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.