Hi all, am I the only one have roadster in OZ? I saw few roadster down in Melbourne near St.kilda beach area most of the sunday afternoon.

Is it roadster is not as common to the hardtop track or touring model? The only one thing I don't like my roadster is I can't even get the brembo brake option upgrade from the dealer. I may need to get a set of 2nd hand one or from R34GTR.

 

Hi all, am I the only one have roadster in OZ?

I see a few around Melbourne ... not as often as the coupe, but still here and there.

It's probably the extra weight, lack of Brembos and softer suspension that makes it less atractive for people people who want a convertible.

Here's a question for you ... I presume that you bought the roadster becasuse you wanted a convertible. Though, how come you got the 350Z Roadster instead of the other convertibles on the market?

 

Mikebn is another Roadster From Sydney He got Silver with Aftermarket Wheels on

 

I know we've chatted but thought I should drop mine in here for thers to see there's a few of us with ragtops.

 

Wow nice wheels is that a Lowenhart Wheels? Sorry if i'm wrong :P

Which part of Australia Are you from?

 

No worries at all. They're actually Altstadt EXEs. I'm in Sydney and got them from the guys at Croydon Racing Developments at Silverwater. They've been fantastic! I highly recommend that anyone go to these guys; pretty much for anything actually.

Other than the wheels it's stock...So far!

What about yourself, where you from?

 

Sorry 'bout that. I just looked again and see you're from Melbourne. Yours is a nice looking ride too. Are there many Z's in Melb?

BTW - Are any of the Aussies having this "feathering" problem that is on the forum everywhere?

Oh, and here's a cl.oser look at my beautiful wheels!

 

I gotta agree with you about the brakes. I can't understand why it wasn't available as an option. I guess it stops just fine, appart from the excessive brake dust, but with 19" rims the brakes look pretty small!

Brake upgrades are pretty damn expensive so I'm sure they would be cheaper as an option. If that's my biggest complaint I should be happy though.

 

Yes we have a couple of 350Z in Melbourne so far i think there is only 9 Melbournian Forum member so far.

About the Feathering, i think there are some of OZ owner got some.

Cheers
yun

 

Aus Z - nice roadster. Those wheels look very bling bling. Just what size are they?
Also noticed your tyres. Are they Goodyear F1 DS G3's? If so, how do you rate them compared to other high performance tyres you've used previously?

 

The reason I bought the 350zr is I can't find enerythings else in the current market at that price can compare to the ZR. I want a comfortable sport convertibles therefore I even got a 5AT. I have try the Z4, Audi TT, but nothing come close compare to the ZR. I personally don't mind the extra weight on the ZR, we have proof that on the 25 July cruise, The rpm limiter on the ZR is almost 7k and on the trackZ is 6.4k. And thanks god, I can keep up with other trackZeds the all day.

I want to upgrade the brake more for the look rather than performance. and the color of the brake also match my ride too

Don't forgot, I still have a R32GTR setting at my garage ready for any performance challengers

Cheers

 

I want a comfort sport convertibles therefore I even got a 5AT.

Aaaah, I was wondering if you got the Auto as the Z is probably the only roadster on the market (for less than $100k) that will be done justice with an auto box.

The rpm limit on the ZR is almost 7k and on the track is 6.4k.

The rev-limit difference is between an Auto and manual and not between the Roadster and Coupe. The manual is set at 6,600rpm while the Auto is set at 7,000rpm. Lionking has an auto 350Z (Couple) and we met up one night (few months back) to put it to a test as well as next to my manual.

The most logical reson for the rev-limit difference, that I've been told so far, is that the Auto does not need the same saflty margin as a manual as the auto does not have any risk of an over-rev, while the manual does (ie. downchange while your speeds are too high).

The extra revs with the slightly taller gearing of the Auto box give it an advantage in some speed increments.

 

Nope, they're Falkens. The wheels are 19x10 rear and 19x9 front which equates to 245's front and 285's rear. The tyres are OK so far but it is very early days. I actually reckon I could fit 295's under the rear, if there is such a size BTW.

They look pretty fat and very happy with the guys at Croydon too. Might check out some Michelins next time or go back to Pirellis 'cause I had them on my 350 SS and they were awesome.

Cheers

PS And yes, very bling bling!

 

Yep me here too - I'm in Sydney though

Aus Z - glad to see you on board dude, everyone here is really helpful and filled with handy hints.

David M - I seriously think you should start writing for a performance mag - ur comparisons are just awesome . U certainly paint the perfect picture with words. Always look forward to your comparos and comments - very helpful, keep up the great work.....

Thought I'd add my 2cents also mate

The main reason I bought the convertible was for something different and pure FUN Factor. It also looks the part as LemanZ mentioned there isn't a car that comes close with the balance of looks and handling. Performance is adequate, and in any case, these days high powered cars only buys you high premiums and speeding tickets.

The cars I tried before selecting the Z were

S2000 - after driving Turbo it didn't have the torque, had the fun factor though

Saab/Audi a4 convertible - made feel a bit old and didn't really have the fun factor.

Lotus Ellise - Had a huge fun factor but could not live with it everyday - felt like a go cart

Boxster S / Z4 - Fun and very responsive cars but had to settle for a 2nd hand boxster compared to a Z+ 20K - couldn't justify that

Audi TT - Been a huge Audi fan for year - last car being a S3 would have been the obvious choice but the TT roaster just didn't have the fun appeal..

