FooFighter

Bookatrack? I've done Anglesey a few times with them. V. good!

I went through the same thought process two years ago. I was looking at changing my DE for a 370z but wasn't sure the 370z was worth the extra money. I tried an HR just to see what it was like and was instantly sold. I loved my DE but I think the engine and other improvements of the HR are worth the extra money. The 370z is fairly quiet stock while my HR is louder than my DE was (both with stock exhausts) so an aftermarket exhaust is a potential additional cost on the 370z to consider. Suggest you try an HR and see what you think.

Hi Rickdon, whereabouts are you based?

Thanks guys, the RC5s sound like what I am looking for performance-wise. The different experiences of noise are interesting. I've sometimes found the DS2500s a bit noisy until they've done a track day to really bed them in. Getting the pads to catch fire sounds a bit extreme though!

I've been running the tried and tested DBA T3 disc and Ferodo DS2500 pad combo for a few years now and have generally been very happy with it for general road use and the four or five track days I tend to do a year. However, I've found on my past few track days that this set-up is not really keeping up with the demands I am putting it under. Also, I am thinking about making some suspension upgrades which I am hoping will increase speeds (and braking demands). I need some new discs and pads to replace the ones I killed off at Anglesey at the weekend. Looking through the threads on this topic, I am thinking that Performance Friction or Carbon Lorraine are probably the way to go. Would be great to hear about people's experiences of either (or both) and which PF and CL compounds are likely to be best for mainly road use with a bit of track. Also, PF discs and pads sounds like an obvious combo, but it would be interesting to hear of experiences of using CL pads with different discs. Many thanks

It lacks character compared with somewhere like Snetterton or Donington, but the GT circuit has some nice fast corners which can be fun. As Ekona says, there's lots of run-off. Might just be me, but I find my brakes take a real battering there compared with the other circuits I've been to.

I had a DE and then got an HR a couple of years ago (both tin tops). I have found my HR a little more thirsty but not by much, get low teens in town and high 20's on an motorway run. This is using super unleaded.

Thanks for your help guys. I think I'll start by jacking the car up and having a look so I can then have a more informed chat with the garage to get them to be more precise about what the problem is and take it from there.

The rear suspension on my Zed needs some TLC so I asked the garage to look at it when the car was in for a service recently. Apparently the problem is with the lower control arm on the passenger side and parts nos. N54468CD00C (ROD COMPL-COMPR) and N54469CD00C (ROD COMPL-TENSI) need replacing at a cost from Nissan of about £500. Having replaced banana arm bushes on two different Zeds now, I know that Nissan often aren't the cheapest for parts. Has anyone had these parts replaced and, if so, where is a good place to get them from please?

Try one! I haven't owned a Z4M but I test drove one and came very close to buying it. The Z4M and the HR 350z I got instead tick a lot of the same boxes. They both have a great "rough round the edges" character about them. I love the HR engine in my Zed but the engine in the Z4M is epic. If I didn't need to use my car for long distances, I'd have got the Z4M. The downsides of the Z4M for me were: (1) odd-shaped boot which is even less practical than the Zed's boot (the battery in the Z4M is in the boot and takes up space compared with the standard Z4C) (2) the cockpit is smaller than in the Zed and (3) although the Z4M would have been much more expensive when new than the Zed, I felt it was a bit like a (very nice) parts bin special and not as well resolved overall as the Zed.

I test drove a Z4M coupe and was going to buy one before I drove an HR 350Z and got that instead. I had a DE 350z at the time. The engine in the Z4M is fantastic and the car has bags of character. To my eyes, it looks great too. What put me off the Z4M? The car didn't feel as well resolved as the 350z, the clutch action and gear change on the one I drove both felt clunky. Also, the boot is an awkward shape (there is a battery compartment that robs a lot of space) and the cockpit feels very snug, so the 350Z has the edge for long journeys.

Got a friendly hoot and a wave from a black 370z on Friday morning while parked up on the A84 in/ near Lochearnhead. Was it anyone on here? I tried to wave back but had a phone in one hand and was closing the Zed's boot with the other at the time.

I used to have a 2005 Zed (276 bhp) and have just got a 2009 Zed. The suspension does feel slightly different but the differences are subtle and the overall handling of the car is very similar, but the later car seems to keep its composure a little bit more over bumps or when being pushed. The big change between the cars is under the bonnet, the newer car has more torque lower down the rev range, a similar mid-range and a slug of extra power at high revs where the older car starts to run out of steam.

I liked them when I had them but I agree they feel soft especially compared with the Bridgestone RE050s which I run now. I thought the Sessantas gave a lot of feedback which was nice. I would have got another set but they seemed to wear fairly fast. Can't say I've tried many tyres on the Zed but, If you've not tried them, you might like the Bridgestones if you want a stiffer tyre. More expensive but I find them harder wearing.

I drove one of these yesterday. Great noise but the clutch was very, very heavy. Made the clutch in the 350z feel light (and me feel a bit of a wimp in the process). Perhaps there was a problem with the car but it put me off. Less space inside than the 350z too.

Thanks for your help guys. Much appreciated. I have ordered the gizmo Alex mentioned. It looks a bit more idiot proof than the Halfords one. Will report back on how I get on.

I've got a service kit (thanks to Alex!), found a handy "how to" vid on Youtube and I'm about to take the plunge and change my own oil for the first time. Having nearly ruptured myself trying to get my brake caliper bolts off the other month, I am approaching this new job with caution. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good tool to get the oil filter off? Many thanks Ed

Can't comment on tourist days but I've done a couple of trackdays at the Ring and they were great. Most people seemed to be fairly (or very) experienced but it felt better being a newbie knowing that even though I didn't know what I was doing, most people there had a better idea and weren't going to do anything too crazy. The second day had some race teams testing but it was easy enough to keep out of their way and having an Aston Martin race car blast past every now and then just added to the experience (they sounded amazing!).

+1 on doing the Ring as a trackday. Did one of the Destination Nurburgring days earlier this month. Magic!

Like Rtbiscuit says, its a great track. You are right about the hairpins, they are a bit of a feature there. Top tip however is not to get distracted be the fantastic view of the Snowdonia peaks which you get about two thirds of the way round (assuming its a nice day) because there's a sharp left turn shortly afterwards!

I span loads! Getting the amount of throttle right was a bit of a challenge. Nothing slippy in the water but it was very muddy! The volvo was a class act. He did some great drifts too! Think he's had some practice (and got some skill!). I saw you but you were in the pit lane queue at the time so I didn't come and say hello. Was it a good day? Seemed to be a lot of Focus RS's in that paddock.

I've done this (the Oulton drift day) on the Saturday just gone. Like Marzman says, it is a huge amount of fun! Looking forward to going again sometime, getting the Zed sidways (on purpose) is addictive! Nice vids by the way.

My Zed doesn't have a full history either. As Scubapics says, the service schedule is really just oil changes and the occasional further item. It's not like an Evo or similar which needs lots of special tlc.

Hi Andrew, I certainly do. That Lotus was a real track car. If I win the lottery I'm putting one of them on the list!

Thanks for the responses guys. Interestingly, there is an article in Evo this month about £15k used coupes which gives further food for thought. Very apt to see Andrew's lovely red HR on this thread. I remember seeing it in the metal at Cadwell Park. Ed