Picked up the car on Friday and took a 50 mile jaunt before having to return to work.

From a driver’s standpoint, the feature that seemed most impressive was the shifter - shorter and more precise throws than my 99 E36 M3. Sixth gear is usable and useful at legal highway speeds. Something the M3 didn’t have but needed.

Steering is weighted lighter than the BMW’s which I prefer. Handling feels comparable (read this is as world class), but the M3 had a little more composure over the bumps.

The Z has better low end torque. Cannot yet comment on what’s above the 4000RPM range.

The interior on the Z is much more characteristic of that found in a true sports car. Only change I would suggest is that they lower the hand brake location a bit.

The exhaust sound has a very nice howl to it, but is only audible with the window open. I think the words howl or wail best describe the sound.

Exterior appearance – nothing to add over what everyone else has said who has seen it in person – incredible.

Negatives: The orange peel seems to come standard with Daytona Blue. Was not very noticeable in the sunlight but was obvious under the fluorescent lights in my garage.

All in all, a fantastic car.

 

Ex-M3....

Great to hear from you.. and great to hear of your overall favorable impressions --- vs ----- the M3.


I am still waiting for mine... but when I test drove the new Z two times... only thing I thought of was...


2 thumbs up... and a great improvement over my Z32TT.

I can't wait...

Have a great time in your new blue track baby !!!!!! And give us more input regarding your impressions.

thanks.

 

How do you think the build quality stacks up against the M3? I mean the solid weight and precision of the switches and the controls ? fit and finish (besides the paint)?

 

It varies. To me the most important controls are the steering wheel, shifter, and pedals. In my view, the Z wins or ties in all those areas except for one. The M3 had better brake pedal feel.

As far as the rest of the controls, the quality of the M3 ***** and switches seemed higher however I think the Z's are more ergonomic.

 

You and I should meet up this weekend TCL... I think you and I have the only Track models roaming Northern VA at the moment...

 

As a current e36 m3 owner i would like to ask you a couple of questions TCL:

1.) In normal street driving, and at highway speeds, how does the 350Z compare as far as interior noise is concerned?

2.) Does the 350Z have the same "tight" and solid feeling that the M3 has?

3.) Which car do you prefer on the corners? on the freeway? in the twisties?

 

Check your private messages.

 

1. It's been a little while since I got rid of the M3, but from what I remember it was a little quieter than the Z. That was one reason I got rid of it. I thought it was a little too quiet for a sports car.

2. The Z does have a tight feeling but there's a lot that goes into this. You might think the M3 feels tighter if the weight of steering factors into your definition of tightness. The M3's doors felt more solid. Both cars have a very stiff chassis.

3. Freeway driving I'd prefer the Z hands down due to 6th gear.
The USA version of M3 rev'ed too high at freeway speeds in my opinion.

Cornering is a very tough one. Both cars are great. I really haven't had enough time in the Z to experiment with tire pressures so I don't want to make a firm judgement yet. Ask me again in a few weeks after I put more miles on it.

One thing I didn't mention before was head room. I like to sit rather upright in the seat and my head was hitting the head liner of the M3 quite often. That was annoying. Not a problem in the Z.