Nissan 350z

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Discussion

iwaspiston

Original Poster:

4 posts

113 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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I'm seriously tempted to change from my Mitsu ASX (2011) to a used 2004 Nissan 350z. But I hear many have transmission problems, esp. with 3rd gear. I'd hate to make the leap and find out I bought into a bunch of headaches.

Thoughts, reliable info, etc. most welcome.

Are there any other problems with the 350z that I should be aware of?

Martin350

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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I've heard that earlier 350Zs (like mine) have weaknesses in the gearbox that were rectified later on, maybe after 2006 or so..?
The transmission can be a little noisy, it has a dual mass flywheel as standard too, so they do get a little rattly at times but it's usually nothing to worry about.
Fresh gear oil with Molyslip additive can help.
Mine is on 61k miles now, 28k of those I've done, including thrashings on track and autobahn, and it's just the same now as when I got it.

If the worst happens, a later gearbox can be fitted to an early car, but they aren't cheap.

Other known faults are;
- 'Clicky' driveshafts, which can often be rectified quite easily and at very little cost.

- Front 'banana arm' bushes causing a knocking, quite dear to replace the arms, I think bushes are available but may need pressing in.

- Bose stereo head units skipping CDs or intermittent cutting out of LH door speaker.
Can be fixed, but in my experience this is temporary. Can be modified to accept one of those ipod thingies.

Other than those niggles, I think they are a fantastic car.
But don't expect a super fast sports car, it isn't that, in my opinion it's a very good GT, and the best all-rounder I've ever owned.


Edited by Martin350 on Friday 17th October 13:37

Sy1441

1,113 posts

159 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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The noisy idling is also present in the 370 due to the DMF. The gearbox is pretty bombproof though.

fatjon

2,142 posts

212 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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For what it's worth my mrs has a 54 plate with 90k miles on it and zero gearbox trouble. She has broken several gearboxes in other motors over the years so that seems to me to indicate the 350 gearboxes are quite strong.

Si_man306

456 posts

184 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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As an owner of a 54 plate GT uk car for 3 years, they are essentially bomb proof. The gearboxes are good for over 500bhp, but their synchros are not brilliant. I've never found it an issue although molyslip can be added to the box to make it smoother.

The HR engined cars (2008 on) have an updated box which is better.

2006-2008 cars (facelift) can use some oil, but this is within the design of the engine rather than a fault.

The clicking of the rear driveshafts, on reversing for example , is due to lack of grease- sorted with a spanner and a tub of grease (see 350z-uk.com)

The bose CD players can skip but I wouldn't see that as a reason to not buy a car, swap it out.

Banana bars can go (£350 a side ish) plenty of info on the 350z forums although many will already have been done by now.

Superb drive, solid, chunky torque and limited slip diff as standard on the uk cars.

Owned a variety of different quick cars (306 rallye, boxster, exige, BMW 330) and this is easily my favourite.

liner33

10,640 posts

201 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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HR model came out in 2007 and ran until 2009 when the 370 was launched

The gearboxes can be troublesome , I have a mate who is looking for one at the moment for a 2005 car. When cold they can be a bit stiff but should change sweetly and with no noises once warmed up

They do make a horrific noise on idle though thats normal

terenceb

1,488 posts

170 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I have an 07 model, bought it as a one lady owner with 56k on the clock.Its now nudging 102k and no problems, but did change the g/box oil for Liquimolly, thats changed the box completely-does like to be a little warm first thing though.Was thinking about selling it, but for what? M3? Everyones got one plus spares are cheaper over here for the Z than the BMW.

un1eash

595 posts

139 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Good cars but pretty heavy and more a cruiser then sports car. Cheap to maintain but running costs can be high, later cars have near £500 road tax and I only use to get 11mpg out of my rev up 2006 car around town.

terry237

75 posts

119 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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11mpg! Was that with any mods?

I have a GT4 so that has the revup engine and around town I get around 19mpg (lowest I've seen is 16.5 but that was sitting in a traffic jam for an age)

As previously stated the gearbox can be a bit agricultural when cold but once warm it's as smooth as anything. Had no other issues with mine, including the Bose.

