[igbgotiz]

In the United States of America, both cost within $80 USD within each other, which means they essentially cost the same.

For me, I'd take the BMW because it's more refined, has more torque, definitely more easy to get in and out of, has a more modern interior that comes with a screen by default and overall more versatile.

You could take your family out on the M235i or go on a road trip or attend a fancy dinner and the car's badge and your vertebrate will hold up.

Personally, for the same amount of money, the M235i is the better car because it's more complete.

What do you guys think? Is being nismo-tuned worth that much money?

[phoenixbmwlife]

I have a buddy that used to have the 370z and let me tell you that car handles very well. Biggest problem with it was the brakes. It's been discussed to death all over the internet. I'm guessing they would have taken care of this issue.

Anyway these are two completely different types of cars that will go to different types of people. Not sure I would really compare the two.

[chris719]

I test drove a 370Z (not Nismo) with sport package once and my conclusion that it is a very compromised sports car.

It feels big for a small car, has poor outward visibility, and an odd seating position that is more like a sedan than a true sports car. The engine did not feel like it revved freely in the upper part of the tach. The transmission did have short throws though.

This was in comparison to a Z4M, which was a lot better.

If you want to track the car the Nismo may be better than the m235i but I doubt it will be better as a street car. You would really have to test drive one to know.

[ska///235i]

The nismo will lap the m235 on a track...well not really but you get my pt

Nismo is a track car period

[vladberca]

I would like to see a comparative between these models

[Canaletto]

In a Nismo 370Z versus M235i contest, I'd take the M235i every time.

But I've seen 370Z sport techs (which include 19" wheels, LSD, and nav and are just as fast as the Nismo) go for about $33K.


That's a lot tougher choice.

[3PedalMINI]

heh...I COMPLETELY forgot about the 370z exhisted...That car bores me...Im sure its neat to drive but ehhh...

[jbenington86]

Being an owner of an M235i and 370Z this is a tough one. However my wife and I got her 370Z for $26k. Even without all the extra Nismo gear the car still performs not far from the M235i level. Granted when I bought the Z it would of been pitted against the 135i.

If you use the Z for anything but cruising or the track you will become a lego master like my wife and I. However we have fit 4 people in the Z (don't ask) or 2 people with baggage for a week along with two small dogs.

They are completely two different cars which might be why I own both.

[mike@tpc]

I own both also, but my 370z has no interior and none of the original equipment that made it a sport model, except the syncro match manual transmission (not the original one though). Its been a track only car for about 3 years now, so I can't compare the two as I don't remember what it was like as a street car.

I do know that my 370z is sticking around for the long term and I am going to sell or trade the 235i in sometime in the nearby future. The Cayman is calling my name, very loudly.

[BayEmVay]

To the OP, I don't know if comfort matters to you, but the interior volume is very cramped in the Z. It also has about 2 inches less legroom. The outward visibility is extremely poor, many blindspots. You must rely on your side mirrors for lane changes. Fuel economy is about 2-3 mpg worse than what the 235 fetches in the city and 8+ mpg less on the freeway. It is a very very dated design now, by the age of 7 or 8 years now whereas the 235 is only 2 years old.

I have driven this car many times and would say the 235 is much better. A few ticks faster in the 0-60 and QM and has higher roadgrip. I believe the best I've seen was 0.91 for the Z and 0.95 for the 235. The ride quality is much better in the 235 (reference Consumer Reports). The only thing the Z has is price savings, but to get that means making so many compromises.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by BayEmVay

It is a very very dated design now, by the age of 7 or 8 years now whereas the 235 is only 2 years old.

True, but one advantage of being in production so long is that Nissan really seems to worked the kinks out of the Z. The ones produced in the past couple of years seem super reliable.

Originally Posted by BayEmVay

I have driven this car many times and would say the 235 is much better. A few ticks faster in the 0-60 and QM and has higher roadgrip. I believe the best I've seen was 0.91 for the Z and 0.95 for the 235.

Car and Driver actually got .98 for the Z.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...place-page-5-2

Originally Posted by BayEmVay

The only thing the Z has is price savings, but to get that means making so many compromises.

Well, the Z does have a naturally aspirated engine and hydraulic steering going for it, as well as, arguably, better looks.

[BayEmVay]

Originally Posted by Canaletto

True, but one advantage of being in production so long is that Nissan really seems to worked the kinks out of the Z. The ones produced in the past couple of years seem super reliable.




Car and Driver actually got .98 for the Z.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...place-page-5-2




Well, the Z does have a naturally aspirated engine and hydraulic steering going for it, as well as, arguably, better looks.

That 0.98 value seems questionable because a much newer and higher-end Nismo Z got 0.92

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...tomatic-review

Looks are subjective and not a compelling reason to buy, but if that is your only reason, you will make a large number of compromises: fuel economy, visibility, crash ratings, driver comfort (you can't say less leg and headroom is subjective), ride quality.

