inanabhay

hi all

I'm Iqbal from Kimberley, South Africa

Calling all others from South Africa

Thanx

ashleyp

Hi Iqbal
I'm Ashley from JHB. Have you had any other responses from SA? Not sure if you've read any of the posts about the tyre feathering/allignment issues, but it looks like I'm having the same problem. Front tyres seem to be feathering and makes humming noise when driving on smooth surfaces. (Sounds like a wheel bearing when it is about to go). Have you had any other guys from SA with similar problems?

Regards
Ashley

FairladyZ

hello, from the US.

Risk

Welcome to you both!!

This is a very common issue with Zs wherever they may be. The problem is a combination of an agressive front suspension (set up for extreme handling) and a poor selction in stock performance tires (Bridgestone Potenza re40). Unfortunately there is no real, long lasting fix despite what many forum members will claim aside from spending a lot of money on suspension parts for the front end. Ive gone through 1 set of tires in the first 19k miles on my car already. If there is a Nissan dealer in SA, I recommend you do a search on "tire feathering," print out the thread, and when you take it to them remind them that there is a TSB which states Nissan must replace tires that are feathering too much (there is a mesurement they will take). Hope this helps.

Brian

ashleyp

Thanks for the advice Brian. I will be taking the car in soon and this will definitely help. Only other problem I have is the fact that Johannesburg is at a high altitude which means that we lose about 20% of the power up here. Been to the coast recently and man...it makes a big difference. Other than that, she's great. Don't really intend to do any mods to the car (bit of a purist), but a tuning house here does a supercharger convertion that takes power from 206Kw (360Nm of torque) to 312Kw (450Nm torque). Sounds awesome and obviously solves the altitude problem. Anyway, thanks again for the response.
Ashley

imoz

How are things in Jo-burg these days? Do you have many issues driving a nice car like the Z? Is the crime more under control these days?

inanabhay

hi to Ashley and others from USA

i frequent most 350Z boards - and posted same thread - no other responses from South Africa - disappointing

have researched our car for about year now and am experiencing most problems associated/ identified

and yeah, Nissan service stinks! - with exception of some people at head office that i am in contact with - great help!

i thought that by buying a top of the range car i would be getting excellent service - boy, was i wrong - local dealer is the pits!

my email: iqbal350z@hotmail.com - lets form a local club - i've suggested it to friends at head office - but no response from guy who was supposed to run with it yet.

been to monte casino and drive to auto africa with group of 61 owners and posted some pics on: http://za.msnusers.com/montecasinoautoafrica04

there are plans for advanced driving courses for us - in JHB. still to be finalised

ashley - you go to any motor shows?
attended one in Potchefstroom last year (31/05) - no Nissans! can you believe it?

i seriously think that Nissan SA needs to be jacked-up

anyhow, i love my car and hope everything works out ok

regards

Iqbal

Risk

WOW!!! Those are great pics....I especially like the ones with the Zs color coordinated around the fountain. I didnt know there was such a scene in Africa!!

inanabhay

I'm in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province

very peaceful, however, if you go to places where alcohol is drunk freely - you may become a statistic:-
Kimberley has highest rape in the world
most knifings in the world

Northern Cape has highest FAS in the world
(FAS = Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, babies born with deformities/ alcohol dependant, etc.)

Driving 350z in kimberley? - unbelievable attention
mine is 1 of only 2 in the entire province
other owner hardly ever drives his - keeps it under a cover in his garage!
people keep wondering and exclaiming over the car
some thought its a porsche

too much more - i've posted some on the boards

thanx
regards

ashleyp

Hi Imoz
Sounds like youv'e been in or are from SA??. I wouldn't say that the crime situation is under control, (Probably far from it) but what I would say is the we cannot let crime control our lives. I will drive what I want. Things in JHB are great, our economy's doing great, the rand is doing very well, etc. As for whether or not I have any issues driving a Z, the answer is...no. Believe me, in JHB a Z is almost average. Your just another joe driving a relatively nice car. Yes, I do get attention but its not for driving an expensive car but rather for driving a car that is not that common (a BMW, AUDI, MERCEDES, VOLVO,etc being more common and associated with status). Most people who stare at the car invariably end-up saying "Its actually a Nissan". BMW Z4 and AUDI TT are the more popular in this category.

Regards
Ashley

ashleyp

Hi Iqbal
Go to the main shows (AutoAfrica), but am a great car enthusiast and read as much as possible about cars. Also into F1 and most motorsport. Would be great to have a club. Heared about the advanced driving course from our "friend" at Head Office. Hope thatb happens pretty soon. Nissan SA is also introducing a Z in class A of the saloon car racing series (against the BMWs, MERCs, Alfa GTVs) soon. Looking forward to that.

Regards
Ashley

inanabhay

hi Ashley

did you go to the get-together at Monte Casino and drive to Auto Africa last year?

got me an excellent CD from Nissan, covering event

regards

imoz

I haven't been to SA yet, but I used to work for a company based there. One of these days I will take a trip there.

ashleyp

Hi iqbal
Did not attend the Monte Casino/AutoAfrica event. Bought my car after that. Saw you guys parking on the field. Convinced me to buy. What is the CD all about??

Regards
Ashley

Risk

Hi Ashley....I have an English friend who, upon seeing my Z called it a "glorified saloon car." I dont know the meaning of saloon with reference to cars. Maybe you could help an American out, what is a saloon car?

Thanks
Brian

inanabhay

hi Ashley

CD contains >140 photos covering the event.

how many Km's have you driven?

share some problems/ exciting experiences/ dealership experiences/ purchasing deal/ extras?

thanx

regards

ashleyp

Hi Risk
As far a my understanding of the term 'Saloon' is concerned, it refers to a normal sedan (four door, boot etc). It seems to be a European/British thing. As for your friend calling the Z a "glorified saloon car" take him on a track and then ask him whether or not he/she still thinks its a saloon car. By the way the racing series I spoke about is actually called the 'production car' series.

Others may have different take on the word saloon, but that's my take anyway.

Regards
Ashley

paulp

Hey all

Ive had the car for 2 months now and love it!

the only problem i have is the perfomance drop compared to the manufacture clams. If you look at the M3 it only looses 15-20Kw in Johannesburg. the 350z looses +-40kw!

the 0-62 mph for a M3 in jhb is 5.8 seconds (manufacture clam 5.2)
the 0-62 mph for the 350z is 7 seconds (manufacture clam 5.9)

any idea why the nissan is far off? ie fuel ?

ashleyp

Hi Iqbal
The problems I've shared and the exciting experiences happens whenever I get into my Z. That must sound fimiliar to most Z drivers. Everytime you get behind that wheel and start that engine doesn't that just get you going. That's what buying a Z is all about...its about you enjoying your car. I've even stopped listening to music in the car just to here that engine. The other day my wife went to test drive a new 2.0 litre french car. When she got out she said it had no power. I got her to drive her current car (a 1.6) and then try the 2.0 litre again. This time she could feel the difference in power (Its a pretty good car). She then realised that driving around in the Z (she only uses her car to go to work and back) she's been spoilt with power. Luv my Z.

Anyway will chat again. Have a good weekend guys (incl. our US buddies

Regards
Ashley

ashleyp

Hi Paul
Don't know the answers. Just wanted to know where you got you figures from. I know that you can lose up to 20% of your power here in JHB, did not know that the BM only loses 15-20Kw (that' less than 10%) while the Z loses up to 40Kw. Have you had this tested...did you read it somwhere??? I know that the fuel we use is an issue. These cars have been designed for a higher octane fuel than is available here in JHB.

Really keen to know and get the possible answers.

Regards
Ashley