^^ Ditto.

Many M3 issues are partly due to owner maintenance neglect.
The M3 I6 is toleranced very close to squezze out the power it makes. Proper break-in is critical. It's basically a hi-tune & somewhat finicky race engine.

Treat it right and she's a delight.
But do her bad...

- Janq

 

^^ Cool , thanks for the reply.

 

Hey Essogas,

Guess what was posted at 6MT.net last night:

Posted - 04/24/2003 : 08:39:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I spoke to the service manager at my dealer and he told me that the kit already retrofits on the sedan, and has to be slightly modified for the coupe (already in development at Stillen). Now why would a 350Z's engine compartment assimilate to the sedan more than to the coupe is past my thinking ability. However, expect both to come out around late summer...

XL

http://www.6mt.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=642

It gets more interesting as each day & week goes by...

- Janq

 

Jang- you're bringing back the nostalgia...

Back in my mororcycle roadracing days, I had the opportunity to ride a 916 at the Moroso circuit in West Palm Beach. I've ridden other worthy bikes like the Yamaha R1, the new GSXR-750, etc., But the 916 remains my pick. What a bloody machine it is, the way it catapults out of corners, the intuitive feedback from the handlebars as they warn the rider of impending understeer while trail braking. I can almost BE Carl Fogerty, with the front wheel levitating for an instant, as I feed the animal a heavy dose of left-right countersteer. And then there is that throbbing growl that pinpoints the unmistakable Italian 90-deg V-twin roots. Maybe some day when I move to a warmer climate...

Yes I know how it feels, the onset of the 30s, the start of a family, the dreams of early retirement, and yet the fire inside burns brighter than ever. Again, If I lived in California, It would have to be a Caterham or the Upcoming Lotus Elise. But as it stands today, either the EVO or the STi will get the last word.

 

Hmmmm. That's all I need right now is more choices to complicate the decision process. 350+ HP sounds nice... I'm going to go test drive one next week.

 

97itr153,

That was a great!

What the wife doesn't know though is that my mother in law is often complicitous and/or consults in my various schemes.

I just might end up reimbursing her later this year for getting me an S4 Monster as a X-Mas gift.

As my coach from HS used to always say;
"There's more than one way to skin a cat!"

- Janq


"...Let the Midnight Special, shine her ever lovin' light on me!"
- Dan Fogerty

 

you not referring to the V8 5 valve twin turbo, right?

 

interesting thread , I keep on seeing a white G35 coupe here in seattle on the streets and it looks beautiful I do prefer the front styling of the z350 more though. But like most people I need space in my car ( like back seats).

This is a tough choice ...

It is unfortunate but we all know it . There are some people out there that can't wait to get their hands on an STI to do some kills on the street/freeway . I sure hope this is not the case for the majority. (this is true for any affordable powerfull car that comes out ie.. SRT)

keep safe

 

of course not, just the regulaar 4.2 v8.. RS8 tt one is hot!!!!
M3 engine blow-up problems been resolved, see the sticky note on bimmer.org - something about replacing something in cylinder 3...

 

Above it says that motor issues in the M3 are neglect related not totally or at all the case in the new gen M3's it is a specific build of cars that has been consistently blowing motors (oct, nov production) motors that have been going with consistencey infact there is an oil system recall out for the cars now. It was just a case of over building on that motor.

As for the Audi buying there way to the top of C&D isn't that what people have always said about BMW. I dont think it was the case when BMW won I dont think its the case now.
Look at the new M3 few people in the automotive press like it to much power to little grip, the old M3 was a much better drivers car and that bothers a lot of people, BMW in a sense sold out to the masses with that car they left what had made them great and I think you will see a return soon or they will loose a lot of business.

Auto publications are starting to see it people in the motorsports community are noticing to, there has been a change at BMW for the for the worse. It never was about being fast in a strait line at BMW and it has become that now; all of the great BMW's were quick but not blinding. It was the experince that brought you in and was inexplicable, the soul of the automobile. THey have lost that and until they regain it they will continue to loose ground in circles that talk about this sort of thing.

