Looking At A R35

[ecl]

Hi

Haven't been on here for a while. Had a r34 GTT back a few years ago and have owned a few other cars since then. Currently driving a BMW Z4.

In any case, I am looking at getting another car after the new year (around end of Jan 12).

One of the cars I am considering is the r35 GTR. Would anyone like to chime in and provide a quick run down on the main differences between the different years? 2008-2011? Is the power output different between the years? Were there any major issues in the earlier models? I read (not sure) about people using the launch system too often and breaking gearboxes? To tell the truth, I haven't had time to car hunt yet as the end of the year is quite crazy for me at work but will start after NYE.

FYI, this will be a daily driver with the rare track day. I have read that the r35 is a little numbing to drive as a DD but I am just doing my due dillegence for now. Also, other cars I am looking at are:

* 2010 Camaro - sat in one/not yet test driven

* 2010-11 C63 AMG - test driven

* 2010-11 BMW M3 - test driven

* Ferrari 360 .. probably not a good DD

I am 'currently' leaning towards the c63 as I have driven one and have an uncle that works at Merc who can get me a good price and provide free servicing.

Thanks

Eric

[iwanta34gtr]

Good thread, watching with interest.

Im also considering an R35 at present and have been searching for the same info.

Are there any design faults with the earlier ones which were rectified in the later models?

[Wardski]

Best place to look for changes is Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_GT-R

[turboadam]

Really, the r35 is such a track honed tool (& I do daily drive mine) that if you are cross shopping with those other cars that I suggest that you not get the GT-R. To me there was no other choice but a GT-R, because all that mattered was performance. If that's not what floats your boat get the merc. The tranny noises, harsh ride etc etc is not going to endear you to the GT-R.

Take a look at the NAGTROC forums with several threads on this exact topic in the last month - 6 weeks.

[Hadouken]

C63 sounds nice. That's about it.

[domino_z]

+1 do a search, this thread has been done before

was dd'ing a c63 before my GTR - great engine in a well built sedan.....but it's still a sedan

lots of cheap 360s out there now that the history-less imports are flowing in - there's a reason why used modern day ferrari's are cheap

Edited December 15, 2011 by domino_z

[GT-R OZ]

Just use this link, should tell you everything you need to know.

http://www.2009gtr.com/2010/12/used-nissan-gt-r-buyers-guide-2009-2011.html

[10 4]

Buy a F355 vert and get a tubi exhaust...

[ricknismo]

Any progress on this..my thoughts of cars are similar, also 2010 Dodge Challenger and 2006 M5

[ricknismo]

+1 do a search, this thread has been done before

was dd'ing a c63 before my GTR - great engine in a well built sedan.....but it's still a sedan

lots of cheap 360s out there now that the history-less imports are flowing in - there's a reason why used modern day ferrari's are cheap

Out of curiosity...what is the reason ferraris are cheap?

[SS8_Gohan]

Out of curiosity...what is the reason ferraris are cheap?

you get the idea

[10 4]

[Hadouken]

1 picture vs Many.

Haha

[SS8_Gohan]

yeah but that R looked like he/she crashed... much different scenario to the Fezza pics. They just decided "well, i've done... oh, i dunno, 5,000kms, that's a good run... time to spontaneously combust!"

[Hadouken]

Haha. I like it

[kymbo]

Owned V10 M5 before GTR. Also owned in order prior to M5, E46 M3, E36 M3, 2 modified Corvettes. The GTR is in an altogether different class and simlply makes a mockery of them!

Best mate and I both bought new cars in June 2010. He bought a brand new fully optioned M3 in white and I bought a brand new GTR in black.

It is simply laughable when we are on the road together, not only does the GTR get all the looks, he may as well be driving a Toyota when it comes to how fast the GTR pulls away in both the straights and the corners. I had to pay 10K more for the GTR than he paid and it was worth every cent.

A true supercar that obliterates everything on the road at near an M3 or C63 price, what a bargain!

The only car I would now consider over the GTR is a new Lamborghini. The problem though, because my GTR is recently modded, I would have to do something with the Lambo to at least try and make it as fast as the GTR.

It's a tough life?

Edited December 25, 2011 by kymbo

[sikmatesubwoofa]

Forget the M3, forget the Ferrari and forget the Mercedes, get the GT-R, none of those cars can match it believe me.

[sikmatesubwoofa]

PS. As for the Camaro I'd say that's a joke. I mean you have a Ferrari and a Camaro in the same list, Jesus Christ. In the states when the Camaro is cheap then maybe but here in AUS forget the Camaro mate honestly I've ridden in one, it's an awesome car but for the price they go for here it's a bloody joke.

[ricknismo]

They are in the same list, but for different reasons. I am starting to see a couple of GT-R's drop almost below 100k now...very tempting

[OzStriker]

Allow me to make an E92 M3 vs GT-R comparison.

I bought one of the first E92 M3s and had it for 3 years before switching to an MY11 GT-R when they arrived early this year.

I enjoy modifying my cars and love driving, these cars were/are my "extra" cars so did not have to be daily drivers if I didn't want them to be.

I enjoy some track work and would describe myself as a relatively fast amateur track driver.

I am not interested in impressing other drivers with the look of my car, so street cred doesn't matter to me.

The M3:

- the engine is an absolutely screamer, keenly revving to 8300rpm and the noise is probably one of the most racey you will find, behind the obvious V12s and flat-plane Ferrari V8s

- the M3 will not accelerate unless you have planned in advance, you must be above 4000rpm to be in the nice flat 400Nm-odd torque area and you will be driving a 335 up to 6000rpm, with 150hp still to come in the last 2200-odd rpm

- the chassis is beautifully balanced and it is very easy to feel and transfer weight front to rear

- expect to need brake modifications if you are doing track days

- the M3 seemed to be hard on the front tyres on track and you will require aftermarket parts to achieve proper front camber

- for driving out in your local hills, in my opinion of course, the M3 is almost the perfect car, combining the sound and racecar-style power delivery and with 414hp it is just the right amount of power to put a smile on your dial for a few seconds before reaching naughty speeds, and the M-diff is great fun

- spent a day at Winton once we had fitted a 580hp G-Power supercharger and 1:40 was the best achieved on Cup+ tyres with the car clearly needing suspension and tyre work to go further

The GT-R:

- much stiffer suspension, certainly feels heavier

- sounds bland and always will

- definitely not as much fun on the road, if you want to keep your license

- honesly the only real enjoyment I can find in the GT-R on the street is the odd powerslide in an off-camber hairpin, I am just not game enough to do the license-losing speeds the GT-R needs to deliver enjoyment, oh and the odd LC on the rare occasion one is at the front of the que at lights before a 100 zone...

- on track however the GT-R makes complete sense, compared to the M3 the limits this car has are frankly unbelievable, for an amateur to lap a GT-R with midpipe around Barbagallo in 1:04 says a hell of a lot about the car

- the most annoying thing on track is the transmission oil temperature management which is necessary if you want to avoid expensive additional oil changes, it is the biggest limitation but I believe there are modifications to help this, brakes will suffer as well, I am still working on avoiding a soft pedal at the end of the day

- expect reasonably high running costs if you intend to keep your warranty while doing track work, I have spent around $7000 on it in parts and services since March with 5000km on the clock

Hope that helps.