Nissan may have employed a mix of aluminium, carbon fibre and steel to make the
R35 GT-R
, but that doesn't stop it tipping the scales at 1,740kg. To deal with this, Nissan uses double wishbone front suspension with an anti-roll bar while at the rear is a multi-link set-up.
New wheels and suspension settings for Track Pack
The suspension has been finessed over the course of the GT-R's life with various improvements to the bushes and dampers to better balance ride quality with handling. The most significant changes were the adoption of a retuned front shocks and springs in early late 2009, along with stiffer rear radius rod bushes. Changes to the front anti-roll bar and bush settings at the start of 2014 further improved the ride and handling.
A lot of owners choose a larger front anti-roll bar to give improved handling, with the added benefit of a more compliant ride. The suspension can be adjusted from the cabin, with various settings. Most owners we spoke to preferred either the standard default setting or the R mode and said the comfort option spoilt the feel of the car.
Another area where owners are split in preference is tyres. While some swear by the original Dunlop SP Sport runflat tyres, others reckon a swap to non-runflat Michelin Pilot Supersports is the way forward. Some say the Michelins detract from the handling as they have a softer side wall, while others will argue the Michelin's prevent the understeer experienced with Dunlop tyres. The best bet is to try cars with both types of tyre fitted before committing to buy an R35. A set of Dunlops will cost you around £1,800, while Michelins are more affordable at £1,400 for four. If you want to use the GT-R on track, Toyo R888s are the preferred tyre.
OE tyres are Dunlops but Michelins often used
Whichever tyre you go for, don't be surprised to hear a noisy rear differential on the R35. It's not a sign of impending doom and large repair bills, unless it's so noisy you can't hear anything else because of it. It's just a trait of the
GT-R
. The front differential and ATTESA ET-S four-wheel drive system is strong and reliable.
You might also hear a clicking from the front hubs. It's caused by accumulated dirt and rust. Take the wheels off and clean the hubs, then apply some copper grease to prevent further corrosion build-up. This problem is more common on cars that get infrequent use.
Owners who use their GT-Rs hard might find the brake discs can crack. Replacement discs from Nissan or aftermarket suppliers are easy to source, but many owners use this as the chance to upgrade to the popular Alcon 380mm discs with performance pads from Pagid. There are also carbon ceramic replacement discs available for the ultimate upgrade from Alcon.
The rest of the GT-R's running gear, including rack and pinion steering, Bilstein Damptronic dampers and wheels are all tough and need only regular maintenance.
PHer's view:
"It's not the hard suspension that gives that rigid feeling when on uneven terrain. It's the way the car is designed to balance itself with the heavy weight of the car. Strangely enough, the comfort setting is worse and makes the car more bouncy. R mode or normal mode for the dampers does a decent job and stiffens the car up when hitting potholes."
Hasan Lak
Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior