Beschreibung
'DE' ENGINED MODEL - LOWER TAX
MODEL HISTORY:-
The Nissan 350Z was released in 2002 as a coupé and could be ordered in any one of a bewildering five different trim levels. The convertible came along a year later with a powered fabric hood - and just the two trim levels.
Both versions are front-engined, rear-wheel-drive Old School sportscars with just the two seats but a very usable boot. The engine is a 3. 5-litre V6, which develops 287bhp and 274lb/ ft of torque, endowing the 350Z with a top speed of 155mph and a 0-62mph time of around five-and-a-half seconds.
Mid-range torque is especially impressive, and keen drivers will appreciate that this is a much better indicator of quick cross-country times than any standing start acceleration figure ever could be.
Available with both an automatic and manual gearbox, the 350Z was later made available in various NISMO-fettled guises, which upped the performance stakes considerably, albeit at a cost.
The Nissan 350Z was also campaigned competitively in racing, as well as in the then-new sport of drifting. These might have been diametrically opposed disciplines but the 350Z was hugely effective in both and its motorsport success bolstered its reputation as a proper sportscar, something its appearance in Forza Motorsport 2 and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift did nothing to dispel.
Curiously unloved here in the United Kingdom, discerning enthusiasts are starting to wake up to its performance potential, especially as values still don’t reflect how satisfying it is to own and drive.
OUR VEHICLE:-
Finished in Gunmetal Grey this completely standard, low mileage Nissan 350Z is one of the rare GT models and was fitted with the full factory NISMO body kit and NISMO LMGT4 alloy wheels from new.
Part of a private collection for the last four years, it’s been dry stored and has accrued just 1, 500 miles in that time following a modest recommission when he bought it from its first and only previous owner.
This is a stunning example of a rapidly appreciating modern classic, so if you’ve ever fancied adding one to your fleet, please read on.
These shutlines are what you get when Japanese engineering meets high-quality curation. Razor-sharp and so tight they could have been Sharpied on, they conspire with the car’s colour to make it look like it’s been carved from a solid ingot.
And Gunmetal Grey is such a good colour to finish a 350Z in as it fades gently into the background, letting the NISMO-enhanced shape take centre stage.
What a shape it is, too. From the 19-inch Ray’s Eng LMGT4 forged monoblock alloy wheels to the huge rear spoiler, it’s as beautiful as it is purposeful.
As you can see, it’s also in a very good condition. We’ve discussed the shutlines already but to them you can add almost flawless paintwork, no dents, dinks or other damage to the panels, and an overall fit ‘n’ finish that backs up the car’s 61, 000 mile odometer reading.
The wheels are in great condition and they’re fitted with matching Falken FK452 tyres. The Brembo brake calipers that peer coyly from behind them look fabulous. The light lenses and badges are free of damage, and the side and rear window glazing is unmarked.
(The advisory for the windscreen on the last MoT you might have seen prompted the previous owner to get it replaced, so that’s no longer an issue.)
The seats aren’t only a gorgeous shape they’re also as supportive as you’d expect in a sportscar of this calibre. Of course, they adjust at the touch of a button, and are heated, something that’ll make your winter commute much more pleasant.
The orange accents and stitching not only make a striking contrast with the black leather but the colour scheme also matches the instrument markings.
The space behind them is filled with cubbyholes and Bose speakers - mated to the factory fitted Bose headunit.
The door cards are simple and clean and in an excellent condition. In fact, that’s true of the whole interior, which is elegant its simplicity and impressive in its condition.
But, it’s very much a driver’s car. The rev counter takes pride of place is an ergonomically flawless dashboard, the gearchange is short and precise, the steering wheel is fat and falls perfectly to hand, and the drilled pedals include a footrest.
The boot has a space-saver spare wheel and tool kit, and it is, as we’re sure you’ve guessed by now, in an excellent condition.
Mechanical
The previous owner had his new classic recommissioned in 2020 when he first purchased it.
Why did he bother? Well, not only is he unusually fastidious – we’ve sold a few cars from his collection, and they always impress – but it had been dry-stored for nine years, so he felt a full service, including new auxiliary belts, wouldn’t go amiss.
He also opted to fit a new Cobra Sport stainless-steel exhaust system at the same time to “give the V6 more voice”, something we wholeheartedly approve of. (You will too, when you hear it…)
Since then, another Interim service took place just 300 miles ago. We’ll detail the complete service history below, but it is worth noting that they were all undertaken by the supplying main dealer until 60, 000 miles, after which an independent specialist took over.
26. 02. 2005 and 9, 824 miles – service by Colliers (Adcocks Green) Ltd
15. 08. 2005 and 19, 057 miles – service by Colliers (Adcocks Green) Ltd
01. 06. 2006 and 28, 403 miles – service by Colliers (Adcocks Green) Ltd
23. 11. 2006 and 36, 082 miles – service by Colliers (Adcocks Green) Ltd
08. 01. 2008 and 52, 606 miles – service by Colliers (Adcocks Green) Ltd
09. 08. 2020 and 60, 113 miles – service by Auto-Tech
08. 07. 2022 and 61, 470 miles – service by Auto-Tech
As you can see and hear, the 3. 5-litre V6 engine starts on the button, revs as it should, and makes a wonderful noise through the recent Cobra exhaust.
It also does it with good oil pressure and a healthy charge to the battery, which means there isn’t much to do.
The engine and underbonnet area is okay, and it’s good to see small details like a genuine NISMO coolant cap and sports air filter.
The underside, on the other hand, looks strong and clean and straight and is a credit both to its owners and to the folk who gave it a professional Lanoguard treatment only recently on the seller’s instructions.
We did tell you he is fastidious!
The Nissan’s MoT certificate is valid until October 2024, and the extensive history file even includes the original bill of sale showing the factory options that were fitted at the time.
As for the rest of the history file, there are two keys, the Nissan wallet and a full suite of handbooks, a file stuffed full of invoices, a Nissan ‘Z’ key fob and presentation box, and some old MoT certificates and expired tax discs.
The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it is worth noting that, as an earlier car, ‘TH53 LLX’ is not only one of the more desirable DE-engined versions, it also attracts a lower rate of VED compared to the newer 2006-onwards 350Z models.
NB: Which brings us to the question of how many previous owners the car has had. The V5 says two, as does the vehicle history check. Both are wrong.
As the previous owner explained: “Annoyingly the car is actually a one previous owner car. When the original owner moved house the DVLA put another owner on it when he moved house in, if I remember correctly, 2007. Sadly, due to GDPR laws I can't send you the V5 proof of this to add to the advert even though I have it!”
We think it’s a one-previous-owner car then, even if it has had two previous registered keepers.
Ah, government bureaucracy, don’t you love it?
Give our team in Leeds a call now on the details below
