2004 Nissan 350z

[sainz92]

So after a couple of sensible years of motoring (1.6 honda civic sport & then a 1.6 Ford focus tdci) I thought that it was about time that I got my hands on something a little sportier. So it was between a 350z, abarth 500, focus st or a z4 (I know, that's quite a mixed selection haha!). To be honest though, I always knew that it had to be a Z, ever since I first saw one I knew that one day I had to own one. So the journey began, nights consisted of trawling classifieds and ebay, but there was nothing too local to me and in my budget. This went on for about 3 months, until my mum tagged me in a facebook post, a 350z with the exact spec that I'd been looking for (GT pack with the black leather interior). It wasn't exactly local (75 miles away) but it was too good a deal to pass up. So safe to say within 5 minutes of arriving, I knew that she was coming home with me. The drive home was a special one, like a dream come true, made better by the roads that the journey home took us on (through the Brecon Beacons). The plans are to get the car back up to a respectable standard, she's not too bad, but just a tad rough around the edges.

Here she is (after a quick clean)


First job was to raise the rear as it's on HSD adjustable coilovers and was slammed when I picked it up. Unfortunately I don't have any decent pictures of after the raise, in the picture I uploaded above is the original height. It's now sitting about 1 inch higher at the rear. Unfortunately I had a brain fart after alot of faffing about making sure that the car was level, I left the locking wheel key on the nut and went for a test drive.. Safe to say that I won't be seeing that anytime soon. I've already tried the 12 point socket method, but I've had no luck unfortunately, so it looks like I'll be making a trip to get those removed soon (at £12 per wheel!!). The tracking needs doing anyway so I'll just have to kill 2 birds with one stone.. So that's next on the list, followed by rear brakes as I'm getting brake judder. The only other job that I've done is the windscreen washer fix as the return valve had failed. Future plans are a paint correction, possible de badge, new driver seat (as this one has bolster wear, interior spruce up, possibly covering some panels in alcantara (after seeing the amazing job Geraint done on boxster), new android head unit (as it's still got the original stereo) and then possibly some performance mods.

So far though it's safe to say that I'm in my element!!

[Strudul]

Should be able to just borrow a locking nut key off someone with a Z and swap them for normal lug nuts. We're a friendly bunch and I'm sure there's plenty round your neck of the woods.

[Ekona]

There only about 5 different types of locking key from Nissan, take your car to a main dealer and they'll order a new one in for you. Only about £15 from memory too.

Plenty of info on 350Z-UK forum, if you've not found us over there already

[supersarbs]

Great cars, I've had one for 6 months. Bought it standard and have released some noise with a cat back exhaust and pop charger. Upgraded the stereo and a couple of Minor tweaks inside too. I've got a plenum spacer from Horsham Developments but haven't got round to fitting it yet.

Despite people who will tell you otherwise, it was great fun on track at snetterton. Not the fastest, but good fun.

If you didn't know, the 350z-uk forum is useful, some good group buys and member traders on there.

[sainz92]

I thought about taking it to a nissan dealer, but there arent any close to me, I think I'll call the nearest one to make sure that they can help me before making the trip. with regards to the 350z forum, I've signed up for an account, but I never received the validation email, I've checked all of the folders on my email, but I never received it. I've just requested a new one, so hopefully I'll get one this time so i can get posting on there. A plenum spacer is probably going to be the first performance mod I get, you'll have to let me know how yoi get on with yours.

[Strudul]

Don't suppose you use AOL for your email? They are notorious for having issues.

[sainz92]

Strudul said:

Don't suppose you use AOL for your email? They are notorious for having issues.

Unfortunately it's a microsoft account. I manage to get all of the emails that I don't need, but when it comes to the important ones, or looking for a previous one it draws a blank

[Strudul]

I'd just make a new email, but you can always contact the admin team and they should sort you out.

[sainz92]

Strudul said:

I'd just make a new email, but you can always contact the admin team and they should sort you out.

I think I'll try and change it to one of my other emails. Thanks man

[sainz92]

sainz92 said:

Strudul said:

I'd just make a new email, but you can always contact the admin team and they should sort you out.

I think I'll try and change it to one of my other emails. Thanks man

that worked straight away haha!!

