my 370z vs. my 2007 335 coupe...
 

I am not a professional writer but I feel I am partially qualified after 20 years of subscriptions to motor trend and all the similar magazines. I just took delivery of my yellow 2009 370z, sport/touring, auto. I also own a 2007 red 335i coupe loaded, auto. I have to say there are many unique differences. I also live at 5000 feet elevation. The elevation massively effects the personality of the two engines. Lets start off by talking about the two engines/tranny's. The BMW is still very torquey but it seems to confuse the auto-trans. Under partial throttle, it short shifts to second and uses its torque in the wider gear to move the car along. The result of the short shift is a jerky, awkward feeling that doesn't feel high performance. At full throttle, it pulls great at low RPS's but flattens out at the high RPM's. The Z is the opposite. Engine is more peaky and less torquey. No short-shofting in the Z. A very linier acceleration and better feel under less than full throttle. The Z is less powerful at this altitude and I would guess would need another 40hp to equal out. Probably a good intake and exhaust would do it.
The interior... The BMW obviously has more and probably better leather and appears nicer, but not better. The Z has a more sporty feeling and well placed leather. I feel the Z will be best liked by those sports minded and not image minded. The seats on the Z are awesome....for short drives. There is less padding on the seats on the Z and you will feel the plastic supports under the padding on long road trips. Standard equipment on the Z only comes with the premium and sport packages on the BMW. Looks.... I think the Z will get way more looks, then again I do have a yellow one...made for getting looks. BMW is more classic but the Z is clearly more sporty.
Handling is definitely better on the Z. Without a doubt! Confidence is high and the BMW just cannot match it. Same for the braking.
I hope this helps people who wish more more information about comparing the two cars..

PS I took a road trip with the Bel GX65, GPS radar detector. AMAZING!! Better than Valentine due to it's GPS abilities!

so, i guess the new Z takes 1st in this comparison....nice write up

great write-up thanks! So would you say, 335 would fare than the Z in terms of 0-60 straight line? Love to see picts!

Also had 335 auto and considering Z auto or used m3 DCT.

Thanks for the review. Do you plan on keeping the bimmer?

Nice write up, but I have the same question as the last poster. Do you plan on keeping both vehicles?

ah sounds like your ECU software has not been updated in a while, correct? those problems have been fixed

I have not inserted an image on posts yet....any help would be great. I have the pics on my computer not the internet.
I think I have the latest ecu update on teh BMW but I'll check...
At this altitude, the BMW will win in a straight line race, but the Z is not fully broken in yet. The BMW feels faster now that it has 20K miles on it than when it was new.
The BMW is mostly driven by my wife, so yes we are planning to keep both cars. The Z makes me feel more youthful than the BMW. I am 35 years old now...
Would love to get exhaust and probably drop in filters. Maybe a gain of 20 hp...

I think the new pic should post by my profile...test

test again...logged out and in again...

OK. My wife and I raced about 4 times tonight. She in the BMW and me in the Z. On average the BMW took the Z by 1.5 cars at 60 mph. I would guess that the Z will get a bit faster with break in but no way at this altitude will match the BMW. I plan on a exhaust and k&n and see what that does.

^ sounds like your wife is a keeper, too.
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LOL. man I could put my wife in a Murcielago and beat her on a tricycle.


No doubt. and you did a great job. Nice write up.

You are one lucky guy for having a wife like that! :)

Not sure how bad alttitue affects NA cars but 1.5 cars is probably like .2 to .4 sec behind BMW.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/altitudecorrection.htm

Looks like NA has about 3% additional degradation in performance as compare to FI cars at 5000ft.

.3 sec difference....pop charger and test pipe....and you got the 335hands down.

I know!......but i'm not allowed to say. My encounter with my nephews 335 turbo was the most fun i've had.....2 evenly matched cars. And i taught him to drive like me...so it was .....interesting.

the 370Z is an amazing example of what value and performance is about. ....its no Ws6 or SS or Cobra...its balanced making it better than those cars. I've almost abandoned my other performance vehicles :)

other family fun:
other nephews stock Evo Mr 9
Sister 2004 M3
step sons 911 carrera.( non turbo)

this is good company for a 33k car.

Only prob is when that 335 gets Vishnu chip and downpipe, Z is history. Both are comparable in stock form but modified (e.g., $3000 budget), I think 335 will have an edge.

depends.....adding boost..you need to add fuel...the 335 may need injectors and a walbro and a piggy back fuel management system...stock turbo' efficiency may only be 5psi more... so turbo's may neeed to wbe swapped out.

But a turbo done right....is a deadly combo.

The "sport" modes om both automatics are very different. I think I might not be using the one on the Z right. On the BMW if you move the shifter to the right "manual" mode. I goes into a sport mode where it shifts faster, holds gears longer, and downshifts when decellerating. The Z does none of that. Can anyone help?

I asked a similar question and almost got my head chopped off :)

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...-question.html

I also had 335 and really liked the sport mode. G37 also has this mode - DS. 370z evidently DOES NOT have this. It's either boring auto or exciting manual mode.

at 4-5k elevation it will be tough for the Z to match the 335's acceleration. Race those two less than 1000ft the stock 335 will be history especially at higher speeds.

