350z potential owner questions....
350z potential owner questions....
Any help would much appreciated
.
Okay guys after nearly 4 years with the lex I feel a change coming, main options so far are a 350z and z4's, I was just wanting to know with 350z's what should I look out for? Also do imported 350z,s have any bearing on tax or insurance.
Any help would much appreciated .
I was going to re-type what I had learned but was easier to copy it from my 350z forum - sorry mods if not ok and you want me to re-type, let me know
As with all Japanese cars there are loads of imported (JDM) cars on the market too. Briefly...
you can't take the roof off without a saw it is a Coupe, if you can it is a roadster. (Don't make yourself look stoopid by talking about buying a 350Z cabriolet!)
If it is a 350Z GT, Gran Turismo or has the GT pack fitted it means it has heated seats, cruise control and upgraded (Bose) stereo. When new dealers charged an extra £2000 for this. There is a GT4 limited edition too.
If it a Fairlady, Version T (Lux) it is an import.
While the 350Z is pretty reliable there are a few problems which happen to most cars. While most of these should have been fixed by the dealer under warranty there are a few that have not materialised until the warranty has run out. UK spec. cars have the usual Nissan 3 year warranty. If the car is under warranty and there are outstanding faults this may indicate a reluctance to visit the dealer (big service due? modifications that may invalidate the warranty?)
These problems are...
Tyres feathering, uneven wear, grumbling at low speeds.
Grumbling at 15 to 30mph is usually caused by the tyres, if it has original bridgestones.
Feathering, scrubbing and un-even wear is probably bandly set tracking. Nissan issued a bulletin on this subject which you can see at http://www.bonell.plus.com/350z/tire%20 ... lletin.pdf
Rear axle clicking noise. Sounds like something left underneath. Usually does it when shifting from reverse to forward or initial load when moving off. This is caused by the driveshafts. Due to the work involved make sure the price reflects this if the car is not covered under warranty. You can read the bulletin at http://www350z-tech.com/zwiki/service:t ... _Rear_Axle
Gearchange can get a bit notchy in 4th and 6th if thrashed or neglected.
Bose CD player skipping. The Bose system is intended as an upgrade but the CD player tends to skip or jump. Usually when my CDs are on. If my good lady puts 'Chick flick sondtrack' or 'Cheezy 80s cack' on it is fine! Yet as soon as the White stripes, the Who or the Zep are on it sounds like the dance remix! Most have been fixed under warranty though.
The N/S speaker can cut out when playing CDs too. Best to administer a sound thump to the passenger kneepad area (With your hand. Put the hammer down!)
Squeaky brakes. This is what happens when you fit big Brembo racing brakes to a car then people drive it like a Fiat Punto. Seat Turbo R and Mitsubishi Evo owners cars suffer from this too. Funnily enough those cars all have Brembo brake callipers too! At times the odd squeak from the brakes can be embarrasing but as a car mechanic I am happy as long as they stop the car when I press the brake!
Some owners complain about a spongy pedal too. Because the Brembo brake calliper has large brake pads more effort is required when the pads are cold. Sometimes over-zealous owners overfill the brake reservoir too. Because there is no space this causes the master cylinder to draw the brake pistons back in overnight, so when you come out in the morning, half asleep picking kebab from your teeth and yellow stuff from your eyes, reveverse out the drive and shi...get a big fright and have to pump up the footbrake, thats what causes it!
People always complain about handbrake travel (not just on Zeds, on all Nissans) For some reason Nissan like the handbrake to come on a convincing amount. If overadjusted, the rear pads will heat up and cause terrible brake fade.
Tailgate trying to eat you. The stops can be adjusted by taking them off and spacing them. Dealers can get the correct pads for doing that. If ignored the struts will weaken and adjusting the pads won't work.
Scratches/stonechips on bumper. This is normal because of the shape of the front of the car. There are 2 ways to stop this happening.
1.Buy something else
2.Buy some clear film and fit it before it happens. Most car accessory shops sell this film.
I would recommend the later option. It is better to see a few stonechips than a horribly repainted bumper, bodged because they are trying to sell the car!
Finally, if the car is over 4 years old or past 54,000 miles make sure it has had its major service because it is a biggie! (Currently about £500!)
I know its one hell of a read and not all the cars have this problem but its good to be prepared, I did my homework before buying mine and fingers crossed it has really paid off.
With regard to tax and insurance, if its been registered over here before 23 March 2006 then tax is £245 a year, after that its £400 (I got a late 2005 so I was lucky lol). Insurance is about £100 more if its an import.
