driftmonkey Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Right,. getting itchy feet having owned my BMW 130i M-Sport for 5.5 years. Don't need 4 seats and the 350Z is a possible replacement. I wondered if anyone on the forum has made this change? What are your thoughts? has anyone on here made that change? Things I'm a little concerned about are: 1. Is tyre roar on the motorway obtrusive and annoying? (I do 40 miles of motorway driving every day for work) 2. Is the clutch weight too heavy in stop-start traffic? 3. Is the Bose Stereo any good? 4. Are servicing costs reasonable? 5. Apart from tyres, what components regularly need replacing and what's the usual cost? 6. Is build quality good? (no rattles/squeaks?) I'd be looking at post 06 facelift cars if I go for a 350. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum. Road noise isnt really an issue IMO. The exhaust drowns it out. The clutch is a bit heavy but not a problem. The Bose is ok but for those who are inclined there are plenty of alternatives. Servicing cost are fine although as expected vary around the country. Its a Nissan so the build quality is fine but what you would expect. Have a look at the sticky post for new members in the FAQ section for some more handy links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 1. Is tyre roar on the motorway obtrusive and annoying? (I do 40 miles of motorway driving every day for work) the noise from outside and tyres will be heard in the cabin more than your current BMW 2. Is the clutch weight too heavy in stop-start traffic? depends on the car, some have replaced clutches (eg exedy clutch) and they can be just right. 3. Is the Bose Stereo any good? not great as it is a clarion headunit with bose amp and speakers. 4. Are servicing costs reasonable? pretty reasonable if you don't go to nissan. 6. Is build quality good? (no rattles/squeaks?) Not as good as your BMW but not really squeaks or rattles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gball1973 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James B Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 1. Is tyre roar on the motorway obtrusive and annoying? (I do 40 miles of motorway driving every day for work) No it's fine but I'd suggest a nice aftermarket exhaust. Scorpion do a nice one that makes a good noise when you drop it and floor it, but easy to live with for normal driving 2. Is the clutch weight too heavy in stop-start traffic? The later ones (past 06 I think) have lighter clutches. Mine is a 53 and I get knackered sitting in a 2 hr traffic jam. Having said that, anything that's not an auto in that kind of situation blows. 3. Is the Bose Stereo any good? Yes - when it works. Riddled with probs like left speakers cutting out, CD skipping. All the probs are esentially down the the CD mechanics which are supplied to Clarion. If it's an older car (over 2 yrs, which covers all 350's now) just make sure you try the stereo, including CD player, before you buy. If it's OK now it should be fine. 4. Are servicing costs reasonable? Depends where you go. Anyone down south is recommended to go to Abbey and I think in Leeds RS is highly recommended. Take it to a stealers and a) they won't have a clue what they're doing and they'll charge you the earth to **** it up. 5. Apart from tyres, what components regularly need replacing and what's the usual cost? Standard stuff. Clutches go so worth checking it for any slip, aftermarket brakes (particularly the fronts) can take a beating as shes a heavy girl, and the front bearings and wheel assembly can wear. 6. Is build quality good? (no rattles/squeaks?) Mate - it's a Nissan, not a Porche. Lot's of sqeeks and rattles, the interior is a bit plasticy (less sop on later modules / facelift versions), but it's a super drivers car and just unbelievable value for the price. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Hi and to the forum Same as what the other guys say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 As the other guys said some of what you have mentioned may be an issue but you won't be worried about any of it once you drive a Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driftmonkey Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 As the other guys said some of what you have mentioned may be an issue but you won't be worried about any of it once you drive a Zed Thanks all for the warm welcome and the informative replies! Superb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
was8v Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 +1 to the other guys comments I'm thinking of going the other way. After 18 months with a Z I'm looking at E46 M3 or 130i to regain rear seats and a 6 cyl BMW is on my "to own" list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 +1 to the other guys comments I'm thinking of going the other way. After 18 months with a Z I'm looking at E46 M3 or 130i to regain rear seats and a 6 cyl BMW is on my "to own" list. I may be going the 'other' other way, looking at a 3 series BMW to replace my 'shed' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Hi & to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangzoom Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I've just gone from a 350z to a E90 3 series. My old Z had much more charcter than my current 3 series, but the 3 series is without doubt a better over all car. Doing 80 in the bimmer feels like doing 50 in the Z (mainly due to how quiet it is). The steering on the BMW actually give as much feedback as the Zs, and given the bimmer can seat 3 extra people plus carry all their