pixel8r

yup. mine hardly moves so maybe ATTESA wakes up a little more if you have bigger tyres on? If your car has more performance/torque then that would definitely account for it. The computer will think the rears may slip so it will direct torque to the front. Apparently it improves acceleration anyway...although I've never looked into it.

is your turbo stock? The stock turbo actually STARTS boosting around 1800rpm under full throttle (boost is determined by engine load, not rpm). the VQ engine is much more torquey than the RB25 so gets you going quicker. The M35 also runs higher boost than the older stageas so you generally get better performance right across the rev range. The turbo is very linear as andy mentioned. max torque is 407N-m which makes the subie look like a toy (although the stagea is heavier so does need the extra torque). The AWD mentioned above is standard on all AWD stageas, not just the AR-X. All models have the synchro and snow modes as well. The AWD system is more "tricky" than subaru's AWD. Rather than just supply a constant torque split front/rear, you get continously variable torque split anywhere between 95% rear to 50:50 split. Its computer controlled via a 16-bit processor that scans both longitudinal and latitudinal g-force sensors (so it knows exactly what forces the car is under) and also other sensors such as the ABS sensors (to know which wheels are slipping), speed, throttle position, and probably others as well. It scans all these inputs 100x a second so that gives you an idea of how quickly the system responds to wheelspin. The way it works is if it anticipates wheelspin on any wheel, it directs torque away from that wheel. The wheel in question doesn't even have to be slipping for this to happen. This doesn't mean that ATTESA gives more traction than subaru's AWD (dont see how since the subaru is something near 50-50 split all the time) - its just cooler. you get the advantage of RWD (less drivetrain loss) when cruising and the safety of AWD when you need it. btw one of the 3 DIN guages that come with the RS model gives you a front torque meter so you can watch the needle go up as you plant your foot (usually only in the wet)

I've found the issues with the laggy auto are just as bad when using the tiptronic, hence I rarely use it. Its useful for locking the auto in 5th when driving on the highway though (when you do this it reduces the likelihood of the torque converter unlocking all the time - at 100km/h every time you hit boost the revs shoot up to 2700rpm or so instead of sitting on 2000rpm. keep it in 5th and the revs stay at 2000, saving your fuel). If the auto lag really annoys you, you can get a shift kit fitted for around $700 or so. Problem solvered.

RS is the base ('Sports') model - which has 3 DIN guages in the centre console, usually cloth seats and is the cheapest of the range. (Still a very nice car - I have this model). RX is the luxury model - including a popup screen, optional leather interior (can possibly get leather in the RS too but i've found it to be more common in the RX), electric front seats, and a few other differences, only slightly more expensive than the RS (difference at auction was around 1-2K when I was looking). AR-X is the one with the raised height (ie. All Terrain) and flares etc and also has more options than the RX. AXIS is the Autech model, with bodykit, different grill, heated front seats, and many other extras. This is the most expensive in the range... someone else may be able to fill you in with more details... On the topic of which one...I would go the stag purely for the extra space, if not the turbo (although you can get a liberty with a turbo too i think). The boot shape of the subie's cuts out so much boot space you really aren't getting much more than a sedan. Depends on which way you look at it. The subie has full support for parts, insurance, any mechanic can work on it (but who'd let them?) etc. The M35 has some parts available here (most if not all of your regular maintenance items are available) but if all else fails you can order stuff from japan through any nissan dealer (1-2 weeks delivery). If you're talking a liberty of equivalent year to the M35, then the stagea is a much nicer car - no question. However the newer libertys might be more even, but then the price goes in favour of the stag... How many other luxury performance wagons with low kms can you get for under $20K?

true. the wife on the other hand...

Technically its not actually tint, which is why the stageas have no problems passing rego even with the dark rear screen etc. They call it "privacy glass". I'm not sure of the legalities on tint though...never looked into it.

RS with a screen? or is it a RX? btw your first impressions are almost identical to mine (i had a s2 RS4 (modified) before). I still struggle sometimes with the slow kick-down. Most of the time it is bearable though. I think over time you get used to the drive-by-wire and the way the gearbox works and you adjust to suit... The C34's were more of a sports wagon, but the M35 is more of a luxury wagon. It is faster than the C34 - thanks to over 70N-m more torque than the s2. I also found the standard suspension to be softer, but much improved over the C34 stock suspension. The ride is less harsh on bumpy surfaces. overall I think the M35 is a much nicer car to drive.

i believe brendan is referring to this thread... http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Ro...ck-t287781.html

didn't realise that either - whats the manual M35 model called then (ie. with 3.5L engine)? or are you saying there was no manual+AWD version?

sorry should've been more specific. the S model, being manual, is only available in australia in the C34 model, which has an RB engine, which has a belt, not a chain. Since you dont have your location on your profile, I wasn't sure if you were in australia or not...and your post was kind of open-ended... so I made my reply a little more generic and not aimed at you...just in case anyone reading your post got the wrong idea... hope that makes sense... correct

so it was YOU....doesn't matter now anyway since I no longer have a C34...could still do STAG35 but STAGES doesn't really mean anything...and it might suit a PM35 stag more... (3.5L) btw 260rsstagea - You can use either a 9 or a 6 for the G, 9 being a lower case g.

everyone probably already knows this but... VQ engine = chain RB engine = belt

so does that mean if you're not mike you're not a "wheel" man? sorry guys...couldn't help myself

I find the standard speedo is out by nearly 8km at 100km/h already...wouldn't want to make it worse... one thing to make sure is that the front and back tyres are all the same diameter & width etc. The AWD system does allow for a minimal difference (ie. to account for uneven tyre wear) but if the difference is too great it will play up.

wow 3 votes for STA-934... btw can you have 574934? with some imagination it spells stagea... I originally wanted STAG34 (it was a s2 so shared parts with R34 plus the 34 could stand for 'EA') but that one was taken long ago...