I really recommend joining http://www.350z-uk.com to find out more info, it helped me no end and they're a pretty good bunch over there. Their FAQ section (where I got the above info from) is great and will also tell you the differences between imports and UK cars. Any other questions, just ask :thumbup1:
Voodoo Vix
24-03-2018, 09:57 AM #2This could be a long one so bear with me lol
I was going to re-type what I had learned but was easier to copy it from my 350z forum - sorry mods if not ok and you want me to re-type, let me know
As with all Japanese cars there are loads of imported (JDM) cars on the market too. Briefly...
you can't take the roof off without a saw it is a Coupe, if you can it is a roadster. (Don't make yourself look stoopid by talking about buying a 350Z cabriolet!)
If it is a 350Z GT, Gran Turismo or has the GT pack fitted it means it has heated seats, cruise control and upgraded (Bose) stereo. When new dealers charged an extra £2000 for this. There is a GT4 limited edition too.
If it a Fairlady, Version T (Lux) it is an import.
While the 350Z is pretty reliable there are a few problems which happen to most cars. While most of these should have been fixed by the dealer under warranty there are a few that have not materialised until the warranty has run out. UK spec. cars have the usual Nissan 3 year warranty. If the car is under warranty and there are outstanding faults this may indicate a reluctance to visit the dealer (big service due? modifications that may invalidate the warranty?)
These problems are...
Tyres feathering, uneven wear, grumbling at low speeds.
Grumbling at 15 to 30mph is usually caused by the tyres, if it has original bridgestones.
Feathering, scrubbing and un-even wear is probably bandly set tracking. Nissan issued a bulletin on this subject which you can see at http://www.bonell.plus.com/350z/tire%20 ... lletin.pdf
Rear axle clicking noise. Sounds like something left underneath. Usually does it when shifting from reverse to forward or initial load when moving off. This is caused by the driveshafts. Due to the work involved make sure the price reflects this if the car is not covered under warranty. You can read the bulletin at http://www350z-tech.com/zwiki/service:t ... _Rear_Axle
Gearchange can get a bit notchy in 4th and 6th if thrashed or neglected.
Bose CD player skipping. The Bose system is intended as an upgrade but the CD player tends to skip or jump. Usually when my CDs are on. If my good lady puts 'Chick flick sondtrack' or 'Cheezy 80s cack' on it is fine! Yet as soon as the White stripes, the Who or the Zep are on it sounds like the dance remix! Most have been fixed under warranty though.
The N/S speaker can cut out when playing CDs too. Best to administer a sound thump to the passenger kneepad area (With your hand. Put the hammer down!)
Squeaky brakes. This is what happens when you fit big Brembo racing brakes to a car then people drive it like a Fiat Punto. Seat Turbo R and Mitsubishi Evo owners cars suffer from this too. Funnily enough those cars all have Brembo brake callipers too! At times the odd squeak from the brakes can be embarrasing but as a car mechanic I am happy as long as they stop the car when I press the brake!
Some owners complain about a spongy pedal too. Because the Brembo brake calliper has large brake pads more effort is required when the pads are cold. Sometimes over-zealous owners overfill the brake reservoir too. Because there is no space this causes the master cylinder to draw the brake pistons back in overnight, so when you come out in the morning, half asleep picking kebab from your teeth and yellow stuff from your eyes, reveverse out the drive and shi...get a big fright and have to pump up the footbrake, thats what causes it!
People always complain about handbrake travel (not just on Zeds, on all Nissans) For some reason Nissan like the handbrake to come on a convincing amount. If overadjusted, the rear pads will heat up and cause terrible brake fade.
Tailgate trying to eat you. The stops can be adjusted by taking them off and spacing them. Dealers can get the correct pads for doing that. If ignored the struts will weaken and adjusting the pads won't work.
Scratches/stonechips on bumper. This is normal because of the shape of the front of the car. There are 2 ways to stop this happening.
1.Buy something else
2.Buy some clear film and fit it before it happens. Most car accessory shops sell this film.
I would recommend the later option. It is better to see a few stonechips than a horribly repainted bumper, bodged because they are trying to sell the car!
Finally, if the car is over 4 years old or past 54,000 miles make sure it has had its major service because it is a biggie! (Currently about £500!)
I know its one hell of a read and not all the cars have this problem but its good to be prepared, I did my homework before buying mine and fingers crossed it has really paid off.
