Like the title states, I'm getting tired of DD'ing the E30 as clean/nice as it is.
The 350Z is the front runner. Clean, low mileage examples do not seem hard to find (I'm in Tulsa and willing to travel) the Dallas/FW area seems replete with said examples.
I'm told to stay away from the 300hp motors (eliminating 06 and 05 anniversary/track cars) because of oil comsumption issues?
Common problems, things to look for, etc would be greatly appreciated.
How much for the 318is? (feel free to PM if preferred!)
/vulture
I don't know much about the 350z per se, but I can tell you that the VQ in my folks Altima has been nothing less than fantastic.
Transmissions seem to be a re-occuring problem spot on the Zs also. CD010 or even slightly not as 'perfected' CD008/9 transmissions are what you want. Its something to do with bearing style changes from the CD001 and up models as they kept revising it to fix bearing/gear grinding problems. It is something worth getting under the car and attempting to spot the tag for. I think its visible under car at least.... :p
nothing to add except I do recall the sport compact car boosted projext 350 did drink like a fish, and theres a clean matte blue 350z in my neighborhood rolling on staggered white Konigs, and wears vanity plates with "10til4" on em...clean and awesome
Never had any issues with oil consumption with the 300 hp motor (2 different 07s)
If you mean input other than they are big and fat and drink gas like there's no tomorrow then I don't have much except to say their much vaunted torque is destroyed by the weight.
On a curvy road I travel daily I did much more downshifting in the Z than in my S2000.
Also the pre 300 hp engines are a waste of time. They run out of breath and power so early as to make you think there's something wrong with the car.
carguy123 wrote: Never had any issues with oil consumption with the 300 hp motor (2 different 07s) If you mean input other than they are big and fat and drink gas like there's no tomorrow then I don't have much except to say their much vaunted torque is destroyed by the weight. On a curvy road I travel daily I did much more downshifting in the Z than in my S2000. Also the pre 300 hp engines are a waste of time. They run out of breath and power so early as to make you think there's something wrong with the car.
Interesting observation. I owned an '04 G35 with the "pre 300HP" motor and test drove an '07 with the double VVT heads. I liked the old one better. The later model gave up the midrange shove for high RPM power. That, combined with annual weight increases, made the later model car feel softer and duller anywhere below 5000 RPM. The 350Z development ran on a parallel track.
As far as oil consumption, it seems to be a luck of the draw event. Mine was negligable. The later model Z's do have a somewhat better interior than the early ones if that matters to you. I'd say go for a drive in both versions and make your decision on the particular car over the particular year.
My friend had one that I have drove a few times. He bought it @ 40k and sold it @70k. Got a Lexus LS430 and couldnt be happier.
Plusses: Gets the look, big time. His was on 19" Rays wheels and has the Brembos. Its copper color and tinted out. They are hot looking cars. Comfortable for long drives. Motor sounds great. Cruises nicely.
Minuses: Slow. Always felt like a slow turd compared to my mildly modified 1995 Eclipse GSX. Transmission was grindy. Interior was low quality, and this is coming from a DSMer. Seats and controls had noticable wear when he got the car at 40k and were trashed by 70k. He keeps his cars minty fresh, so its not an abuse issue.
4cylndrfury wrote: nothing to add except I do recall the sport compact car boosted projext 350 did drink like a fish, and theres a clean matte blue 350z in my neighborhood rolling on staggered white Konigs, and wears vanity plates with "10til4" on em...clean and awesome
LOVE the plate. I always wanted a Datsun with the "5NDIME"
I love my 07...
Bought it new, never had any problems. I've heard issues of an odd tire-wear issue. Don't know what it is or which ones were affected.
Look up my350Z for more info... lots of ballers/ricers on there, but still lots of good info too.
Plenum spacers seem to help out the earlier cars. There is a much bigger aftermarket for the DE (both "rev-up" 300 and regular 287) engine vs. the HR.
Base model doesn't have a limited slip and is only available in a manual. Others have a viscous lsd.
I think in 05, the auto got rev-matching downshifts in manual mode.
Get winter tires in the winter.
There was an article in sport compact car about getting a Z to pull 1.0 g on street tires. It seemed to boil down to: 18x9.5 all around, stickier street tires, hotchkis rollbars and a clutch-type lsd.
It doesn't seem to have the most powerful A/C either. Maybe it's my paint color.
njansenv, if you're interested PM me and we can talk. It's a near mint car with every bit of E30 maintenance done to it. I'm thinking $5k without the SSR Type Cs.
I haven't driven one yet, but I plan to soon. I can't imagine they are really a "turd" though, really? Who knows maybe I'll drive one and hate it. But I've always been a huge Z car fan (notice the screen name) and have loved the 350Z since they came out.
Any more info on common problems or things to look out for?
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=164608
For more info on all work that has been done.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=162395
For anyone who may be interested in the 318is.
I had a '04 track edition and enjoyed it a lot. I did a couple simple bolt-on mods that made minimal difference in performance (K&N CAI and exhaust). I ended up with a Borla exhaust, the non-true-dual version (long story), but I ended up liking it. I would recommend swapping the exhaust because it cures the most common issue with the car. Top Gear calls it the 350 Noise-Z for a reason, mine seemed to have a drone when cruising. The Borla fixed that. It was much quieter in daily driving, but sounded meaner when hitting the loud pedal.
If you end up getting one let me know, I have a KJR lightweight (full size) pulley for them. Never been used, I sold my car before I put it on. They get good reviews..