I thought both cars are pretty evenly matched even at normal elevation. I presume both cars will do 5 sec 0-60 (+- 0.3 sec)?

New G37 sedan has the same exact acceleration numbers as the 335... Subtract 200-300lb from the G37 that is about 0.2-0.3 second difference in a 1/4 mile time. As far as the 0-60 goes, the 335 will always have the edge. My 3 takes off like a bat out of hell and the very first 1/4 mile pass i managed to do 2.0 60ft time. It took me 2 years to do 2.1 consistently on my G.

I have a feeling that the 335's power will be boosted up a little more by the manufacturer for 2010 models.


BTW: 350z HR easily matches the 335's acceleration.

Cool - good to know that Z will have upper hand against the 335.

I don't think thats what he is saying.

i beleive a simple relfash on the 335i and you could easily have 30+ rwhp.
It (the reflash) may eqaute to more than 50 crank Hp..

having a modded turbo car in the recent past. Its hard to explain to NA guys how easily you can make an extra 50 rwhp...so long as there is room in the fuel system to deliver the proper a/f and proper " hacking" of the ecu. programming is the appriopiate word.


Sorry to say the 335i could easily handle 400 rwhp(more actually)..Solidly built bottom end for boost applications ,are always tough cookies.( remeber the Grand National..that was a simplton 3.8 v6 single turbo.)
wether the driveline can hold up is the other question.


Wait the nightmare is just begining:
When that Genesis 2.0T comes out... yeah you may laugh now....but i know shops gearing up for its arrival....we are talking close to 300 rwhp without breaking a sweat or a grand /1200. Not bad for 23,700 MSRP. oh plus the grand 1200 in mods.

Has anyone seen the pic of that engine/bay...easy access. I fear we all have more to worry about a youngin in a lightly moded. Genesis 2.0T. spec R

* yes thats to the rear wheels, not crank hp*

I am speaking about stock vs stock. FI cars will always have advantage when it comes to $$$/hp ratio. Just like 03 cobra vs 03 Z06. Stock Z06 is faster when you start modding those two, cobra just runs away from the vette.

this is 2009....... the massive power of the FI is a deterement. It cant hook up

hp alone is not the key ..it balance. i spent 4k on my Na C6 Zo6 and no FI car has beaten it with less money put into it......FI cars are very expensive to get massive hp
and are unreilabe.


( agian i had a recent turbo car that was very fast but i spent alot to make it so.


The Zo6 vs the terminator was a classic example.... cammed heads headers and its light weight made it dollar for dollar a superior car than the KB terminator

You must put in alot of money to make a FI a monster. I am talking 0-60 and 1/4 mile


From a roll your point may be valid. My c6 zo6 has murdered heavily modified FI from a dig.

In the GTO forums FI GTO's losses to NA GTO's in real racing 1/4 mile

Look at the Zo6 stock aand the Zr1 stock.....0-60 is almost identical....and it has 120 more hp in the same package.( you have to take the runflats off the z06,using the same tires as the Zr1)

Its all subjective.

But when a Genesis 2.0t is designed for tuners.....thats a different story.

i've read the botom end is capable of holding 450 rwhp.

I wish i waited. the Genesis will give many 370Z owners buyers remorse.
I'm no mechanic but i do own a dyno shop/tuner shop.

As i said this discussion was stock VS stock. I am not sure why you keep bringing up modded vs modded discussion.

20k 1992 civic will rape any new ferrari or a vette in a 1/4 mile. You can make any car as fast as you wish as long as you got enough $$$ to dump in it.... I'll take the 370z over my 335 or the genesis any day of the week. Thank you.

A lot of my friends think im nuts going back to nissan after having the Bimmer over 5 months but that is my car and that is what i enjoy driving. That is why there are chevys, nissans, toyotas, bimmers, benzs all over the road. If one was clearly "better" than the other then the losing manufacturer would not be in business.

... then you see a Genesis coupe for the first time and say "thank god I have a Z".

I'm sorry, but no amount of facias, skirts, spoilers, or wheels can save the Genesis from the ugly stick. We haven't even touched on handling yet, either.

Nice to see another New Mexican on these forums. Good write up!

If you don't mind me asking, what dealership did you buy your Z from?

True enough...but the civic isn't an all around car.....its desgned and built for one purpose.

The modded NA vs the Modded TC ......in the begining basica mods favor the FI vehicle.

But if you address the "balance issue" for instance.

I've a customer with an ALL motor 537 RWHP GTO....heavy car. Not only did he add hp, swapped out to drag springs, gears( nothing crazy) a few suspension tweaks.

We have personally seen him crush....CRUSH s/c GT500 Kr at the track. and ride home
with the car only to change pressure.

HP is a good thing....too little is no good...too much....and you don't have balance.



In regards to the UGLY stick......Hyundia didn't compromise on the spec r so handling will be no issue... even the 3.8 Genesis coupe 'felt better than a G37" if only a tad slower in the slolom.

