Anyone From Nz?

[win4ever]

Hi people! I am just wondering if there are any proud owners of the v35 from NZ in this forum? I've been searching for a similar NZ based forum for the v35 but can't seems to find any and hence, maybe there are some of you guys here! I do see quite a few v35 around in Auckland (not that many but quite a few) and is wondering where you guys bring the car for service or who you turn to when repairs / replacement parts are needed.

Cheers!

[Ant]

Yep, there are a few kiwis floating around here - and of our M35 driving cousins in the Stagea forums. This is about the closest we have to a NZ V35 forum, there is the occasional post on Skylines Downunder, but the lot here are far more knowledgeable.

I use City Nissan Takapuna for servicing - and haven't really found a good source for parts. The few bits and pieces I've got for my V35 so far have been sourced from the USA.

[win4ever]

Hi Ant! Nice to see that I am not alone here!

Anyway, how is servicing quality in Takapuna? I did a search online as well and can't really find a Nissan specialist workshop out there apart from City Nissan. Did find quite a few wreckers who claims to be Nissan experts and can source parts from local and Japan. Not too sure bout the quality though.

Also, may I know what fuel you put into the car? Everyone seems to be pumping RON98 over in Oz but as you know in NZ, we only really have Mobil and BP with 98. Oh, then there's Gull with their biofuel RON98 as well. Other ones have only RON95. I usually fill my current car (a Mazda 6) with V-power but is not too sure what is best for the v35.

Hope to hear more from the other Kiwis here!

Cheers!

Edited June 7, 2010 by win4ever

[Blade NZ]

Hi Ant! Nice to see that I am not alone here!

Anyway, how is servicing quality in Takapuna? I did a search online as well and can't really find a Nissan specialist workshop out there apart from City Nissan. Did find quite a few wreckers who claims to be Nissan experts and can source parts from local and Japan. Not too sure bout the quality though.

Also, may I know what fuel you put into the car? Everyone seems to be pumping RON98 over in Oz but as you know in NZ, we only really have Mobil and BP with 98. Oh, then there's Gull with their biofuel RON98 as well. Other ones have only RON95. I usually fill my current car (a Mazda 6) with V-power but is not too sure what is best for the v35.

Hope to hear more from the other Kiwis here!

Cheers!

Hey how you going! New Stag owner here. I'll be using City Nissan soon enough for my 100k service and trans flush. I heard good things and I've spoken with them, they seem to know what's what with imports and claim to have done quite a few. I'll let you know how I get on in due course. As for petrol to use, I'll probably use BP as it's close to home. I've used it for years in cars and bikes without problem and have found the small increase in economy to almost offset the price. Otherwise if caught elsewhere I'd just put any 95 premium in for the short term.

[Ant]

Re fuel - I've always put 98 in mine. Tried a couple of tanks of 95 - on average found that I got worse k's per litre with it, basically $ per km travelled is about the same so worth paying more for (and going further on) a tank of 98.

Interestingly on the open road (when there is no 98 to be had in the back-blocks) the difference between the 2 was negligible (in terms of distance travelled per litre), but around town there is quite a significant difference. Guess it is something to do with 98 being more efficient for acceleration?

My experience with City Nissan Takapuna has been a bit average - as noted in my post about problems with direct injection engines (a bit of smoke at high RPM) they were very keen to take Consult readings from my car and get Nissan Japan to look at them - however I never heard back from them about this. Also I see from a post from one of our M35 cousins that the guy at City Nissan professed to have never heard of carbon build-up in DI engines when he talked to them - however I had a conversation with the same guy about this exact problem a few months previously.

I would expect them to be lifting their game though as they are now servicing R35s, and I understand they have to jump thru quite a few hoops with Nissan to be allowed to do this.

Previously I was using Newmarket Nissan - they quickly solved a few problems on a previous car that had stumped Takapuna Nissan for months. Also I've had other family members who have had trouble with Takapuna Nissan - though in fairness to them when they were pushed about their stuff ups they came to the party.

[win4ever]

Thanks for the update both Ant and Blade NZ! Good to know a few kiwis around here! Well, my v35 is expected to be here in a few weeks' time and I am thinking of doing a bandwidth extension for the stereo as well as possibly going for a service (depending on how well the dealer I am dealing with sort out the 1st service).

