370Z 135i comparison on Edmunds

[cam2801]

Not Australian but I found this interesting reading

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

Mind you I can not say i'd buy a 370 over the 135

[aus135i]

nice read cam... i do however agree with u.. the 370z just dont do it for me... besides the only Nissan i would buy is the GTR... =)

[BBK]

Interesting review, enjoyed reading it.... Although, it's making me have second thoughts and wish I didn't put a deposit down on the 135 so I could just see what the 370Z is like.

Just don't like the design of the front bumper.

[Dabaitu]

Datsun vs BMW? No contest

[cam2801]

Originally Posted by mattyv

Datsun vs BMW? No contest

In most cases I'd agree but I would not being saying that to the 370Z's big brother the GTR

[TimH]

I notice lately that people (Clarkson last night for example) refer to Datsun instead of Nissan and intend it as a put-down.

They made cars like the 1600. A little bit down market from the 2002, but still a decent fun car. They also made the Sunny

Yes we had a 1600 from new, but it was followed by a 2000 (precursor to the 5 series) when nobody else knew what a BMW was.

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by mattyv

Datsun vs BMW? No contest

Oh no, not this again

As for 370Z regardless of how good or not it is, you definitely have to like the look of the thing to consider it...

Personally I'd rather pay twice as much and go for that other Nissan, errr Datsun product...you know, the one that actually does present more than a contest to 'all' BMW's

[replicate]

I think a lot will come down to the pricing. If it stays the same, which is i think $65k for the 350Z and $71k for the bimmer, the 135 offers better value, you get a lot of car for the differrence. but if they drop the price by say $5k even i reckon it's a whole new ball game.

[BMWDave]

I'm not even sure it even comes down to price. Whilst on paper, they offer obviously comparative points, they are two entirely different animals. The 370Z, is a two seater, track-honed sports car. The 135i, on the flipside, is a four seater, daily driver type car that happens to have a bootfull of go. The fact they offer similar performance times with respect to 0-100's and 1/4 miles is where the similarities end.

I know that if I were in the market for a two seat sports car, I probably wouldn't even consider the 135i. It's not a "sports car" as such - evidenced by the lack of LSD, the 2+2 seating layout, the "soft" suspension and RFT's. The article states Nissan were aiming at the Cayman and I think the BMW equivalent is really the Z4. You simply don't buy a four seater when you're after a "fits like a glove" two seat sports car.

I was cruising along the river the other day at like 45km/h, my mate commented on how quiet, comfortable and smooth the car was. It would seem from the article that the 370Z can't actually do this - evidenced by the reported drone and tyre roar. Of course, this argument is nullified at the track where the 370Z achieves better grip and cornering abilities.

Fact of the matter remains, Nissan have certainly improved upon the 350Z in many regards and have made a cut price track weapon and should be commended. On the BMW side of the fence, which is where I obviously currently sit also, I have a car which i can load 3 mates into (which I did as recently as two days ago) and enjoy a cruise in comfort, luxury and refinement, then drop them off, take it to the track and pass respectible times in, but not chart topping - all for a $72K buy in. The 370Z can only do one of those things, regardless of what price point it enters in at.

[cam2801]

+

[d3syd]

Beautifully put BMWDave. Bravo

[replicate]

Yes well said. However I think because the market for RWD "performance" cars is so small, that they will/are grouped together and will attrack similar buyers. After all BMW is trying to target a younger demographic with the 1 series, people who would normally look at a 350/370Z would also consider the 135. People such as myself. Yes they have a lot of differences, but i think also enough similarities.

[sethchan]

The fact that a four-seater can get that close to a two-seater in every speed and handling category tells me that its engineering is vastly superior.

[Dabaitu]

Originally Posted by Wraith

Oh no, not this again

As for 370Z regardless of how good or not it is, you definitely have to like the look of the thing to consider it...

Personally I'd rather pay twice as much and go for that other Nissan, errr Datsun product...you know, the one that actually does present more than a contest to 'all' BMW's

Yup, that old chestnut. Got taken hook line and sinker too

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by mattyv

Yup, that old chestnut. Got taken hook line and sinker too

Hmmm, yes from my response, it's so obvious I certainly did...LOL

I should feel proud you purposely post just for my sake :smile:

I concur with the guys above on BMWDave' comment on this topic, always a pleasure to read intelligent and concise responses :wink:

[Dabaitu]

Actually I should have mentioned that too. Brilliant write-up, Dave, was good to read such a well balanced view.

[Guran]

It couldn't have been said any better, BMWDave. :thumbup:

If you need a 4-seater (I do), then cars like the 370Z (and the current 350Z) are automatically scratched off the list. Same goes with the TT & TTS (a parcel shelf doesn't count as a real seat!), Cayman, Z4, etc. The only direct competition for the 135i Coupe, as I see it, is the RX-8 ... a 4-seater with coupe styling (except with a pair of additional suicide doors), but it's too slow for my tastes. Everything else is either a different style of car (ie hatchback or 4-door) or has vastly inferior performance (eg Brera, CLC).

[BMWDave]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. :smile: