Need Some Advice

[Jdfnq]

Hai kids

Basically I need some up to date advice on the pro's and con's of each model....

My mrs has finally decided that we can have a stagea and we were looking at the C34 series 2 but a mate of mine has been showing her the M35 variant (thanks bradd) and now she wants one of those... Now I have my own series II 33 so that I look after, so I need to know what kind of pain I will be looking at with the M35 in regards to parts etc etc.... I know enough about the NEO motor to get by, but have no idea about the V6 in the M35 and how easy it is to (self) service etc etc....

I personally like the older model, but as it is her car (and she's forking out the coin) it is her ultimate decision.....

SO.......

HELP ME TALK HER OUT OF THE M35

Cheers

Joe

[QWK32]

asking us which is better C34 or M35, is like asking in the skyline section, "Which is better R32 or R33?" lol

try reading the Buyers Guide for each sticky'd to the top of the stagea section, there is heaps of info in them. also check out the fuel consumption thred.

you just have to think about what your intentions for the car are. if your keeping it stock, i'd probably choose the M35 purely because its newer, if your worried about self service it shouldn't be a problem, in the end an engine is an engine, its got oil, spark plugs, etc. you'll figure it out where everything is easily enough.

i like the look of the c34's better, and from a modification side of things parts are more readily available.

Edited March 1, 2009 by QWK32

[_Ryan_]

if you are keeping the 33, get a s1 wgnc34, as engine bits will be interchangeable...

My pick of the lot would be a S2 RS4S(manual series 2 rb25det)

I would stick the the rb powered variants due to them(rb25's/26's) being well known to mechanics, and performance parts are common!

[StageaTypeS]

Tricky question. I have a C34 Type S which I love but I also like M35's, if I was going out tomorrow to buy one I am not sure I could easily decide either. I could see why your missus might like the M35 they are certainly nice looking, a bit softer and less sports orientated more luxury cruiser in my opinion.

One thing I would check is the availablity of spares, even with S2 C34's people have trouble finding some Stagea specific parts especially brake pads and replacement brake disks. Typically the only option available is oem which is bloody expensive. (If you get a C34 you can swap R33 GTST brakes onto it, they are better anyway then you have no issues with parts, also any suspension or engine parts are common with skylines.)

On the M35 I think everything is unique to that model so I dare say if anything went wrong mechanically it wouldn't be cheap to fix. Being so new I doubt there are many parts to come by at wreckers and stuff either. But on the flip side its a newer car so it is possible you won't have any problems. That said the gearbox in my fathers SL Mercedes went after 2 years for no reason. It was under warranty but I hate to think what it would have cost to repair if it was out of warranty. Even new cars can have problems sometimes its just luck if the draw.

[iamhe77]

Why would you convince her out of an M35?

More luxurious, more power, good economy, more room (both legs & luggage), more comfortable.

Sounds like the only reason is the fear of the unknown.

People having trouble sourcing brakes for an S2? No probs with M35, 350z touring is a direct swap, or you can even direct fit the 350z/V35 Brembo's if you wish

No trouble souring parts for now... Just give a decent Nissan dealership a call (you will pay for it though, as with any car).

Orphan Engine? Sorta, but there may be hope coming in June;

http://www.caradvice.com.au/24237/2009-nis...maxima-at-mims/

There are a couple of other threads covering the C34/M35 comparisons though... Give them a quick read.

Edited March 1, 2009 by iamhe77

[andy65b]

In terms of servicing the M35 it is easy,

Spark plugs are only changed at 80-100K.

Oil; Change at 5000 - 10'000km. To get to the filter it is easy if you can get the car off the ground as you need to remove the under tray running back from the front bumper to access the oil filter.

Air filter is easy

Transmission is meant to service free.

Brakes, pads are quite specific but can be bought from Nissan or some other brands (Hawke). I just changed my front calipers and disc to slotted roters and R32 GTR calipers. this is a very easy upgrade.

