MotorTrend First Test: 2009 Nissan 370Z test drive 4.7 sec 0 to 60 11.25.08

Minicobra1 · 11-30-2008, 08:44 AM

Endgame,

Yeah, I was pretty much sold on the 135i, had my wheels, suspension, everything picked out, then I got an invite to see the new Z.
The best thing about the 370Z is that it is about $8k less and the same if not better performance. And that's without forced induction, can't wait to see what a turbo or twin turbo kit will do for this car.
I'm a big fan of wide tires, I really like the fact that the 19's with 275 rears fit no problem, which means you could probably stuff a 295 or 305 under there. Good luck getting anything wider then a 255 on the Bimmer without rubbing.

Endgame · 11-30-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

Endgame,

Yeah, I was pretty much sold on the 135i, had my wheels, suspension, everything picked out, then I got an invite to see the new Z.
The best thing about the 370Z is that it is about $8k less and the same if not better performance. And that's without forced induction, can't wait to see what a turbo or twin turbo kit will do for this car.
I'm a big fan of wide tires, I really like the fact that the 19's with 275 rears fit no problem, which means you could probably stuff a 295 or 305 under there. Good luck getting anything wider then a 255 on the Bimmer without rubbing.

Same with me! I was going BMW performance suspension and doing the Tii treatment. Glad to have a fellow convert on the boards.

AK370Z · 11-30-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

Endgame,

Yeah, I was pretty much sold on the 135i, had my wheels, suspension, everything picked out, then I got an invite to see the new Z.
The best thing about the 370Z is that it is about $8k less and the same if not better performance. And that's without forced induction, can't wait to see what a turbo or twin turbo kit will do for this car.
I'm a big fan of wide tires, I really like the fact that the 19's with 275 rears fit no problem, which means you could probably stuff a 295 or 305 under there. Good luck getting anything wider then a 255 on the Bimmer without rubbing.

Absolutely. 370Z offers the best bang for the buck and you get to listen to the amazing throaty exhaust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmunds.com

The Numbers Tell the Story
The numbers tell the story. The 2008 BMW 135i coupe gets to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 5.3 seconds and the standing kilometer (fast becoming a standard performance benchmark among Europe's more sporting carmakers) in 24.6 seconds. To give this speed some perspective, the new 2008 BMW M3 is just 0.5 second and 1.3 seconds quicker to the same marks respectively. Even more important, this 135i coupe will rip from 50-75 mph in 4th gear in just 5.0 seconds — just 0.1 second slower than the latest M-car.

4.7s > 5.3s IMO

BTW, great first post. Feel free to introduce yourself in the "New Member" section and post some pictures

of your ride.

M.Bonanni · 11-30-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

Endgame,

Yeah, I was pretty much sold on the 135i, had my wheels, suspension, everything picked out, then I got an invite to see the new Z.
The best thing about the 370Z is that it is about $8k less and the same if not better performance. And that's without forced induction, can't wait to see what a turbo or twin turbo kit will do for this car.
I'm a big fan of wide tires, I really like the fact that the 19's with 275 rears fit no problem, which means you could probably stuff a 295 or 305 under there. Good luck getting anything wider then a 255 on the Bimmer without rubbing.

The VQ35HR is already making 500+ on pump gas with just a bolt on turbo kit.

Also the current 350Z can fit 315s in the rear with fender rolling, so I am expecting the same or more out of the 370Z. The fenders on the 370Z come rolled from the factory too! When I saw it in person there was a TON of room back there.

This will be a bad a** car for sure.

RCZ · 11-30-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

What's up everyone, this is my first post so don't beat me up too bad

I was in the Market for a BMW 135i, but after seeing the 370z at the Edmonds event and reading the road test, I've been converted.

No worries, no one is going to beat you up and Welcome to the forums!

Quote:

First off, I believe that the 4.7 to 60 Motortrend result is true and factual as well as the Edmonds test. I've done work for both these magazines and they are not going to post up false times. Weather or not they can get consitent 4.7 is questionable though.

No one said its not true, we are only discussing the validity of how that time represents the Z's normal actual performance. I don't doubt that with a nice launch and everything going very right, the Z can hit 60 in 4.7s. As you said, they probably cant get it consistently.

Quote:

Everyone here is talking about weight vs. HP, but knowone has mentioned, gear ratios,(except DD) drag coefecient, tire pressure, weight transfer, track temperature, etc. All of these things play a factor in 0-60 times.
When they do these test, they heat up the tires with many burn-outs, experiment with tire pressure, launch RPM's, and make sure that they are not going into a head wind.

That's true, specially about the gear ratios. Gearing has everything to do with 0-60 times. The thread just didn't merit getting into anything other than power and weight until now. Also I think that yes, there are other factors to take into account to judge a 0-60 time, however this standard is loosely measured to give you a sense of the acceleration of the car regardless of how it does it. A 4.7 paints a very different picture to me than does a 5.1 run. What Im trying to get at here is not whether the car can muster a 4.7s to 60 run, but rather if it will consistently be closer to that number or to 5.1s...

Quote:

Knowing that the 370z has lower drag, shorter wheelbase, stronger drive shaft, better traction, I have no doubt that with the right driver, car, and perfect road conditions that this time is acheivable. Either way, this is one quick great handling car and you can count me in at the dealership when they go on sale.

Drag doesn't make any real difference to 60. Nor would a shorter wheelbase. Carbon driveshaft would more efficiently transfer the engine power to the wheels, but they dont like very hard shocks, that wouldnt help. Better traction, possibly with the 275s. Driver goes unsaid and car shouldnt be a variable.

RCZ · 11-30-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

The VQ35HR is already making 500+ on pump gas with just a bolt on turbo kit.

