Murphy, the Nissan 350z. Sensible daily....
Discussion
I'll try and save a bit of the formal chit chat and get straight to the car, that's all we want, right?
After a fairly crappy 2017 I decided I wanted to get back into track driving after not being able to due to uni/work/life etc so I decided to look for a new to me car. My daily at the time was a BMW E46 330D which had served me well for 4+ years, 50k miles and many good adventures but the cost of sorting the suspension, brakes etc I thought I'd be sensible and get one of my dream cars since the NFS Underground days.
After searching for a couple months for a good, clean ish (for budget) 350z, with good service history, some mods etc I finally found this one at the end of October.
Full service history, Met grey, GT spec. A shade under 100k miles and a few nice modifications. Only issues, 1 month mot, engine management light and needed a service...
What's the worse that could happen?
Went to look on a whim on the way to look at another, which was at the high end of the budget. The owner Josh was a nice chap, talked us over the car but I could tell he loved the car but wasn't a car person. He thought it had a few modification but didn't know what and after looking through the history I saw a few £xxxx worth of modifications, I knew it could be too good to be true.
Took her for a drive, felt lovely, pulled great and no weird noises. I had to have it. A deal was struck after a bit of quick haggling as he had a flight to catch and I was driving home, thanks Josh.
Worried about whether or not I've made a mistake as the engine light and short mot was looming. Ow well, I had a wonderful VQ35 sound track to drown that out, she ticked over 100k miles on the way home.
Introducing Murphy, my 'Sensible' daily and occasionally tracked 2005 Nissan 350z VQ-35de.
The first weekend I got her.
First weekend was spent cleaning, paint decontaminated, clay bar'd snow foamed, washed, polished and waxed and headlights polished up and generally exploring the car.
(Will upload pictures soon)
Service history for the car was full but needed a good service, so all fluids, filters, plugs, braided brake and clutch lines with ATE200 fluid, new pads added for piece of mind.
Miles just a smidge over 101k.
Lights polished.
MOT time, after a good service, a couple tanks of Shell 99 and a bottle of CAT cleaner the engine light went away, result (think the previous owner used cheap fuel which sooted up the O2 sensor)
Sadly, during the mot, 2 big faults had been found.... Both front side lights were blown. £1 later and a badly scratched arm from climbing through the arches she was passed with no advisories. WIN WIN!! One happy boy!
Whilst on the ramps I had a look under, typical 'W' brace was crusty but no rust anywhere chassis wise, a Cobra resonated CAT back system and nearly new tyres all around. The smile kept growing.
After buying a Bluetooth OBD reader to check to faults, live data etc it became apparent the intake tempts were getting a little silly during fast driving and traffic, reaching mid 40s in some cases.
With some gold tape laying about, I got to work...
It's not to everyone's taste but it helped keep the temps down a lot, never going above 25deg now even in heavy traffic.
Sadly after a month of ownership whilst parked I sadly had a nice hit and run, so after a nice £250 bill later, with added Mines front lip she was looking good once again.
Now, onto the good bits, the main reason I brought the car was for track time, with Llandow in sight (hear cheap) and only a couple hours drive, a day was booked for the 3rd of March, even managed to drag a friend along for the occasion in his RX7. (Might look familiar to some)
I've had a little search about for pads for fast road/track use and heard good reviews about Stoptech sports, so with new front discs and another new service at 103k miles.
A good car day was needed, Declan popped over to annoy my street with his lovely RX7
Looking better.
Pads bedded in with 8-10 hard stops and track day booked, we were off that weekend.
Nice early start for Llandow from Exeter.
After a couple sessions the brakes where biting hard and turning a nice shade of blue.
Sadly they needed a re-bleed so I has having to dab the brakes before applying them fully, didn't exactly fill me with confidence. Still had a brilliant day with about 100miles on track the car was feeling brilliant, it has a lot more ability than I do.
Will upload videos soon, once I've gone through them.
After a brilliant day, loads of fuel and laughs I was back home. Car didn't miss a beat, temps didn't move all day a celebratory wash was needed.
Next track day booked that evening, it's not a fully day, only a couple track time slots for Combe Spring action day on April 7th where I'll be on stand, somewhere.
