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Comparative Nissan 370Z and BMW 135i test

What will happen after Z? We thought, when the representative of Nissan in 1996 officially announced the end of the release of the Z model during the next event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. Twincurbo sales 300ZX were rapidly falling, so Nissan simply stopped selling a car in the United States. We were wondering what future was prepared by Z experts of the concern.
We received the answer in 2002, when a 350Z serious sports car was released, which, it seemed, could well be opposed to Corvette both in terms of style and in terms of speed. This again attracted the attention of customers to the Nissan brand, but most young consumers had no idea what legend was Z for the concern since the release of the first model in 1970.
With the release of 370z in 2009, everything changed. As befits a car with Litera Z, 370z is a whole philosophy, and not just another machine sparkling in the light of the Sofites of the showroom. With the release of the second generation of the updated model Z, the car switched from simply accessible dynamics to the fact that it encourages us to select fundamentally new epithets for describing it not only such as fast, agile, powerful and strong, but also luxurious, spectacular, light, graceful, sophisticated And harmonious.
This car is so good that you begin to think about what kind of car it is: a sports car, a sports cap or mini oil-car? And it is at this moment that the BMW 135i pocket version of the BMW M3 appears on the stage at an affordable price.

Non-Several Weapons
The Nissan 370z costs as a butter-car, its retail cost of the basic configuration in the United States starts just below $ 30,000. Our copy has arrived with the Sport Package options on board (about $ 3,500) and still not dry on the sides of glossy red color (about $ 500), which ultimately raises the cost of a car to $ 34,625.

When developing, Z Nissan was guided by Porsche Cayman as a standard of dynamic characteristics. But the 2009 Cayman is developing only 265 hp. Using its 2.9-liter 6-cylinder opponent. Moreover, you will have to pay about $ 10,000 for Cayman S, which with your 320 hp. It is able to withstand Z, having a 3.7 -liter V6 with a capacity of 332 hp. Suddenly, you see a price tag on which the figure on which goes for $ 50,000, and Porsche Cayman immediately loses all its attractiveness.
We found a more suitable competitor among machines passing through our long -term test. We are talking about the BMW 135i with its already legendary in an in-line 6-cylinder engine with two turbines that outstand 300 hp, and the base value of $ 35,725. Our car is also equipped with options in the amount of $ 2,045. But they all are exclusively decorative.
Unlike Z, BMW has a rear seat, but the feeling of complete equipment of the car with everything necessary for travel with a breeze and comfort is the same as in Z. This model is like a small M3. Combining the uncompromising of a sports car and the practicality of the sports coup. After all, this is exactly what we see in the Nissan 370z, right?

Who would believe?
All our dirty suspicions about the inefficiency of a slight weight loss 370z compared to 350z were forgotten immediately after the first race of the new generation of 402 meters. The radio licked: 13 more! I think I can squeeze more out of it if you start a little sharper. PIIP. Undoubtedly, if you promote the engine up to 5 thousand revolutions before releasing the clutch, and allow the monstrous 275-mm potenza tires to sing a familiar song with the words: you are on the right track, now do not go with switching, cowboy. As a result, acceleration to hundreds took 5.1 seconds, and a quarter mile submitted to 13.4 s. At the finish, the car accelerated to 168.3 km/h. Great!
We were stunned when the BMW 335i 2007 model year made the first attempt on the quota, showing approximately the same results. And guess what? Our 135i practically copied the results of Z, accelerating from 0 to 96 km/h for the same 5.1 s and having passed a quarter mile over 13.4 s, accelerating to 166.6 km/h at the finish line.
Well well. It becomes hot, and we can hardly easily call the winner when the time is the time to take the results of our test.

Clutch and grin
The good news for fans Z is not only that this is the fastest model of all, but also that the engineers managed to defeat heavy switching and an awkward steering wheel. In addition, if you add large brakes to this cocktail, going as part of the Sport Package package, a differential of limited friction with Vis-Mufta and light disks with wide tires, Z turns into something very special.
Forget about Cayman. Remember the Porsche 911 Turbo, equipped with a set of carbon-ceramic brakes for $ 8,800, which stopped this super-expensive car with 96 km/h for only 31.39 m? Our Nissan 370z with a modified brake system did it for 30.78 m on the first and fifth attempt, demonstrating high fatigue resistance. These are excellent powerful brakes that guarantee you confidence in any situation.
We will not hide the fact that we discovered a small flaw in the work of the brake system. If you squeeze the brake pedal for a long time, then there is a certain error in the system that makes at least one sensor think that the pedal is constantly pressed to the floor. When this happens, the throttle works according to the emergency program and opens by only 20% (approximately the same system of preventing unwanted acceleration is put on cars of German manufacturers). This defect is corrected quite simply: it is necessary to lift the brake pedal with the sock left leg. A little later, we found another simple solution put a couple of pennies between the pedal and the sensor. Note that Nissan discovered this defect shortly after the release of test models and immediately eliminated it.
BMW 135i did not sleep either. During the second and fifth attempts, the Bavaaret silently and confidently stopped from 96 km/h for 32.92 m. Z had an advantage in the form of excellent tires in this test, but we managed to find out that the BMW brake system refers to sharp presses on the pedal Brakes and provides a transparent reaction, which is easy to adjust.
When on a slalom-test we again saw an almost identical speed of 112.3 km/h in Nissan and 112.2 km/h at BMW, we could not hold back the laughter. (In general, these two cars are the same on paper, in reality they are very different.) The gap occurred during a lateral acceleration test, where BMW on its relatively small tires showed a very good result (0.90g), which drowned in the shadow of the brilliant performance of Z With a result of 0.97G. (How is it possible? This machine has just an incredible level of mechanical adhesion to the road.)