One thing that seems to be a common problem is the OEM exhaust system can be quite prone to corrosion. In my eyes this is no bad thing as there are so many great sounding aftermarket systems available, although they can get quite pricey

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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This might help: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are a few things to look out for, but generally, I reckon they're solid cars. Service History is a must though as there are some expensive services that can sting if you can't prove they've been done - gearbox fluids, plugs, oil, coolant and brake fluid would hurt if you're not a DIYer.

Banana bars are not too big an issue. I replaced my OEM bushes with Powerflex and there was no additional harshness and a much smaller bill than Nissan would like - who for some reason won't sell the bushes alone, but the metal bar too!

I never gelled with mine though. I liked it but never loved it. I'll burn in hell for this, but I like my A6 derv more...

MDubyaB

184 posts

157 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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I've also got a GT4 and am very pleased with it.
I'm averaging 25mpg around town and am finding servicing (at Japex, a local specialist) incredibly good value, with a major service last year costing about £300. A minor one recently cost me just £83, though I took my own oil.
It, like so many, does use engine oil though and I've been putting in just under a litre every 1k miles. Having never owned a car or motorbike that has used a drop, it's a little unsettling, but it doesn't worry the guys at Japex and, weirdly, hasn't used any since its last service, over 1k miles ago.

Mine's black and with 19" forged Nismo LMGT4s on it, looks the tits too. It suffered the corroded exhaust a long time ago, but was welded and now looks like it could last forever. I sometimes think of changing the pipes, but with just a JWT Popcharger, it sounds wonderful without offending anybody.

All in all, it's a great car. Sure, I wish the LSD was a little better, but it's still big hearted rear wheel drive fun and it's a car I love to clean and polish whilst nursing a bottle of wine, but I don't ever worry about leaving it in a car park with the common folk.

Value wise, I can't think of much else that comes close.

MDubyaB

184 posts

157 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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Forgot to mention - the gearbox is graunchy into 2nd when cold starting, particularly on cold mornings and my 5th gear synchro isn't what it should be. It all seems fine when warmed, but if I do have a bill on the horizon, I'm guessing it'll be this.

terenceb

1,488 posts

170 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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Have you considered using Liquimoly? My box is now a pleasure to use once warmed for a few minutes.

MDubyaB

184 posts

157 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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I stuck a tube in last year, just after it had its transmission fluid changed. All it seemed to do was rob the gear change of some of its meatiness, and I actually preferred it before. It made no difference anywhere else, unfortunately.

terenceb

1,488 posts

170 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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Sorry, I was referring to the Germany made oil-not the tube of additive. The oil is extremely good at what it was intended, unlike the additive which seems to loose its effectivness after a short period.The oil is a "fill for life' , a little priceybut well worth it.

MDubyaB

184 posts

157 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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Oh, great.
I'll look into it and likely try some on its next service.
Thanks for the tip.

morgs_

1,663 posts

186 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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terenceb said:
...Was thinking about selling it, but for what? ...
Have a similar dilemma. Have had mine over 5 years now and have got an itch to sell it, but without spending far more money than I have (F-Type Coupe/Gallardo!), there isn't anything that really excites me that can do the same.

un1eash said:
Good cars but pretty heavy and more a cruiser then sports car. Cheap to maintain but running costs can be high, later cars have near £500 road tax and I only use to get 11mpg out of my rev up 2006 car around town.
Not near anymore, they are £500 a year smash However my other car is £0 a year, so with a bit of man maths, the Z is only £250 a year biggrin

liner33

10,640 posts

201 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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£485 annual tax

morgs_

1,663 posts

186 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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liner33 said:
£485 annual tax
I can assure you, the tax disc that is (still!) in my car definitely says £500 yikes

It went up again as of the 1st April this year.

terenceb

1,488 posts

170 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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Mine says the same! Yet a Merc SLR will only cost 265, only problem is, I cant afford one.lol.