And Ugly....well they did target the Nissan....and i for one think its a sharp looking vehicle.

Sounds to me that imatation is the best form of flattery. A black Gen with the wing
and its Brembo's 4 pot on EACH corner... is a excellent plateform

This car list for almost 7k less than a base /sport 370Z and will be lighter.
(spec r) Do you have any idea how tastefully modded this car can be at the same price.


Your ugly opinion is fine.Thats your right. But i for one think it looks good and its a Hyundai.....gotta sting just a little. What else can you say about it. The Sonata has proven itself to be reliable , able to take abuse and fairly sporting for a "family sedan"


Your gonna be shocked. Not to say its better than the 370Z but surely lets wait till the spec r is fully tested. You do know about its 3 second power reduction if you tag redline right? thats why the 3.8 Genesis did poorly....as the tach or any tach isn't quite quick enough to keep up with actual engine speed. THREE SECOND power reduction... thats the first thing tuners will tune out, to .5 seconds.

however there is no word on the spec r' s torque managment.......but 7k in mods can fix and improve beyond the 370Z.

I for one wish i waited....at very least to test on them same day

and again
http://g35driver.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif

Well Anyone is gonna tinker with there car...


And at altitude the 335i is modded. Stock for stock ( to me) would be both cars at sea level.

Whats the point of these forums. its to gain modification info...even if it matching headlamps...or an oil cooler


Fact is put the 370z and 335i at sea level and suddenly the Z got modded without craking the hood.


AI/AO its just and air pump That right pedal is not a gas pedal..its an air pedal

Yeah, it's my opinion that the Genesis coupe is shapeless at best, and generally poor looking. It looks and performs (thus far) nothing like the Z, so I'm not sure which part of the Genesis is imitating the Z. Targeting maybe, but then again the Z is targeting the Cayman. Does the Z look or drive like a Cayman?

Hyundai didn't compromise... what does that mean to Hyundai or anyone for that matter? They have to compromise like any other manufacturer not making true race cars. The question isn't whether they compromised, but rather how much did they have to compromise to keep costs at 22k. There's a whole lot of slop that can't be compensated by a modest weight advantage. Felt better than a G37... so the Gen "felt" better than a luxury car, and lost to it in the slalom anyway. That contradicts your point.

All the reviews are going to look something like this: "The Z is clearly the better car, but for the price the Genesis coupe is a respectable first effort."

One more thing, if the Genesis coupe gets 7k in mods, then a Yaris gets 18k. Or a craigslist used riding lawn mower gets 29k. Kinda pointless.

Not entirely.

A tune only 335 will push 350+ hp w/o any addons.

Two of the more popular tunes available.
JB3 - roughly $500
Vishnu - roughly $900


edit: To answer your question about PSI.. the latest tunes are pushing about 13-16psi. Stock is 8 psi. There are beta maps running as high as 18, 19, and 20 testing safety measures.

I am not aware of a sport mode on the 335i. Are you talking about the M3?

^he is talkiing about the autmatic tranny.

we are talking a hyuindai 2.0t vs a 3.7 i love tinkinry and with 7k in mod it gt pontetial...loos good and for the same price wll kill nissan..the undrog nissn
case clsewont yo be enbarrade


the modded srt4 killid the a turbo cocky 350 z he was emarrassed

and hhe spent the same wene we talked.

afternarted for the genesis 2.0t s in full gear and it looks sharp regardlless of what you say

for some reason i smell a troll....... Is it just me?

Hi all again. I have raced my wife over 20 times. She in the 335 and me in the z. I can even beat her off the line but at this altitude she is dominant. I would guess at 60 mph she has almost 2 car lengths and the gap isn't widening as fast but it is widening. The torque on the 335 is amazing. I have installed K&N drop in filters but nothing else. Her car has the same. After driving the z almost 2000 miles I have some more observations.

As far as the engine, the 335 is much quieter and seemingly in better tune. I prefer a peaky engine and the 335 is not that. In fact is has more pull at lower rpm than at higher. I prefer the z tranny (7 sp auto) to the 335 6sp auto. I like the relationship the z has between the two. The 335 has so much torque that is does not have to downshift to accelerate well where the z does.

I like the brake feel better by a little on the z. The 335 are a bit grabby and are difficult to modulate.

The suspension is softer on the 335. I prefer the z's suspension tune over the 335. Although on a long road trip they both will get old...the z will get old faster.

I have come to like the z stereo. It had the presence of good bass, great treble, but lacks mid-range. I have chosen to slightly fade the stereo towards the back by two ticks to add a little more rear sound fill. Center balance leaves the rear speakers silent. The 335 has a better stereo, but they charge for it. I think the stereo alone is a $1350 add on for this year 335 model. Was in a premium package when I bought it.

Looks. Even my wife loves the z more. The wheels make it. The 335 wheels are set in and don't give off an aura of performance. Whe ncomparing the two in looks....my wife who has won 20 out of 20 races laughs at me saying "all show and no go". I grind my teeth, but remind myself that it is my duty to keep her happy...even if I have to loose to her all the time.

Loving the discussion!