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Nissan 350Z Problems

Are you having problems with your Nissan 350Z? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Nissan 350Z issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Nissan 350Z in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

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Used Nissan 350Z and 370Z review: 2003-2015

The first Datsun Z car was shown at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show under its domestic name of Fairlady Z. It turned out to be a landmark car, not only for Nissan, but for the entire Japanese car industry, because it proved Japan could produce a classic sportscar.

As the name suggests the 240Z came with a 2.4-litre engine. Over the following 26 years the engine size increased progressively, through the 260Z, 280ZX and 300ZX. To the disappointment of many, the Z series was discontinued in 1996, a victim of serious financial problems within Nissan. Problems that saw Nissan joining with Renault in an alliance that has proven much more sensible than many of its type.

Thankfully, six years later Nissan brought the Z-car back, this time as the 350Z, with a new style of body rather than an evolution of the 240Z as the intervening cars had been.

In this feature we will concentrate on the 350Z and 370Z as many of the previous models are either past their use-by date, have had major rebuilds, or suffered from tarted-up modifications. 

Sold as Track and Touring models, with coupe and convertible bodies, the 350Z, which arrived in Australia in February 2003, has a sort-of Italian look, which is still visually attractive to this day. A modern day classic? Perhaps…

The ‘Touring' title suits the 350Z well, it's not a real sports model like the original 240Z, rather it's a grand tourer aimed at covering big distances in comfort. The Track model is a bit of a misnomer, though we have seen some modified, stripped down Tracks at racetracks over the years.

The 350Z was replaced by the 370Z in May 2009 and is still sold today. Again there are coupe and convertible bodies (the open-top didn't arrive until eight months after its closed brother).

The 370Z's shape is totally different to the 350's, not quite retro, not altogether modern. The long nose and short tail; the slope down of the roof that begins all the way forward at the top of the windscreen; tiny rear-three quarter windows. The 370‘s interior features the long tradition of having three auxiliary gauges in the centre of the dashboard, as well as the more recent idea of a main instrument display that moves up and down with the steering wheel when it's adjusted.

Clever design work means the new 370Z is shorter and lighter than the 350Z is replaces, thus making it not only more nimble, but endowing it with extra performance while using less fuel.

The 3.7-litre V6 develops a very useful 245kW of power to provide plenty of punch with the sort of throttle response demanded by the keen driver. Handling is excellent as the lightweight suspension reacts nicely even when the road is comparatively rough. However, it can be bounced off line by severe surfaces, and the tyres create quite a bit of road roar on coarse-chip surfaces.

The 370Z Roadster has a one-touch fast-folding lined roof for the first time; the Nissan 350Z's roof had to be manually locked in. It also has a glass rear window, which wears a lot better than plastic.

To reduce weight the 370Z has an aluminium bonnet, doors and boot lid.

Nissan, nee Datsun, has been operating in Australia since the mid 1960s and built cars in Melbourne for many years. So it is well and truly established with a strong dealer network. You may not be able to source parts in all dealerships, especially in remote areas. But parts can usually be freighted out within a few business days.

These big Z cars have plenty of underbonnet space and are of a relatively simple design, so are quite easy to work on. Workshop manuals are readily available, but don't tackle any safety items unless you're a professional.

For a car in this class the Nissan 350 and 370Z are relatively cheap to insure, perhaps because they're driven by 'real' drivers who concentrate on what they are doing behind the wheel, and know their limits. Shopping around is wise, but be aware that building up a good history with one insurer, rather than chopping and changing companies can stand you in good stead.

These are tough cars that can take a lot of misuse, but only a mug would consider buying one without a full inspection from an expert in the model.

Check the service records to make sure the work has been done on time. Indeed, a Z Cars specialist we spoke to as part of our research went as far as to say, "if the service book is not up to date don't buy the car".

Look for signs of crash repairs, such as panels with wrinkles in them, paint overspray, even body creaks and groans during your road test.

It's important to use the correct oil in high-performance engines like these.

The carbon fibre tailshaft in the 370Z can be overheated and damaged if a modified exhaust has been installed.

If a roadster roof is slow in operation the chances are the mechanism is dirty. Tap the roof hard and look for dust falling out. In particular, the back bows need to be cleaned and lubricated, at least yearly - six monthly if used on dirt roads.

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Nissan 350Z clutch rebuild

Clutches are not generally covered by the warranty, they are considered to be a consumable component. That presumes that the wear is normal and not abnormal, but the problem with that that is that who determines what is normal wear and what is abnormal. I would consult an independent Nissan specialist and consider having a heavy - duty clutch fitted.