Hopefully upload more pictures later once I'm back on my pc, not this silly work one. but here's a link to more if you'd like.
https://imgur.com/gallery/t4uFs
Let me know your thoughts etc.
Hefty.
After a fairly crappy 2017 I decided I wanted to get back into track driving after not being able to due to uni/work/life etc so I decided to look for a new to me car. My daily at the time was a BMW E46 330D which had served me well for 4+ years, 50k miles and many good adventures but the cost of sorting the suspension, brakes etc I thought I'd be sensible and get one of my dream cars since the NFS Underground days.
After searching for a couple months for a good, clean ish (for budget) 350z, with good service history, some mods etc I finally found this one at the end of October.
Full service history, Met grey, GT spec. A shade under 100k miles and a few nice modifications. Only issues, 1 month mot, engine management light and needed a service...
What's the worse that could happen?
Went to look on a whim on the way to look at another, which was at the high end of the budget. The owner Josh was a nice chap, talked us over the car but I could tell he loved the car but wasn't a car person. He thought it had a few modification but didn't know what and after looking through the history I saw a few £xxxx worth of modifications, I knew it could be too good to be true.
Took her for a drive, felt lovely, pulled great and no weird noises. I had to have it. A deal was struck after a bit of quick haggling as he had a flight to catch and I was driving home, thanks Josh.
Worried about whether or not I've made a mistake as the engine light and short mot was looming. Ow well, I had a wonderful VQ35 sound track to drown that out, she ticked over 100k miles on the way home.
Introducing Murphy, my 'Sensible' daily and occasionally tracked 2005 Nissan 350z VQ-35de.
The first weekend I got her.
First weekend was spent cleaning, paint decontaminated, clay bar'd snow foamed, washed, polished and waxed and headlights polished up and generally exploring the car.
(Will upload pictures soon)
Service history for the car was full but needed a good service, so all fluids, filters, plugs, braided brake and clutch lines with ATE200 fluid, new pads added for piece of mind.
Miles just a smidge over 101k.
Lights polished.
MOT time, after a good service, a couple tanks of Shell 99 and a bottle of CAT cleaner the engine light went away, result (think the previous owner used cheap fuel which sooted up the O2 sensor)
Sadly, during the mot, 2 big faults had been found.... Both front side lights were blown. £1 later and a badly scratched arm from climbing through the arches she was passed with no advisories. WIN WIN!! One happy boy!
Whilst on the ramps I had a look under, typical 'W' brace was crusty but no rust anywhere chassis wise, a Cobra resonated CAT back system and nearly new tyres all around. The smile kept growing.
After buying a Bluetooth OBD reader to check to faults, live data etc it became apparent the intake tempts were getting a little silly during fast driving and traffic, reaching mid 40s in some cases.
With some gold tape laying about, I got to work...
It's not to everyone's taste but it helped keep the temps down a lot, never going above 25deg now even in heavy traffic.
Sadly after a month of ownership whilst parked I sadly had a nice hit and run, so after a nice £250 bill later, with added Mines front lip she was looking good once again.
Now, onto the good bits, the main reason I brought the car was for track time, with Llandow in sight (hear cheap) and only a couple hours drive, a day was booked for the 3rd of March, even managed to drag a friend along for the occasion in his RX7. (Might look familiar to some)
I've had a little search about for pads for fast road/track use and heard good reviews about Stoptech sports, so with new front discs and another new service at 103k miles.
A good car day was needed, Declan popped over to annoy my street with his lovely RX7
Looking better.
Pads bedded in with 8-10 hard stops and track day booked, we were off that weekend.
Nice early start for Llandow from Exeter.
After a couple sessions the brakes where biting hard and turning a nice shade of blue.
Sadly they needed a re-bleed so I has having to dab the brakes before applying them fully, didn't exactly fill me with confidence. Still had a brilliant day with about 100miles on track the car was feeling brilliant, it has a lot more ability than I do.
Will upload videos soon, once I've gone through them.
After a brilliant day, loads of fuel and laughs I was back home. Car didn't miss a beat, temps didn't move all day a celebratory wash was needed.
Next track day booked that evening, it's not a fully day, only a couple track time slots for Combe Spring action day on April 7th where I'll be on stand, somewhere.
