M35 Stagea Advice

[scotty nm35]

Hook line and sinker....

[Jetwreck]

Lmao!

[Jetwreck]

!

Edited June 30, 2011 by Jetwreck

[jasevr4]

Thanks for all the replies, it's appreciated. FYI I'm in Canada right now, won't be home for about a fortnight still which is when the car shopping begins. Really appreciate the help now though, means I can "hit the ground running" when we get back home.

I have a couple more questions if that is cool...

Firstly, how big are they compared to the C34? I used to be able to fit a mountain bike in the back without taking wheels off. Think that is doable in an M35? They look smaller from the outside in photos, but it is hard to tell.

Also is a towbar a waste of time? I'm reading that it's only good for around 1000kg..

1. differences between RS/RX/ARX/AXIS? They all have the same VQ25DET (in series 1), but Iain is a nerd and can answer the rest of them. Some have HICAS and LSDs, AR-X has more boost and plastic overfenders.

2. The front bar you're talking about is the Aero kit, which was a factory option on RS and RX. I don't think the wing was a factory option, and you'd have to chase it down through Yahoo Auctions Japan.

So from what I can tell, a 250T RS is all I "need", so long as it has the options I want. What are the differences between the RS and the RX? Do either of these two have HICAS as an option and is there a HICAS delete kit for them?

3. Turbo, but Aaron and Scotty have found if you bore out the banjo bolt on the turbo oil feed from 1mm to 3mm they don't expire.

Awesome news. Is there a thread about this somewhere?

5. Yes it is, in Adelaide you need to talk to Brad (ducati02 on here).

Any idea on price? It seems as though any time someone asks the question it doesn't get answered. Are the Japanese buttons on the dashboard replaceable in English? I read that someone was selling stickers for them but they weren't the best quality?

I see you're in Adelaide, you're welcome to check out my RS. I love it, greatest car I've owned, and has the Aero option you're after.

Otherwise come out to the next cruise and have a look. There are a few different ones, I know we're expecting a couple of RSs, an AXIS and maybe an RX, but I'm not sure if there are any AR-Xs in Adelaide.

Thanks mate, I appreciate the offer. Sounds like it'll be around the right time - life will be pretty crazy at that time though having just moved our lives back to Oz, so I con't commit just yet!

if you avoid HICAS you will not get a factory LSD; the two are fitted together.

How do they drive without the LSD? Are they easy enough to source second hand or would it be easier to get the HICAS and LSD model and just disable the HICAS?

You should tag along with one of us on the next Stagea cruise. Get to meet a lots of great people and see all the different models. Its only 3 weeks away. Hope to see you there.

If I can find the time I will - but if not, definitely later on down the track!

there is a white Autech Axis for sale in the classifieds section. i would trade mine for that straight erp.....it's a lovely looking piece of gear, and fully loaded for 18k. can't go wrong.

prices on 35's have taken a big hit since i was looking 6 months ago. where as they used to be in the 20's, now they are regularly in the mid teens. if i was buying now i'd go straight for a 35 purely for the newer car factor and the extra creature comforts. if you like working on your cars, adding off the shelf parts, and tinkering around a bit though, C34 is where you need to be..... much more user friendly and wallet friendly.

I must be the only person that doesn't like the Axis kit! Much prefer the "Aero". Not big on the tan leather either, in fact I don't really "need" leather at all, but if it was black I'd take it. What are the front seats like? Do they hold you in nicely? Has anyone thrown aftermarket seats in an M35 yet?

Also I remember reading somewhere that to 10 stacker CD player is just waiting to swallow your CD's and never give them back. True? Or was that the DVD ROM?

[Tommy Kaira RL]

Say hello to Canada for me. Im wearing my Roots jumper right now.

The english conversion is only a phone call away. Most people dont advertise the price because it varys on weather you are a member of SAU or you would like the video block removed. A couple hundred approx will see it converted.

The stacker can eat up your cds. There are a few people that can fix them but its exspensive. The dvd rom is only for firmware upgrades and jap maps

My RS model has Hicas

[bigkevracer]

I'm not aware of a HICAS delete kit for them, but you can probably get something. I haven't looked for an LSD yet, so I don't know how difficult they are to source. I've also never driven a car with one, so I have no idea what it would drive with one in it. I might try to track one down one day though.

No thread about the banjo bolt that I'm aware of, but its the banjo bolt in the block carrying the oil feed to the turbo. I haven't done it, but Scotty and Aaron assure me it's not too hard. Plan on doing it at the next service.

Brad has given you the info for the language conversion, I've got it and it's pretty good. There are also stickers for the buttons (Brad has them on his so you can check it out). I personally don't like the stickers and can work everything out myself. Plus I kind of like the Japanese buttons!

I prefer the Aero over the Axis, hence I bought one! Kind of wanted leather, but in the end got cloth, figured it'd be easier to maintain.

DVD-ROM is useless since you can't get Aus maps for the navigation system. I've only used mine for Brad to do the English conversion.

Mine also didn't have a stacker in it, it had a Jap Mini Disc player I've just replaced with a Clarion DVD deck. SOOOO awesome!

[Sunkist]

Hicas is a biased opinion.

If you have it, you love it

if you dont have it, you hate hicas..

I like my Hicas, if you know how to use it its really helpful and Im sure craig will say the same..

but i know Scott hates hicas and calls it wobbly wheels, but.. he doesnt have hicas ..

[Dunc]

Firstly, how big are they compared to the C34? I used to be able to fit a mountain bike in the back without taking wheels off. Think that is doable in an M35? They look smaller from the outside in photos, but it is hard to tell.

