Here's an interesting debate!

 

Before I continue, this is written purely for interest, and is an entirely honest view and not meant to provoke anyone. It is also important to point out that I have been a mega Z and Nissan fan since I was 15 (1989) so any negative comments are certainly not derisory but simply opinions and made with good intentions.

 

As per various previous posts from me, I bought my Z almost 2 weeks ago, after what seems a lifetime of being in love with the car, but for one reason or another, not getting round to owning one.

 

As a result, my expectations were extremely high although I did of course take in to account the fact that the car I've bought is 16 years old, an NA and therefore not exactly an accurate reflection of a Z in its prime.

 

The benchmark against which I will compare it is a 2000 W-reg Mercedes E280. I have had this for the last 6 years. It's got a 2.8 V6 engine (just over 200bhp),tiptronic auto gearbox and is the Avantgarde 'sportier' model. It also has 165,000 miles on the clock.

 

Although it may not seem a sensible comparison as the Z is a sports car and the E class an executive saloon, some of the areas of comparison are nevertheless very interesting.

 

LOOKS

- No debate of course. Even today, the Z32 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. It has aged magificently and I suspect it will look equally stunning in another 20 years.

Winner - Z

 

INTERIOR

- The Z's interior, like it's exterior, is still very beautiful and modern, however there are areas which disappointed me and give away the fact that Nissan also makes Micras.

- The interior rear-view mirror looks cheap and nasty and is the same as the one in the 1990 Micra that my mum used to have. The Merc on the other hand has a very expensive looking mirror. It also has intelligent anti-dazzle glass, but that is probably a sign of the times as the technology may not have been available in 1990.

- The door kickplate is a typical plastic affair, the same as a 1990 Micra. The Merc has a nice chrome piece fitted. I think Nissan could have at least had something better installed as it's one of the first things you see when the door is opened and an attractive kickplate would have looked very nice.

- The signal indicator is very thin and flimsy. I was scared of breaking it! Again, looks like a Micra parts bin item. The Merc has a nice thick solid stalk which looks and feels very good.

- No space for even 1 can of coke or bottle. Probably a sign of the times.

- The interior door handles are the same as my wife's 1996 Micra! Great in the Micra, not in a car that in today's money was sold for £50-60k! The Merc has nice chrome handles which as expected look and feel great.

- The Z glove box is much bigger and better than the Mercs.

Winner - Z (the beauty outweighs the other issues).

 

ENGINE

- The engine bays on both cars look fantastic.

- This section is not worth covering yet as my Z seems to have a problem which is robbing it of power so it's unfair to compare the 2 at the moment.

- For the moment, the E class is much faster, smoother and more refined. In fact, it feels the sports car more than the Z! I'm sure however that this is due to the engine issues I currently have.

Winner - None.

 

BRAKES

- Even taking in to account the age of the Z, the brakes on my NA are nothing in comparison to the Merc. The ones on the Merc are awesome. Not only are they huge, but they are very, very strong and when the Brake Assist System is engaged (BAS), they can stop the car dead in a few metres. It simply clamps all 4 wheels and stops the car dead. Violent, neck wrenching but very effective and stable.

Again, this may be a reflection on how things have changed over time and how braking systems have generally improved.

Winner - Merc

 

QUALITY

- Cannot compare the finish as although the Z is in good condition, it is older and therefore clearly the finish is not as good as the Merc.

However, even now, the fit is far better than the Merc. The shutlines are tighter and more accurately cut. Very impressive but not unexpected as it's Japanese.

- The Merc has a more quality feel though, which considering the Z was a very expensive car in its day, is surprising. The doors feel tinny in comparison and I have already commented on the switchgear which feels like it's from a Micra.

Winner - Merc (just)

 

BODY

- For those that don't know, the E-class has a very serious corrosion problem and as such is a huge embarrassement for MB. From far away, it looks pristine but a closer look shows that it is rusting all over. The Z by comparison is very clean. Fantastic.

Winner - Z

 

RIDE & HANDLING

- My rear shocks need changing so this cannot be compared yet, but when all is well, I would expect the Z to be awesome.

Winner - None (yet).

should have bought a twin turbo, you wouldnt have time to think about all those things when you press the warp factor pedal lol

sell your Zed

No chance!

When its running nice your gonna enjoy it more and not even think about comparing it.

Here's an interesting debate!

 

Before I continue, this is written purely for interest, and is an entirely honest view and not meant to provoke anyone. It is also important to point out that I have been a mega Z and Nissan fan since I was 15 (1989) so any negative comments are certainly not derisory but simply opinions and made with good intentions.

 

As per various previous posts from me, I bought my Z almost 2 weeks ago, after what seems a lifetime of being in love with the car, but for one reason or another, not getting round to owning one.

 

As a result, my expectations were extremely high although I did of course take in to account the fact that the car I've bought is 16 years old, an NA and therefore not exactly an accurate reflection of a Z in its prime.

 

The benchmark against which I will compare it is a 2000 W-reg Mercedes E280. I have had this for the last 6 years. It's got a 2.8 V6 engine (just over 200bhp),tiptronic auto gearbox and is the Avantgarde 'sportier' model. It also has 165,000 miles on the clock.

 

Although it may not seem a sensible comparison as the Z is a sports car and the E class an executive saloon, some of the areas of comparison are nevertheless very interesting.