Hopefully upload more pictures later once I'm back on my pc, not this silly work one. but here's a link to more if you'd like.
https://imgur.com/gallery/t4uFs
Let me know your thoughts etc.
Hefty.
Looks good mate, shame about the hit and run - that's the sort of thing that can take the wind out of your sails with ownership, good stuff getting it sorted and improved in the process.
I'll have to keep an eye out at Combe for you, I'm heading down myself and onto track I think at 10:15!
I'll have to keep an eye out at Combe for you, I'm heading down myself and onto track I think at 10:15!
That looks almost identical to my 350Z, apart from the new front splitter, and I have the same exhaust.
I've had mine for just over six years, the longest I've had any car, and still enjoy it very much.
I think, as a track car, they get a bashing on here rather unfairly. With some decent pads and discs they are surprisingly capable.
Good luck with it, have fun!
I've had mine for just over six years, the longest I've had any car, and still enjoy it very much.
I think, as a track car, they get a bashing on here rather unfairly. With some decent pads and discs they are surprisingly capable.
Good luck with it, have fun!
These are great cars and make fantastic dailies (boot space notwithstanding). I used mine for the better part of three years and 40,000 miles as a daily and it was perfect, not a thing went wrong. It's now serving second car duties.
Must have hurt when you got hit and runned - there's no need for that at all.
Must have hurt when you got hit and runned - there's no need for that at all.
CornedBeef said:
Looks good mate, shame about the hit and run - that's the sort of thing that can take the wind out of your sails with ownership, good stuff getting it sorted and improved in the process.
I'll have to keep an eye out at Combe for you, I'm heading down myself and onto track I think at 10:15!
Yeah it wasn't what I wanted before Christmas, but got a new front lip and a refreshed front end out of the hit and run. I'll have to keep an eye out at Combe for you, I'm heading down myself and onto track I think at 10:15!
Our stand is out on track at 11:15 and 13:45, hopefully there wont be too many dicks out on track at these times.
Rosewood Red said:
Always had a soft spot for these - I too remember Rachel's green 350Z in NFS:U2.
How did you restore that headlamp to its former glory?
Used some 800/1200 grit Wet and Dry then polished up with some Megs scratch remover, got 95% of the scratches out. How did you restore that headlamp to its former glory?
Back again for an update.
Had some snow.
Played with some bushes.
Decided i needed to sort the front end out a little as the bushes had been getting a little old and they were knocking over bumps etc. safe to say they were all a little shagged.
After shopping around, looking at Strongflex, Powerflex and whiteline decided to go with some strongflex yellow with hardness 90s as I know I'll be using it on track and I can happily say that it rides exactly the same but the turn in has improved greatly...to the point the tyres are the weak point.
With Spring action day coming up and some track time booked a quick oil change was needed.
Genuine filter and magnetic plug.
Miles sitting at 105894, 3rd service since owning her over 6k miles. Over kill maybe.
De-day, nice early start and some gentle cruising at 70ish the 2hs to combe from Torquay.
Who says a Z can't economical, even with the Combe traffic.
If anyone was at Combe on the 7th you'd know the conditions were shocking and as we was queuing up in the pits, sadly a Subaru aquaplaned off at Tower Corner doing well over 80mph and ended up jumping over a marshals post which resulted in the track being closed for over an hour.
During this time, after my nap the track dried out considerably.
My favourite shot.
Videos can be seen here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKCXqDZUAxY&li...
Overall, it was a brilliant day, the car has greater ability than me and it's capabilities on track is confidence inspiring (tyres are shocking tho, AD08 or PS4s next) and I'm always looking forward to my next day (Llandow, 16th June).
Rear suspension arms, tyres and probably another service coming up soon.
Thoughts, views and advice always welcome (mainly because I haven't a clue half the time).
Ta,
Hefty.
Had some snow.
Played with some bushes.
Decided i needed to sort the front end out a little as the bushes had been getting a little old and they were knocking over bumps etc. safe to say they were all a little shagged.
After shopping around, looking at Strongflex, Powerflex and whiteline decided to go with some strongflex yellow with hardness 90s as I know I'll be using it on track and I can happily say that it rides exactly the same but the turn in has improved greatly...to the point the tyres are the weak point.
With Spring action day coming up and some track time booked a quick oil change was needed.
Genuine filter and magnetic plug.
