My dealer salesman called me and wanted to know if I wanted to try out the 2004 Z. I sure did. After all the months of bitching and moaning I finally drove the Z that I should have gotten last year. For those curious the drive quality is excellent. None of the shivering bopping or jittering, but drives like I had expected mine should. I could be really offbase on this one, but it seemed to me that the automatic I drove was more seamless through the gears. Altogether it was a much improved driving experience. Some nice tweaks inside with another outlet on the passenger side, extended adjustable hinges for the seatbelts so that it doesnt choke you, and extensions on the visors. The salesman said he would call his DM and see if he can get specific info about the suspension and what parts were affected. Whatever they are it sure makes a difference.

 

The ride is the same on the 04's as to the 03's.. I have drove 5 different 04's(2 roadsters) So quit your BS, cause the ride is the same..

 

While I don't think that the tenor of your remark deserves a reply, you are certainly entitled to your opinions, as off base as they may be. My experience was in test driving a 2004 Touring Auto and I certainly did experience a MUCH improved ride. Either you are a wannabe owner who likes to post Jerry Springer level replies or you simply did not drive the same equipped car. I have been told by NNA (thats Nissan North America in case you didn't know) that changes were made. I suggest you do a little more research if your concern for ride quality is genuine, and perhaps you will come across a vehicle similarly equipped as the one I drove last week.
P.S. Your posting grammar needs improvement.

 

I've posted this information on the Koni thread but just in case. I finally got all 4 corners of my Z switched to G35 cpe dampers. The ride is very much improved with no apparent deterioration of the handling. I have verified the ride improvement by testing the car over the same stretch of broken pavement. The rides so good now I find myself complaining about the stereo now. So if the jarring harsh ride has you down for $525 you can install G35 dampers all around no change in ride height and they look just like the Z dampers.

 

Changes

AutoWeek has recently reported that the suspension has been changed in the 04Z. My dealer has checked with his parts department and said there some part number changes.

 

Wannabe owner. LOL<-- Laughing Out Loud,if you didnt know


I dont know what the NNA (Nissan North America) is feeding you bud, but their are no changes in the suspension.
I think the whole MUCH improved ride thing ,is comeing from your head.
Please feel the need to correct my POSTING GRAMMER.

 

I have an 03 that was built in 5/03. It rides and handles great, really enjoy driving it. I don't know if I am qualified to state what great is, but I have owned a Porsche 944,911, 928S4, Acura NSX and a Mazda RX7TT, plus a few other sports cars. Guess I don't know what some people are looking for in ride/handling. To each his own. I like the new Z.

 

Pedal pusher, is it possible to find out from your dealer what specific parts(suspension) were changed in the 04 models. I have been trying to find out from my dealer so far to no avail.. Thanks.

If and when I do find out from him I will post.

 

I have been trying to get the parts department to give me a report on what seems to be different but they claim they are too busy to do that. I just love good customer service. I'll keep trying and if I get any info I will post.

 

Finally received a response from my dealer on part number changes from 03's to 04's. He says no parts (springs, shocks, frame etc ) show a different part no. from the 03's. He says he will look at changes if any in the spec's..

I can only judge from the way my car (04' 6mt T.) handles and rides that it in no way does it have the characteristics of bouncing, pulling etc. that others have experienced and posted for earlier models..While part no.s may not of changed something is making a difference..

Anyone have any ideas on why?

 

If the part numbers are the same, then it must be alignment specs!

 

How do the S-Tune alignment specs compare to the stock suspension specs? Anyone look at this. Supposedly the S-Tune fixes the bounce and the feathering.

 

Mark, I am unclear as to why the S-Tune alignment is different from stock. I have zero experience in this area, a more detailed description may let me understand this difference. Sorry to be a dumbass, but I am dead set against paying Nissan more $ to get what should have been either the stock or optional suspension from the beginning. This could be considered extortion in many people's eyes, including mine.

Oh, BTW, we sell an upgraded suspension to replace the POS standard one everybody is having trouble with, but you can be penalized for putting on another aftermarket part which is much cheaper than our part to cure the bounce and tire problems too, with a more controlled rebound, but if you have further tire problems after changing to that premium part, your warranty is no good. Also, we can't guarantee the S-Tune will solve the tire problem other than hearsay. I wouldn't pay a dime for a fix from Nissan that wasn't 100% guaranteed to give the buyer a full refund if it doesn't work. Totally unacceptable for me, others do as you will, I believe it is a total ripoff.

 

Boomer I am not sure the alignment specs are different. I know alignment specs come with the S-Tune. Not sure how they compare to the current specs for the stock suspension. I sorta agree with you on throwing more $ at the susp problem. I also no I will not be happy with the way the Z is now. Now I also am getting the feathering problem. I personally believe there are several problems at work here.

1) Some improper alignments (Droideka is an example) Many dealers are clueless. My dealers master tech told me I should run 40 lbs. of pressure cold cause the tires are rated for it to prevent the feathering.
2) Poor suspension design (No camber adjustment) Nissan I would have gladly paid the extra $ for the adjustability.
3) Horrible stock shock/spring match (Bounce) Not sure if this could cause the feathering.
4) 040 tires should not have been subbed for the original Michelins.