[Strudul]

Next up is all the Z facebook groups if you haven't already joined them.

[GrantD5]

sainz92 said:

I thought about taking it to a nissan dealer, but there arent any close to me, I think I'll call the nearest one to make sure that they can help me before making the trip. with regards to the 350z forum, I've signed up for an account, but I never received the validation email, I've checked all of the folders on my email, but I never received it. I've just requested a new one, so hopefully I'll get one this time so i can get posting on there. A plenum spacer is probably going to be the first performance mod I get, you'll have to let me know how yoi get on with yours.

Hello mate I work at a Nissan dealers in Parts.

All you will need to do is pop in, speak to service or parts and get them to match your key up with the master set and buy a new locking key, no big issue.

Quite frankly I'm sick of doing it we do it that much ha.

Enjoy!

[C70R]

If you're really struggling to get along to Nissan, one of these might do the job if the nuts have only been tightened by hand. Your nuts should be 21mm, so this would fit.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/11-32mm-Genuine-Multi-fun...

[familyguy1]

anything stuck in the handbook that could be the locking key code ? or anything stamped on the locking bolt ? perhaps take a clear close up photo so you can email it to the spares person at the nearest Nissan dealer.

Edited by familyguy1 on Friday 28th July 15:12

[GrantD5]

familyguy1 said:

anything stuck in the handbook that could be the locking key code ? or anything stamped on the locking bolt ? perhaps take a clear close up photo so you can email it to the spares person at the nearest Nissan dealer.

Edited by familyguy1 on Friday 28th July 15:12

They tend to not actually relate as silly as that sounds..

[sainz92]

GrantD5 said:

sainz92 said:

I thought about taking it to a nissan dealer, but there arent any close to me, I think I'll call the nearest one to make sure that they can help me before making the trip. with regards to the 350z forum, I've signed up for an account, but I never received the validation email, I've checked all of the folders on my email, but I never received it. I've just requested a new one, so hopefully I'll get one this time so i can get posting on there. A plenum spacer is probably going to be the first performance mod I get, you'll have to let me know how yoi get on with yours.

Hello mate I work at a Nissan dealers in Parts.

All you will need to do is pop in, speak to service or parts and get them to match your key up with the master set and buy a new locking key, no big issue.

Quite frankly I'm sick of doing it we do it that much ha.

Enjoy!

Hi mate

funnily enough I spoke to someone who also works in a nissan parts centre this afternoon, I'm popping down tomorrow so that they can match up the key and order one in for me. Only problem is that they said that it could take a month to come in.. is that usually the case? if so I might ask them to remove the lockers and fit the spare nuts for the time being as knowing my luck ill get a puncture whilst out on a drive haha!!

[sainz92]

familyguy1 said:

anything stuck in the handbook that could be the locking key code ? or anything stamped on the locking bolt ? perhaps take a clear close up photo so you can email it to the spares person at the nearest Nissan dealer.

Edited by familyguy1 on Friday 28th July 15:12

Hi mate

I've looked everywhere for the card that comes with the locking wheel nut key, but had no luck unfortunately. Hopefully the local Nissan dealer will sort me out tomorrow

cheers

[Strudul]

A lot of people like to get rid of locking nuts anyway as they often cause more trouble than they are worth.

[GrantD5]

sainz92 said:

Hi mate

I've looked everywhere for the card that comes with the locking wheel nut key, but had no luck unfortunately. Hopefully the local Nissan dealer will sort me out tomorrow

cheers

I highly doubt the part would take a month to come in unless its coming from Japan which it wont.

Ask for the part number we usually hold a fair few in stock. PM if they don't have it or they think it will be a month and I'm sure I can sort it ASAP. They will probably charge you for taking the old ones off, then the can supply a new set if needed.

Edit - I'm in work until 12.30 today

[sainz92]

GrantD5 said:

I highly doubt the part would take a month to come in unless its coming from Japan which it wont.

Ask for the part number we usually hold a fair few in stock. PM if they don't have it or they think it will be a month and I'm sure I can sort it ASAP. They will probably charge you for taking the old ones off, then the can supply a new set if needed.

Edit - I'm in work until 12.30 today

That's exactly what happened mate, they took the old ones of with one of the master keys and supplied me with a new set of lockers