Love roadsters - until I can affoard a Shelby or a TVR the ZR is the nest best thing....

In any case just add this for the perfect Z

Cheers Guys
Mike

 

David, do you know how come the ZR can keep up with the coupe with weight 100kg more? Are they have the same power and torque?

 

David M - I seriously think you should start writing for a performance mag - ur comparisons are just awesome.

Thanks .... I did not think of myself as a word-smith, but I'm glad to hear that it's appreciated. If enyone else does some 'comparisions' or 'testing', I know I'd love to read about it.

The main reason I bought the convertible was for something different and pure FUN Factor. It also looks the part as LemanZ mentioned there isn't a car that comes close with the balance of looks and handling.

I have no doubt that you guys have bought the best car for you at this pointy in time. Every car you listed has something going for it ... if that's what you're after. The Zed Roadster is probably the best compromize of all desired attributers (ie. performance, handling, drivability, looks and comfort). The only car I would rate as a better compromise weould be Boxster S, but that's $130k. I looked at it very seriously last two times I bought a car, but each time I found found something else that was a fair bit cheaper, and at least as good in that particular cetagory that I was after ... though none were/are as good a 'comprimize' and excell at so many things at Boxster S.

 

David,

Correct me if I'm wrong but the roadster has a closer gear ratio in order to help with the extra kg... but that could be only for numbers to 100kph - either way the wind resistance factor would make it slower at high speeds.

Mike

 

David, do you know how come the ZR can keep up with the coupe with weight 100kg more? Are they have the same power and torque?

It depends on how you define 'keep up'. The Coupe is more than likely the quicker car when you put a stopwatch on it ... whether it is on the track or on the road. Though, when it comes down to it the driver makes more of a difference that the difference between the two models. Afterall, I've seen MX5s demolish Porsches at the track .... I even saw an stock MX5 out-drag a WRX for the 1st couple 100m (on the track) ... does not mean that the MX5 is quicker car by any means? Not even close.

Actually, when I think about it, I'm used to going to the track with lots of S2000s. All more or less the same cars but on the track they are usualy spread by good 20sec over a 1:45 lap. 20sec is a difference between a 911 GT3 and a Barina.

Now if you're just talking about straightline performance, then it again depends on how you're looking at it. Do you mean that you guys were on a twisty piece of road and you kept up with everyone else (or were even quicker)? If so, then I'll go back to my MX5 example .... I'm sure that are some MX5/driver combos around that would leave everyone for dead on that twisty road. Though they'd probably do it in any car.

On the other hand if you're just talking about lining up two cars and having a drag, then there should be some difference. Once on the move, the Auto is no slower than the manual (and as I mentioned before, in some speed increments quicker). So really the only thing that the Zed Roadster has going against it is the extra 85kg and aerodynamics. The aerodinamics don't make much difference bellow 100kph, so it's really just about the 85kg at 'legal' speeds. 85kg should make a difference if you put a stop-watch to it, but on the road 85kg is negated by the other car having a passanger .... or one car having a full tank and one running on empty. Personaly, I cannot feel an 85kg difference in the Zed. Though, I do know that on the track a passanger does make a difference to your lap-times. On the track you also notice the top-speed on the straight drop when you have a passanger so it does make a difference. With the roadster, you'll noctice a big speed drop even when you put the roof down. Though, what I'm talking about here is couple 10th to 100kph and over 400m. That's like less than 1/2 car-length to 100kph and 2 - 3 car-lengths over 400m .... certainly something a clock will show, but very hard to pick while driving on the road.

Maybe if you do a proper comparision where you line up with another car from a rolling start and punch it. If you run to 140- 160kph or so, a few times then you will probably see a pattern .... just like me and Lionking did when we spent an evening trying to pick the differences.

Still, I would not loose sleep over couple 10th of a second if you're looking at it on the road. If you go to the track (whether it be circuit or a drag strip) then you'll start noticing every 10th ... but even then I'll revert to what I said in the 1st place - the driver behind the wheel can make 100x more difference than a measly 85kg.

 

What a great wrap-up. I absolutely concur with your sentiments. I got a little caught up in the "excitement" of the drags at Eastern Creek with my 350 SS and obviously there every tenth makes a difference. In fact it is all about tenths and hundredths of a second.

What I can tell you is that over and over again guys would get work done to their cars, many times stating that they were sure it was going harder than before, only to be disappointed at the strip! What does that tell you? To me is says they would've been happier had they not got their timeslips!

It's all about how it feels to the driver/owner I reckon and I just love The Z! Yes, my 350 SS would leave welts on its **** but who cares. I love 'em both. In fact if anything, The Z will get me into far less trouble AND has the benefit of being a convertible with even more Bling Bling wheels that the SS.

I've had a few people take pictures of it already, only after a month, which makes you feel pretty good. None of the pictures were because it could do 13.x down the quarter as it was sitting still at the time anyway.

Sorry, got carried away with the icons!

Ciao guys

 

haha, I m also exp taken pic from other ppl on in the city when I cruise around. It kind of making you feel good.

David, thank you for your analysis between the ZR and Coupe. Maybe we should originize a test and make it to a DV on a private own road someday

By the way, check out the Nissan from Japan about the roadster and coupe, the 360 view is so cooooool!!

http://www2.nissan.co.jp/Z/Z33/0310/EXTER/main4.html