Leeroy

I've test driven a few cars lately and most had a higher biting point than I'm used to. Seems to be pretty normal. Here's my thread if it helps.....

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=29297

Cheers

I thought the whole point for the '07 engine revamp was to privide more torque lower down so cant understand why you say its less torquey lower down than the earlier models? I find it has bags more power low down.

 

The '07 is more quieter but then mines a ragtop so its quiet anyway but deffo sounds louder outside (to me anyway)

 

The earlier models sound like your engaged more with the engine - you can hear it working so maybe that it?

 

Not had any tramlining issues at all thats down to tracking and poor tyres I think.

 

 

Not so. The 07 engine does produce more power but higher up the rev range which is less accessible than the earlier zeds during normal driving. I was expecting a big dollop of torque from the 07 engine but it didn't happen until you revved it to near max revs. Don't forget if you shift the power up the rev range (and the 07 has an extra 500rpm rev limit) then you will suffer a loss lower down - Both the 2006 and the 07 uprev engines have variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust, but the 276hp engine only has varible valve timing on the inlet side.

 

The tramlining issue is normally down to worn tyres or at worse worn or perished suspension bushes.

That'd make sense, the car had done 75K miles. The tyres looked alright.

I thought the whole point for the '07 engine revamp was to privide more torque lower down so cant understand why you say its less torquey lower down than the earlier models? I find it has bags more power low down.

 

 

I'd agree with this. I stepped out of a MY03 into an MY07 and no perceptible loss of torque. The increase in power is very noticeable. The MY07 is smoother and more refined low down but rev it out to the red line and its got a far more cultured rumble at high revs where the old car used to sound strained. IMHO the later engine is a huge improvement and the one to have.

It's a win win situation as far as I'm concerned, they all sounded pretty damn fine to me

Cheers for the info

I have driven about 20 cars recently and all 3 variations. The latest 350Z >2007 I didn't think was as torquey low down as the 276 and 296hp models. Yes, the 2007 Zed may have ultimately more power but it is much higher up the rev range and less accessible for normal road driving. Also it seems a little more docile (maybe more refined) than the 2 earlier zeds. I also did not like the hump in the bonnet of the >2007 model but this is down to personal preference. I went for a low mileage 2006 (296hp) Zed. I thought the few revisions plus the bi-zenons were worth the extra money over the earlier model.

 

P.S. don't forget post April 2006 zeds have the increased road tax (£405per year) - pre 2006 zeds are £215

Based on my test drives i agree on the refinement thing, preferred the earlier model for that. I drove another (2005) yesterday and it sounded better too.

Another question though, the one yesterday did seem to tramline a lot more, is it likely to be tyres/tracking? Maybe the others did it too but i just didn't notice it?

Cheers,

Leeroy...

Hi there,

I had a look at a couple of 350Z's yeaterday and have a couple of questions.

They were a 2004 (53) and a 2007 (07 i think). Both cars were in a Nissan dealership and were factory standard.

The 2007 car didn't sound as good as the older one, it was much smoother sounding. Is this normal?

The gearbox was better on the newer car, could just be an age thing, but was the 'box improved later?

Finally the biting point of the clutch on the 2004 car was very high - is this a wear thing or is it supposed to be different on older cars?

Cheers,

Leeroy.

For a family car with no space compromises it has to be an M5 Touring

Yes mate it's a top machine but a)it's an estate Lucy would kill me and b)it's just too corporate for me if you knew how many I see every day on the M56...

that's the trouble with beemers everyone aspires to one me I prefer Datsuns and supersized yank tanks

My neighbour is taking delivery of a new 3 series soon he was keen to tell me ....

In that case blindfold yourself before you get in then don't look at any of the badges It's all about the driving. Sometimes things are popular for a reason, totally agree that the BMW can attract a 'certain' type of punter though.

For a family car with no space compromises it has to be an M5 Touring

Martin doesn't have headroom issues as he has a roadster

Fair enough the headroom thing may not be an issue, just wondered what he or others may know about spannering the seats, so to speak. This is a real thread hijack, sorry

I have GT seats in a non gt car and whereas everything is theoretically possible the thinking is that heated seats are not worth pursuing.

Martin, are the elctrical connections already in the floor in a non-GT ready to plug and play? I find the leather seats in the GT limit my headroom due to being a bit higher than cloth seats (electric gubbins) - I'm guessing that transplanting leather seats into a non-Gt will result in the same problem? Are there any mechanical adjustment options (ie spanner on runners etc) that may lower the height of the seats in a GT car?

I have asked this question before but appreciate it's not an easy one to answer unless you've had first hand experience of swapping/adjusting seats

 

Cheers,

Leeroy...

 

How tall are you ?? .... I'm 6'5" and prefer an upright driving position and don't have any headroom issues with the leather seats in my GT spec'

I'm 6'7" and the GT is very tight I'm really after info from someone like Martin who may have chopped and changed seats around, especially if they've been able to lower the seats on the mounting frames.....

I have GT seats in a non gt car and whereas everything is theoretically possible the thinking is that heated seats are not worth pursuing.