 

LOOKS

- No debate of course. Even today, the Z32 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. It has aged magificently and I suspect it will look equally stunning in another 20 years.

Winner - Z

 

INTERIOR

- The Z's interior, like it's exterior, is still very beautiful and modern, however there are areas which disappointed me and give away the fact that Nissan also makes Micras.

- The interior rear-view mirror looks cheap and nasty and is the same as the one in the 1990 Micra that my mum used to have. The Merc on the other hand has a very expensive looking mirror. It also has intelligent anti-dazzle glass, but that is probably a sign of the times as the technology may not have been available in 1990.

- The technology was available (my 91 Bmw 5series had it), but was (and may still be) something that tends to be reserved for big luxury cars.

- The door kickplate is a typical plastic affair, the same as a 1990 Micra. The Merc has a nice chrome piece fitted. I think Nissan could have at least had something better installed as it's one of the first things you see when the door is opened and an attractive kickplate would have looked very nice.

JDM optional extra for Stainless steel versions and 99spec models also came with them. There is also aftermarket versions available

- The signal indicator is very thin and flimsy. I was scared of breaking it! Again, looks like a Micra parts bin item. The Merc has a nice thick solid stalk which looks and feels very good.

Agreed, although I believe it is specific to the Z. The micra, like your merc would have multiple functions on that stalk. Nissan could of done better though. Never been in an old Micra to know for sure, just guessing

- No space for even 1 can of coke or bottle. Probably a sign of the times.

Thats more down to the type of car it is - Sports. Bmw's never used to have them either, supposed to be drivers cars until fat americans moaned and now they fit cup holders.

- The interior door handles are the same as my wife's 1996 Micra! Great in the Micra, not in a car that in today's money was sold for £50-60k! The Merc has nice chrome handles which as expected look and feel great.

Chrome versions can be fitted from Terrano II and other models

- The Z glove box is much bigger and better than the Mercs.

Winner - Z (the beauty outweighs the other issues).

 

ENGINE

- The engine bays on both cars look fantastic.

- This section is not worth covering yet as my Z seems to have a problem which is robbing it of power so it's unfair to compare the 2 at the moment.

- For the moment, the E class is much faster, smoother and more refined. In fact, it feels the sports car more than the Z! I'm sure however that this is due to the engine issues I currently have.

The Merc will (and should be) smoother and more refined, that's what its all about. As for the NA performance against the Merc..not sure tbh - similar engines and neither car is a lightweight.

Winner - None.

 

BRAKES

- Even taking in to account the age of the Z, the brakes on my NA are nothing in comparison to the Merc. The ones on the Merc are awesome. Not only are they huge, but they are very, very strong and when the Brake Assist System is engaged (BAS), they can stop the car dead in a few metres. It simply clamps all 4 wheels and stops the car dead. Violent, neck wrenching but very effective and stable.

Again, this may be a reflection on how things have changed over time and how braking systems have generally improved.

Winner - Merc

Probably a mixture of a more modern system, and maintanance.

A perceived weak point in the Z, but the stock brakes are not as bad as most think when working properly. Sticking caliper pistons is common and old brake fluid does not help. Modern cars do have more "bite" than the Z's brakes though, whereas the Z is more progressive. The recorded brake distance figures for the Z are actually lower than most modern cars.

 

QUALITY

- Cannot compare the finish as although the Z is in good condition, it is older and therefore clearly the finish is not as good as the Merc.

However, even now, the fit is far better than the Merc. The shutlines are tighter and more accurately cut. Very impressive but not unexpected as it's Japanese.

- The Merc has a more quality feel though, which considering the Z was a very expensive car in its day, is surprising. The doors feel tinny in comparison and I have already commented on the switchgear which feels like it's from a Micra.

Winner - Merc (just)

Your suprised a far more Modern Prestige German luxury car feels higher quality than a 20yr old Nissan sports car ?

 

BODY

- For those that don't know, the E-class has a very serious corrosion problem and as such is a huge embarrassement for MB. From far away, it looks pristine but a closer look shows that it is rusting all over. The Z by comparison is very clean. Fantastic.

Winner - Z

 

RIDE & HANDLING

- My rear shocks need changing so this cannot be compared yet, but when all is well, I would expect the Z to be awesome.

Winner - None (yet).

I would change the fronts too, they will be way past their lifespan, like the entire suspension on most Z's out there. For a proper overhaul you should replace suspension arm bushes as well. Something like a set fo KYB AGX and Eibach springs are an improved setup over stock and actually cheaper.

..

Edited July 10, 200916 yr by Yowser

- No space for even 1 can of coke or bottle. Probably a sign of the times.

- The interior door handles are the same as my wife's 1996 Micra! Great in the Micra, not in a car that in today's money was sold for £50-60k! The Merc has nice chrome handles which as expected look and feel great.

 

 

Why would you want cup holders in a sports car!?!?! LOL If you really want somewhere to put your bottle, simply lift out the ash-tray, fits nicely there. :)

 

As for the door handles..... :)

 

Legrath - thanks for your advice. Very informative as ever.

 

FunkySi - your interior is very, very nice and the colours are classy and really accentuate the beauty and elegance of the original design. Where did the Z engineers and designers disappear to after the Z32? The engineers probably moved to the Skyline team but the designers...

The designers went to Lamborghini I think. hehe

 

Cheers for the compliment. :)