Ok, not sure what's up with the link, but here is the correct URL...
http://www.350zmotoring.com/forums/modifications-technical/30201-kjr-performance-crank-pulley.html
splitime wrote: Transmissions seem to be a re-occuring problem spot on the Zs also. CD010 or even slightly not as 'perfected' CD008/9 transmissions are what you want. Its something to do with bearing style changes from the CD001 and up models as they kept revising it to fix bearing/gear grinding problems. It is something worth getting under the car and attempting to spot the tag for. I think its visible under car at least.... :p
Any idea what year cars these transmissions starting showing up in?
I sincerely love my E30, so before I look to much harder, I'm going to go try to test a drive a few to see if it's something I would actually want in the driveway.
z31maniac wrote:splitime wrote: Transmissions seem to be a re-occuring problem spot on the Zs also. CD010 or even slightly not as 'perfected' CD008/9 transmissions are what you want. Its something to do with bearing style changes from the CD001 and up models as they kept revising it to fix bearing/gear grinding problems. It is something worth getting under the car and attempting to spot the tag for. I think its visible under car at least.... :pAny idea what year cars these transmissions starting showing up in? I sincerely love my E30, so before I look to much harder, I'm going to go try to test a drive a few to see if it's something I would actually want in the driveway.
I honestly don't... but you'll find them eventually on cars that have had a few transmissions warrantied, assuming they were late enough. Wish I knew a year mark for you... but I don't.
Heavy, styling I just don't get, thrashy exhaust note, and one of the worst interiors I've encountered in it's price range cull my interest before I even get to it's reliability.
I'd take the mileage and potential reliability hit for lighter weight, nimble handling, usable back seats, stunning exhaust note, and a quality if a little odd interior... RX-8.
Hell, for 350Z money you're looking at an WRX/STi, S2000, or even a C5 Corvette.
Maybe I'm slow but what does "10til4" refer to?
Thanx for asking
Osterkraut wrote: Heavy, styling I just don't get, thrashy exhaust note, and one of the worst interiors I've encountered in it's price range cull my interest before I even get to it's reliability. I'd take the mileage and potential reliability hit for lighter weight, nimble handling, usable back seats, stunning exhaust note, and a quality if a little odd interior... RX-8. Hell, for 350Z money you're looking at an WRX/STi, S2000, or even a C5 Corvette.
According to the specs (never can be sure if they are true), an 04 Track Edition weighs 150lbs more than RX-8 while having close to 100lb ft more TQ and 70 more HP.
I've been in my boss's RX-8, neat car, but I wouldn't want to own one.
I'm deathly afriad of turbo cars that haven't been owned by me since day one (so those are out). S2000, meh, cool cars just don't do it for me. I've read way more things about shoddy C5 build quality than alot of other cars.
Guys I wasn't asking for a discourse on what YOU WOULD BUY. I was asking about reliability/maintenance concerns on a 350Z.
z31maniac wrote: njansenv, if you're interested PM me and we can talk. It's a near mint car with every bit of E30 maintenance done to it. I'm thinking $5k without the SSR Type Cs.
Off to talk sweetly with my wonderful wife....I followed your build for some time: NICE car, and I expect you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your price.
I really like my 04 350Z Enthusiast model. Got CAI and Nismo Bronze 19 wheels, looks good.
I would follow with agreement on most of the issues/concerns from those that have first hand experience. I did a similar recon mission of FAQ about the 350's before diving in, and got wildly differing opinions/stories/myths about these cars.
I cannot speak about the later 'Rev-up' motors, however my 04 350 seems to be 'normal'
-Shifting into 2nd is an issue for the new driver, but you learn your new car and shift it the way it likes.
-Oil consumption isn't an issue for me, knock on wood.
-Seat bolsters are not the best quality. Fabric seems to wear easily for the time spent in the seat. I am almost worn through along the seam in the bolster at 44K (started at 20K)
-Fun track car, although my transitional shifts from left to right (especially at autox's) will make my lower seat cushion drop out unexpectedly. I have a fix for this and am not readily sharing weekend events with my Nissan Stealership.
-Front tire wear. Fixed with new alignment, toe set at 0. I bumped a curb (enough to curb the rim :( ) and that REALLY whacked the front toe! I wore out a set of Nitto INVOs in 15K before I realigned and found out it was at 1/2 inch toe in!!!
-Very comfortable on long drives. I put 5600 miles in 5 weeks last summer with a drive out to IA from CA and a couple of weekend car shows.
Good stuff, no regrets, except for the payments... This replaces a Contour SVT that was totalled and paid off...
Ohhhh, styling (if it matters) I really prefer the beltline of the new 370z as the 350z definitely looks like the next version of the 300zx with the straight beltline. I am a S30 (240Z) owner and would rather have seen the resemblence from the older z's than the last generation.
YMMV, Eric G
I'm going to test drive an '06 Enthusiast model this afternoon, once I'm off work.
SO it seems, hit or miss oil consumption, notchy transmissions, poor quality fabric on the seats.
njansenv, looks like the previous owner of the car is about to put a deposit down and buy it back from me! HA!
my vq stopped burning oil once I switched to synthetic, but not right away. I suspect my rings were just cooked into the grooves. The car had a rough life (now 145k miles).
z31maniac wrote: njansenv, looks like the previous owner of the car is about to put a deposit down and buy it back from me! HA!
It looks like that kind of car...a keeper. Congrats, and it saves me the dilemma of what to do with the stuff I have.
Well I test drove it.
Engine seems torquey and plenty of mid-range shove. Didn't really rev it out to hard, considering the amount of traffic on the road.
Car drives well, seats are comfy, controls seem well placed for my size. I really have only two complaints about the car.
That rear shock tower bar saps ALOT of potential room in the hatch. Which is a bummer, my '88 300ZX I had in high school and college had LOTS of room for stuff, and I was hoping for the same.
Rear-side and rear visbility is poor at best, but this seems to be par for the course on all modern "sporty" cars.
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