go for a banger or stick to
the bus/train/tube.  
But i think you have presented a very worthwhile discussion and as you say, it is the complacency, laziness and unwillingness to learn new things of mechanics in Nigeria that has resulted in such a limited automobile selection range in Nigeria.

Siena:

Even without clearing, you're very unlikely to get a 2005 Avensis for 1M. Unless it's stolen, and I doubt Brother Emeshot stole this clean car.

True, but the 2005 Avensis Auto with lower mileage can be gotten for less than 4k pounds. Estimating your conversion to LHD @ approx 5k pounds (worst case scenario), we are left with approx 9k pounds. @ N241 to the pound, = 2.17 million. Approximating shipping and clearing @ N800k, dealer profit stands at N231k. With the 3.2 million that was posted.

Not trying to cause a poo storm but maybe a more realistic review of the asking price is in order. 
Because a 2007 Camry LE gets sold on Nairaland for circa N2.5 - 3.0 million Naira and is a much more inspiring proposition.

Since we are on the topic of high performance family sedans,
I would have to go with the Porsche Panamera Turbo.
But in the real world, @ 306 Bhp and 416 Bhp respectively, the Lexus IS350 and IS-F have all the Horsepower i could ever need.