Ant, have you got the bandwidth of you stereo extended? Wat about Blade NZ? Just want to know if it's an easy job or if there'll be any problem if a person not familiar with the car do it for me. Your inputs will be most appreciated!

With regards to fuel, thanks for the update! I was planning to put in 98 as well. I usually go to Mobil though previously esp when they have that 8c discount if you get a car wash as I usually get my car washed there as well.

Also, have any of you tried the 98 from Gull? It's supposed to be some bio fuel. Not too sure how well it is for the car coz it says there that not all cars can use it!

[Ant]

Ant, have you got the bandwidth of you stereo extended? Wat about Blade NZ? Just want to know if it's an easy job or if there'll be any problem if a person not familiar with the car do it for me. Your inputs will be most appreciated!

With regards to fuel, thanks for the update! I was planning to put in 98 as well. I usually go to Mobil though previously esp when they have that 8c discount if you get a car wash as I usually get my car washed there as well.

Also, have any of you tried the 98 from Gull? It's supposed to be some bio fuel. Not too sure how well it is for the car coz it says there that not all cars can use it!

Mine is the stripper 250GTm model which had a single DIN radio from Japan - which turned out to be a blessing since it made fitting a 2DIN DVD/GPS unit a breeze! So never bothered to get a band expander fitted.

Should be a DIY exercise, though getting the dash apart on these things is a bit of a nightmare, lots to take apart - not especially hard but time consuming! If you decide to do it yourself make sure you have an entire afternoon free... Lots of info here and on the US G35 sites about taking the dash apart.

I've tried 1 tank of 97/98 from Gull, performance according to the butt-dyno is about the same as with 98 from Mobil/BP. Never managed to get a definitive answer on if the VQ25DD is compatible with the 5% (?) ethanol mix used in the Gull fuel - I think that Ethanol blends are a bit more common over the ditch so the Aussies here may be able to comment? I figured that since these things are a relatively unusual (in that the engine isn't used by any NZ new Nissans) high compression, direct injected engine it wasn't worth the risk.

Note that the latest NZ Maximas use a 2.5L VQ engine, but it is a VQ25DE, not the direct injected DD motor in the Skyline. Hence why no NZ Nissan techs are really familiar with them.

[win4ever]

Hey Ant, thanks for the response again! Yeah, I did try the Gull 98 once but was abit sceptical with the ethanol blend in there. Anyway, I don't think I'll be brave enough to do a DIY for the bandwidth expander tbh. Will probably get the dealer to get someone 2 do it. Although I'll probably make sure that who he got has experience and can do a decent job!

I read quite a few posts around here with regards to cruise control and seems like Chris is the man to do the job. I guess it's just hard to get this done for ppl like us here across the Tasman.....

[win4ever]

Anymore proud v35 owners from NZ here? I am quite sure there's more skylines in Auckland! Cheers!

[chad bob]

Not a V35 Driver but a happy M35 owner here, North Auckland based.

Concerning radio bandwidth, I got a band extender from Supercheap auto, be careful as the BOSE stereo uses a different aerial plug to the usual, It's not the long probe style connector. It was a doddle to install DIY, you only need to remove the side cowling with the cigarette lighter in it in the driver's footwell in order to gain access to the back of the stereo. I spliced the positive lead into the cigarette lighter and access to the aerial plug isn't too tricky.

[austingtir]

Another v35 sedan in desert platinum metalic. Hawkes Bay though.

The supercheap band expanders do work good and the price is great to.

If any coupe owners want to sell their oem 18" wheels let me know!

[Ant]

Another v35 sedan in desert platinum metalic. Hawkes Bay though.

The supercheap band expanders do work good and the price is great to.

If any coupe owners want to sell their oem 18" wheels let me know!

Keep an eye on Trademe - V35 wheels do pop up occasionally. Though usually the 17s - was fortunate to score a set of standard 17s with great tyres to replace the horrid 16s that the 250GT comes with standard. Then sold my 16s for the same price I got the 17s for - go figure!

[Spong]

Keep an eye on Trademe - V35 wheels do pop up occasionally. Though usually the 17s - was fortunate to score a set of standard 17s with great tyres to replace the horrid 16s that the 250GT comes with standard. Then sold my 16s for the same price I got the 17s for - go figure!

