Team996

Another great alternative is always the BIRD Armrest...<http://www.birdautomotive.com/996.htm>. I didn't say it was cheap, but it looks killer and I've heard great things about it. I intend to put it in soon.

Do you instruct at Rex-Kwon Do?

Loren, as always, you're a great help. The only thread I can find on V1 telephone hardwiring is "Another Valentine 1 hardwire installation," which I'm uncertain is the right instruction. Is there one thread you prefer over another for optimal installation you can easily point to? Thanks again.

Not if you buy from Sunset... I completed the replacement, but none of the buttons on that panel work now (including door locks). It's pretty sweet when things like this happen for no reason. Any suggestions? Are you sure everything is plugged in the right places and there are no blown fuses? If I had a diagram for correct plugging and knew what a blown fuse was, looked like, and where to find it, I'd be able to answer your question better. However, I'm super-layman to taking apart even the little P-things. Does anyone have (1) lighter electrical plug and/or (2) fuse diagrams? Thanks. I'd love to get some power out of my lighter for my new V1 (which I do plan to eventually hardwire).

Not if you buy from Sunset... I completed the replacement, but none of the buttons on that panel work now (including door locks). It's pretty sweet when things like this happen for no reason. Any suggestions?

Not if you buy from Sunset...

Thanks, Loren... I'm going to do a search for a diagram of the upper strut mounts so I know where to spray a little soapy water.

I hope at least one us here knows something about struts... I'll appreciate any input! Thanks!

My steering sounds like a door hinge on an old Spanish ship...sometimes and sometimes not, but I haven't figured out the trigger. My mech told me it's my forward struts, and I would just like some Renntech consensus. The stealership gave me a price of $1,500 to replace them with rebalancing, while my local specialist quoted $850. Any thoughts?

Actually, last week I took mine into my specialist for a routine check-up, and one of my complaints was the creaking you're talking about. The guy told me it's my struts (whatever those are) and he recommended replacing them (naturally). Anyone know more about these "struts" and whether or not the diagnosis checks out?

How much did you get the IVA-W505 for? I think I'm getting it, as long as it's Blackbird compatible!

Hey all, I've been really interested in this Bird armrest, but find it very pricey for what it is (frankly, even with the $100 discount off the $500 price tag that Sam Bird is currently advertising). I wrote him to see if he'd consider selling it to me at $350 (still a little high IMHO), figuring that he's heard some complaints about the high listing. This is what he wrote me this morning: "I've been making this product line for Porsche since 1985. Price then: $499 + $50. Sales: thousands per year. Your price today: $399 + $50. Our costs over 22 years: up 70%. Sales: hundreds per year. This is what you'd call a "mature" product line. Never dreamed it would be selling many years since patent expiration. We have retained quality and return rate below 1/2 of 1%. Outlook for future? Better buy soon." Does this mean he's going out of business? I didn't love the tone of his email (it's as though he was offended I could imagine his product would be sold for less than $400). That aside, if I were Sam Bird, I wouldn't lower my prices when I'm selling more than I ever expected to. In fact, I'd raise my prices in order to maximize profits and reduce the number of units I had to produce to satisfy the market. Why would sales drop from thousands to hundreds of units when he the lowered the price to something more reasonable? It should be inversely proportional. I wish he had a competitor I could buy from, but I'll probably just end up going back to him in the end and pay his inflated list price. It does look like a strong, functional interior mod.

Max, Sweet set up. I think you've convinced me to go with the W205/B200 combo, looks pretty killer and available for under $1,200. Thanks for sharing!

Jascha (the photosuperstar), I recently had the same issue with the shakiness, close to unbearable between 68 and 75 mph, and when I told my Hoehn P-service writer that I needed an alignment to fix it, he told me it was a balancing issue and not an alignment issue. I'm still kind of unclear what on the distinction, except that front balancing costs about 1/10 of an alignment. So, check it out before you pay $200-300 for an alignment. Good luck.

Jascha, I must say you're one gifted photographer. I know the P-car inspires, but you've got some raw talent! Tall women are great, aren't they?