Miles sitting at 105894, 3rd service since owning her over 6k miles. Over kill maybe.
De-day, nice early start and some gentle cruising at 70ish the 2hs to combe from Torquay.
Who says a Z can't economical, even with the Combe traffic.
If anyone was at Combe on the 7th you'd know the conditions were shocking and as we was queuing up in the pits, sadly a Subaru aquaplaned off at Tower Corner doing well over 80mph and ended up jumping over a marshals post which resulted in the track being closed for over an hour.
During this time, after my nap the track dried out considerably.
My favourite shot.
Videos can be seen here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKCXqDZUAxY&li...
Overall, it was a brilliant day, the car has greater ability than me and it's capabilities on track is confidence inspiring (tyres are shocking tho, AD08 or PS4s next) and I'm always looking forward to my next day (Llandow, 16th June).
Rear suspension arms, tyres and probably another service coming up soon.
Thoughts, views and advice always welcome (mainly because I haven't a clue half the time).
Ta,
Hefty.
Looking good. Id recommend a magnetic sump plug next time you do an oil change just for peace of mind and to see what (if any) metal shavings are sloshing around in there now that you are getting higher in mileage. My DE is coming up to 50k and I've had one fitted for over the past year (Greddy)
Not sure the 350z will suit Llandow as its quite a small track with not many opportunities to stretch your legs. Be interesting to see what you make of it!
Not sure the 350z will suit Llandow as its quite a small track with not many opportunities to stretch your legs. Be interesting to see what you make of it!
Great thread Hefty! 
I thought about one of these, but got seduced by a different Z - a BMW Z4 Coupe!
But I still keep wondering if I should have tried a Nissan Z before I committed!
I haven't tracked mine (not enough brave pills) so hats off to you - I hope you enjoy the next outing!
I thought about one of these, but got seduced by a different Z - a BMW Z4 Coupe!
But I still keep wondering if I should have tried a Nissan Z before I committed!
I haven't tracked mine (not enough brave pills) so hats off to you - I hope you enjoy the next outing!
Always great to see a performance being used on track. Near managed to get my buddy with. 350 to join me on my Alfa track outings. Maybe your videos would have inspired him.
Spoke to a couple of 350 owners whilst at Brands or Thurxton, they had both fitted a oil cooler (extra mini radiator). Has yours already got one? Tempted to swap my 20 year old Alfa V6 for a 350. Use is similar, daily driver and a couple of track days a year.
Keep having fun
Spoke to a couple of 350 owners whilst at Brands or Thurxton, they had both fitted a oil cooler (extra mini radiator). Has yours already got one? Tempted to swap my 20 year old Alfa V6 for a 350. Use is similar, daily driver and a couple of track days a year.
Keep having fun
SarGara said:
Looking good. Id recommend a magnetic sump plug next time you do an oil change just for peace of mind and to see what (if any) metal shavings are sloshing around in there now that you are getting higher in mileage. My DE is coming up to 50k and I've had one fitted for over the past year (Greddy)
Not sure the 350z will suit Llandow as its quite a small track with not many opportunities to stretch your legs. Be interesting to see what you make of it!
It's already got a Magnetic sum and I've done Llandow already (see first update) and it was fun technical track. Not sure the 350z will suit Llandow as its quite a small track with not many opportunities to stretch your legs. Be interesting to see what you make of it!
Mr Tidy said:
Great thread Hefty!
I thought about one of these, but got seduced by a different Z - a BMW Z4 Coupe!
But I still keep wondering if I should have tried a Nissan Z before I committed!
I haven't tracked mine (not enough brave pills) so hats off to you - I hope you enjoy the next outing!
Just go for it, can get an open pit lane for around £100 and go have fun. Drive well in your abilities and keep an eye on your mirrors. I'd recommend it to anyone, it's not as scary as you think and the big boys there are always so helpful. I thought about one of these, but got seduced by a different Z - a BMW Z4 Coupe!
But I still keep wondering if I should have tried a Nissan Z before I committed!
I haven't tracked mine (not enough brave pills) so hats off to you - I hope you enjoy the next outing!
CaptainSensib1e said:
Great thread.
I had a 350Z for five years and took it around Castle Combe a couple of times. With uprated pads and brake fluid it's a very capable track car, didn't skip a beat either time.