Parts are not a problem. Nissan will order anything and get it in about 2 weeks. I broke a bolt that the tailgate gas strut hinges on and that was in Australia in 10 days.

Not too bad IMO.

I don't do the servicing on my car I am happy to pay to have it done, costs me $190 each service. (Oil, filter and full check of all other components).

Good luck with your shopping.

Cheers

Andy

[Bis-e Bee]

Why would you convince her out of an M35?

More luxurious, more power, good economy, more room (both legs & luggage), more comfortable.

Sounds like the only reason is the fear of the unknown.

People having trouble sourcing brakes for an S2? No probs with M35, 350z touring is a direct swap, or you can even direct fit the 350z/V35 Brembo's if you wish

No trouble souring parts for now... Just give a decent Nissan dealership a call (you will pay for it though, as with any car).

Orphan Engine? Sorta, but there may be hope coming in June;

http://www.caradvice.com.au/24237/2009-nis...maxima-at-mims/

There are a couple of other threads covering the C34/M35 comparisons though... Give them a quick read.

M35 M35 M35 oi oi oi!

Hmmmm Brembo's off a V35, now that sounds like an upgrade option to add to the list of wants lol what's the part # and price on that

The M35 is definatly a luxury cruiser but has plenty of power on tap, I will admit I prefer the C34 for general exterior eye candy but the M35 has the bang for buck and is schmick inside and not too shabby on the outside either!

But everyone has different tastes so I would say let the missus decide as she is the one who is going to be driving it

Depending where you live I can bring mine around so she can have a look over it.

[carizma]

If you want a dealers point of view as to which is the better seller the C34 manual will outsell an M35 any day. M35s are proving to be a tough sell now that the initial thrill of the newness of them has worn off. This is not just my opinion but other dealers too.

This means when they get a bit older they will even be harder to sell so if you are thinking about resale forget the M35.

jon@carizma

[Bis-e Bee]

Lucky that the M35 is a keep for life kinda car

I don't think it would be that hard to resell one if the need arises, I'm not a dealer though but I know if someone came to me with a M35 Stagea and I was in the market for it I would go for it, I've also nearly convinced everyone who has been in the car that it's the best thing since sliced bread lol

[iamhe77]

If you want a dealers point of view as to which is the better seller the C34 manual will outsell an M35 any day. M35s are proving to be a tough sell now that the initial thrill of the newness of them has worn off. This is not just my opinion but other dealers too.

This means when they get a bit older they will even be harder to sell so if you are thinking about resale forget the M35.

jon@carizma

Haha, not to pick, but the resale of a S1 or S2 is hardly great either!

What are we looking at? 15k for a pristine, low km, fully optioned S2 from a dealership?

The only Stagea's that will have reasonable resale of the 260RS's or possibly the Axis M35's.

Not as poor resale as their Skyline equivalent though

I don't think it would be that hard to resell one if the need arises, I'm not a dealer though but I know if someone came to me with a M35 Stagea and I was in the market for it I would go for it, I've also nearly convinced everyone who has been in the car that it's the best thing since sliced bread lol

Heh, you have to convince people?

Everyone I have shown has loved mine without any "convincing".

Maybe the "tough sell" is just in the mind of the dealerships, therefore the potential buyer picks up on these "negative vibes" and steers clear.

Edited March 1, 2009 by iamhe77

[Jdfnq]

Thanks guys for your help

if you are keeping the 33, get a s1 wgnc34, as engine bits will be interchangeable...

My pick of the lot would be a S2 RS4S(manual series 2 rb25det)

I would stick the the rb powered variants due to them(rb25's/26's) being well known to mechanics, and performance parts are common!

Was origionally going to do this, however the minister of war and finance has decreed that they are too old.... That's why she likes the M35 so much as they are still fairly new and she basically doesn't want to go too far backwards.... (currently she drives an N16 Pulsar that she bought brand new)

In terms of servicing the M35 it is easy,

Spark plugs are only changed at 80-100K.

