Considering buying 370z.

ImportConvert

I have not driven the Z extensively, but MOST of the complaints I hear about drive-by-wire come from throttle-lag. I didn't experience that with the Z. The Z felt connected, the steering-wheel just didn't communicate it, the rest of the car did. The steering-wheel seemed focused on talking to the tires instead of listening to them. You would think I could have related to that, but no. I have not heard any complaints about the GT500's EPAS after the re-calibration offered mid-model. Those guys are too worried about the rear-ends groaning in slow corners and their transmissions not going into 2nd gear.

m4a1mustang

The Z's steering is slightly numb, but it still has better feedback than most cars. Definitely better than the C6 Corvettes I've driven and about even with my Sport-package Mustang (with sport mode engaged).

Of course, you will be tainted for life if you ever test drive something like a Cayman S. That car (the base Cayman, anyway) is the 370's benchmark and, for the price, Nissan did a great job coming up with something that gives it an honest run for its money.

When I first was looking at a sports car I was looking closely at the 370, Cayman S, and Corvette C6.

The C6 had the power, but lacked refinement and an interior worthy of its price tag.

The Cayman S had a wonderful balance of power, incredible handling and feel, and quality. Unfortunately a new one cost more than a new C6, and a used one still cost more than a new 370Z.

The 370 had a great balance of power, handling, and feel with a great price tag to boot. Sure it wasn't as fast in a straight line as the Corvette, but it had a better feel and a higher quality interior, and no, it wasn't as refined and didn't have the feel as the Cayman S, but for $35k vs $40k used or $60-70k new, none of that really mattered to me anymore.

The 370 is a great car. I don't care what anyone says. If you like it, buy it. It WILL make you happy. Enjoy the thing for as long as it makes you smile. Owning a Z is great experience.

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optiontrader

But... with BMW, you get what you pay for. More refinement = more $$$.

I'll take the Z instead of the 335i and put the remainder towards landscaping and kitchen countertops for the wif!!!

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thefredman

WORD! She'll be happy at home while I cruise around all weekend!

lamboworld

Thanks for all of the replies. Ended up buying a 2008 135i 6MT with 22k for 27.9k. Has all of the BMW packages. Bought a $800 tune from Cobb Tuning and she pushes 355hp and 377ft/lb at the wheels.

Much faster than my E46 M3. Will get a custom tune in a few months and it should put down 375hp and 400ft/lb.

I drove a new 370Z and quite frankly was not impressed.

c41006

Very nice congrats on the purchase

lamboworld

Still love the 135i but also really like the look of the 370z.

However, I really bought the 135i becuase of the performance potential and the more refined ride.

I have about 6k in Tune, DP's, Wheels, Tires, Springs and Struts.

Running low 12's in the 1/4 and trapping at 117mph.

poorazn

You like the 135 more than the M3? 135 has a ridiculously tuneable engine, but the M3 to me, stock, screams sex. However, like you said, its $$$ to maintain.

congrats on the 135. You will def incogni some fools out on the open road.

370Zsteve

Post dyno charts pleeze. This I gotta see.

Edit: eh, just noticed this post is from January...

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lamboworld

Here you go: COBB Tuning AccessPORT BETA Stage2 Maps Available - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

Same mods that I have

Cristobal09

Thats so funny, I just traded in my 06 m3 vert on sunday (after owning for a year and a half) and I got rid of mine for the exact same reasons, I had the SMG and the infamous cog light kept coming on and off. Plus only being able to use one type of oil that cost 17 bucks a quart got old. While you get the "rich" feeling of driving the M3, the Z is hands down a better car. Its the same power, but a fraction of the weight and minus the back seats. It outhandles the M3 too (I had a vert so I lost some of the handling that the M3 coupes had). The SMG also was terrible in traffic, it shifted so hard that my wife couldnt stand driving in it. Nothing was scarier than hitting the unlock button and not hearing that smg pump prime.

Now the M on the other hand was a tad more comfortable, unless you had the 19" rims. Im a 220lb 5 foot 9 and the seats in the Z are a tad snug while the M3's were really comfy. If you had the SMG, (when the cog light didnt come on popping out of gear on the interstate) it shifted much quicker. So in a 0-60, at least to me, it was a tad quicker....but totally not worth the trouble. The Nissan doesnt have vanos issues, smg issues, rear subframe tearing.....now if you asked this same question over on m3forums.net they would tell you that the Z was a "boy racer" car and to get something with class...im not sure what a boy racer is since these cars can cost up to 40 grand new. I can tell you this much, get the Z. Ive never been happier trading in a car before, even if I did have negative equity.

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Snakes709

dont bother with a 370z, buy a EvoX :P

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Mt Tam I am

OP already bought a car before I finished reading entire thread.

I gave out so much rep in this thread I got this message:

You have given out too much Reputation in the last 24 hours, try again later.


ImportConvert once said: Then I went to Spring Mountain Motorsports ranch where a few instructors in stock Camaro SS's made fools of us in ZR1's when we couldn't keep up with them. I learned a painful (to my ego) lesson.

I did a similar class at Infinion, Sears Point, where the instuctors had bone stock EVO X's, and I had my 370. I stuck like glue to them with no humiliation for me and the Z.
And yet you feel that you can talk intelligently about the steering and all else. The Z offers more than an inexperienced driver like yourself can appreciate.

Take some more classes, learn to drive where your Corvette can keep up with a Camaro, then criticize the Z's steering.


You said the instructors made a fool out of you and I think "You" make a fool of yourself most of the time. The instructors just pointed it out.


.

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Red__Zed

weren't you at a pre-HPDE school event though?

Mt Tam I am

Not quite. I was at Jim Russell School of racing where we learned the limits of our own cars. I believe the same or similar as to Import. As far as pre HPDE I want to go on and get an SCCA license. Time, not money is my problem.

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