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Going to be buying a 350Z but need a little advice


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Hi folks,

 

Ive just sold my Accord Type R after owning it for a great, if not a little short, 3 months. Previously I had an S2000 and now I want to get my paws on a tidy 350Z with a view to keeping it long-term. B)

 

Ive read what I can about what to look for, clutch wear, clicky driveshafts, skipping Bose CD player (if it has one), squeaky brakes, tailgate struts, uneven tyre wear... and it appears that theyre pretty reliable and solid other than these "small" issues. :thumbs:

 

What I cant seem to find is an average price for an average service, and also whats involved with a major service and at what time/mileage this major service would need done?? :headhurt: This is where I would like your advice. I had an S2000 as I mentioned, and it had a timing chain not a belt... are 350s the same in this respect? :shrug:

 

Im looking at trying to find a low mileage pre-2005 model. By low Im meaning around 60-65k. Ive seen a few so far round this mark, some a little lower, some ever-so-slightly higher. What do I need to ask (re major servicing) when enquiring?

 

Your help and input would be very welcome and very much appreciated, I look forward to hearing from you. :D

 

Regards, Gaz

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I did look through that forum but got a little confused... :shrug:

 

So apart from usual fluid changes, oil, brake fluid, coolant. And plugs at the relevant times. Theres nothing other major involved in a P3 or P2 service? Am I right in concluding this?

 

And I understand that prices vary greatly between garages, I was just wondering what some of you guys pay. It definitely wouldnt be a main dealer... it would be independant (purely to get the stamp in the book). Or by my father-in-law who has built cars from the ground-up and is 100% competent enough to do anything on a car (hes currently nearing the end of a MKII Escort Rally Car built which he, navigated by me, will be competing in. :#1: )

 

I just dont want to buy a minted 60k 350z to find I need to pay for a major service of £500 upwards that REQUIRES a garage to do it due to the parts/expertise required! :thumbdown::blink:

 

Cheers :thumbs:

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The Z takes very little looking after and uses standard Nissan servicing parts (e.g. oil/air filters)... These cars are well out of warranty now and receipts for parts are more valuable to private buyers than a stamp in a book.

 

Biggest maintenance costs are tyres, brakes, and clutch/flywheel. As long as none of those are knackered it'll cost peanuts to run... Well, except for the fuel ;)

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Off the top of my head, rough prices:

 

Dealer Independant

P1 £200+ £120 ish

P2 £300+ £200+

P3 £380ish £300+

 

Prices based on the owner not supplying their own oil.

Obviously, those are VERY rough figures, and in no way gospel.

 

Interval is 9000 miles/12 months and goes P1, P2, P1, P3, P1, P2, P1, P3 etc etc

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All EXCELLENT help, thanks for the welcome and thanks for the advice and info. :clap:

 

So re: the servicing, I can carry on doing home servicing as I have been with my previous cars. Great! :D

 

Tyres I priced today but could someone help me confirm the sizes. Rears are 255/45 18 and the fronts are 225/45 18 (or are the fronts 225/40?). Falken 452s at my local place are £125/£133 (respectively) on the car so its a lot less than I was expecting. Ive read a couple of owners run these, good grip dry and wet but a little higher wear than the standard Bridgestones(?)

 

Im a little confused on the road Tax for a 2003-2005 model, is it £460 or £260? :shrug:

 

Again, thanks again for the warm welcomes and the advice. Looking forward to goin "zed" shopping soon :thumbs:

 

Gaz

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Rears are 255/45 18 and the fronts are 225/45 18 (or are the fronts 225/40?)

Front: 225/45 R18

Rear: 245/45 R18

 

Yes the front and rear have different diameters and traction control gets upset if the rears aren't spinning 2-3% slower than the fronts.

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Thanks lrh. I did wonder why they would be different diameters... :thumbs:

 

This is all invaluable advice guys, thanks for all your help. This is why I love forums.

 

My Accord Type R went earlier tonight, bit sad to see it go, it was a minter and was reflected in the price I was asking! But thats £3500 to go into the pot with the other £1000 I already have saved. In a couple of months or so of saving, I should be in a position to buy myself a UK GT Zed. My 30th birthday is in December so itll maybe be a big prezzie to myself :lol:

 

Thanks again for all your tips, advice and help. Hopefully I can get my hands on a minted 350 before the end of the year B)

 

Gaz

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