A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I read in an earlier post by someone that the 06 Z's appear to have a change in the front sup. I have not seen a follow up on that. If this is the case and the cupping has been slowed or stopped we need to take a good look at this change. There may not have been a change in the front end but I think that it is well worth checking out. Anyone know?
04.- P.WHITE-TOURING-AT.
1953 MGTD
BROWN FENDERS/CREAM BODY.
W/BROOKLAND RACING SCREENS.
Dixieland
A:
Hey guys, I just talked with a Nissan service person in my locale regarding the tire feathering issue. He said they had had Z's in for that problem...and most of them were 03 models and a few 04's and that they have not had any 05's in with the problem...He said the problem was supposedly fixed on the 05's. I feel pretty good about the car...but still have not decided whether to pull the trigger for the 05 model or 06. I am leaning to the 06 only in that I will be $$ better off if I wait a bit longer...but, Iknow it's gonna happen!
A:
Barry,
The fact of the matter is that, unless they changed the suspension design for '05--they did not, BTW--or they put the revised tread block tires on the '05, the problem is very likely to appear. When I bought my '04, I was told the same thing, probably in part because they had changed the alignment specs and hadn't seen any issues with the '04 models at the time. Problem is, the '04s coming to them for service were still at low mileage. I knew the '04s had the problem from what I was reading on the various forums, and I bought the car anyway.
It's like this: The 350Z has a problem with cupping the inner tread on its front tires. It shows up after about 5000 miles. If you are aggressive in keeping your alignment to the max toe IN spec, and you get the revised tread block design, the problem will be minimized but not eliminated. For some people, that is an intolerable condition. For me, it's a minor annoyance. My fronts have been feathered/cupped for about 5000 miles, and, aside from some tread roar at low speeds, I could care less.
Some sources are saying that the front suspension has been revised for '06. If so, and you hate the thought of tire feathering, you might consider getting a later model. Bottom line: It's your call.