Oil; Change at 5000 - 10'000km. To get to the filter it is easy if you can get the car off the ground as you need to remove the under tray running back from the front bumper to access the oil filter.

Air filter is easy

Transmission is meant to service free.

Brakes, pads are quite specific but can be bought from Nissan or some other brands (Hawke). I just changed my front calipers and disc to slotted roters and R32 GTR calipers. this is a very easy upgrade.

Parts are not a problem. Nissan will order anything and get it in about 2 weeks. I broke a bolt that the tailgate gas strut hinges on and that was in Australia in 10 days.

Not too bad IMO.

I don't do the servicing on my car I am happy to pay to have it done, costs me $190 each service. (Oil, filter and full check of all other components).

Good luck with your shopping.

Cheers

Andy

Thanks Andy

Unfortunately Nissan up here is a strictly NO GO situation.... The blokes that work there no nothing about Nissans.... And they friggin work on them!!!!! Put it this way, I took the bird's Pulsar in there to ask a few questions and they are farken hopeless... Got more info about the N16's from pulsar.org!!!!!!! lol

So I will have to do most of the servicing myself..... The main worry that I have is the gearbox....... I haven't been able to find out a lot of info on them... Strengths/weeknesses/servicing schedule etc etc.... No auto trans is service free...... I have heard horror stories from blokes who have bought the V35's with the 8 speed CVT box and it's not pretty..... Pretty damn expensive!!!! Apparently the gearboxes use some specific special Nissan trans fluid or something?????

If you want a dealers point of view as to which is the better seller the C34 manual will outsell an M35 any day. M35s are proving to be a tough sell now that the initial thrill of the newness of them has worn off. This is not just my opinion but other dealers too.

This means when they get a bit older they will even be harder to sell so if you are thinking about resale forget the M35.

jon@carizma

It does seem that way Jon. The manual S2's aren't all that easy to source (in good condition). When I bought my 33, I must've looked at bloody hundreds of em.... Went with a very clean example. 1st Australian owner

Looking for similar with the Stag C34 or M35

[Jdfnq]

asking us which is better C34 or M35, is like asking in the skyline section, "Which is better R32 or R33?" lol

lol

Yeah I am aware of this... But you lot are much more mature than us Skyline boys and girls (that;s why you have wagons ) so I know that I'll get some good advice

[iamhe77]

Unfortunately Nissan up here is a strictly NO GO situation.... The blokes that work there no nothing about Nissans.... And they friggin work on them!!!!! Put it this way, I took the bird's Pulsar in there to ask a few questions and they are farken hopeless... Got more info about the N16's from pulsar.org!!!!!!! lol

So I will have to do most of the servicing myself..... The main worry that I have is the gearbox....... I haven't been able to find out a lot of info on them... Strengths/weeknesses/servicing schedule etc etc.... No auto trans is service free...... I have heard horror stories from blokes who have bought the V35's with the 8 speed CVT box and it's not pretty..... Pretty damn expensive!!!! Apparently the gearboxes use some specific special Nissan trans fluid or something?????

The CVT IS an expensive 'box to have fixed and it uses VERY expensive fluid created for it.

It was not on any locally delivered cars, and there are very few people who know how to fix them.

The M35 5-speed tiptronic is very similar to the 350z Touring transmission.

When I took mine in to Nissan, they had no trouble servicing it, "just like a 350z or Xtrail or Patrol" the service guy said.

The transmission has a delay when using the tiptronic, but is smooth and seems to be well built.

When Andy says "service free", he is referring to the fact that Nissan have made it to require servicing NO servicing (as I was informed when I got mine back from Nissan).

It is a "sealed" unit and does not have (or require) a filter...

Do you have another Nissan Dealership you can go to?

I drive about 50mins and past 5 other Nissan Dealerships to take it to one who enjoys/wants to work on it and is prepared to bring parts in for me.

Any dealership can perform a service on it, it is just whether they want to.

