So Long Z - it was Fun(ish)

[bpeckham]

Hill assist in a manual sucks donkey balls. I have to give it a few seconds to release so I can actually get it going. Otherwise I'm bucking or over revving to start on a hill.

Can confirm.

 

[trackratZ]

Performance. Yes, stock tires, they were ok, starting giving up when pushed hard. I think better tires and some sway bars would tighten things up. For this price point, it would be nice to have an adjustable suspension.

How did the stock brakes hold up at the track, how many sessions? Fluids changed? Normally first things I address for stockers, better pads and high temp brake fluid, then tires. Susp upgrade, alignment and tuning after all that.

 

[flyrchris]

How did the stock brakes hold up at the track, how many sessions? Fluids changed? Normally first things I address for stockers, better pads and high temp brake fluid, then tires. Susp upgrade, alignment and tuning after all that.

The brakes did amazing, I did 4 sessions a day for two days, probably about 10 laps each session and never had felt any signs of fading or mushiness. I agree on the tires, I have read several places the Bridgestones that come stock are not the best tires for this car.

By far the best asset on this car is the engine. It just never quits producing power, throughout the whole rev range. On a more vain note, I am also enjoying the 'rarity' of the car. I have not seen a single one on the road around my community since I got in last May. I drove it out to Colorado for some mountain driving and never saw a single other one in the 2200 miles. I get lots of questions about it.

 

[trackratZ]

...On a more vain note, I am also enjoying the 'rarity' of the car. I have not seen a single one on the road around my community since I got in last May. I drove it out to Colorado for some mountain driving and never saw a single other one in the 2200 miles. I get lots of questions about it.

Another reason the Z still draws me in, not many at all roaming the streets. That alone is worth a few grins everywhere, plus being a Z fan forever, it's very cool. I may just keep the Cayman S for full track duty and get the Z for trips, clubs, cruises, it's good enough for that. ?

Or GroupZ events up our mtn roads.

 

[mtjohnson]

Congrats on the BMW @mtjohnson

Thank you! And congrats back on the Nismo!

 

[mtjohnson]

Another reason the Z still draws me in, not many at all roaming the streets. That alone is worth a few grins everywhere, plus being a Z fan forever, it's very cool. I may just keep the Cayman S for full track duty and get the Z for trips, clubs, cruises, it's good enough for that. ?

Or GroupZ events up our mtn roads.

That was also one of my favorite things about owning one. I loved the conversations it started. From middle aged guys approaching me to tell me about their early Z Cars, to curious teens and 20 something’s. That was one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning the Z. LOVE that blue Restomod BTW. Hopefully once the detached garage is completed, I can add a restomod myself to the fold.

 

[Vintage]

Beautiful BMW Congrats ! Excellent write up and I do get what you mean about the the honey moon period. When I feel like the honey moon is about to come to a end, I park one for a week and take the other one out. It's like having two girlfriends, lol.

 

[Bert]

Can confirm.

Interesting. I’ve never had an issue with mine and I use it all the time. Smooth as silk

 

[bpeckham]

Interesting. I’ve never had an issue with mine and I use it all the time. Smooth as silk

This is the first MT car I've owned with hill hold (out of 10, dating back mumbly-something decades), so maybe I just haven't adapted yet, but I find hill hold often holds me back when I could be moving. It seems like I have to give more power than I expect to overcome the brakes. I'd rather just roll back a tad and overcome gravity. Personal opinion. YMMV.

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

This is the first MT car I've owned with hill hold (out of 10, dating back mumbly-something decades), so maybe I just haven't adapted yet, but I find hill hold often holds me back when I could be moving. It seems like I have to give more power than I expect to overcome the brakes. I'd rather just roll back a tad and overcome gravity. Personal opinion. YMMV.

???

 

[zpro_fast]

A good set of coils makes the Z a totally different car.

Despite that, no one can argue with anything you have said about comparisons to other cars. The Z is disappointing flawed in some ways.

In Australia, those other options you mentioned are considerably more expensive than the Z here. Which makes it make more sense.

From a value point of view it’s a very attractive proposition here in AUS.

There’s not a lot of stock (other than yellow) around, just enough to satiate the Z purists I would think.

For me, the new Z is like a gift from Nissan. I’ve been a Z club member for so many years with older Z’s. All of them had issues when new also.

The thing is, every Z is an icon. Even the Shizen ones. And damn they are sexy (mostly).

I look at my new Z and it reminds me of my 300zx, 350z and the 240 I always wanted but could never afford. It’s such an emotional car for me.

