RE: You Know You Want To: Nissan 350Z
Discussion
They are brilliant cars and practically bomb-proof. Had mine a year now and the best car i've owned. Exhaust/ filter/ ecu tune and some spacers (get those forged rims right out into the arches) and you're away.
Anyone saying they're heavy either hasn't driven one properly set up (GEO/ correct tyres etc) or pushed the go pedal hard enough. There's bags of torque to play with all day long and the 44/51 weight balance of the car with an lsd (standard on the uk GT model) is superb in the corners.
I'd advise other people to buy one but please don't- it keeps the prices low on something people don't realise is that good!
Anyone saying they're heavy either hasn't driven one properly set up (GEO/ correct tyres etc) or pushed the go pedal hard enough. There's bags of torque to play with all day long and the 44/51 weight balance of the car with an lsd (standard on the uk GT model) is superb in the corners.
I'd advise other people to buy one but please don't- it keeps the prices low on something people don't realise is that good!
Edited by Si_man306 on Thursday 24th January 17:01
Guvernator said:
Motormatt said:
They would make a great weekend road toy for occasional track use. These shouldnt be underestimated on a circuit despite being labelled overweight and GT by some.
I did a track day at Croft in one a few years ago, and it felt at perfectly at home being driven very hard. The brakes lasted well, great handling and plenty of straight line speed.
Only the Caterfields, some modified Evos & STIs and 400bhp+ Supercars were significantly quicker.
The 350z could mix it all day long with the Boxters, M3's, Z4M's, Audi S3's etc, it's lairy muscle car nature ensuring theres never a dull moment.
Interesting, my thoughts that it could make a useful weekend and occasional track car where similar (see post above) but I've always been put off by the weight which is apparently quite hard to get rid of too. It sounds like it's fairly competent as a track car, however near 1600kgs will still be pretty harsh on consumables like tyres and brakes IMO.I did a track day at Croft in one a few years ago, and it felt at perfectly at home being driven very hard. The brakes lasted well, great handling and plenty of straight line speed.
Only the Caterfields, some modified Evos & STIs and 400bhp+ Supercars were significantly quicker.
The 350z could mix it all day long with the Boxters, M3's, Z4M's, Audi S3's etc, it's lairy muscle car nature ensuring theres never a dull moment.
However, I cant think of anything similar to a 350z that is so much lighter it would have any real effect on consumable wear rates when driven on a track.
If you're thinking about getting one, dont get hung up on the weight, its really not an issue.
I used to track mine and it handled really well, consumables no more no less than otehr cars of a similar weight. The brakes were really good and didn't suffer a poor fade effect, Goodwood was a blast as were some of the smaller airfield tracks too.
From memory I used to run Yellow Stuff pads but its been so long and I am sure they changed the colours around at some point?
The other night I was followed in the m5 by a 350z near to Melksham. I didn't really give it beans as I don;t believe in racing on the roads but I certainly got to the limit in a good fashion and he didn't drop behind too much at all. I am sure if the speeds got to silly levels the difference would have shown but the 350 is a very capable car.
From memory I used to run Yellow Stuff pads but its been so long and I am sure they changed the colours around at some point?
The other night I was followed in the m5 by a 350z near to Melksham. I didn't really give it beans as I don;t believe in racing on the roads but I certainly got to the limit in a good fashion and he didn't drop behind too much at all. I am sure if the speeds got to silly levels the difference would have shown but the 350 is a very capable car.
TinyCappo said:
calm down dear no point just alot of money in fuel when you work it out. Atleast he has enjoyed those miles I have a E39 bmw thats had more like 45k spent in fuel in its life after 210,000 miles.
Perfectly calm thanks dear, just seems an utterly pointless post unless your suggestion was its uneconomical. I am impressed at your use of a calculator though, thanks 
For the money I can certainly see the appeal (value for money power wise) although for me the general look and interior look heavily dated.
Decent tyres are a must on these and clutches(£300 for parts, £500 or so fitted) last 50-60k as far as I know and they do require regular oil top ups if driven hard (1L per 1000 miles or so).
Other than that they are pretty bomb proof my friend has ran one for 20k miles with no real issues.
In terms of straight line speed they are on a par (276bhp model) with the following Focus ST Mountune, Mapped Astra VXR, Mapped Megane, Z4 3.0, S2000 with a few mods and so forth......... My Z4M will pull out a noticeable difference even upto 100mph or so (although I appreciate it's a more expensive car).
Decent tyres are a must on these and clutches(£300 for parts, £500 or so fitted) last 50-60k as far as I know and they do require regular oil top ups if driven hard (1L per 1000 miles or so).
Other than that they are pretty bomb proof my friend has ran one for 20k miles with no real issues.
In terms of straight line speed they are on a par (276bhp model) with the following Focus ST Mountune, Mapped Astra VXR, Mapped Megane, Z4 3.0, S2000 with a few mods and so forth......... My Z4M will pull out a noticeable difference even upto 100mph or so (although I appreciate it's a more expensive car).
Froomee said:
as far as I know and they do require regular oil top ups if driven hard (1L per 1000 miles or so).
I've put 10K miles on mine so far and although they weren't particularly hard miles it really hasn't burnt a drop of oil. That said it does require 9000mile services, something to be aware of. V6Paul said:
Froomee said:
as far as I know and they do require regular oil top ups if driven hard (1L per 1000 miles or so).
I've put 10K miles on mine so far and although they weren't particularly hard miles it really hasn't burnt a drop of oil. That said it does require 9000mile services, something to be aware of. Im on my second zed - thats how much I like them.