IMO the S-Tune should have been standard on the Track model.

Have I forgotten anything?

 

I had a couple when I responded earlier, but my post is lost, my end, I'm having computer probs. Very good list and I would put my $ on 2,3 and 4 in no particular order. I think the alignment specs may be a lesser problem, but I know it has happened that some dealers are totally incompetent about the Z. Sedan focus, too stupid to understand that Zs bring/create showroom traffic, etc. I have read every post I could possibly read on every thread pertaining to the tires and issues 2,3, and 4 dominate the posts everywhere in whatever thread I read.

Independent suspension, daring design with insufficient budget, IMO. The 240Z has a MacPherson strut suspension that works very well and I would have been satisfied with a modernized version that cost less and worked almost as well. BMW and Mercedes employ the very setup in front I just described. Innovative suspension on the cheap is fraught with problems and any suspension engineer can tell you that. Add cheap tires, spindly struts/stiff springs and you have a recipe for the disaster we now seem to have. My opinion and I will add the Konis when they are available. If my tires cup, I will pursue with Lemon law, BBB and throw peanuts at them if they void my warranty.

BTW, they've already lost a sale. I pick up a 2004 Acura TL tomorrow. The Maxima is GONE.

 

Got a Call today from Eric Hu.....

Of the 50 Set's of Koni Struts and Shocks are coming to the U.S. he was able to snag 5 Sets... Not Cheap but within reason.

Tokico has :bombed out.... They are Fubar as they make the Stock Struts

But about one month from now March 9th I should have one of five sets of Koni allocated to So. Cal. Made in the Holland Plant.. Adjustable

Two are for the test mules, Three sets are for So Cal "pick up only" Stay tuned for the auction of the decade... Ha!


I'll get a spare set of Hotchkis front springs for 350Z. That way the front stock struts won't have to be a remove issue. And will go up in the attic, with the rest of the take offs.

My Z is sitting idle, as it has two new Front tires (NNA Bought them) and I bought one Pass side RE040 Rear 245/45/18
Mileage 12700

Three new tires... 3 out of four isn't too bad the Driver Rear is O.K. for speed...

I have only 120 Miles on the Three new tires...
And I have two sets of 17" as backup in the garage....
Mounted and balance - one set chrome 17's ( 4100 miles )
Second Set on 17" painted stock rims ( 2000 miles ) Purchased from School is in from the web site.

Look guys, I intend to find out the reason for the Abnormal Wear and Inside Feathering of the 350Z tires. Please be patient.

2nd Subject:

I have a posible senerio.. It's near five o'clock at the Nissan design lab... and Toshio Tanaka is ready to go for his Thailand Holiday.
He tells his assistant that the specifications for the 350Z U.S. production is on the top of his desk. And to please take care of the order to Tokico.

The Assitant goes to Toshio's desk and finds the spec's for 350Z best Track skid specifications. And all parts are highlighted.

So the assistant buys 32000 units of Special Tokico Track Struts and Springs... By the time Toshio returns from his sex trip to Thailand the order is being delivered. He is ****ed. He puts his signature to the work order, and by that all U.S. production 350Z are F**ed.

On looking at the Design, Toshio say's "well at least we will have good skid pad test with the 350Z" Because he is to busy going to the clinic with burning sensations of his *****, and geting over his addiction to cheap Cocain.

Evidently the view of the technicians of Nissan, is that the U.S. roads are diferent from Japan.

Subject: Japanese view of world

I once went to a Ginza Sports Good store, and asked the salesman for European ski's. He said to buy Japanese ski's because Japanese Snow is different. Ha !

It is built into the language, due to a long period of separation from the world. They don't mean bad, they just are.

And very hard headed, Sumimasen. Baka

 

Amy you are funny

 

good job amy but the east can say cad/cam/cae and pavement is pavement. f*** them for my pogostick ride. i aint buying the whole esoteric yin/yang east/west horse****. they oughta be delivering the konis to me with one stuck up their ginza.

 

Baka indeed. Xenophobia reigns supreme sometimes in Japan, the isolationism was long and gave them too much time to turn inward as a society. Their worldview is all they seem to see and Bushido was a tao of life emphasizing inner vision.

I like your scenario, it fits with the sex trips for Japanese businessmen in S.E. Asia. They seem to not be bothered by the high rates of the AIDS Syndrome in Thailand among prostitutes.

As I searched for new shocks to come out, Tokiko was not showing any move to develop their own premium shocks and I thought,"AHA!" I am so ready for the Konis I could burst a blood vessel if I didn't stay in control. If you get them first, I want daily reports, not really. Impressions are fine. I'll just be jealous of you and Eric until mine come in and get them on. Ciao, Amy.

Boomer/Keith

 

Check out Boomer impressions of the Koni's installed on his Z in the suspension forum!