[Virtual]

Is the M235i a better buy than the Z? Both are rwd, m235i has 320hp while the 370z has 332hp, both weigh around 3200lbs, the m235i starts at 43k while the 370z starts at 33k(sports package). Which would be a better buy? Is the 10k difference worth the bmw? Im just looking for something fast out of the box, car also might see some track time, I also don't have a family so I don't need back seats either.. another option would be to get the '15 Nismo 370z which starts at 41k which is closer to the price of the 235i and will have 350hp out of the box. Help




2015 370z Nismo

[cpxchewy]

Not sure if this helps but the review for Nismo is less than favorable.
http://www.cnet.com/products/2014-nissan-370z-nismo/

EDIT: Of course in a BMW forum we would be more biased towards the 2 series . But I would most likely say a WRX STI would be a better choice for a car than the Z (Even though it's AWD). Usually, reviewers compare M235i, CLA 45 AMG, and WRX STI in the same category, whereas 370z is usually compared to Audi TT. (Not 100% sure why, but those were most of what I've seen)

[jbenington86]

Originally Posted by Virtual

Is the M235i a better buy than the Z? Both are rwd, m235i has 320hp while the 370z has 332hp, both weigh around 3200lbs, the m235i starts at 43k while the 370z starts at 33k(sports package). Which would be a better buy? Is the 10k difference worth the bmw? Im just looking for something fast out of the box, car also might see some track time, I also don't have a family so I don't need back seats either.. another option would be to get the '15 Nismo 370z which starts at 41k which is closer to the price of the 235i and will have 350hp out of the box. Help

As a current 370Z (2009) owner there is a chance you could spend a fair amount in maintenance or breakdown costs. I will give you a few examples of what has plagued my Z.

The first one which I think is a non-issue now but there electronic steering column lock got jammed on mine and many other Z owners. This made the car completely inoperable and required an $800 visit to the dealer (not covered under warranty). However we were lucky enough to get reimbursed almost 2 years later when the massed built up a strong case against Nissan. Not to mention this exact part was originally fixed on the GTR (in a recall only for the GTR) and later completely removed from the vehicle because they just couldn't get it right.

The second major issue we had was the clutch slave cylinder detonated. The slave cylinder just completely exploded and there was nothing left of it. Luckily the car was at a complete stop when this happened. I don't want to even think what could of happened on the beltway in D.C. In the end I just got a heavy duty slave cylinder instead of the plastic garbage they originally put in the vehicle. When the mechanic fixed the slave cylinder he said that the clutch and all the other internal components looked good.

Now for maintenance I would suggest researching what you need and doing everything on your own. Otherwise besides oil changes you will be spending roughly $300 every 15k miles and $600 every 30k miles just in normal fluid changes. IMO they use inferior parts and fluids compared to BMW.


There have been other issues but these are the ones that really stick out in my memory for causing me to have some high blood pressure. In the end you will pay less up front for the car and get more bang for your buck but be ready to do your own work or pay good amounts of money to keep it on the road compared to a BMW. Just due to inferior build quality and parts if I could go back in time I would not have bought a 370z. It just seemed like Nissan wants to get a lot of performance for as little money as possible but this comes at a price.

[Canaletto]

I test drove a 370Z for the first time recently. It handled great, but it had possibly the worst engine tone I've ever heard on a sports car. I had absolutely zero joy in winding the Z up to its redline.

It was so bad that I just couldn't picture myself owning one.

Another rather substantial negative for the Z is the utter lack of storage space. The space under the rear hatch is extremely shallow, enough so that I would question the Z's capabilities as a weekend getaway car.

[basiluf]

Even though the Z has more HP than the M235i and is lighter, the BMW is still significantly quicker. Now bang for buck? The Z is a much better deal and you can score a brand new one for around $27k.

[drunkenup]

Originally Posted by basiluf

Even though the Z has more HP than the M235i and is lighter, the BMW is still significantly quicker. Now bang for buck? The Z is a much better deal and you can score a brand new one for around $27k.

Well, rated HP is not always the truth. The m235i is probably making at least 340 crank horsepower since it dynos 300 at the wheels, combined with the engine's much fatter torque band and you have a quicker accelerating car to 60. The Z's top end is strong so from a roll they probably stay close if not hang as they edge out stock 335i's.

[jbenington86]

Originally Posted by drunkenup

Well, rated HP is not always the truth. The m235i is probably making at least 340 crank horsepower since it dynos 300 at the wheels, combined with the engine's much fatter torque band and you have a quicker accelerating car to 60. The Z's top end is strong so from a roll they probably stay close if not hang as they edge out stock 335i's.

I would agree with this. I always use Car and Drivers test results and they show that even though the slightly older 370z (non-NISMO) had ~30hp more than the 135i would just edge out in the acceleration battle. Then the Z would make up for that in the turns. I am having a tough time finding good stats on their website now that they have made some changes. I researched this back in the day 2010-2011 time frame when I wish I had a 135i instead of the 370z. I went for the cheaper car (more bang for my buck) and even though the Z is extremely planted, fast and sporty all the break downs and upkeep have been a mess compared to my BMW.