Personally dont find the interior that bad and can say that if well looked after does wear well
As for mpg I average 24 mpg but on a long motorway run down to Cambridge from Glasgow managed 31 mpg
An added bonus is the 350-uk forum fantastic resource dor the owners
Personally dont find the interior that bad and can say that if well looked after does wear well
As for mpg I average 24 mpg but on a long motorway run down to Cambridge from Glasgow managed 31 mpg
An added bonus is the 350-uk forum fantastic resource dor the owners
) seems pretty decent.They are great cars, for me a perfect all rounder in terms of looks, performance, sound, reliability, tuninig/styling options (if that's your thing), cheap maintenance and reasonable mpg.
Like any car people will always have their complaints although 2 years in to ownership and i've got none that i can think of.
To clear up the various specs that have been banded about in this thread...I'm pretty certain, although I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me could clarify that the first cars came with 276bhp (03-05), then there was the limited edition GT which had 296bhp (05), this engine was then used in the revised model (06-07), the most recent spec has a much reworked HR engine with 309bhp (313PS - 07-09).
All are well worth a look.
Like any car people will always have their complaints although 2 years in to ownership and i've got none that i can think of.
To clear up the various specs that have been banded about in this thread...I'm pretty certain, although I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me could clarify that the first cars came with 276bhp (03-05), then there was the limited edition GT which had 296bhp (05), this engine was then used in the revised model (06-07), the most recent spec has a much reworked HR engine with 309bhp (313PS - 07-09).
All are well worth a look.
300bhp/ton said:
doogz said:
zabba said:
Big fan of these and considering a move to one from my Mk 5 Gti.
I've heard that power is the the first 3 gears is restricted to 75%, is this true? would this be across the rev range or just peak? I understand a remap can remove the restriction but guess would this reduce clutch life.
Can't say I ever noticed it, but the others commenting are talking about the 350, I was driving the JDM Fairlady Z version, which might be different in that respect.I've heard that power is the the first 3 gears is restricted to 75%, is this true? would this be across the rev range or just peak? I understand a remap can remove the restriction but guess would this reduce clutch life.
Examples I know of are the Ford Puma, my Camaro and the GT-R35.
http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/47461-questions-about...
llyama said:
Got me worried for a bit, but it seems you do get all the power. In the first 3 gears with low throttle position (below 50%) it isn't 1:1 with the butterfly to make it easier to drive in traffic. But 100% throttle is still full power.
http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/47461-questions-about...
Interesting, its funny you say that because that's how it feels when you drive it, like its holding back but when you floor it, I suppose it does still go well enough!http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/47461-questions-about...
So the remap basically raises the rev limit, and probably changes the throttle response (which most keen drivers I'm guessing will prefer).
llyama said:
Got me worried for a bit, but it seems you do get all the power. In the first 3 gears with low throttle position (below 50%) it isn't 1:1 with the butterfly to make it easier to drive in traffic. But 100% throttle is still full power.
http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/47461-questions-about...
Haven't read the whole of the link, but it seems to be talking about throttle body butterfly opening. With torque management on modern EFI system I'm pretty sure it'll manipulate the fuelling and/or ignition to reduce torque (and thus HP). In the same way TCS/ASR/ESC systems can also limit power. http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/47461-questions-about...
TameRacingDriver said:
Interesting, its funny you say that because that's how it feels when you drive it, like its holding back but when you floor it, I suppose it does still go well enough!
So the remap basically raises the rev limit, and probably changes the throttle response (which most keen drivers I'm guessing will prefer).
I've had the UpRev carried out by Mark and the guys at Abbey, with a plenum spacer and Stillen 'Y pipe' fitted at the same time. In my circumstances I wanted to maximise the benefit while having the car with them.So the remap basically raises the rev limit, and probably changes the throttle response (which most keen drivers I'm guessing will prefer).
For me there certainly feels to be an increased urgency in the throttle response and pick up.
Can't say I really get the weight comments, it's hardly a barge - but maybe if they'd made the steering lighter people would feel differently?
I'm a fan of mine (also a 2004 blue GT on Rays), was a tough choice between S2000, Boxster and Z4 but this appealed the most. Agree with mid-20s mpg, my long-term average is 26-27mpg, though I've hit 32mpg a couple of times on long motorway journeys. With a baby on the way, the Datsun's got to go in the summer and I'll miss it. Shame the Infiniti G35 is so ugly.
I'm a fan of mine (also a 2004 blue GT on Rays), was a tough choice between S2000, Boxster and Z4 but this appealed the most. Agree with mid-20s mpg, my long-term average is 26-27mpg, though I've hit 32mpg a couple of times on long motorway journeys. With a baby on the way, the Datsun's got to go in the summer and I'll miss it. Shame the Infiniti G35 is so ugly.
Nice but not particularly involving to drive. Really is more of a muscle car thn something which is going to cut a B road up.
Compared to a Mondeo it will feel like a hard edged sports car but compared to say an s2000 or MX5 it feels fat and heavy and unwilling to turn in. (Need masses more lock).
In the end I chose the S2000 as it was miles more fun to drive, although I'm sure the 350z would be more comfy for everyday duties, but more expensive to run.
Still massive bargain at these prices and masses more fun than your typical 2.0 hot hatch.
Compared to a Mondeo it will feel like a hard edged sports car but compared to say an s2000 or MX5 it feels fat and heavy and unwilling to turn in. (Need masses more lock).
In the end I chose the S2000 as it was miles more fun to drive, although I'm sure the 350z would be more comfy for everyday duties, but more expensive to run.
Still massive bargain at these prices and masses more fun than your typical 2.0 hot hatch.
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