Well, I pick up my black roadster tomorrow.

It's all black. Top, Interior, Exterior.. Me Likey!

Any suggestions on "breaking it in"? Do I keep it under 4000 RPM for the first 5000kms (I'm in Canada, I think that's about 2000 miles).

They were not able to find one with a NAV system so I'll probably have to get an aftermarket system. Does anyone know if the door is still powered even though there isn't a nav system in there??

 

keep it under 3500 until the breakin period 1200 miles and to prevent any problems with the car in the future

 

My suggestion: keep it under 4,000RPM the first 750km. Never use cruise control, don't go long distances at the same speed.
Move the shift indicator up to 5,000 for the next 750km, then 6,000 to 2,000km and then you're home free.

If your ZR was built before August 2003 (or VIN ending in 04T001000) or so it will have the old door, newer ones have the powered door.

Have fun, and don't drive when it's cold. Oh wait, that's all the time, yes? I'll be in Toronto weekend after next, hope the freeze stays away for a while.

 

Thanks John,

My VIN ends in A14700xxxx So I'm hoping it's powered.
Is there anywhere I can look up the VIN and decode the various meanings?

 

Congrats. I don't have my car yet so I don't have the exact details (max rpm, # of miles to breakin). The owners manual will give you the max rpm's and # of miles to breakin. Vary your engine speed. Even if traveling at a relatively constant speed (on a highway for instance) you can vary your engine speed by using different gears. Avoid heavy throttle inputs. Avoid heavy brake inputs. I like to change oil on my new engines after break in miles. It doesn't hurt the engine, and to be honest, I have no idea if it helps the engine. Once you have properly broken in the engine, the critical period is the warm up every time you drive. I keep the rpm's below 4000 and avoid heavy throttle inputs for the first 2-3 miles, or until the engine has started to warm up. I then increase rpm's until the engine is warm. Then mash the hell out of the gas pedal and go fast and have some fun.
rich
'03 FX 45 w/tech, Black/Brick
'96 911 C4 Cab
'04 350ZR on the way, silver/frost/blue, NAV, 18's

 

http://www.paulsilva.com/pix/2003_10_31-The_Car/

 

Congrats on the roadster!- I've got a black/black/black Touring roadster, 18"s, and it is incredible. You are going to love it.

The good news - it's black/black/black and NOTHING looks better when it's fully detailed out. Heads snap, EVERYONE comments, and under the lights at night - it's perfect.

The bad news - it's black/black/black and NOTHING looks worse when the rain/dust/road crud accumulate. Meguiars instant detailer spray is your best friend. Stay on it every day/week.

I've been breaking mine it in according to the book and it get smoother and quicker by the day. It just keeps getting better.

Geat choice on the car - enjoy!!

 

Thanks E.F!
I picked up a Microfibre cloth to wipe the dust off but I ran into some rain so its got some dirt along the bottom that I need to clean off. I need to figure out what I'm going to use to keep this guy nice and shiny. You're right about the Black though. A quick jaunt about and it's got dust ALL over.

 

Congratulations !!!

... oh, and was the door powered? I'm assuming you went with non-nav?

 

What power door are you talking about? Please be specific. thanks

 

They couldn't find me a black/black/black car with the NAV system. I was reading in the manual and only the door with the NAV system is powered. Since I don't have NAV, I don't have a powered door.

Farm AZ - The Big door in the center of the car below the three gauges.

 

Oh well ... when I saw your post, I was hoping that they starting including a power nav door on all models. Bummer ...

Maybe I'll just buy one of those Head Units that have the retracting screen and AV inputs ... you can pipe a Video DVD as well as a Nav System into those things, can't you? I figure you get more bang for your buck for the extra $2k, and you get to keep your 'cubby hole' ...

 

Try the California car duster. I keep mine in the trunk. Instant gorgeous...

 

I had a 2003 Redline Touring Coupe. The nav door was not motor powered. However, when you pushed the button it would retract in to the dash. The issue was it was very fragile. You would have to pull it straight out then down to close it. People were breaking them by not closing them properly. Nissan did away with them for 2004. The 2004's door without the Nav system just opens straight up rather than retract in to the dash. With Nav system comes with the door that retracts into the dash.

 

What is this? Do you have any links?

Thanks!

 

I found my Z got a lot faster at about 4,000 miles so look forward to some more power with added miles. Some people may disagree with my accessment but I can tell you I could not chirp my tires shifting into 3rd gear but after putting on miles, it started being able to do it (on the same road!).