Used Nissan 350Z review: 2003-2005

It might be the last letter in the alphabet, but ‘Z’ is the first that comes to mind when thinking of the great sports cars Nissan has made over the years. It came into being with the great Datsun 240Z sports coupe in the early 1970s and has continued to identify the company’s sports cars ever since.

Today it’s used on the 350Z, Nissan’s current sports car that first hit our roads back in 2003. When launching the 350Z, Nissan’s then managing director, Leon Daphne, said it was the company’s “halo” car, designed to represent the “heart, soul and passion” of the company.

MODEL WATCH

The 350Z continued the rich history of Nissan sports cars dating back to the iconic 240Z. With two doors and seating for two the 350Z is not a car for the family. It’s the car owned by those without kids, or those who want a second fun car for the weekends.

The 350Z range was made up of three models: two coupes and a roadster. The Touring Coupe was tailored more to those who wanted their sporting motoring with a slightly softer edge than its Track Coupe cousin. It came with leather trim, drilled alloy pedals, Bose sound system with six-stack CD player, and rolled on 17-inch alloy wheels for a suppler ride. The Track Coupe had all of that, but had a more defined sporty edge with 18-inch alloy wheels, bigger disc brakes and electronic stability control.

The Roadster could be transformed from a comfy and secure coupe to an open top cruiser at the push of a button, when the power roof would fold down out of sight.

The 350Z’s power came from a wonderful 3.5-litre double overhead camshaft V6. When asked it would willingly deliver to the tune of 206 kW at 6200 revs and 363 Nm at 4800 revs. Down low there was plenty of torque on tap, whether you just wanted to cruise along without changing gears, or if you wanted to slam your foot to the floor and race through the gears.

The 350Z was superbly tractable at low speeds, but ask it for its best and it would pin your ears back like few others. If you wanted it would reach 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and race through the 400-metre dash in 14.5 seconds.

But it wasn’t just a straight-line hero; it really came into its own on a winding country road where you got to experience its full performance repertoire. Buyers had the choice of a six-speed manual, which was criticized for its less than precise gearshift, or a five-speed auto with a paddle shift manual mode. Final drive was fittingly delivered through the rear wheels.

The 350Z boasted an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. It was marginally heavier on the front than it was on the rear, but the near perfect distribution was one of the reasons the 350Z had a wonderfully balanced chassis.

Underneath it had independent all-alloy suspension front and rear, speed sensitive power steering and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. There was also a raft of electronics to keep a watchful eye over proceedings. All models had ABS antiskid brakes, brake force distribution, brake assist, and traction control. On top of that the sporty Track Coupe also had stability control and more powerful Brembo brakes.

Inside, the 350Z was snug. There wasn’t a huge amount of space to stretch out, you felt surrounded, but there was a sense of security and plenty of support if you wanted to push things to the limit.

IN THE SHOP

Generally the 350Z is trouble free with few problems coming to the surface in the first few years it has been on sale. The earliest cars now have around 60,000 km on the odometer if they’ve been used daily, but there are a number that have been reserved for weekend use and haven’t got as many kays under their belts.

The wonderful double overhead camshaft V6 is robust and doesn’t appear to give much trouble at all. It does, however, require PULP or better to be used. Likewise the transmissions and drive train seem robust and reliable. The chassis generally is standing up well, although there are some reports of high tyre wear.

IN A CRASH

The 350Z’s safety package was comprehensive, with all models having dual front and side airbags, and the Coupes also having curtain airbags. Add to that a responsive chassis and powerful brakes, with an extensive array of electronic driver aids, and the safety package is an impressive one.

OWNERS SAY

Greg Bird has owned his 350Z for the last four years, but has used it as a weekend car and it has only clocked up 35,000 km. He says it’s easy to drive, whether driven down to the local shops or hard around a racetrack. The steering is razor sharp, the handling great, while the engine has good torque and a good spread of power through the rev range. It’s also been economical, and utterly reliable. He’s not so rapt in the rear visibility, which he says is poor, the interior noise level, and the high level of front tyre wear, which he says was fixed under warranty.

Derek bought his 2003 350Z Touring second hand when it had done 14,000 km and sold it when it had 35,000 km on the clock. He says it was the best car he’d ever driven. It had great performance, and loved corners and straight lines, and he loved the firm ride. The fuel consumption was 14.2 L/100 km around town and around 8.5 L/100 km on the open road. His only complaints were a squeak in the driver’s seat and the cheap look of the interior plastics.

LOOK FOR
• chunky styling
• sizzling V6 engine
• good road holding
• responsive chassis
• powerful brakes.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Good looking thrill-a-minute sports car with a great engine and agile chassis.

RATING
80/100

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