I also bought a set of V35 17" wheels in mint condition from The Mag Warehouse for NZ$320 as my M35 came with the same 16" ones with 65 profile tyres as yours. Hopefully I'll get a sale for the 16's, but I'll need to save up for some 215/55/17's first. The M35, and I'm assuming the V35, along with many import Nissans use a dual radio antenna system (diversity system, whereby the best aerial is chosen as conditions vary). To get the best result, it can pay to buy 2x band expanders and the necessary adapters to connect the dual aerial plug to the radio. Electronic Developments Ltd at www.edl.co.nz have been experts at building and supplying these for many years. The later S2 V35/M35 models seem to be much easier to remove the radio from. Mine was a doddle, and you don't need to remove the glovebox and panels over by the steering. Guides are there at G35driver.com

[win4ever]

Glad to see so many more proud NZ owners of the great car! My car is coming in 3 weeks time! Counting down the days and is super excited!

Mine is a S2 version of the car (non-premium) so I wont have the Bose system to worry about for the bandwidth expander. I do plan to get the dealer helping me to import the car to get the bandwidth expander done as part of the deal but just need to check n make sure he gets someone good 2 do it.

The car is suppose to come with a first service and grooming. Contemplating to negotiate with the dealer to have the service done by Nissan. I guessing I'll need to top up some money though for him to agree!

[win4ever]

Hey guys... I note many of stagea owners in NZ. What common parts does the Stagea shares with the v35? Thanks!

[Spong]

Hey guys... I note many of stagea owners in NZ. What common parts does the Stagea shares with the v35? Thanks!

That would be a hard job to answer in detail. I believe the FM (front midship) design from the front of the motor back to the cabin has a lot of common parts. I believe the suspension is similar, the exhaust is different, and the M35 may have a slightly longer wheelbase. Others here will know a lot more than me.

[win4ever]

Thanks Spong! Anyway, fellow kiwis, (apart from Blade NZ and Ant whom I have already asked), where do you bring ur v35 / m35 for servicing? Is there any Nissan specialist here in Auckland? Thanks guys!

[Blade NZ]

I also bought a set of V35 17" wheels in mint condition from The Mag Warehouse for NZ$320 as my M35 came with the same 16" ones with 65 profile tyres as yours. Hopefully I'll get a sale for the 16's, but I'll need to save up for some 215/55/17's first. The M35, and I'm assuming the V35, along with many import Nissans use a dual radio antenna system (diversity system, whereby the best aerial is chosen as conditions vary). To get the best result, it can pay to buy 2x band expanders and the necessary adapters to connect the dual aerial plug to the radio. Electronic Developments Ltd at www.edl.co.nz have been experts at building and supplying these for many years. The later S2 V35/M35 models seem to be much easier to remove the radio from. Mine was a doddle, and you don't need to remove the glovebox and panels over by the steering. Guides are there at G35driver.com

Thanks Spong, I'll contact these guy's as I need to put this in.

I have a 100k service booked for 30th of June at City Nissan Takapuna. Once done I'll update you all on the details and my experience.

Also I noted that the interior of the V35 & M35 look to be very similar.

It does look like the Stagea is just a wagon body slapped on a slightly longer skyline. Both are great cars!

[Spong]

Thanks Spong! Anyway, fellow kiwis, (apart from Blade NZ and Ant whom I have already asked), where do you bring ur v35 / m35 for servicing? Is there any Nissan specialist here in Auckland? Thanks guys!

I do all the basic stuff like oil and filters myself, and use City Nissan, Takapuna for the more involved stuff, which thankfully over the years has been minimal. My experience has been that the service and spare parts staff there are nice people, that treat you with professionalism and respect, and are accommodating. Kim and Warrick have been there for years and are great to deal with.

[chad bob]

I don't think theres a wheelbase difference between the V35 and M35 they share a near identical chassis. Engine, electrics, most of the interior, driveline, front suspension are all identical and interchangeable. The rear suspension differs slightly in order to give the M35 a wider load carrying area but thats the only real platform diference excluding the obvious panel and roof line variation.

Edited June 20, 2010 by chad bob