Hi! As a prospective buyer of a ZR, I wonder whether the GT is better than the Touring in very specific terms. First the Brembos. Is their advantage in less stopping distance which anyone, even an older driver who will seldom test the limits, can use, or is it in less fade resistance over repeated use, which I will likely never use? Are the Brembos better in all regards, or is the extra sophistiction in stopping power or fade resistance at the expense of how the standard ABS works with the car? That is to say, has Nissan really engineered a total braking system for the Brembos, or simply added the Brembos without regard for all the remaining aspects of the system? I see a thread that indicates they aren't worth the cost for a causal driver like me, but the question is how so? If they stop in 115' instead of 130' from 60, I may need that. With regard to the Ray's wheels, are they any good? I've never heard of Ray's. They are billed as forged, not cast, and super light weight. Does anyone have the specifics of that? And for me, I wonder about whether the ride will suffer. I find the ride in the Touring just about right, not bone jarring, not sloppy. The mrs. would be OK with that. She won't be much for a bone jarring ride. So question is, are the Ray's significantly better or not, and if so, at what penalty? Lastly, with regard to the Vehicle Dynamic Control, threads report benefits and problems, but I don't know enough to really ask specifics. I see you can turn it off, so if it turns out I should get the Brembo's and Ray's, then VDC is in. Thanks for any replies I might get. Rich (k1200rs) P.S. I've been a car guy all my life but somehow ended up in one minivan and/or Honda Accord after another. Now it's my time, so what I select is important to me. You can help.

 

Brembo brakes offer the attributes that you mentioned. I have no idea what those advantages are worth to you.

Ray Engineering makes wheels for several vehicles including the 350Z. As you mentioned, they are forged, and several pounds lighter than stock wheels. Light wheels offer a performance advantage. The weight has nothing to do with the ride.

 

Thanks for the reply. The question really isn't one of what they are worth to me. The price difference is not major, at $2,350 between the models. My BMW k1200rs (hence my login id) has front twin Brembo's and an integrated, fully engineered ABS. Had I been on the BMW instead of my (formerly) Harley Davidson Sportster when that car suddenly didn't stop from the side street, I wouldn't have a bum right wrist and hand for life that has fouled up my golf handicap. So I'm not asking worth. If the Brembos will stop the car in 110' and that same car comes out at 115, they'll be worth it. But for that one emergency stop, if the standard brakes are just as good, and the only advantage of the Brembos is better fade resistance, then for that one emergency situation, I don't need them and if they are not as well integrated into the entire braking package, they may be an overall worse choice. That's my question. (Technically, Brembos should have shorter stopping distance, with greater clamping power on a larger disk, and ABS modulation of lockup based on more traction from a wider front and rear tire combination.) Same with the wheels. Lighter, they have lower unsprung weight, therefore probably react differently (more harshly) to bumps, and they mount wider and lower profile tires that also contribute to ride. I'm just looking for someone who has driven both to chime in with what they think about ride. I guess I could go to my local dealer and test every possible combo of model and transmission choice, but I think they may tire of that routine sooner than later. Again, thanks in advance.

 

I have an '05 GT Roadster...

Let me just say this, VDC saved my *** one time in a big way, so in my opinion, the system is fantastic and I'm thrilled that I have it! Like you said, it can always be turned off.

I love the Brembos! Great feel! Worth it to me for sure, especially when I'm driving a bit more on the aggressive side.

I just swapped out my touring wheels for lightweight Nismos. They're awesome and I do feel the lighter weight in that I feel a bit more of a 'push.' Nice!

So, imo, I say get the GT! What the heck, spoil yourself!!!! That's what I did!!

 

The GT roadsters don't get the RAYS wheels, only the coupes do.

 

Buy a GT, and sell me your wheels

 

Looks like all the replies are in. Thanks to you all for your help. SanMarinoZR certainly put things in perspective. Funny how you aren't sure whether you want something until someone tells you you can't have it, and then for sure, you want those wheels. It sure points up the fact that the sales people at Nissan aren't always up on the trim and availability, so it really pays to do your homework, or in this case, your forum work. Thanks again. Rich (k1200rs)

 

The brembo breaks dont significantly change the braking distance, that usually depends on the tire. The advantage with bigger brakesis they are less affected by brake fade and wont over heat as easily i.e. for track days.

 

+1

Unless you plan on tracking your ZR, The Brembos are more for show then anything...

 

Brembos can always be added later they show up here from time to time for around 2k + labor (yours or for hire).

Chris

 

+1 again.

 

Yeah but Brembos are cool.

 

if i had to do it all over again i'd get GT with brembo, nav n ventilated seats

 

Drove both.
You can tell the difference in the fade under "harder" braking.
I think the Brembos are worth it.

 

They do match the ventilated seats pretty well!!!! It's funny, whenever I wash the car, I always laugh at myself when I'm cleaning the Brembos...and then I usually think how Brembo should have painted the cars because the paint is so much better than what Nissan does with the car.

 

i'm pretty sure VDC comes on both vehicles and FYI it has always been helpful to me and i don't think it will ever CAUSE problems, brembos or stock probably won't make much difference, so if you like the look of the rays and brembos, buy the GT, if not go with the touring

 

As was stated earlier, Rays don't come on the GT Roadsters.

 

VDC only comes on both if you get MT. If you get Auto then VDC is only on GT. Not really sure why they did that to be honest though.

 

VDC does not come with MT on touring either, only the grand touring.

 

My 06MT Touring has VDC. It's nice in the rain.