I don't dislike the Z. For $30,000 I would say it is the best sports car out there new at that price. If you can afford the 235 instead, it is a superior car in nearly every objective measure.

[Ramos]

The Nismo might be faster on track ...

For one lap, then it's brakes will fail and it will kill you.

On the street, there is comparison.. Really there isn't.
I just spent a week driving my partners G37 sedan and I hated life so much.. The lack of sophistication in a Nissan / Infiniti is beyond belief.. Every surface is hideous to touch, every control feels wrong, every detail neglected ...

[skitsos]

Originally Posted by Ramos

The Nismo might be faster on track ...

For one lap, then it's brakes will fail and it will kill you.

[scrape1]

Originally Posted by Ramos

The Nismo might be faster on track ...

For one lap, then it's brakes will fail and it will kill you.

On the street, there is comparison.. Really there isn't.
I just spent a week driving my partners G37 sedan and I hated life so much.. The lack of sophistication in a Nissan / Infiniti is beyond belief.. Every surface is hideous to touch, every control feels wrong, every detail neglected ...

Very true. Well, except that it's not even that fast on a track in stick form. In C/D's Lightning Lap it came in well behind an E92 335i.

Besides the easily overheated stock brakes, there are also rumored oil starvation issues with prolonged high g cornering. Pretty sure that in stock form the Nismo is nothing more than a flashy track car wannabe.

[tnk210]

I'll be honest, when the lease is up on my 228 I'm going to be looking at either a new lease on a M235 or a used '14+ Nismo. The 370Z is a old platform, but I still hop into my '03 Z and enjoy it for some of the things I can't get in the 228.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by scrape1

Very true. Well, except that it's not even that fast on a track in stick form. In C/D's Lightning Lap it came in well behind an E92 335i.

Besides the easily overheated stock brakes, there are also rumored oil starvation issues with prolonged high g cornering. Pretty sure that in stock form the Nismo is nothing more than a flashy track car wannabe.

If you're going to be tracking a Z, you seem to be much better off buying a Sport and using the $10K+ you save over the Nismo to mod it.

People that have made some relatively minor modifications seem pretty happy with their Zs as track cars.

[mike@x-ph.com]

If i was renting a car i would get the nismo.
If i was buying one, the M235i.

[mike@tpc]

Originally Posted by Canaletto

If you're going to be tracking a Z, you seem to be much better off buying a Sport and using the $10K+ you save over the Nismo to mod it.

People that have made some relatively minor modifications seem pretty happy with their Zs as track cars.

No oil starvation problems, just fuel starve in right handers.

If I was doing it over and getting another Z to track, I would the base. I have the sport and the only thing left on it from the sport package is the synchro rev match, but its a pretty slick piece of kit.

At a minumum you need an oil cooler on it. In addition to that, mine has
brake cooling ducts
stoptech trophy brakes
titanium backing plates
coil overs
Quaife LSD
Differential cooler
full bolt ons to 340 whp
cage, no interior, 3000 lbs empty
Aeromotions wing
and a few other things.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by Canaletto

In a Nismo 370Z versus M235i contest, I'd take the M235i every time.

But I've seen 370Z sport techs (which include 19" wheels, LSD, and nav and are just as fast as the Nismo) go for about $33K.


That's a lot tougher choice.

Okay, I'm going to have to revise the above.

I was basing my comments on the old Nismo, but I test drove a 2015 Nismo Tech today and, damn, that car is impressive.

Nissan really improved the interior over the old model, for one thing.



The new seats, in particular, are superb (and covered in Alcantara, like I wish you could get on the 2 series).


Also, they apparently adjusted a lot of the suspension settings. Whatever they did there, it seems to have worked wonders. The car rides very firmly and controlled, but it still handles road imperfections without rattling your teeth out of your head.


The M235i still has the better engine, and is far more practical, but as a second car (which is what I'm the market for) the Nismo has a lot going for it.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by mike@tpc

If I was doing it over and getting another Z to track, I would [buy] the base.

mine has
brake cooling ducts
stoptech trophy brakes
titanium backing plates
coil overs
Quaife LSD
Differential cooler
full bolt ons to 340 whp
cage, no interior, 3000 lbs empty
Aeromotions wing
and a few other things.

This sounds like a fun car!

[crqflier]

I cross shopped the 370 sport, 370 nismo, 228, and 235. The seats in my opinion are the only reason to go nismo over sport on the 370. They are awesome. You still don't get what you need to track reliably in the nismo. But the reality was/is I simply couldn't get past the engine. So freakin harsh compared to either 2er. Plus, it feels big - mustang-like hood. Really wanted to like the Z. Second car? Maybe. Prob get a used p-car if I didn't need it to run every day.