Hey, I have a G35 coupe and I was considering purchasing a 350Z but I've been hearing about these problems with the bouncing suspension. Some say that this problem will get fixed with the 2004.5 model. Does anyone know when this will come out? Also, can anyone confirm that there will be fixes in the 04.5 model? Thanks!

 

Just got off the phone with Nissan. All 04 Z's have the new euro spec. suspension which fixes the bouncing problem as well as improves the ride quality.

What you should be concerned about is that they said the 04 suspension fix addresses the feathering issue and that they did what was required to prevent the feathering from occuring on the 04 Z's. Too bad there are 04 owners with the damn feathering!!!

UGH!!! Looks like the Z will always have this feathering issue.

I can't belive it, I really can't believe they feel that as far as they are concerned, there is no need for them to 'fix' the suspension since the 04 suspension will not have the feathering problem. You 03 owners are S.O.L., they said you will be covered for 12,000 miles on the tires and the TSB's will fix your suspension problems. Hah!

They should have hung up saying, "Thanks for your money, suckers!"

 

So are you satisfied with YOUR particular Z? Also, do you have the extra 3 buttons on the left side of the steering wheel (you have a 2004, right?) that the Euro Spec 2004 Z has? I have the cruise control and audio controls on my G35c steering wheel and hopefully I don't loose them by switching to a Z. I never realized that this feathering issue was such a big deal. Is the problem basically that the tires wear down a lot faster than they should? I don't think this is a problem on the G35c...

 

I think the buttons are there on enthusiest and above models (I have base).

I have an 04...didn't know the suspension was any different. Not enough miles to know if I will have problem yet.

Search for class action lawsuit and you'll get the threat talking about the tire issue and people's impressions.

 

The buttons are not on the '04 Enthusiast model. I need to look up whether they can be ordered as a part by themselves or only as part of the wheel (I wanna hook them up to control other stuff )

Bouncing? Um, I haven't experienced what other people have to know if what I get is the same thing; it feels just like I would expect a somewhat stiffer car to feel like. Could be a little tighter, but not bad for stock...

 

Damn, I wonder when they plan on bringing those buttons here. I'd hate to buy now and then find out that two months down the road the buttons are on the Z. If I knew that we wouldn't get them for another 6 months then I would forget about them and buy now. But if they are coming soon then maybe it's better to wait.

 

please forgive the newbie question, but what "bouncing" are we talking about? also, what's the feathering issue that the 03s are having? (my car still falls under the 12000 miles.) and TSBs? what's that?
again, i'm just gonna appologize now for my question that i'm sure has been asked a million times.

 

no i think your were 1,000,001

 

I have 2004 and still bounce like crazy so its probably 2004.5

 

"Bouncing" has to do with the suspension system. Mine rides just fine but many have complained about the rough ride. I suspect the ride quality depends on where you live. I'm in Cali with no ice/snow/salt/etc tearing up the roads; so ride is quite good. Those in winter climates seem to have the problems.

Search "feathering" for the tire issue. There are a gazillon threads.

 

Dont knock 2003's. There are more of us then 2004's. lol.

 

"bouncing"
It feels like riding in a slamed Civic with cut springs.

When you travel at highway speed, the whole car bounce as if you were going over small speed bumps constantly, this happens to my 04 (built July 03) when I am on "cement highway", asphalts are usually fine.

Tire feathering
On your front tires, towards the engine side of the thread pattern, this part of the thread gets weared out faster than the rest of the tire. They usually develop uneven level of wear, you can feel the uneven groove if you run through it with your finger.

Man...I am really bad at explaining this, just drive around a little more.
Or use the search feature on this site.

 

6800 miles and no feathering on my 03. As far as bouncing, car drives smooth on the highway and on the city, given the fact that it's a tight sport suspension, but it's nothing like my friends car with Ground Control-bounce city.

 

What's weird to me is that none of these problems are in my G35c. I know the suspensions are tuned a little different, but aren't the two cars very similar mechanically? I have had no bouncing problems (granted the ride is a little rough, but that's what you get for good handling) and no feathering problems. Kind of makes me wonder if I should really be looking at a Z.

 

I have an 04 enth, No extra buttons, no knee pads, but i do have the extra cig lighter, and the seat belt extender hanger things... I took delivery september 13th, one of the first 04 to his US soil... hope that helps

Edit
almost forgot just over 1600 miles no feather, but my dam drivers seat squeeks whenever i corner hard, or get out of the car, ERRRRRRRRR

 

I really want to know if anyone with aftermarket suspension is having problems with feathering or "bouncing" i would assume they don't have a problem with bouncing since it is a different suspension set up all together..

 

what buttons on steering wheel???other then cuise ..also no knee pads

2004 track s.s. built 7/03 vin 50,551

 

The European Z has buttons on the left side of the steering wheel for controling the radio and some kind of cellphone adaptor. I really just care about the radio controls. I don't understand why they would be on the G35c and not the 350Z though.

 

The JDM Fairlady Z I saw while waiting in the Oppama plant waiting room had controls on the left side of the wheel (see pic). It had no cruise control that I could find though.

I'm guessing they put that on there because on the JDM Fairlady Z roadster I saw in Nissan's "showroom" in Ginza, the Bose radio had the volume **** on the wrong side (furthest from the driver). They didn't bother mirroring it. The non-Bose JDM radio had it on the correct side though.

Maybe cruise control isn't so common in Japan.

I'm guessing that they put it controls radio and cruise controls on the G35 just to create some market segmentation and also to make up for the fact that the radio volume control buttons on the G35 are on the wrong side (furthest from the driver).

BTW, I got my 04 Enthusiast 350Z back on Aug 29th, 03 and I have and lack the same things as Norel350Z.

 

I fully expect that we '03 owners will be hung out to dry. Car manufacturers never provide retroactive fixes to things like this. That's the biggest reason why I'm getting rid of my Z.