Martin, are the elctrical connections already in the floor in a non-GT ready to plug and play? I find the leather seats in the GT limit my headroom due to being a bit higher than cloth seats (electric gubbins) - I'm guessing that transplanting leather seats into a non-Gt will result in the same problem? Are there any mechanical adjustment options (ie spanner on runners etc) that may lower the height of the seats in a GT car?

I have asked this question before but appreciate it's not an easy one to answer unless you've had first hand experience of swapping/adjusting seats

Cheers,

Leeroy...

Lol, totally agree with the Audi comment, they really have taken the BMW mantle (interesting that it's usually the 318i, 320d brigade who are the worst!).

Temporary roadwork safety limits are sacred (as are built up areas) but I have to say I would have let TT 'Tard past if the left lane was free, the roads would be the worse for it if we all took it upon ourselves to teach the guy behind/in front a lesson, no disrespect intended srobrien

Unfortunately as 'quick' cars get more affordable people buy and drive them without the respect they deserve. TT's and Golf's are no exception, there are many others.

Oh and easy on the Golf comments y'all I'm selling my GT TDi 150 at the mo (to make way for some thing with power to the right end and a V6 ) and although i REALLY hate the image, it's actually a pretty good (under)steer

.....takes hands off keyboard to flash the t*sser in front out of the way.......

Haha, I was keeping a beady on this one

I'm in the process of selling my car to get the funds together for a Zed, there'll be others....

Nice buy by the looks of it Player

I'm hopefully dedicated then I think

Funnily enough I'm in exactly the same postion, with a GTi making way for a Z. Have you looked into part-ex prices yet? If not you may be in for a shock, I've been offered between £3K & £3.5K for mine, a 2004 GT TDi 150. Now I'm not unrealistic about what the car's worth but it's a lot more than that so I'll be selling privately - at least this gives the option to buy privately too which will get you more for your money if you don't mind losing the 'security' of buying from a dealer.

If you are worried about running costs maybe the Z isn't for you, whilst they're reliable they going to cost much more to run than a GTi, especially if it's a sootchucking torquemonster

After getting quotes from Chipsaway and Shine! recently, I reckon the cost will be about the same as a total bumper respray - at least it was for me. My paint man charges about £100 a panel though, and he's good. The 'Smart repair' quotes were about £200 for a similar amount of scratching as yours. Shine! have a 'target' calculator which shows the cost of various sized repairs. These people are normally franchised so you might get a fella who gives you a competitive quote. Shine! quote over the 'phone whereas Chipsaway send a man out.

Paying to get paintwork fixed really sh*ts me, there are much more interesting things to spend your hard earned on

Would have preferred the Classic 900 but beggars can't be choosers. Out of interest what were yours docwra? It's so tempting (and cheap) to modify. I hear a steering clamp(!) and ARB is the first port of call. It seems there are cheap and gainful ECU tweaks too. Got.....to.....resist, otherwise the cheap interim car is eating Zed money

Loving the black-out dash - and I can say I own a slice of Koenigsegg

I've just bought an interim car to run while we sell the Golf to get the cash together for a Zed - any mechanically sound car for a few hundred quid was the criteria, something quick would be a bonus. Had a look at an MX-5 that turned out really ropey, and ended up with a 1997 SAAB Turbo SE Coupe. Didn't know anything about them but am quite impressed, the handling is, erm, interesting but it's quick enough and sounds sweet. In fact for 'normal' driving I prefer it to the GTi sootchucker we have.

At 23mpg, it's preparing me for Zed fuel consumption too

I'm not a fan of the Alezan leather either, it does look very orange in pics. Tan leather looks amazing in my cousin's new Scirocco.

I'm trying to like it and will reserve judgement until i've seen it in the flesh. As has been said, all the black cars for sale seem to have Alezan leather at the mo.

It wouldn't be so bad if the steering wheel and gearstick weren't finished in it.

I agree with your reasoning, I'd buy it like that if it saved me a few hundred quid - they're only dings and can be sorted easily

bit to much of a halfords glue car ram raid.

 

nice try, but the car needs to be more suttle, the original shape is good, and these extras haven't complemented the car

Agreed, too try hard. Lose the black wheels, window tint and Schnitzer £725 wing repeater/piercings and it would be

I really like the white trend at the moment, wonder how long it'll last?

Alway's thought my mum's 2.0 litre Saphire looked cool in white

Nice rims

Loving the splitter too, discreet attitude

You may find with some sunglasses that they don't fit into the sunglass holder given sunglasses are a bit more rounded.

 

Aviators?

 

 

Don't think that's bronzee

I've been through the same thing, as mentioned there's a fair amount more room in the non-GT due to the lack of electrical gubbins. That said I'm 6'7" & can just about get comfy in the GT.

moved to here as not a members car

Ah, sorry. Another grand off and it'd be a tempting proposition if you planned to keep it awhile. Has anyone seen it in the flesh?

Leeroy...

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, it seems too good to be true...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... gLetter=05