Edmunds Comparo: 2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2008 BMW 135i
12-14-08, 10:24 PM
#1
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Edmunds Comparo: 2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2008 BMW 135i
When the 2008 BMW 135i came to us, we found it to be one of the purest expressions of the BMW character since the 1971 BMW 2002 tii. Now that the novelty has worn off a bit and we've driven one for close to 15,000 miles, we still think it's a brilliant car. With a long-legged engine that's as happy at 2,000 rpm as it is at 7,000 rpm, this BMW is destined to continue to win comparison tests and conquest buyers for years to come.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z achieves the same sort of thing on the Nissan side. It's so improved in every way over the 350Z that it comes off like a completely different car. Think of the 350Z as a really long prototyping program or maybe an elaborate focus group process. It might have taken six years to work out the kinks, but man, was it worth it. It is both sports car and sport coupe, just as in Mr. K's original concept for the 1970 Datsun 240Z and very much as the BMW M3 has evolved. And it wins this comparison test.
We'll even go so far as to say that the 2009 Nissan 370Z now raises the standard for the sport coupe segment to a new level of affordable excellence. Its accessible performance alone is worthy of status as a benchmark. Its looks alone will bring people to a Nissan showroom. And the combination of the Z-car's reasonable price and fuel -efficiency (22 mpg EPA combined) will certainly get your attention.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z has the whole benchmark package wrapped up with a bow: price, exterior design, interior packaging, performance, features and that X-factor that makes you just want to go out and drive one, and drive it hard. Thinking of the Z-car as a sports car is one thing, but we can honestly say that there's not another sport coupe that can touch the new Z. Dare to compare.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z achieves the same sort of thing on the Nissan side. It's so improved in every way over the 350Z that it comes off like a completely different car. Think of the 350Z as a really long prototyping program or maybe an elaborate focus group process. It might have taken six years to work out the kinks, but man, was it worth it. It is both sports car and sport coupe, just as in Mr. K's original concept for the 1970 Datsun 240Z and very much as the BMW M3 has evolved. And it wins this comparison test.
We'll even go so far as to say that the 2009 Nissan 370Z now raises the standard for the sport coupe segment to a new level of affordable excellence. Its accessible performance alone is worthy of status as a benchmark. Its looks alone will bring people to a Nissan showroom. And the combination of the Z-car's reasonable price and fuel -efficiency (22 mpg EPA combined) will certainly get your attention.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z has the whole benchmark package wrapped up with a bow: price, exterior design, interior packaging, performance, features and that X-factor that makes you just want to go out and drive one, and drive it hard. Thinking of the Z-car as a sports car is one thing, but we can honestly say that there's not another sport coupe that can touch the new Z. Dare to compare.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1#2
12-15-08, 01:10 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
I love how the japanese cars have been setting the benchmarks in their respective classes. Started with the NSX, now we have the GTR , EVO, STI, Supra, 350Z ,and the 370Z. The ISF and G37 in my eyes are better than the german competetion 3 series and M3 in my eyes because they are japanese.
12-15-08, 09:22 AM
#6
Who gives a flip if they're Japanese or not? You're no different than the BMW dorks for liking the car because its German.
OT: I find it funny all the comparisons of the Z to the Cayman S. The Porsche is just as fast as the Nissan and runs a 72-73mph slalom. I don't get why they're comparing the two cars in the realm of handling.
That being said.... For $30k, the 370z is a helluva deal. That interior looks great. I definitely want one. I did make a promise of no car loans until I'm out of grad school though.
Last edited by Bean; 12-15-08 at 09:27 AM.
12-15-08, 09:46 AM
#7
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I really wish the new 370 was a 2+2 (like the MkIV Supra), had a targa (or at least a sunroof), and was turbo. Would be the perfect car. Unfortunately, it's been 11 years since we've been offered that. Can't wait to drive one tho
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12-15-08, 10:28 AM
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If Nissan was stupid enough not to offer a true manual for the Z, they would lose half of their potential customers.
12-15-08, 10:30 AM
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But one thing I found very surprising was how great the VQ37VHR responds to NA modifications. A few guys over at Myg37.com are pushing as much as 330 RWHP on full bolts ons + tune. (Bone stock on a dynojet, they typically do 275 rwhp). I myself was very skeptical until I continued doing research on that engine.
12-15-08, 11:22 AM
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12-15-08, 11:34 AM
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One platform is NA and one is already factory TT. Guess which one will get the best bang for the buck once the modding starts. Now you could put Nitrous on the Z but I wouldn't. There will be aftermarket turbo kits for the new Z sooner or later if there aren't already but I rather start with a factory TT setup.
12-15-08, 09:05 PM
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I love how the japanese cars have been setting the benchmarks in their respective classes. Started with the NSX, now we have the GTR , EVO, STI, Supra, 350Z ,and the 370Z. The ISF and G37 in my eyes are better than the german competetion 3 series and M3 in my eyes because they are japanese.
Yeah those Germans don't know how to build cars. Terrible interior quality, terrible driving dyanmics, and to top it all off - they are all ugly crap. I know, the Japanese innovate everything, do everything the best. The Germans just copy copy copy.
12-15-08, 10:27 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
if you want to know innovation, look at the germans. One of the main reasons why they have electrical problems is because they're always shoving new gadgets into their cars. I wish they'd fix the quality issues tho.
Anyways, if you wanna say the japanese improve on innovations, then that's a better statement. They kaizen the crap outta even the smallest thing putting out a reliable product. But to say the germans just copy is ignorant.