[DSTR]

My Z was traded in for my M235i.
I live in Germany and the Z was a model 2010 and was superbly reliable, capable and easy to make long trips in. It holds much more than it would appear and drew a fair amount of attention as here in Europe they are fairly rare.
I made trips to Italy, France and all over Germany and around a lot of Switzerland in my Z.

The M235i is superb and Im happy with the purchase. Anyone considering the Z should steer clear of the 2009's. The steering lock issue is easily bypassed and it was removed in late 2011 so now its not an issue at all. The manual machine has CSC issues with the clutch.

I had no issues and the maintenance was a battery, tires, oil and the drive belt for the accessories. The Z was by far the least expensive performance machine Ive owned and I had it 4 years. Its worth a look for the original poster. Good luck if you decide on the Z. They can be great cars and mine was quite capable on the Autobahn and on the great mountain/hill roads not far from my home.

[ska///235i]

Nice...background is like a painting, beautiful place

[basiluf]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Nice...background is like a painting, beautiful place

Looks like Lake Como to me.

[eddie291]

Yup, another former 370Z owner here. I had a 2010 black one in base trim with the sport package along with the 6MT. Here's a pic of it the morning after I took it home about 3.5 years ago:



I never had any problems with it. Just your routine maintenance. Although, that clutch slave cylinder the other former owners mentioned is potentially a real problem. Quite a few postings about it over on some 370Z forums.

Anyways, by far, the biggest difference between the 2 is overall livability. If you do get the Z how I had it, be prepared to have a relatively spartan car. There's little sound deadening so you will hear plenty of road, wind, and engine/exhaust noise. The cloth seats are pretty cheap and not of the best quality(push the headrests while sitting down and you can actually feel the posts of it hitting your back), and the 4-speaker stereo is pretty bad too.

That said, I had a blast with it. It's a nice looking car. There aren't too many of them down here, so it got plenty of looks. And not to mention, it's very fun to drive. Although, if you do plan on seriously tracking it, make sure to invest in an oil cooler.

[gulshan]

well as they say on these forums .. if you want to commute get the nissan and if you want to drive then get the BMW

[c1pher]

People say you would never cross shop a Mustang with a BMW although I would lol. However I would never cross shop a 370z with a BMW. I owned a 2003 350z which was fun but hardly refined. The 370z is definitely an improvement but still not what I'd consider competition for BMW. I could maybe see the sister car, the G37 being compared, but both cars seem so much more cramped and the engine is harsh.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by eddie291

Yup, another former 370Z owner here. I had a 2010 black one in base trim with the sport package along with the 6MT. Here's a pic of it the morning after I took it home about 3.5 years ago:



I never had any problems with it. Just your routine maintenance. Although, that clutch slave cylinder the other former owners mentioned is potentially a real problem. Quite a few postings about it over on some 370Z forums.

Anyways, by far, the biggest difference between the 2 is overall livability. If you do get the Z how I had it, be prepared to have a relatively spartan car. There's little sound deadening so you will hear plenty of road, wind, and engine/exhaust noise. The cloth seats are pretty cheap and not of the best quality(push the headrests while sitting down and you can actually feel the posts of it hitting your back), and the 4-speaker stereo is pretty bad too.

That said, I had a blast with it. It's a nice looking car. There aren't too many of them down here, so it got plenty of looks. And not to mention, it's very fun to drive. Although, if you do plan on seriously tracking it, make sure to invest in an oil cooler.

The 370Z seats have a system to mitigate 'whiplash' neck and back injuries. That is what you were feeling in the seats. I had no problems with the cloth. I wanted the Sensatec for my 235 but the deal on this one I bought was very attractive so I took the leather!

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Nice...background is like a painting, beautiful place

That was taken in Switzerland enroute to Lugano and then on to Lake Como. That is the very Eastern area of Lake Lucerne(Vierwaldstattersee). Was a super day for pics!

[mike@x-ph.com]

in my opinion they are different types of cars.
The Z is a great car in terms of performance/price but it does not offer any luxury .
The 1 series offers a much more balanced combination of performance,price,luxury.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Two totally different niche's IMO

[mike@tpc]

If you are going to track it the 370 needs a lot of extras to make it reliable. Do you want to add an oil cooler, brake ducts, power steering cooler and also have to top the tank off after every session? That will all be pretty much required on the 370.

I haven't tracked this car, and probably won't more than once or twice just to experience it, so I can't say what it would need to be reliable on track.

I still have my 370, but it is now an all out race car, which is why I won't really be tracking the BMW. The 370 however, is at least to me, the most satisfying car I have ever had on track.

[Diver]

Main complaint from Z owners I have known is road noise and a harsh ride. As for clutch problems, every MT car I have owned wore out either the master or slave fairly quickly in city driving, or in the case of a VW the cable snapped.