Test drive Nissan Skyline compartment 2002 - 2007 sedan

Putting the horizons

Nissan Skyline R33: Big Motorport to the masses

Cars produced by Japanese companies for the local market are usually little known to residents of the European part of Russia. And it’s a pity, because among them there are many very good cars that deserve genuine respect.

The Skyline car (translated from the English horizon) was always bought not for comfortable movement around the city, but to get pleasure from the management process. And, we must pay tribute, Japanese engineers always coped with the task of creating a car for fast driving. As a result, Skyline is considered one of the best models with a sports character!

Today, Nissan is already produced by the Eleventh Skyline generation, however, it will not appear on the secondary market soon. But cars in the so -called R33 body, which were on the conveyor from 1993 to 1997, are on sale. It is necessary to immediately warn that it is not immediately possible to find the right Nissan Skyline. And not only in Moscow, but also in the Far East.

Of course, when searching for a car, you need to strive to find an instance with a nonsense. But to do this is almost unrealistic, especially if the machine was released in the mid-90s. The point is all in the same sports orientation of Skyline, which provokes a driver on a quick and aggressive ride with all its nature. The main thing is to find out how strong the clashes were and how the car was restored. Moreover, in this case, simple examination at different angles of doors and hood is clearly not enough. According to experts, if there is a wrinkled wing or a split bumper on the car, you can still come to terms with this.

In the end, both are easy to buy (the iron iron is quite thin, and it is not always possible to decrypt it correctly). It is imperative to check that Skyline has the right suspension geometry and whole spar! Otherwise, buying Skyline becomes too risky event.

All Skyline, as a rule, are equipped with the necessary electric package. There are no special complaints to the work of an electrician. Sometimes the air conditioner may not be adjusted, warm air ceases to go, etc. Usually this problem is associated with poor contacts or failed sensors ($ 200). When buying a car, you need to see how the turns and headlights work. In some cases (for example, when installing not standard, but more powerful bulbs), paths in a steering wheel can burn out. This is very bad, since the cost of the new exceeds $ 600 (they are rarely used, and sometimes they ask for $ 300 for them).

Appetite comes with eating

There is no doubt, the motors are one of the main advantages of Nissan Skyline. The most modest among them was a in a number 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.0 liters and a capacity of 125 hp. (RB20E). For some other car, it would be almost perfect, but for Skyline it is considered weak. After all, according to passport data, he can disperse the car to only 190 km/h. But here the matter is not only at maximum speed: the 2-liter engine does not allow the traction supply for which more powerful units love. Although, on the other hand, the advantage of Skyline 2.0 is its lower price and a large selection in the secondary market.

If you want to have a quick car, you need to look for a car with atmospheric engine with a 2.5 l (RB25DE). It is considered one of the best Japanese engines of the 90s, and its power is 200 hp. Agree, very seriously. But those who declare that appetite comes during meals are right. Surprisingly, Skyline drivers with a 2.5-liter engine in all seriousness say that 200 hp. This is not the limit of dreams!

And they are right, because Nissan offered a modification with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine (RB25Det) for fans of Skyline. And this is already 250 hp. But that's not all. There are truly cult versions of the Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R V-SPEC (the latter is characterized by a stiffer suspension, slightly different brakes, etc.). Both of them were equipped with a 2.6 liter engine with a double turbocharged capacity of 280 hp. (Rb26dett). Moreover, this motor was originally designed for racing, and therefore the designers even had to deform it (according to Japanese laws, serial cars can not have more than 280 hp). And this means that the 2.6-liter engine is very good at tuning. 350 hp are received from it without any problems, and, they say, in Japan you can find Skyline GT-R, which have 500 and even 900 hp under the hood!

If the Nissan Skyline were operated in a calm mode, then all motors could last more than 700 thousand km. But as already said, Skyline is not bought for trips to the bakery, but even with aggressive driving, many engines live up to 300,500 thousand km. For power units, often operating in the area of \u200b\u200b4,0006,000 rpm, this is a very worthy result. It is clear that the diagnosis of the motor must be paid to increased attention, because its overhaul will cost a lot (it is often more profitable to buy a backing engine). By purchasing particularly powerful versions of Skyline, you need to remember that turbocharged motors have a lower resource and require large service costs (after 250 thousand km, a turbine can refuse, the restoration of which will cost about $ 1000).

Nissan Skyline engines do not have pronounced weaknesses. They require mainly periodic replacing the spark plugs (platinum costs $ 15 apiece), which are sometimes enough on Russian gasoline for 1520 thousand km (with good fuel they serve 100 thousand km). Here you can add to the ignition coils in each machine of six pieces. On some cars, the coils serve 10 years or more, but sometimes they fly much more often (the price of each, by the way, is about $ 150).

Experience shows that when operating Skyline on our roads, it is necessary to pay great attention to the cooling system and clean the radiator twice a year (it is so small, and when clogging the cells, the motor may completely overheat).

