I don't know if this is the right place to do this, but i figured I would introduce myself. I just joined today. My name is Derek. I just bought an 04 Pikes Peak White Track Model with 1280 miles on it. I recently sold my moderately modified E36 M3. Just wanted to introduce myself. I dont have a digital camera but as soon as I have pictures, I will post them.

Side note...I'm looking at some exhausts and I was wondering what everyones opinion was on the best bang for the buck. Any help would be appreciated.

Derek

 

Welcome. Pikes Peak White is one of the best looking colors for the Z and is my first and only choice! How does it feel switching over from the E36? I used to own a 95 E36 M3 (the 3.0L model) with Dinan chip, Supersprint exhaust, and H&R coil overs that I got rid of 2 years ago...although I don't have a 350Z, I'm browsing the boards just to see if this is a likely car for me in the future. I don't really care much for only the 2 seats since I never carried anyone other than myself in my M3. Did you have the 3.0L or 3.2L M3?

 

Welcome!

 

WElcome, best bang for your buck imo is the Injen exhaust.

 

Welcome, DJ. Hope you enjoy your car. Best bang for the buck is intake and exhaust. More air in + more air out = More HP. I selected the Stillen intake and Stillen exhaust. I liked the sound of the exhaust which has a true crossover, or X, pipe which helps scavenge exhaust gas faster and helps slightly increase your torque.

Good luck with your exhaust choice.

 

thanks for the welcome guys. Formula rx: i had a 96 so it was 3.2L. I loved that car but the maintenance was killing me. I needed something with a warranty. I actually bought an s2000 last week but ended up hating it and returned it ( benefits of carmax). It was just so gutless. Then i test drove a z and was hooked

Thanks for the help on the exhaust suggestions.

 

+1 It's a good exhaust and costs almost half as much as the big name brands.

 

welcome...

 

Yeah since I sold my 95 M3 (and maintenance cost is one of the reasons), I've considered the S2000 and almost bought one... although the car fits me like a glove and is super fun in the twisties not to mention that gearbox is one of the best, I miss the low end torque that the M3 gave and that feeling is something that the Z can provide. Never driven the Z, only ridden in one but it's got great torque I can tell.

 

have any of you heard anything about this exhaust... http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hopup1/rsexgtni35.html

it looks pretty good to me, i just have no clue how it sounds

 

well, it is VERY LOUD, but I like the sound...although I wouldn't put it on a daily driver....

Injen, Borla, HKS have nice low rumble sounds that aren't crazy loud like the RSR..but to each his own.

also, if you do a search for exhaust sound clips, or rsr sound clip you will come up with a bunch of clips..... personally though, they don't sound anything like they do in real person... so I would suggest going to a Z meet in your area and you will be able to see and hear different exhausts in your area no problem!!

 

thanks so much

 

Welcome Derek, with the PPW.
My name is Derek and I have a PPW.
hehe

Anyways Injen or the Evo 2 are your best bets for exhaust.
Injen is louder and the evo2 is more toned down.

 

Two Dereks don't make a right

 

haha whats up derek. I have heard from lots of people besides the ones on this site that the injen is the best way to go. Is there a certain place i should go to order it or anything. I have spent the past 2 years looking up M3 stuff and I dont really know the best places to go for Z stuff.

 

Well, this website is a great start at learning to fix up your Z. There's a ton of resources here to help you out when you get in a bind. The search button is your best friend.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've noticed that most of the former E36 M3 owners site 'maint. costs' as a reason to get rid of them. I was thinking about picking up one as a daily driver for my wife and was wondering what type of maint. is so expensive? It it just the normal stuff that comes with driving a car with 80-100k miles, the dealership costs, the parts, or all of the above? I'm just curious as I'm always been a HUGE fan of the E36 M3, but with so many 'defecting' I wonder if I should consider something else for my wife as a daily driver.....

 

the thing about the maintenance is that it is so expensive and little things go wrong that cause bigger things. I spent 10k in 2004 just on maintenance. Driving down the road one day the ac compressor blows up ruining my power steering, ac, climate control, and some front suspension parts...parts and labor = 3800.00. Water pump seized up the following month, ruined the water pump, threw the fan belt off, the car over heated ruining the thermostat...parts and labor = 1500.00 Those 2 incidents were 3 months ago. Its an awesome car and i NEVER would have gotten rid of it if i could have afforded to keep it up. just remember... BMW = Breaks My Wallet

 

Wow, I didn't realize BMW's maintenance could cost that much.

 

Man, that is terrible! So it sounds like a combination of expensive repairs and a car that is starting to get old and you start to see failures not typical of cars that are newer or have less mileage. I guess I will have to consider this carefully....