With or without dropping the back seats? When Mark moved back from Perth, he brought back 2-3 bags/suit cases and road bike (in a bike bag). I dropped the seats and threw it all in the back with room to spare. I havent tried putting a bike in the back without dropping the seats, if I get bored on the weekend I'll let you know how it goes

What are the front seats like? Do they hold you in nicely? Has anyone thrown aftermarket seats in an M35 yet?

I cant speak for the stock seats having never sat in them for an extended period of time; Ive got them but they were in the boot of my car when I bought it Ive got a set of Recaro's up front (similar to the current SR-7 model) and they're on rails; stupidly comfortable.

[Sunkist]

With or without dropping the back seats? When Mark moved back from Perth, he brought back 2-3 bags/suit cases and road bike (in a bike bag). I dropped the seats and threw it all in the back with room to spare. I havent tried putting a bike in the back without dropping the seats, if I get bored on the weekend I'll let you know how it goes

I cant speak for the stock seats having never sat in them for an extended period of time; Ive got them but they were in the boot of my car when I bought it Ive got a set of Recaro's up front (similar to the current SR-7 model) and they're on rails; stupidly comfortable.

^^ pics ??

[Daleo]

A built mountain bike will easily fit in the back with the back seats down. To fit it with the seats up; you'll need to remove the wheels.

The M35 is the MTB'ers car of choice...

Edited July 1, 2011 by Daleo

[jasevr4]

Really appreciate the answers fellas. This is looking like a go-er! Not sure if I mentioned it but I had a C34 S1 in the past. I didn't love it since it wasn't modified much (mannual conversion, wheels, suspension, cat back) but came from an Evo 7 so it's hard transition to make. That thing used to fit my bikes in the back with ease (with the back seats down, which is fine with me).

That said, I'm curious if the car will run with the back window up, like everyone used to drive around with on their panel vans? The reason I ask is because it's hugely popular here in Canada just to hang the back wheel over either your tailgate on your "truck" or the rear door (like the M35 has). Obviously you need something to pad the car so you don't wreck your paintjob and bike. It's just an interesting thought I had - might allow bikes to go in the back without taking wheels off and even folding seats down.

Recaros sound the goods Dunc. I'd definitely be tempted to chuck some nice reclining buckets in, would throw a spanner in the works if I got one with leather though...

[zei20l]

yes the car will run with the tailgate and/or tailgate glass open

[Daleo]

I don't think you'll be able to "Tailgate" a bike though, the window aperture is only about a foot high. It'll struggle to squeeze in.

[Dunc]

I don't think you'll be able to "Tailgate" a bike though, the window aperture is only about a foot high. It'll struggle to squeeze in.

And given theres no frame around the glass, id be wanting to reinforce the gas struts - assuming this 'tailgating the bike' involves leaving the hatch wide open

[jasevr4]

Hmm yeah, probably just overcomplicating the whole idea haha.

[zei20l]

the glass isnt held with a gas strut like the tailgate. its spring loaded like most sedan car boot lids.

[jidge]

1. differences between RS/RX/ARX/AXIS? They all have the same VQ25DET (in series 1), but Iain is a nerd and can answer the rest of them. Some have HICAS and LSDs, AR-X has more boost and plastic overfenders.

2. The front bar you're talking about is the Aero kit, which was a factory option on RS and RX. I don't think the wing was a factory option, and you'd have to chase it down through Yahoo Auctions Japan.

3. Turbo, but Aaron and Scotty have found if you bore out the banjo bolt on the turbo oil feed from 1mm to 3mm they don't expire.

4. Depending on what car you go for, HICAS might not even be an option. My RS doesn't have HICAS.

5. Yes it is, in Adelaide you need to talk to Brad (ducati02 on here).

6. Series 1 is VQ25DET, Series 2 is VQ35DE. Series 2 also has tweaked bumpers and a tweaked (and probably slightly nicer) interior.

I see you're in Adelaide, you're welcome to check out my RS. I love it, greatest car I've owned, and has the Aero option you're after.

Otherwise come out to the next cruise and have a look. There are a few different ones, I know we're expecting a couple of RSs, an AXIS and maybe an RX, but I'm not sure if there are any AR-Xs in Adelaide.

At least 1.

[Grungle]

^ yep, I've got one, and I know of at least 2 more. I should be on the cruise too.

I did exactly the same thing when I bought my m35. I lived in canmore, Alberta for a year and was looking at wagons (Audi s4, liberty, v70) before i came home, but loved the m35 as soon as I saw it. Found one while I was in Canada, and within a week of coming home I flew to NSW to buy it. 2.5 years later and I'm still loving it.

I can certainly vouch for getting two bikes (with wheels on) in the back, and we regularly sleep in it. My turbo is still going strong at 110,000, but I've budgeted for a rebuild soon. The wife loves driving it, and it's been super-comfortable on the couple of 15-hour drives to the snow the last two years. I use my arx off road quite a bit (gravel, dirt tracks etc) and I've never bottomed it out.

Go for it - you won't be disappointed.

Oh, and happy Canada day!

[Iron Chef]

I never said I couldn't buy TWO cars.

Next time I'll just email you for advice that I could easily get on a forum instead. I know how much you love answering emails.

*skulks back into den* lol

[3PointJ]

I don't really "need" leather at all, but if it was black I'd take it. What are the front seats like? Do they hold you in nicely? Has anyone thrown aftermarket seats in an M35 yet?

Black Leather is hot

I think the seats are alright. The drivers seat seems a tad narrow. I'm a pretty big/tall guy, and find the curves on the side are a bit tight on my legs. Thats with the electronic controls in my wifes Series 2 350RX. In my Series 1 250t it didn't have the electronic seat controls and the seat was a slightly wider...

Could be just me being a fussy prick too...