There are machines whose engines work very unstable, jumping, a lot of fuel leaves (more than 20 liters per 100 km), etc. The reason for this can be anything. In the worst case, you will have to change the air flow sensor (MAF-SENSOR) or the camshaft position sensor. Both that and the other part cost about $ 500, and for used sensors ask for $ 100150 (and find the problem). And may fail and lambda-zond. In this case, new lambda from Russian cars ($ 35) is not suitable for a new one for $ 300600. By the way, when problems begin with candles, sensors and other things, Nissan Skyline will immediately start poorly (especially in winter). So, when buying a car, try to check how it is with a cold launch.

Better to work with your hand

In the basic version, Nissan Skyline has a rear -wheel drive. But there are cars with a full -wheel drive system. If it is available in standard modes, 75% of the torque is transmitted to the rear axle, however, when slipping, the differential is immediately blocked and the moment will be distributed in a ratio of 50/50. This transmission works very well, allowing all -wheel drive machines to pass at such speed that it never dreamed. By the way, the Hicas (High Capacy Active Steering) helps to control Skyline, which can, if necessary, turn the rear wheels to a small angle.

When buying all -wheel drive Skyline, checking their transmission must be paid close attention. Despite the fact that the Nissan 4WD system is considered reliable, to date, it may require repair. And this, believe me, is very expensive (sometimes it is generally economically unprofitable to restore it). But, despite the higher operating expenses and the risk of getting a lot of money, many admirers of Skyline literally chase on such machines.

The gearbox can be mechanical or automatic. The reliability of the first questions usually does not arise. But the machine happens, wears out strongly over time. True, often instead of a serious repair of automatic transmission ($ 1,500), owners prefer the installation of mechanics (about $ 1000). A manual box breaks less often, and its repair is cheaper. Usually, to date, serious financial investments are required only by the clutch, which is very decent for Skyline (a set of about $ 300).

Nissan Skyline suspension is completely independent. Her resource is very decent, even given the sports orientation of the car. According to experts, in the chassis of Skyline there are two relatively weak places. These are silent blocks of the upper lever and upper ball supports. But even they are able to serve 70100 thousand km (and this is given the aggressive ride)! The cost of replacing the upper lever with silent blocks and the support is about $ 200. When operating the machine, you need to monitor all kinds of anthers (especially the rear racks that are torn, because of which shock absorbers are quickly dying). The remaining elements of the suspension withstand more than 150,200 thousand km, but you need to remember that the full bulkhead of the suspension will require about $ 1000. So let the experienced master who has already dealt with Skyline be seen with SkyLine (as a rule, they do not work on company Nissan branded, but in independent services). Having paid him extra $ 3050, you can protect yourself from decent financial costs.

Sometimes the owners complain of the brake system of this car. But usually only drivers who do not want to spend money on good pads are dissatisfied. They are special for Skyline, and it’s better not to be greedy and pay $ 200250 for a set for all four wheels, since non -original pads can ruin the whole impression of driving. We must also remember that this car is very demanding of high -quality rubber and wheel balancing.

EXCURSION
For the first time, the model under the name Nissan Skyline appeared in 1957. Then this car was equipped with a 1.5-liter engine with a capacity of 60 hp. For the end of the 50s, it is not at all bad. The second generation of Skyline was shown already in 1962. He had engines with a volume of 1.5, 1.9 and 2.0 l with a capacity of 70, 92 and 105 hp.

The third Skyline saw the light in 1968, and the 2-liter engine here already issued 160 hp. In 1972, the next version of Nissan Skyline was shown with more than an aggressive design for that time. This car stood on the conveyor for five years, after which it was replaced with a new one.

Nissan Skyline in the so-called 30th body, sometimes found on our roads, was shown in 1981. In 1985, Skyline appeared in the body of HR31, the 2-liter engine of which had 210 hp. And May 1989 was marked by the appearance of the Nissan Skyline in the back of the R32. It was on this model that the GT-R version with a turbocharged engine of 2.6 liters began to issue 280 hp.

Skyline in the 33rd body was shown in 1993. It was equipped with in-line 6-cylinder engines with a capacity of 2.0, 2.5 and 2.6 liters. The latter had 280 hp, but in Japan you can find modified engines that give out 500 and even 900 hp! The ninth generation of Nissan Skyline was equipped with both a mechanical and automatic gearbox. In the basic configuration, the machine drive was rear, but some modifications had a full -wheel drive system.

The tenth generation of Nissan Skyline appeared on the market in the spring of 1998. The car was equipped with 2- and 2.5-liter atmospheric 6-cylinder in-line engines with a capacity of 155 and 200 hp. Accordingly, as well as turbocharged engines with a volume of 2.5 and 2.6 liters. Moreover, in both cases, they give out 280 hp. (version with a 2.6-liter unit is called GT-R).

In 2001, the Eleventh Generation of Skyline, which received a new Nissan -style design, saw the light. The main feature of this car was that non-in-line, but V-shaped 6-cylinder engines with a volume of 2.5 liters (215 hp) and 3.0 liters began to install under the hood. And in 2003, the most powerful version with a 3.5-liter unit with a capacity of 280 hp was presented.

Nissan Skyline Legendary model. This car is revered primarily for amazing handling. When buying a used Skyline, you need to decide why the car is needed. If you just go from home to work, it is best to opt for a 2-liter version. Or do not buy Skyline at all, originally created for fast driving.

Text: Denis Smolyanov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [31.01.2005]