Sorry for the rant but it kills me to watch a company that was at the top of there game 3 years ago loose the vision so badly.

 

Hey guys, been over an NASIOC, new here though. Just thought I would chime in.

I've test driven the 350z, have a standing offer to testdrive the G35, probably not going to take it up.

Well, first let me say that the G35 is IMHO one of the most beautiful automobiles ever created. Period, handsdown- interior and exterior.

Unfortunately, if its underpinnings are anything like the 350z, that's about all I can give it.

First off, in both the 350Z and the G35, Nissan included many cool features, but forgot one minor practical one - ANY semblence of rear visibility. PERIOD.

I'm 6'4", sitting in eather car, my view of the road behind me is limited to about a 4 foot streach of pavement 20 feet behind the car... thats IT. Oh, and don't bother head checking, with C pillars that massive, there's no way you'll see the guy even if you try.

Ok, its a sports car, it doesn't need to be practical, I understand.

The steering on the 350z was heaven, don't get me wrong. Very precise. I was quite enjoying myself until I hit a two lane road and the salesman told me to open her up and take off.

I GRIMACED at the result-

that 3.5l V6 may be reliable, it may be modern, that's nice. I dunno, but revving it above 5k was litterally a PAINFUL experience, like nails against a chalkboard. I didn't experience this while revving in neutral in either car back at the dealership, but under load the engine sent a god-awful vibration and clanging sound through the cockpit. The car built speed- not as fast as I expected for such high numbers, but I honestly felt guilty, as if I was over-revving an old american V8 (it was honestly about that smooth). I looked at the dealer in stock and he seemed to think this was perfectly normal "sounds nice, doesn't it?" he asked.

I choked down my response.

Now, maybe I'm spoiled by BMW inline 6's... maybe I just don't appreciate Nissan's feel but... Ouch. That's all I can say - OUCH.

After a few more miles it became clear to me that the car wasn't near what I Was looking for. It just felt.. wrong... now this probably is my obsession with the feel of BMW's (I'm hoping the STi will feel more european, I found the WRX did), and I admit that over time I'd probably get used to the Nissan "feel" but... I'm sorry, between the lack of rear visibility and the nails-on-a-chalkboard engine, I was actually somewhat relieved to get back to the dealership.

Please, take my impressions as merely that... impressions, one persons opinion. I have talked to several other test-drivers though and they have all given me the same "dude, what's wrong with that car's engine"?

Just my .02.

-Scott

 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot-

Best of luck to you getting a base 6 speed G35 coupe

My dealer said that _none_ of their 6 speed allocations were base. The salesman actually semi-joked that he wasn't even sure if there was such thing as a Base 6 speed G35 on the road, they are all shipping with the premium package.

G35 6 speed + PP = 38k...

STi is out the door at 31, plus a grand for a stereo, 32, all other options built in.

Don't underestimate that.

-Scott

 

Amen!!

 

Nice review Scott, thanks.

That engine raspiness has been reported by other folks and as you said it seems to be under load only. Many though have swapped intakes to an Injen or AEM and found they gained 10-12 HP and lost that hi-rev effect. Also the VQ6 is not a rev happy engine as I understand its not necessary for them to do so in making power.

The design of the G & Z are entirely different and they share zero body panels except for the front windshield. The rearview as I recall for the G is different and less restrictive/better placed than the Z. The Z does have a huge blindspot and that rear suspension brace is stupid, they could have done better. It looked cool in the concept car but living with it is just plan asinine.

Also, it's been reported at many Nissan/Infiniti/G35 specific sites and Edmunds.com that dealers are in fact stocking an entire range of vehicles with or without options. Also folks can and are ordering units. The base model BTW (6MT or Auto) is pretty well setup.
The only real options are Leather, NAV, Sunroof, Aero Kit, upgraded BOSE, and most important the 'Track' package with Brembo's, 18"s and LSD. The 6spdM comes stock with leather and the track package while both are options for the manumatic 5spd Auto.

The salesman at your dealer most likely was trying to 'upsell' you into a more expensive vehicle. I would!
Check around and compare/contrast offers.

PM me if you would links to specific G35 sites & info.

- Janq