There are always better cars, that is true even for the incredible M2/3/4. There’s even a new GT3 RS every few years.

I think the Z has always been a flawed, beautiful and fun as hell car for reasonable money.

At least that’s what it is for me and that’s why I love it.

 

[mtjohnson]

A good set of coils makes the Z a totally different car.

Despite that, no one can argue with anything you have said about comparisons to other cars. The Z is disappointing flawed in some ways.

In Australia, those other options you mentioned are considerably more expensive than the Z here. Which makes it make more sense.

From a value point of view it’s a very attractive proposition here in AUS.

There’s not a lot of stock (other than yellow) around, just enough to satiate the Z purists I would think.

For me, the new Z is like a gift from Nissan. I’ve been a Z club member for so many years with older Z’s. All of them had issues when new also.

The thing is, every Z is an icon. Even the Shizen ones. And damn they are sexy (mostly).

I look at my new Z and it reminds me of my 300zx, 350z and the 240 I always wanted but could never afford. It’s such an emotional car for me.

There are always better cars, that is true even for the incredible M2/3/4. There’s even a new GT3 RS every few years.

I think the Z has always been a flawed, beautiful and fun as hell car for reasonable money.

At least that’s what it is for me and that’s why I love it.

I cant fault you there. Specifically with the pricing differences in AUS. Here in the states, a fully optioned Z start encroaching on C8 territory.

I can agree that the z feels like a gift in a way from Nissan. Really any 2 seat sports car running on petrol these days is a gift.

I looked at my Z the same way. It reminded me of the early Zs I always wanted and the 350 I got when I had my first “real job” that I loved. That nostalgia, the people flagging me down in parking lots both young and old to talk to me about the car - was the best thing about the Z.

Im not so sure in its Preformance Trims, I consider it reasonable money any longer with the other options available at least Stateside….BUT you and I are in 100% agreement in that it is a beauty. Im glad they made it. Im glad the fans got a chance to experience it again - and Im happy for those out there that get to keep living the Z dream

 

[zpro_fast]

It seems like we are in a little bit of a golden age of car culture. I mean the 90s was good, but I was too young to enjoy that properly.

I love that there are so many options for so many types at the moment. All of the new sports cars are just great in different ways.

Get in an older sports car and you realise how lucky we are today. The new M240i is such an incredible car, you get in a 2000 M3 and its just night and day.

I did a track day recently with a guy in a new M2, it was a rocket.

Older cars were too analog, future cars will be too tech heavy (looking at you 2024 Mustang) or electric. Today we have a really nice balance.

Hoorah for all cars!

 

[mtjohnson]

It seems like we are in a little bit of a golden age of car culture. I mean the 90s was good, but I was too young to enjoy that properly.

I love that there are so many options for so many types at the moment. All of the new sports cars are just great in different ways.

Get in an older sports car and you realise how lucky we are today. The new M240i is such an incredible car, you get in a 2000 M3 and its just night and day.

I did a track day recently with a guy in a new M2, it was a rocket.

Older cars were too analog, future cars will be too tech heavy (looking at you 2024 Mustang) or electric. Today we have a really nice balance.

Hoorah for all cars!

Very true! I drove an M2 and it was an incredible machine. I just couldn’t see myself driving it daily….but tracking it?!??? Oh yes!!

 

[rocksandblues]

It seems like we are in a little bit of a golden age of car culture. I mean the 90s was good, but I was too young to enjoy that properly.

I love that there are so many options for so many types at the moment. All of the new sports cars are just great in different ways.

Get in an older sports car and you realise how lucky we are today. The new M240i is such an incredible car, you get in a 2000 M3 and its just night and day.

I did a track day recently with a guy in a new M2, it was a rocket.

Older cars were too analog, future cars will be too tech heavy (looking at you 2024 Mustang) or electric. Today we have a really nice balance.

Hoorah for all cars!

I agree with golden age and hooray for almost any 2-door sports car.

h o w e v e r, as someone that still owns a 2002 M3- that analog/raw feeling is lacking these days. Lots of these sports cars have lost the driver/road connection with all the gee wiz ecus, sound deadening numb feeling/safe handling responses.
Yes, there are tons of run of the mill machines that can outrun my lowly 333hp. But none communicate back and have the personality.
In 2002- 333hp, built in pedal commander, 6 gears, was amazing. And it still holds up as an exciting and passionate ride. .02

there are a few older sports cars from different eras that just never get old. Friends 964 Porsche is another one.