Edited March 2, 2009 by iamhe77

[Jdfnq]

Ok cool.....

That makes sense.....

The nearest Nissan dealership from here (Cairns) is up on the Tablelands I believe... So that isn't too bad....... Otherwise it's friggin townsville

[iamhe77]

Ok cool.....

That makes sense.....

The nearest Nissan dealership from here (Cairns) is up on the Tablelands I believe... So that isn't too bad....... Otherwise it's friggin townsville

At least it would be a very comfortable drive

[Jetwreck]

comes down to would you like and what you want to use it for.

$10,000 - $20,000 S1 or S2 C34. I like them but I think there starting to get a bit dated....still a good car though.

$20,000 - $30,000 RS260 or M35. The RS 260 is the ducks gut's as far as I am concerned....I just could not justify spending up to $30,000 on a car that old for an everyday car.....the M35 although being a bit of an orphan sold me on luxury, strength, finish and pace. If I had my time again I would probably go for the RS260.

$30,000 - $35,000 M35 Axis RS260(low k's). The Axis is a good car and more posh than the AR-X or RX/RS....but I don't know wether it's worth the extra $5,000 for a good one with everything that comes stand on a AR-X. Low k's RS260....if you find a standard low K's one and you have the cash grab it.

again it comes down to your spend and what you want. They are all easy to service yourself.

[Jdfnq]

comes down to would you like and what you want to use it for.

$10,000 - $20,000 S1 or S2 C34. I like them but I think there starting to get a bit dated....still a good car though.

$20,000 - $30,000 RS260 or M35. The RS 260 is the ducks gut's as far as I am concerned....I just could not justify spending up to $30,000 on a car that old for an everyday car.....the M35 although being a bit of an orphan sold me on luxury, strength, finish and pace. If I had my time again I would probably go for the RS260.

$30,000 - $35,000 M35 Axis RS260(low k's). The Axis is a good car and more posh than the AR-X or RX/RS....but I don't know wether it's worth the extra $5,000 for a good one with everything that comes stand on a AR-X. Low k's RS260....if you find a standard low K's one and you have the cash grab it.

again it comes down to your spend and what you want. They are all easy to service yourself.

If I found an un-molested RS260, I would even sell the skyline......... Most are too expensive or have been toyed with too much..... I'd rather leave it stock (RS260 we are talking about here people!!) as the RB26 is pretty much bulletproof (if not boosted or played with) and I have had a bit of experience working on them...... I know more people with busted RB26's than ones that are running!!!!!!

The C34 we are leaning towards for bang V buck as it is a great car at very reasonable prices.... Again, the key is getting one that hasn't been farked with too much.....

[pixel8r]

One thing you need to realise is that on paper, the M35 wins. Its faster, comfier, more economical, smoother, more roomy (rear seat legroom is much better, extra space under boot), etc. etc.

So the question isn't which one is better. Basically the M35 is "better". But its not that simple. Your opinion might be different, so you may well prefer the C34 (and I would understand if that were the case). Its more a matter of taste and needs than it is a direct comparison between the cars.

If you just cant stand the looks of the M35, then you've already made your choice, but I will say - have a look at one up close before making your final judgement. I thought they were ugly until I walked past an import dealer one day and from that day on I was smitten. They look a lot better in real life than in photos. A couple months later I bought one (was originally looking at getting another c34).

As for price, things have changed a bit now with the economy crisis and all, but locally you can get a M35 around $20K, maybe a touch less?

As a general guide, the C34s are more raw, more sporty perhaps, whereas the M35 is more refined and maybe even luxury.

They drive very differently so a test drive of each is essential.

Good luck

[GTR91]

As a proud owner of a spankin 260RS, I will give you my unbiased opinion - THEY ROCK!

If its for your missus (well if it was for my missus) I would go with the car that has the best safety features. I think the S1 & S2 models are rated 5 star. Dont know about the M35 though.

[zei20l]

M35 is also rated 5 star