Looking for differences
Since for several days we were transplanted from one car to another and vice versa, it was funny to move in space at the same speed and get completely different sensations. On the same tracks at the same speed, the BMW undoubtedly at the forefront puts the flexibility, smoothness and noiselessness of the engine, while Nissan provides impeccable contact with the road, acute control and sound V6, which you can’t confuse with anything. Mark it.
To be honest, the sound of the release of Z is much better to listen to the outside than from the inside of the cabin. The VQ series VQ is somewhat noisy, which tires on long trips. Since we started talking about fatigue, then the rumble of huge Bridgestone tires tires in the same way. We suspect that there would be a little less noise on standard tires. But then an incomparable clutch recorded during our tests would suffer.
We discovered even more differences, starting the calculation of standard and affordable additional equipment. Intellectual ignition key? In standard configuration in Z, the option in 135i. The same picture with heated seats, but there are four of them in the BMW (though they are covered with a skin of which you sweat strongly, genuine skin is ordered separately). 370z seats are covered with fabric (to get leather, you will have to order a package of Touring), and they will make you think that it would be nice to visit the gym more often, although they cannot be refused high -class side support, they hold the driver in place when determining the limits of the car abilities . If you closely study the list of characteristics, then Z looks very confident.
Stylish things
You will understand that Nissan got a stylish car, at first glance at 370z. There are no doubt that a living style is felt better than in the photo, despite all the efforts of our photographer, Scott Jacobs, marked by numerous awards in the field of photography. Mighty wheeled arches, especially if you look at the back, give 370Z a type of true sports car, with a simple but bright appearance.
Clear characteristic lines that dissect the hood converge to a lattice that has a bright personality in comparison with the square air duct of the previous model, and 10 cm cut off from the wheelbase give it a knocked, tightened look. We like all this, and completely black 370z with tinted glasses, we simply adore.
We admit that some of you believe that the BMW of the first series has some resemblance to a car that is considered a real sports sedan BMW 2002, but there are among us who still believe that it looks like a pot -bellied pig. Excuse me, but this is not a breathtaking Z8, and not even a coveted 335i compartment. This is just a classic that is not affected by time.
Interesting? Yes. Assembled? Undoubtedly. Luxurious? But do not be mistaken.

Are we going to determine the winner?
When the BMW 135i came to us, we considered it one of the purest incarnations of the BMW character since the BMW 2002 TII 1971. Now he has lost his novelty, because we drove about 24,000 km on it. But we still believe that this is a brilliant car. With a peppy engine, which pulls at 2,000 rpm with the same readiness as at 7,000, this BMW is destined to continue to win comparative tests and conquer the hearts of customers for many more years.
Nissan 370z does the same for Nissan. It is so better than 350Z in all respects that it is perceived as a completely new car that does not have predecessors. 350z can be perceived as a long prototype or the process of determining the focus group. Perhaps it took six long years to eliminate shortcomings, but the result was worth it. This is a sports car and a sports coup, as in the initial concept of the Datsun 240z 1970 Mr. K, attracting delighted glances, like the BMW M3. And he wins in our competition.
We even allow ourselves to say that the Nissan 370z raises the standard for the sports segment to the new level of accessible perfection. Its dynamics and handling are worthy of a separate brand. His design alone will make people go to the Nissan show rooms. And a combination of affordable cost with efficiency (10.69 liters per 100 km in mixed mode according to ERA) will undoubtedly attract your attention to this particular car.
Nissan 370z concentration of the most desired qualities: price, design, equipment, dynamics, special features and the charisma that makes you just get into this car and go, and go quickly. Z is not just a sports car, it is a sports coup, which is unlikely to be compared with. He is inaccessible. Who will take a chance?

Opinion of the senior editor, Ed Hallwig:
It would be easy to determine the winner if the new Z was the same as the old, but with a more powerful engine and a slightly updated design. I never really took into account 350z. It has a lot of potential, but it was always difficult for them to use. In this situation, I would choose 135i in a second.
But Nissan has achieved a lot, a lot. In 370z, you feel like in a real sports car, and not just in an accessible Japanese pseudo -sports compartment. You can hardly attack her turns, without feeling at the same time on the verge of a car disaster. The car is neat and balanced by the car. And when you do not go at full speed, Z becomes a comfortable, elegant car that will not cause a headache.
I can say almost the same thing about 135i. On this car, just drive at high speed, it is comfortable with other conditions. It has more space in the cabin, and on the highway he demonstrates better sound insulation. But that is why I choose Z. She has the features that make a sports car with something more than just a quick car for every day. This is an unusual, fast sports car, which was simply lucky enough to be comfortable enough to be used every day. So it was not always with Z, but now everything has changed, and I like it.