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      01-25-2013, 01:49 PM   #1
TwinTurboed
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135i vs 370z NISMO

I always wanted to ask this question, but I keep forgetting. People have alwasys said that the 370z is a better track car. Having driven both the 135i and 370z, I also felt that the handling on the 370z was better. (Terrible car to live with for a DD)

I was initially going to buy the 370z, but after I drove the 135i, there was no competition. Also, I got my fully loaded 135i for a price lower than what a similarly equipped 370z would have cost!

But, as you can see from the videos below. On Laguna Seca, Randy Pobst posted a lap time of 106.0 secs with the 135i and 106.5 secs with the track ready 370z NISMO. What gives?!




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      01-25-2013, 02:10 PM   #2
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My guess is the fact that the 1 series (stock) has the natural tendancy to understeer where the 370z is more prone to oversteer. Making it naturally the better track car. That and Leguna seca is a lot of high speed corners meant that the 135i's understeer didn't hurt as much as it probably would have on any other track...
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      01-25-2013, 02:16 PM   #3
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My guess here would be that while the 370z "might" handle better, the overall performance of the 135i beats it around the track. Your almost always in peak tq with the 1er and its handling is very predictable.

Would like to see this same driver test the 135i against itself with the addition of a tune! There are a million 1/4 mile before and after but I am curious to see how much quicker it is around a track.
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      01-25-2013, 02:31 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trickcruiser View Post
My guess here would be that while the 370z "might" handle better, the overall performance of the 135i beats it around the track. Your almost always in peak tq with the 1er and its handling is very predictable.

Would like to see this same driver test the 135i against itself with the addition of a tune! There are a million 1/4 mile before and after but I am curious to see how much quicker it is around a track.
+1 I would love to see that.
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      01-25-2013, 02:47 PM   #5
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The 370Z NISMO sure does look good though. IMO
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      01-25-2013, 02:48 PM   #6
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then add coil overs to the 1 and add a little camber to it to match the additional setup that the track ready 370 has and voila left in the dust-o-matic i do say.
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      01-25-2013, 02:48 PM   #7
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2008 135i  [6.50]
If the 135i had run crap tires on that's your answer. Equip it with a set of PSSs and I bet it will beat the Nissan.
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      01-25-2013, 02:52 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptack View Post
If the 135i had run crap tires on that's your answer. Equip it with a set of PSSs and I bet it will beat the Nissan.
The 135i DID beat the Nissan
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      01-25-2013, 03:36 PM   #9
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2010 135i Coupe  [5.26]
The stock suspension is definitely the weakest aspect of performance on the 135i. Throw some coils on there and it's a real beast.
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      01-25-2013, 05:13 PM   #10
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Nismo Z can fit some pretty significant rubber in the back. when it comes to traction, Z has more of it, while the torque helped 135i to edge out.

I was looking at a loaded new 370Z but decided to go with the 135i.
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      01-25-2013, 08:04 PM   #11
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2010 135i Coupe  [5.26]
The real difference is that the Z is relatively spartan while the 135 does the same, if not better, while offering a bevy of creature comforts and luxuries.
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      01-25-2013, 08:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
The real difference is that the Z is relatively spartan while the 135 does the same, if not better, while offering a bevy of creature comforts and luxuries.
There is roughly a 60lb difference in curb weight, according to specs on leftlanenews.com for the Z. Not exactly "spartan" in weight comparisons.
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      01-25-2013, 09:39 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAM135iAM View Post
The 370Z NISMO sure does look good though. IMO
Man, that NISMO back end is just super damn sexy!

The main thing that ruined the 370z more than anything for me is that horrible horrible 3.7VHR engine. I don't care what people tell me, I owned a G37 before my 135i and its just a crappy engine.
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      01-25-2013, 09:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylon View Post
There is roughly a 60lb difference in curb weight, according to specs on leftlanenews.com for the Z. Not exactly "spartan" in weight comparisons.
Spartan in luxuries, not weight.
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      01-25-2013, 10:52 PM   #15
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stock to stock that 1 is playing a little catch up, making it more of a driver's race than anything. the 370z is a sexy little toy. it's just a shame it isn't turbocharged.
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      01-26-2013, 08:57 AM   #16
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I remember when the 1 series first came out there were quite a few comparisons to the 370Z not just on this forum but in the media as well.

A 370Z has better stock tires, a stiffer suspension, and a better differential stock. So, it has a harsher ride and is more of a pure "sports" car than the sporty premium coupe the 1 is. In 2010 or so, the 1er got some linear springs that were an improvement over the old progressive ones, which helped a bit, but the Z is definitely the "sports car" of the two, which makes it all the more impressive how well the 1 keeps up.