luggage its pretty impressive. Despite having more power the BMW is also more economical.....Having said all this if i was given the choice of a 350z or BMW 1/3 series and I was 25 again it would be the Z every time But these days i'm getting old, even found my self wondering how quite a 7 series must be with double glazed windows:dry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Best thing you can do is take one for a test drive, you'll know if you're doing the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I'm sorry, but dropping a 130 for a 350z is a bit like dumping Megan Fox for Janice Battersby just because she does anal for a pie rather than a meal at Claridges. This tickled me most. Just got sent the thread by a mate who owns a BMW and it sounded familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozz Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 +1 to the other guys comments I'm thinking of going the other way. After 18 months with a Z I'm looking at E46 M3 or 130i to regain rear seats and a 6 cyl BMW is on my "to own" list. Trouble is with the E46 M3 they are getting old, mileage is creeping up and so you're in a high cost probability phase on the car unless you can get a real low mileage minter. I'm a huge BMW fan, had loads of them and given you'll spend 15k+ on a mint e46 I'd say chuck a few extra grand in and go 135. I never bothered looking at a 130 knowing the 135 was available, they can be had for 18k+ now. the 335 is supposed to be a superb car as well for the money. I've always wanted an e46 and nearly jumped in a few times but just so many stories over high costs. I'm lucky, in Swansea there is a superb BMW specialist and I see this as a must with the cars as main dealer are £££. As for swapping 130 for a zed. Hmm, the interior on the 1 series coupe's is nice, if a little bland. Quality sure, better than the zed but no real feeling, they lost it since the old angled dash. felt quite cramped inside too (but I'm a big lump). No way I'd swap a 135 for a zed, but 130...maybe..depends what you want in a car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driftmonkey Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Well, test drove a 2008 309Bhp Zed on Sat, - and it was mostly great! The first impression when you sit in the car is that it feels quite wide and everything is very driver focused. The secondary guages are all angled towards the driver, and the way the whole main instrument pod moves up and down with the height adjustable wheel is a nice touch. Some of the interior is really showing its age now (- I mean who needs a tape player!), but overall, although the quality of the plastics isn't that great, it felt solidly put together. Twist the key and you're treated to a lovely warbly flare of revs from the V6 before it settles to a steady idle. The clutch is quite stiffly sprung, but I'd say it's not that different to the 130i. The gearshift though is a little agricultural and doesn't ping between ratios as slickly as the 130i. It's not an easy car to drive smoothly straight from the off and it takes a little bit of sympathy to move away smoothly and slot the next gear. Steering felt pin sharp and not as heavy as the 130i at low speeds. It felt easier and more direct than the 130i and weighted up beatifully as speed increased. There's virtually no dead zone around the straight ahead. Give it some throttle and the car gathers pace like an express train. The engine isn't as honey smooth as the 130i's and sounds gritty, but provides linear power throughout the rev-range. All the while, the exhaust continues to emit a lovely warble and it feels like a mini-exotic. If you really give it the beans it definitely feels faster than the 130i and seems to pull more strongly from low revs. It definitely "feels" that little bit more special than the 130i. It feels like a proper sportscar. The brakes also felt great (at least for the road) and were powerful and feelsome. The major downsides were 1. ROADNOISE!!! on rough surfaces the noise level in the cabin was bordering on Lotus Elise levels of rawness 2. The stereo - most of the sound seemed to come from behind me rather than the "surround sound" of my current BMW Professional Hi-fi. Other than that - I was seriously impressed. It doesn't feel like a "step down" from the 130i - more a move to something rawer and sportier. I'd liken it to a Japanese TVR. It's rough around the edges (but that's part of its charm), and can give you a real thrill, but is reliable and relatively cheap to run. It's a real contender - I've just got to think a little more about whether or not I'd get tired quickly of the road noise on my regular 40 miles per day commute to work up the M4...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangzoom Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Don't worry about road noise, it's the fact that BMWs are so smooth rather than the been too raw. I commute in my Z for 70miles daily for 12months and had no complaints:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangzoom Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Don't worry about road noise, it's the fact that BMWs are so smooth rather than the Z been too raw. I commute in my Z for 70miles daily for 12months and had no complaints:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 tape players handy for the ipod the tyres really affect the road noise... many many reviews on here. Chances are it has re050's on it which have very strong sidewalls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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