FooFighter

I guess like a number of 350z owners I look at 370z's and think about changing to the newer model. The thing is I enjoy using my 276 model 350z for the odd trackday. Yes its a bit heavy etc. but I really enjoyed driving out to the Ring in it last year, doing some laps and then cruising back in comfort. How does the 370z compare on track? For example, I've read references to oil-cooling issues with the 370z but that was on a US website and it was clear from what I read whether it is a real problem or not. Anyone got any experiences to share?

Update Had my alignment checked and adjusted on Friday and my car feels like it should again. Many thanks to everyone for your help. I had my alignment done at Autodynamics in Sheffield based on a recommendation on an old thread in the suspension section. I would recommend them too. Nice people who are very enthusiastic about what they do. Ed

I don't think I'm that heavy Bulletmagnet!

Thanks for the replies guys. Am booked in for a suspension and alignment check later this week. Lots of speed bumps round here so that could be a factor. Will report back. Ed

Wheels are standard GT wheels (18 inch rims I think). I don't recall hitting any holes but it sounds like getting the alignment checked is a good idea.

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I have checked my tyre pressures which are fine (35 psi all round). I have Bridgestones all round (the new ones, REO50's?) which still have around 4 to 5 mm of tread. I dont know whether my wheels were aligned when I got the bushes fitted by the garage (am a mechanical dunce) but I assume so because the car felt spot on for several months afterwards and has only recently gone off. Ed

I used to have slightly soggy squeeky suspension on my 05 plate Zed until I got new drop links and banana bar bushes from Alex about six months ago. That seemed to sort things out nicely (thanks Alex) but now I have a new suspension issue. The car feels like it is on slight camber (leaning towards the passenger side) even on flat ground and reacts more to awkward cambers on the road. I asked the garage to have look when my car was in for a service the other week and they couldn't find anything. They measured the suspension height and checked the bushes and say everything is fine. Something feels a bit wrong with the car though and I would welcome the wisdom of the Zed Club on what it might be. i may be imagining things but the steering also doesn't seem to feel as sharp as it did which may be related. My car has done about 50,000 miles. Many thanks Ed

Yup that sounds like me. That does sound like a monumental drive! Ullapool is well off my patch (I'm from Sheffield). It was my second trip up that way. What a stunning part of the world.

That might have been me! I saw a very similar looking Zed to mine in Ullapool on Wednesday. I was up there on a drive round the north west with my dad (if it was me, you'll have seen a light blue Impreza WRX just behind). We stopped for a break in Ullapool before heading to Kylesku. Did you manage to fit in some drives out while you were up there? Ed

Hi Kev I waved at a bronze Zed outside Invergarry on Tuesday. If that was you, I saw your wave back. I was up on a drive around the north west with my dad (I was in my Zed and he was in his Impreza). Ed

Thanks Gangzoom, that's given me something to think about. Am planning to hold on to the Zed for the time being because I love it but the 335 looks a great car. If I get itchy feet I think I'll have to try one.

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but I saw a 335 coupe today and remembered how much I liked the look of them when they first came out. How does the Beemer handle compared with the Zed. Is it better or worse at going round corners than the Zed? Cheers Ed

Wish I could make it, Oulton is fantastic!I went on an MSV novice day at Oulton in January. It is a great track and the day was well organised. The instruction was good too. Look out for Druids (Oulton's "signature" corner). Apparently, it is often damp and slippery (certainly was when I was there) but so good when you get it right!

I did the Driver Development Programme day at Kenilworth with Carolyn Barker earlier this year. It was a great mix of circuit driving and going sideways on special low friction skid areas. I've found my road driving has come on a lot as a result of the day (mainly looking much further ahead). I'd echo the comments about the value of this sort of training. It's also a lot of fun!

Thanks guys! I think the resonated Cobra could be the way to go. Sounds great in the sound clips. I think I'll avoid the buddy club. I'm not that extrovert! Ed

My oem exhaust is starting to get a bit noisy and I am thinking about my options for a replacement. Looking through the threads on this issue, something like a Cobra appeals in terms of price and sound. However, I would like something that won't have me sweating every time I get noise tested at a track day. Are there any Cobra users who track their cars on here who can put my mind at rest or any other recommendations for exhausts that sound good but keep the noise testers happy? My track day plans for this year include places like Oulton and Anglesey. Many thanks Ed

I had a standard Mark 5 GTI (197 bhp) before I got my Zed. It was a very capable car in many ways and it cornered well but I didn't find it involving to drive. Although the ed 30 would be faster, I'd assume it would otherwise feel similar to drive to a 197 bhp GTI. I found mine a bit clinical and the handling wasn't altogether pleasant in some ways. Good car: yes. Fun car? For me no, for someone else maybe (the car magazines loved them!). Perhaps a remap etc would liven it up a bit but not the most fun hot hatch in stock form at least. Can't comment on the S3 because I haven't driven one. Ed

I did my first trackday at Cadwell with MSV a couple of weeks ago (the same event as AK350Z). It was a blast! Massive fun and I feel I have got to know my car a lot better. Due to a shortage of instructors on the day, I didn't get my slot with an instructor until the final session but that was very useful and a real eye-opener (my lines had been rubbish for a start!). Am pleased to read the positive comments about Bedford. I am booked to do an MSV half day there next month. Have booked some extra instruction for the day to try and speed up the learning curve (quite literally: I was too slow at Cadwell!). Are there any other tracks that people would recommend for those first few trackdays to get a broad experience of different types of circuit? Ed

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I am based in Sheffield and have seen the odd Zed about (and there's a black GTR that I keep seeing which looks impressively mean!).

Hello all! I have had my 350Z (a Silver 05 plate GT) for about a year now. A couple of weeks' ago, I went to a novice trackday at Cadwell where I bumped into AK350Z. I had visited this site from time to time in the past, but hadn't posted until the other day when I put a post on AK350Z's Cadwell thread. Now I have the trackday bug, I am sure I will be here more often to see if other Zed owners are going to particular track days and, hopefully, to get some advice on track days and technical issues like how to upgrade the brakes, the Zed is a heavy car! I am based in South Yorkshire so if you get a flash of the lights from a silver Zed in that part of the world it might be me! I think the Zed is a fantastic car. Having had an Impreza Turbo and a Civic Type R in the past, I have owned a range of very different fast(well fast-ish) cars. However, the Zed has soul and feels great to drive and is my favourite by a mile. Hope to see some of you at a trackday soon. Ed

Pictures as promised (I hope!). Getting chased down by the 211. Fun at Cadwell I was very pleased by the way the Zed handled on the track and the chance to keep the V6 high up in the rev range for long periods made for a good soundtrack (although Andrew's Nismo exhaust is something else! mine is stock). Intro post to follow. Ed

I was in the other Zed! Thanks for posting these up. It was my first track day so I didn't know what to expect but I had a fantastic time. I am already trying to decide where to go for my next trackday! Leaving aside some "interesting" driving by a minority, the other drivers were a good bunch and it was great to see another Zed there. I will try and post some photos later. Ed