I do reckon in a few years these will be viewed as classics, they still look great today.
Mines only got upgraded pads/lines/fluid and it was great, didn't miss a beat all day and was challenging a lot faster motors there. I'm thinking they'll be future classics soon also, that's one of the reasons I brought one. They're the last of the big engine, no silly electronic sports cars. I had a 350Z for five years and took it around Castle Combe a couple of times. With uprated pads and brake fluid it's a very capable track car, didn't skip a beat either time.
I do reckon in a few years these will be viewed as classics, they still look great today.
V6todayEVmanana said:
Always great to see a performance being used on track. Near managed to get my buddy with. 350 to join me on my Alfa track outings. Maybe your videos would have inspired him.
Spoke to a couple of 350 owners whilst at Brands or Thurxton, they had both fitted a oil cooler (extra mini radiator). Has yours already got one? Tempted to swap my 20 year old Alfa V6 for a 350. Use is similar, daily driver and a couple of track days a year.
Keep having fun
Tell him to go for it, he'll love it. An oil cooler is next on my list, the oil capacity is only 4.7l so it could benefit with the extra cooling. I'd recommend going from the Alfa to the Z, I use mine daily and it's brilliant whilst they're so capable on track. Spoke to a couple of 350 owners whilst at Brands or Thurxton, they had both fitted a oil cooler (extra mini radiator). Has yours already got one? Tempted to swap my 20 year old Alfa V6 for a 350. Use is similar, daily driver and a couple of track days a year.
Keep having fun
C7 JFW said:
I love these, brilliant cars! Lots of life left in that too - I look forward to seeing how you get along with it.
Cheers Man, she'll be well used, modified and loved over the coming year, aiming for at least one track day every other month (budget depending). Back again for an update! Done 5k+ miles, 2 track days, a few shows and some stuff.
Did some spacing. 20/25mm spacing.
Did a service with the normal 5w40 Fuchs, around 107k miles (can't remember exact)
Did a Castle Combe Summer action day.
Silly hot, 28deg heat, 30m queue for track and she didn't over heat, cant complain! First time driving on Semi slicks to, was interesting, brakes and I suffered through the heat.
Got rid of the nasty W brace.
Safe to say, the old one wasn't doing much, video below.
http://www.instahu.com/p/1859452729158453422_23716...
Powersteering oil boiled at Combe, so upgraded cooler, adds a lot more surface area for cooling and around 400ml of oil, budget upgrade cost around £30 all in. £100 saving on the kits you can buy.
Did a meet.
Did another service... 101058 miles this time for Trax Silverstone.
Changed some brakes, brembo HC discs and brembo pads. Flushed the fluid with new Ate200.
Did a foamy wash for Trax prep
Did a track session.
More pictures and videos soon, but the 9:00 session was extremely greasy and green, so just had miles of understeer with new rear tyres and old ish fronts. but was a giggle.
More pictures on my Instagram,
http://www.instahu.com/d.p.shuffled
As always, thoughts, comments welcome.
Hefty.
Did some spacing. 20/25mm spacing.
Did a service with the normal 5w40 Fuchs, around 107k miles (can't remember exact)
Did a Castle Combe Summer action day.
Silly hot, 28deg heat, 30m queue for track and she didn't over heat, cant complain! First time driving on Semi slicks to, was interesting, brakes and I suffered through the heat.
Got rid of the nasty W brace.
Safe to say, the old one wasn't doing much, video below.
http://www.instahu.com/p/1859452729158453422_23716...
Powersteering oil boiled at Combe, so upgraded cooler, adds a lot more surface area for cooling and around 400ml of oil, budget upgrade cost around £30 all in. £100 saving on the kits you can buy.
Did a meet.
Did another service... 101058 miles this time for Trax Silverstone.
Changed some brakes, brembo HC discs and brembo pads. Flushed the fluid with new Ate200.
Did a foamy wash for Trax prep
Did a track session.
More pictures and videos soon, but the 9:00 session was extremely greasy and green, so just had miles of understeer with new rear tyres and old ish fronts. but was a giggle.
More pictures on my Instagram,
http://www.instahu.com/d.p.shuffled
As always, thoughts, comments welcome.
Hefty.
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