The Z is definitely a nice car, but it costs too much to add any significant power and it's a little harsh for a daily driver.
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      01-26-2013, 10:03 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1speedbike View Post
I remember when the 1 series first came out there were quite a few comparisons to the 370Z not just on this forum but in the media as well.
A 370Z has better stock tires, a stiffer suspension, and a better differential stock. So, it has a harsher ride and is more of a pure "sports" car than the sporty premium coupe the 1 is. In 2010 or so, the 1er got some linear springs that were an improvement over the old progressive ones, which helped a bit, but the Z is definitely the "sports car" of the two, which makes it all the more impressive how well the 1 keeps up.
The Z is definitely a nice car, but it costs too much to add any significant power and it's a little harsh for a daily driver.
You've pretty much hit the nail on the head.

IMO, the 370 is not a track-ready car. Without an oil cooler, oil temps get too hot and the car goes into limp mode. The factory rotors have a tendency to glaze over and the brakes tend to overheat easily.

Not to mention that there's an issue with the fuel pickup where the car will stall on a sweeping right turn on anything from a half tank or less.

The wider track and accommodation for huge rubber is great, but you'd be better off putting your money into a different chassis and engine. The VQ engine is tapped out at 3.7l and really has very little potential to tap into short of forced induction.

It's actually not that bad of a daily driver, believe it or not. The seats are the weakest link- nothing like the seats in the 1.
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      01-26-2013, 01:14 PM   #18
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Crappy engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Brown135 View Post
Man, that NISMO back end is just super damn sexy!

The main thing that ruined the 370z more than anything for me is that horrible horrible 3.7VHR engine. I don't care what people tell me, I owned a G37 before my 135i and its just a crappy engine.
How exactly is it a crappy engine. My wife just purchased a 2013 G37 sedan coming from a 2010 335i, I drove it a length yesterday and was blown away at the torque, smoothness, response, and just about everything else where I consider points in an engine. I currently dive a 2010 135i and frankly believe the G37 sedan is just as fast. Super nimble for a sedan, totally impressed. Still love BMW's but 3 series has nothing on the G37! Please explain?
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      01-26-2013, 03:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post
How exactly is it a crappy engine. My wife just purchased a 2013 G37 sedan coming from a 2010 335i, I drove it a length yesterday and was blown away at the torque, smoothness, response, and just about everything else where I consider points in an engine. I currently dive a 2010 135i and frankly believe the G37 sedan is just as fast. Super nimble for a sedan, totally impressed. Still love BMW's but 3 series has nothing on the G37! Please explain?
From the general consensus around this thread, I think the "crappy" engine opinion being thrown around is in regards to potential. It seems like what people are saying is that the engine is already peaked out, and even an FBO setup will result in minimal power gains; whereas, the 135i has much more potential and much more alternative routes.

Granted, both stock for stock are relatively similar in performance.

Feel free for anyone to chime in and correct me if my input is incorrect, just what I've gathered from reading this thread.
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      01-26-2013, 07:03 PM   #20
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Thanks for taking the time to clarify.
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      01-26-2013, 07:17 PM   #21
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The Nissan VQ engine is a good engine, but it is brash and unrefined compared to a typical BMW engine. That's just how it is... For the price, the 370Z is a very powerful and sexy sports car. Perfect, it is not.

It's not a terrible engine by any means - smooth power curve, very capable, and obviously very responsive because it's NA... just not as elegant. Exhaust and engine note both suck stock. The engines have oil leak problems. Oil cooler isn't up to snuff. The shifter vibrates like it's gonna fall off (on the Z, I'm sure the G is better). Up til a few years ago, the clutch pedal engagement was so horrible even on the Infiniti, I don't think I've ever read a single positive thing about it. Just that by itself ruled out the car for me before I even took notice of anything else. Well, those last two aren't particularly engine problems, but still sorta related. Hey, our engines aren't perfect, either.

Who can argue, though. 350 horses, almost track ready, for 45 grand... well nowadays with 280 horsepower accords and camrys that doesn't sound like a bargain, but for everything else you get, it's still a good deal. Still would rather have a 1er though.
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Last edited by 1speedbike; 01-26-2013 at 09:29 PM..
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      01-26-2013, 08:50 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post
How exactly is it a crappy engine. My wife just purchased a 2013 G37 sedan coming from a 2010 335i, I drove it a length yesterday and was blown away at the torque, smoothness, response, and just about everything else where I consider points in an engine. I currently dive a 2010 135i and frankly believe the G37 sedan is just as fast. Super nimble for a sedan, totally impressed. Still love BMW's but 3 series has nothing on the G37! Please explain?
I had a 2010 g37 before the 135i. Past 5500 RPM the engine sounds coarse, very harsh. Its just very unrefined compared to the 3.0l twin turbo. And torque? Idk what torque you are experiencing, but there is no decent torque until your RPM is 3500 or above. You might like the engine, but to me its terrible for a luxury car.
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