Yes the wait is long and painful...been there myself. I'd do it again but would do a few things differently.

someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it is a requirement for compliance that brand new tyres are fitted when the car comes into the country. Same with brakes. Basically, the dealer is required to make sure the car is roadworthy. It is from a dealer isn't it? so you will have the 3 months/5000km warranty which will cover any roadworthiness items. I wouldn't put much faith in the 5 year warranty. Certainly the dealer statutory 3 mth/5000km warranty is good, and you should use it if you come across any valid issues in that time. But the extended warranties they offer have $$ caps on every different part of the car. For example they'll only cover $700 or so in a turbo repair, which if you look around wont even cover half the cost of a new turbo. And so it continues. It probably wont cover suspension. It should be better than no warranty at all however... Do you really want a manual? because an auto would save you nearly $4K or you could spend an extra $2-4K and get an M35. Just a thought... seems an ok price for a manual from a dealer though.

you appear to be referring to SVI/SGI (ie. sequential vapour/gas injection) setups. I believe the Liquid LPG mentioned in earlier posts does actually use the same injectors as petrol. see this quote from: http://www.lpgli.com/features.html (see point 12) "The same injectors are used to inject petrol or liquid LPG, the injector pulse being varied to give the correct energy density with the fuel being used." The LiLPG mentioned here is a brand new type of system (well, new to australia) that keeps the LPG in liquid form right up until it enters the combustion chamber, where it quickly vapourises. This type of system has many benefits over previous LPG systems, all of which are detailed on the above mentioned website. It seems custom performance installs are still some way off, due to the systems being only relatively new to australia.

you're not wrong. I thought they looked extremely ugly in the photos, but then one day I was looking at cars for my brother-in-law and happened to walk past an import car yard. Took one look at the M35's they had there and I was instantly hooked. Just 2-3 months later I had bought one. They really are a step up from the series 1 & 2's. A little less sporty feel and a lot more luxury.

These are not really "optional" extras. Most of these are standard equipment on stageas. Your optional extras are really just the dual sunroofs. hmmm. At least you know its done now and wont need doing for another ~100,000km. Other things like coolant, transmission oil, etc will need doing when you can afford it...and eventually you'll have your maintenance schedule all worked out standard i think. I've yet to see or hear of a series 1 or 2 stagea that does not have rust under the passenger mirror. Ask yourself if its any worse than any other 9-10 year old cars you see getting around. Usually if you can tolerate a few scratches it gives you some bargaining power to knock the price down...not sure if you've already sorted out a price or not... My s2 was about the same, looked ok overall but there were a few nasty scratches that had not been patched up well at all. Overall the car doesn't sound like its all that bad for a 9-10 year old car with possibly 90,000-110,000kms on the clock (maybe more?). I wont ask what the price is, but have a look on carsales/autotrader for an idea of what a manual stagea goes for (if you haven't already). An auto series 2 RS4 in good condition will sell for anything around $11-13K nowadays, and manuals are usually worth a few thousand more. Its very difficult to price stageas, since they are a car where seller and buyer may have very different opinions about their value - more so than other cars. I've seen prices ranging from $11K right up to $25K for stageas that appear to be quite similar.

Was a little disappointed with the tv coverage of this race. The commentators seemed unaware that there were 3 classes in this race, and the focus was only on the GT championship race (and even then only on the first 3 cars). Hardly any attention (if any) was given to any cars from the GT challenge or GT production races. That and I feel that 2 (or was it 3?) ad breaks in a 12 lap race is a bit overboard, especially when half the ads were for channel 7 themselves...

The SVI systems require their own ecu which allows you to tune the gas setup kind of independently from the petrol. Not sure if the LiLPG setups do? From what I've heard these ecu's are pretty capable as far as what can be tuned, and most people are able to get great results from LPG due to better tuning than the standard petrol tune. I see this as a huge benefit since a lot of cars that are dual fuel, often run good on one and not so good on the other. Most of the time the car is tuned for LPG and because of this they never run so well on petrol. I'd want to keep the petrol side of things untouched as a kind of backup solution if there was ever trouble with the LPG system.

on the original topic of what is MY favourite import, I've owned 4 imports. 2 x S13 Silvias (1st one SR20DE, 2nd one SR20DET) 1 x 1999 Stagea RS4 and now a 2003 Stagea M35. Its not a difficult choice, although I did have a lot of fun in the turbo silvia (and its still the fastest car i've owned, but not by much). The M35 Stagea wins hands down. You get the convenience/practicality of a wagon, plus performance, plus comfort, and a touch of luxury, all in one neat package. love my stag!!

hmmm that sucks. sorry to hear... btw is your system the original type (vapouriser box) or SGI or is it the new LiLPG setup?

True, but I think the original point about asking for the auction sheet was to assess how willing the dealer is to show it to you.