With regard to tax and insurance, if its been registered over here before 23 March 2006 then tax is £245 a year, after that its £400 (I got a late 2005 so I was lucky lol). Insurance is about £100 more if its an import.
I really recommend joining http://www.350z-uk.com to find out more info, it helped me no end and they're a pretty good bunch over there. Their FAQ section (where I got the above info from) is great and will also tell you the differences between imports and UK cars. Any other questions, just ask :thumbup1:
karlp Thanks vix, what's involved in the major service? Timing belts etc?
Will check my book about servicing and post up a schedule. The zed is not belt driven, its a chain, they recommend getting it checked for tightening around 100k.
Voodoo Vix
24-03-2018, 11:33 AM #7karlp Thanks vix, what's involved in the major service? Timing belts etc?
Will check my book about servicing and post up a schedule. The zed is not belt driven, its a chain, they recommend getting it checked for tightening around 100k.
(This assumes an annual mileage of less than 18,000 miles a year and is taken directly from the Nissan Maintenance booklet pages 18 and 19)
At 1 Year or 9,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service
At 2 years or 18,000 miles (whichever sooner P2 service (plus brake fluid change as extra item at additional cost)
At 3 years or 27,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus coolant change as extra service item at additional cost)
At 4 years or 36,000 miles (whichever sooner) P3 service (plus brake fluid change as extra item at additional cost) - though P2 is exactly the same as a P3
At 5 years or 45,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus plugs changed as extra service item at additional cost)
At 6 years or 54,000 miles (whichever sooner) P2 service (plus brake fluid change plus coolant change as extra service items at additional cost)
At 7 years or 63,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service
At 8 years or 72,000 miles (whichever sooner) P3 service (plus brake fluid change as extra service item at additional cost) see note above about P3 vs P2
At 9 years or 81,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus coolant change at additional cost)
At 10 years or 90,000 miles (whichever sooner) P2 service (plus brake fluid change and airbag system inspection as extra items at additional cost)
As you can see, the brake fluid should be changed every two years (or 27,000 miles if sooner) (regardles of the service due at that time) and the coolant every three years (or every 36,000 miles if sooner). Plugs are changed at 5 years (or every 54,000 miles if sooner).
Hope that helps everyone and stops the repeated questions. Any comments welcome.
P1 (basic oil change and inspection); P2/P3 (oil change and air filter change and inspection) plus any extras e.g. fluids and plugs as per year/mileage.
Voodoo Vix
25-03-2018, 04:09 AM #8Service Schedule below
(This assumes an annual mileage of less than 18,000 miles a year and is taken directly from the Nissan Maintenance booklet pages 18 and 19)
At 1 Year or 9,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service
At 2 years or 18,000 miles (whichever sooner P2 service (plus brake fluid change as extra item at additional cost)
At 3 years or 27,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus coolant change as extra service item at additional cost)
At 4 years or 36,000 miles (whichever sooner) P3 service (plus brake fluid change as extra item at additional cost) - though P2 is exactly the same as a P3
At 5 years or 45,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus plugs changed as extra service item at additional cost)
At 6 years or 54,000 miles (whichever sooner) P2 service (plus brake fluid change plus coolant change as extra service items at additional cost)
At 7 years or 63,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service
At 8 years or 72,000 miles (whichever sooner) P3 service (plus brake fluid change as extra service item at additional cost) see note above about P3 vs P2
At 9 years or 81,000 miles (whichever sooner) P1 service (plus coolant change at additional cost)
At 10 years or 90,000 miles (whichever sooner) P2 service (plus brake fluid change and airbag system inspection as extra items at additional cost)
As you can see, the brake fluid should be changed every two years (or 27,000 miles if sooner) (regardles of the service due at that time) and the coolant every three years (or every 36,000 miles if sooner). Plugs are changed at 5 years (or every 54,000 miles if sooner).
Hope that helps everyone and stops the repeated questions. Any comments welcome.
P1 (basic oil change and inspection); P2/P3 (oil change and air filter change and inspection) plus any extras e.g. fluids and plugs as per year/mileage.
So ideally full service and be a 55 plate or under to stop the tax hike.
Hows the tyre wear on these and is there anything I should look for under the hood when purchasing, spotting leaks etc
Thanks vix, looks pretty ordinary really for services just the usual.
So ideally full service and be a 55 plate or under to stop the tax hike.
Hows the tyre wear on these and is there anything I should look for under the hood when purchasing, spotting leaks etc
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