Also the current 350Z can fit 315s in the rear with fender rolling, so I am expecting the same or more out of the 370Z. The fenders on the 370Z come rolled from the factory too! When I saw it in person there was a TON of room back there.

This will be a bad a** car for sure.

I wouldn't put much bigger tires in the rear without upgrading the power. That would make for a lame car that doesn't like to rotate...With the turbo kit, thats a different story. I was excited about the fenders too! That new z has potential! RE30's 18x9.5" front and 19x12" in the back. Hoosier R6 all around. 295/35/18 on front and 345/30/19 on the rear. Yay $4000 wheel/tire package!

M.Bonanni · 11-30-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I wouldn't put much bigger tires in the rear without upgrading the power. That would make for a lame car that doesn't like to rotate...With the turbo kit, thats a different story.

Well that goes without saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I was excited about the fenders too! That new z has potential! RE30's 18x9.5" front and 19x12" in the back. Hoosier R6 all around. 295/35/18 on front and 345/30/19 on the rear. Yay $4000 wheel/tire package!

Too big of a stagger in my opinion. I have found that on the 350Zs at least I prefer a 20mm difference between front & rear max. I also like a shorter sidewall. I think my ideal setup would be what I run on my 350Z which is 295/30/18 front and 315/30/18 rear.

CrownR426 · 11-30-2008, 03:41 PM

Those are sick numbers for a stock car @ this price!!!
OP do you know what trim this z was?
I'm thinking of just getting either base + sports or touring + sports...
Lighter the better [:

RCZ · 11-30-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

Well that goes without saying.

You'd be surprised...

Quote:

Too big of a stagger in my opinion. I have found that on the 350Zs at least I prefer a 20mm difference between front & rear max. I also like a shorter sidewall. I think my ideal setup would be what I run on my 350Z which is 295/30/18 front and 315/30/18 rear.

Of course its too big, those are Z06 settings hahaha...

295 up front?

M.Bonanni · 11-30-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

295 up front?

Yep, thats what I currently run on my time attack 350Z.

RCZ · 11-30-2008, 04:39 PM

Thats a whole lot of rubber up front man, any reason why you had to go that big? did it just balance out the car better or what?

Also could you shine a little light on the suspension settings you use? Camber, spring rates, etc. I want to get an idea of what works on the Z.

M.Bonanni · 11-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Thats a whole lot of rubber up front man, any reason why you had to go that big? did it just balance out the car better or what?

Also could you shine a little light on the suspension settings you use? Camber, spring rates, etc. I want to get an idea of what works on the Z.

Well the car has 750whp so we need all the rear tire we can get. The 350Z doesn't like big stagger setups too well so the 295 up front made for a good combo. We do use all of it though, thats for sure. The car is still 3,064 lbs. without driver too.

As for suspension settings, that always changes as the car develops and for the different tracks we are at so there is really no "set it and forget it" settings.

RCZ · 11-30-2008, 04:48 PM

Man that must be fun as hell. Do you drive the car or do you have a driver?

M.Bonanni · 11-30-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Man that must be fun as hell. Do you drive the car or do you have a driver?

It is fun for sure. The last two seasons the car ran multiple classes and the driving was split between myself and another driver. This coming season we are sticking to one class and I will be the driver.

mnms370Z · 08-05-2009, 01:49 AM

When I first bought mine back in February it seemed hard to launch without to much spin but now that the car is somewhat broken in and I have gotten use to the clutch I think 4.7 is very possible. In May I went to New England Dragway and my best qtr was 14.0 but at 104.98. That was with a walk off the line and letting off during the shifts. Quick note that the car is right at redline at the traps and dispite trying both staying in third and wasting time hitting fourth the better trap speeds happened with the shift to fourth right before the traps. Heading out tomorrow to the drags so I will let everyone know if things are faster tomorrow.

11-30-2008, 03:41 PM	#38 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	Those are sick numbers for a stock car @ this price!!! OP do you know what trim this z was? I'm thinking of just getting either base + sports or touring + sports... Lighter the better [: __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

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11-30-2008, 08:44 AM	#31 (permalink)
Minicobra1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County, CA. Posts: 1,205 Drives: 370Z Tour, Spt, 6mt Rep Power: 644	Endgame, Yeah, I was pretty much sold on the 135i, had my wheels, suspension, everything picked out, then I got an invite to see the new Z. The best thing about the 370Z is that it is about $8k less and the same if not better performance. And that's without forced induction, can't wait to see what a turbo or twin turbo kit will do for this car. I'm a big fan of wide tires, I really like the fact that the 19's with 275 rears fit no problem, which means you could probably stuff a 295 or 305 under there. Good luck getting anything wider then a 255 on the Bimmer without rubbing.

11-30-2008, 04:39 PM	#41 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Thats a whole lot of rubber up front man, any reason why you had to go that big? did it just balance out the car better or what? Also could you shine a little light on the suspension settings you use? Camber, spring rates, etc. I want to get an idea of what works on the Z.

11-30-2008, 04:48 PM	#43 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Man that must be fun as hell. Do you drive the car or do you have a driver?

08-05-2009, 01:49 AM	#45 (permalink)
mnms370Z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Milford New Hampshire Posts: 21 Drives: White 370Z Tour/Sprt Rep Power: 16	When I first bought mine back in February it seemed hard to launch without to much spin but now that the car is somewhat broken in and I have gotten use to the clutch I think 4.7 is very possible. In May I went to New England Dragway and my best qtr was 14.0 but at 104.98. That was with a walk off the line and letting off during the shifts. Quick note that the car is right at redline at the traps and dispite trying both staying in third and wasting time hitting fourth the better trap speeds happened with the shift to fourth right before the traps. Heading out tomorrow to the drags so I will let everyone know if things are faster tomorrow.