Thinking Of Buying An R35...key Differences Between My09, 10, 11 & 12?

[Marko R1]

Hi guys,

I am considering an R35GTR and would like to find out the differences between all the available year models - mechanical, cosmetic and even creature comforts.

I'm also interested in hearing the opinions of fellow R35 owners on what year model is recommended and why?

Naturally, I will be modding the car and the 09 seems the most appealing bang for buck as I can pick one up for under 100k.

Regards

Marko

[Wardski]

http://www.2009gtr.c...-2009-2011.html

Just remember the US MY build is a year ahead of the actual build date. eg. a 2009 GTR is a USDM 2010

I recently bought a new Oct build 2010 GT-R premium in Super Silver. Before the purchase, I had originally looked at 2009 GT-R's with 6-10k kms on the clock, but the low quality MFD screen did my head in, as well as the 2009 being a $110k 2nd hand car without an ipod connector. I also looked at the 2011 because I really wanted blue, but the extra 50k on top of what I paid in the end for my 2010 wasn't justified for a little extra power, and a few chassis changes... So I settled on the 2010, knowing I could spend that $50k that I saved on a 2011, in mods and other stuff down the line

In the end, it all depends on what you want to do with the car. I really wanted a GT-R with 3 year warranty, but not the big $$$ of the 2011 (at the time), and the one I found ticked all the boxes.

If you're planning to mod though, maybe the 2009 is the way to go. Get it cheap, then spend the savings on a tranny build, exhaust, intakes and a cobb.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Wardski

[Martin Donnon]

Its pretty simple really

MY12 > MY11 > MY10 > MY09

Most of it is refininement and slight software touchups.

The big change came between the Gen1 cars (MY09/MY10) and Gen2 cars (MY11/MY12)

Gen2 has better suspension than Gen1 and better sound deadening for the cruisers.

Other than that the hardware is pretty much identical.

[Marko R1]

The above info is priceless! Thanks guys.

I will spend time reading thru that link as it seems comprehensive...in the meantime, did the suspension geometry change or is it just the actual struts?

Sound deadening haha I like noisy cars

With regards to the transmission, did they actually upgrade any internal parts or was it just dropping the LC from 4.5k to 3.5k which removed wheel hop and subsequent breakages?

The later models are running slightly more power, how was this achieved? Increased boost level is what ive read in the past...

[Marko R1]

And also the dark wheels which i like were only available from 2009 onwards right?

Edited June 23, 2012 by Marko R1

[Martin Donnon]

Steering geometry is changed in MY12

Most of the changes are around damp and spring rates

Transmissions are for the most part identical throughout the series with some tiny tiny changes that you need to measure with a micrometer.

[bigmikespec]

Ela Marko don't do it man!!!! They are just overweight Renaults!

Keeping the Australian delivered?

[Marko R1]

This is the Michael, I can't sell my ADM

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I'm toying with the idea and I've purposely stayed away from going for a drive in an R35, let alone sit in one.

[domino_z]

you want 2010 onwards

and a good 5-7k for the obligatory go fast bits

i forget what cars i had prior to the r35.....and that's not because im losing my memory after turning 30 last month

Edited June 25, 2012 by domino_z

[Marko R1]

What don't u like about the 09?

[Wardski]

What don't u like about the 09?

The '10 is a bit more refined mechanically compared to the '09, plus the MFD has a better screen and USB port for iPod or USB stick playback.

Frequency of '10s having bell housing issues is also reduced, plus you're getting a slightly newer car

From www.gtr2009.com

2011 Changes - Other changes include slightly darker wheel center caps, double clear coat on the front and rear fascias and the addition of rear cooling ducts to improve cooling performance around the rear floor area.

The suspension has been retuned and the rear bushing strengthened to enhance ride comfort while still maintaining the GT-R’s outstanding handling. In addition, auto on/off headlights and speed-sensitive windshield wipers are now standard, along with a USB iPod® interface, DVD playback.

Only a Premium model was available for 2011. Launch control was updated to call LC3.

Edited June 25, 2012 by Wardski

[LSX-438]

I would say if you're going to mod the thing for regular track duties then the relatively superficial differences between year models is obviously less of an issue. Buy the 09 and spend the extra on go fast bits. If the track bug bites you will need the cash trust me! If you acquire the car for DD duties you obviously have different priorities which will be satisfied with the newer car. It comes down to this simple choice IMO.

[domino_z]

What don't u like about the 09?

No nav, lower quality mfd

2010 has this stuff too - In addition, auto on/off headlights and speed-sensitive windshield wipers are now standard, along with a USB iPod® interface, DVD playback.

DVD playback is easy to crack to bypass handbrake lockout

such creature comforts aren't really that important, but given a base murano has it all anyway, including auto dimming mirror, auto door locks, auto dipping side mirror for reversing, bixenons, led interior lighting, memory seats etc, the mind boggles as to why it's missing.... and still is

Edited June 25, 2012 by domino_z

[Wardski]

I remember seeing somewhere that to swap the '10 MFD into the '09 is almost impossible. Someone on NAGTROC did it but cost them $6k all up, and then the Nav didn't work... doh.

[Marko R1]

I remember seeing somewhere that to swap the '10 MFD into the '09 is almost impossible. Someone on NAGTROC did it but cost them $6k all up, and then the Nav didn't work... doh.

OUCH!

[domino_z]

yeh someone on nagtroc pm'd me about bringing his jdm to aus and switching the mfd over

pretty much impossible

[Wardski]

... leads me to believe getting the '10 (if you can afford the extra coin) is well worth it.

I've noticed other things that Nissan have changed in my '10 and are different to my mates '09. Things like the interior fitment being a bit off in the '09, some plastics have changed for better quality ones such as the the black strips either side of the front windscreen which had a tendency to discolour, the plastic painted roof covers above the doors have extra securing clips (the '09s had issues with these breaking off if bumped during a wash.), '09s had a tendency to melt the reversing light (not sure why but there's quite a few in the US with this problem), and a host of other little niggles, bits n bobs....

Not saying the 10 is 100% perfect, but it just seems as though Nissan ironed a few things out along the way, making the 10 a better purchase than an 09. The MFD in the 10 is essentially the same as whats used in the 12 which is a plus.. Forgot to mention that I'm biased towards my 10, so.... just saying

Edited June 26, 2012 by Wardski

[skiids]

GTR is a GTR. The difference between years is negligible up to a 2011. A better res screen or auto lights are great and are all improvements, so obviously the later the year the more refined any car will be. But big deal, the car itself is the experience, no matter what year it is you won't be disappointed. These cars are IMO are the king of the roads, which ever year you get be ready for the attention. if you find a 10 for same price as an 09 get it, but don't pay a premium for the privelage, don't be fooled, they're the same car on the road, you won't spend much time looking at the screen. I don't think there is much of a monetary value to it. Buy what your budget accommodates. Colour and condition should be paramount over minor improvements. if your budget restricts buy an on and spend the difference on a mid pipe, Cobb, intakes and tune, the rest is not relevant. Just my 2c coz u asked

[RCCC]

+1

[Ryan1200]

Great topic marko ill be watching this one closely aswell