German Car Zone

I really like the Nissan but i still to get used to those lights and steering wheel

I would say that the 370Z competes with the Cayman/Boxster and the Z4.

The best thing about the new 370Z for me is the automatic rev-matching feature on the models with a stickshift........that's right, no more need for heel n' toe if you drive this baby on a track.

Other than the skidpad, the performance of 370Z and 135i is very similar. I wonder whether that skidpad advantage of the 370Z translates into better laptimes on a track.

Regardless, a 350Z was on my radar when I was shopping for a fun car I could take to the track. However, the lack of rear seats in the Z really made the 135i my first choice. The ability to take the wife and kids on a fun drive occasionally was important to me.

So I think most of you are correct.....the 135i is not a sports car in the purest sense, but it can perform like one if you can adapt to its compromises to be a daily driver that can carry 4 people.

Looking forward to next year's track season.....I've worn out the stock runflats this past summer after 3 track events, and I'm shopping around for some light weight rims and some better tires. Thinking of adding some camber plates to add some negative camber to the front wheels too......I think the 1er will do just FINE compared to the big boys on a track.....

PCV - That's the worst thing about the new 370Z !!!

Strewth, I spent all those years perfecting the technique and now you're telling me I don't have to heel 'n toe? Harrumph!

135i - better engine, better practicality, probably better suited to daily road use.
370Z - better sports car, track tool, drifter

So yes, with the family consideration then I'd opt for the 135i. But I wouldn't be buying the 370Z for the family...

haha....Martin......you're a true purist when it comes to the driving experience.

Although I agree with you that it gives me great satisfaction when I nail that perfect heel n' toe to rev match when I downshift before a turn on a track, doing such takes TIME. No matter how good you are, it is likely a computer can do it better, faster, and with more consistency.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact I chose a stickshift in the 1er. I truly feel more connected to the driving experience. But when I'm trying to catch that 911 or M6 ahead of me on a track, every advantage counts, and if I don't have to worry about my heel n' toe technique, I can better concentrate on later braking and turning into a corner.

In fact, I'm convinced that one of the reasons I can be so fast in the C55 (relative to cars that should be quicker) on a track full of non-pro drivers is because the car is so easy to drive......no need to shift or any heel n toe......just brake, steer, and apply throttle. But having said that, I look forward to the personal challenge of going as fast or faster in the 1er by shifting/heel n toeing myself!!

I agree with Martin on this. This car is a beautiful example of original design from the Japanese. This car has basically taken the best of the 350Z and old school Datsun Z cars and merged them with 21st century stiling (the lights). When I first saw the car in camo, I thought the lights looked weird, but seeing those style lights in person (the Maxima), they are quite beautiful and set the car apart from the competitors.

Also, Martin, I agree with you about the love of "heel'n'toe". I didn't spend countless hours practicing that technique, just so it will be taken away from me in a manual. If I wanted my car to rev'match for me, I would opt for a dual-clutch or semi-auto box, not a manual. Of course, I hope there is a way to turn that feature off for people like us.

Valkyrie, I think it's a better reward (at least for me) when you can overtake or outright beat a competitor by completely controlling the car (manual) rather than have the car help you out (semi-auto, dsg, etc.). It just feels better doing it all on your own.

If it wasn't for the price differential between the two and the hard visceral edge of the Z I'd take the 135i. Until BMW can come up with pricing that makes more sense (cut a few grand to get this thing as a bargain under $40k) its Z for me.

I find the Z seriously ugly.

And well...you know how gorgoeus I think the 1 is.

Haha, I guess it had to come to an end. Maybe I will change my mind if I see the Z in person, but I doubt it. I have seen the new Nissan, which shares the Z's heavy handed design features and I can't stand it.

As for the tricked out manual, yeah, I think it defeats the purpose of choosing a manual - that you get to do everything. And the pleasure of getting a heel toe shift just right all by yourself is worth the dozen half baked attempts before you get one right. And if that is not what you are after, go the whole nine yards and get a DCT and get it done with, it is not like Nissan doesn't know how to do one.

There is. It is a defeatable system.

Aside from being a trick gadget to have, I can see some worth in it. For a skilled driver proficient at heel-and-toeing, it can be helpful when you first learn a track. Once familiarized, you can turn it off and have maximum fun while almost maximizing performance. And for those into autocrossing or "time attacks," the system's ability to consistently perform perfect downshifts is a bonus for bragging rights. For longer events, there may be some benefit to driver fatigue and might help the driveline last longer as well.
In any event, there's no sequence of buttons to push when you want to do a launch, as many DCT's require you to do. You're also free to pick the revs at which you want to launch. DCT will also cost and weigh more, but has other benefits naturally.