Guys, Can anyone advise why one should or should not go for an import 300zx tt over a UK spec. What are the main differences? Also have read that on certain yrs, imports, the auto box is prone to over heating due to a sub std part, is this a common accurance. What else should one look for ??

IMO it makes no difference. i certainly could'nt pick between to identical cars (condition, year, spec, mileage) just becuase one is an import and the other UK spec.

 

If your after an automatic then the Jap Auto's have a smaller Oil cooler, and an ideal upgrade is to replace it, expecially if you do a lot of high speed motorway mileage.

 

There is'nt really a lot of insurance cost difference. Some insurers wont insure Imports, but the sort of insurers that do dont tend to differ between UK and Import.

 

Uk spec is More likely to have Leather as standard...Jap's have Electric folding mirrors ;)

 

Jap spec is a lot more likely to have lower mileage but there are Uk spec cars with similar low milage.

IMO it makes no difference. i certainly could'nt pick between to identical cars (condition, year, spec, mileage) just becuase one is an import and the other UK spec.

 

If your after an automatic then the Jap Auto's have a smaller Oil cooler, and an ideal upgrade is to replace it, expecially if you do a lot of high speed motorway mileage.

 

There is'nt really a lot of insurance cost difference. Some insurers wont insure Imports, but the sort of insurers that do dont tend to differ between UK and Import.

 

Uk spec is More likely to have Leather as standard...Jap's have Electric folding mirrors ;)

 

Jap spec is a lot more likely to have lower mileage but there are Uk spec cars with similar low milage.

 

and imports have seen no road salt wich in my eyes is a big plus

i'll second the point on road salt...I have a 93 uk spec auto tt.. it came with the leather interior but i've had to have welding work done on both sills (looked like a sieve!)

i'll second the point on road salt...I have a 93 uk spec auto tt.. it came with the leather interior but i've had to have welding work done on both sills (looked like a sieve!)

 

I would agree...

 

I have 1990 jap import n looks as good as day it was made underneath.

If you get IMPORT then have a wax seal put on as imports dont normally have it.

 

Havnt experienced any real probs with parts yet.

 

Sayin that ....Bulbs are a right Fooker to get hold of..

U have to convert the bulbs u buy or do a headlight conversion...

Moding the bulbs is much cheaper...matter of pennys.

The only other real advantage of having a uk spec is that it's already used to swerving violently round caravans and old people in 3 wheeler Reliant robins!!! The Jap steering hasnt had to cope with those!!!!

If you get IMPORT then have a wax seal put on as imports dont normally have it.

 

I heard all ZXs have the same underseal - UK, Jap, all of them. Could be wrong though.

The issues with the auto gearbox overheating I heard was due to the jap ones coming with an in line oilcooler as std and the uk ones not..I know when my box disappeared into a mass of non activity and needed to be replaced they had to fit the coolers to validate the warranty on it.

I was also told that the jap spec have slightly more room to play around with in the engine bay? Why that might be I dont know, surely the engine is the same?

However we all know that the biggest and most important difference is whether you want to have a "Z" badge on the bonnet or the "Nissan" logo? :dance:

one other point... I think i'm right in thinking...Uk spec was only available as a 2+2 and the Jap ones could/can be had as 2+2, SWB or full convertibles..more choice.

if its fresh off the boat the radio probably wont work here...the headlamp bulbs are different fit but can be converted for the price of a 13amp plug to take standard uk bulbs...the auto box cooler is smaller and worth changing if your gonna do high speed m-way driving on a regular basis...different spec ava import in swb/slick top/tweed...most been covered above..read the buyers guide there are links to the differences....but in the main the jap ones have bloody difficult service record to read...:D

.......

Sayin that ....Bulbs are a right Fooker to get hold of..

U have to convert the bulbs u buy or do a headlight conversion...

Moding the bulbs is much cheaper...matter of pennys.

Adding the earth wire to the headlamp is dirt cheap, in fact now I'm on HID I have my heat resisstant wires off the car, if you haven't already done it, PM me your address and I'll let you have both wires already crimpped up ready to go on.

 

 

The issues with the auto gearbox overheating I heard was due to the jap ones coming with an in line oilcooler as std and the uk ones not..I know when my box disappeared into a mass of non activity and needed to be replaced they had to fit the coolers to validate the warranty on it.

I was also told that the jap spec have slightly more room to play around with in the engine bay? Why that might be I dont know, surely the engine is the same?

As for the oil coolers, I beleive that this problem only affected the earlier JDM cars.

As for the engine bay room..... Crock-Of-Shite :D

 

 

I heard all ZXs have the same underseal - UK, Jap, all of them. Could be wrong though.

Again, same as the oil coolers earlier JDM cars were not undersealed, I beleive the later ones were.

Guys, Can anyone advise why one should or should not go for an import 300zx tt over a UK spec. What are the main differences? Also have read that on certain yrs, imports, the auto box is prone to over heating due to a sub std part, is this a common accurance. What else should one look for ??

i have been told that the jap ones are higher standard hp than uk and from having both i have foun that to be true about 20hp higher..i now have jap spec auto with full leather,, as for radio not working it just needs a lead to expand the signal which you can get on ebay for about 8 quid, dont now which oil cooler mine has but do a lot of moterway and have had no probs as yet...."touch wood"

the main reason for not buying an import was always insurance, many insurance companies charge a hefty premium & lots more simply refuse to insure one. there are some specialist companies that are import friendly however & would recommend you phone around first.

 

i think the 280 v 300 bhp figures is total BS tbh, i havnt seen any evidence to support this or any documentation on what is different between the 2(they have the same tubs, boost levels etc). AFAIK its just the way different countries measure BHP.

Bottom line is this....which ever one you buy those of us who have different specs are gonna take the mick out of you (especially if you buy a RED one cos we ALL know black is best) but whatever happens when you start driving it you wont stop grinning (until you pull up at your 5th petrol station for the day!!) :tongue:

the 280 bhp relates to the models 1996 onwards when emission regs forced changes to the output to be compliant but speculation is that is was on paper only to please the Jap/US/Euro pen pushers and performance wouldnt be noticably different

With regard to the auto cooler question, its not just motorway use that you have to watch for, its any time you make the box work hard. A steady 70mph on a motorway is not going to work the box at all, hard acceleration/speed etc will. Mine is a 94 spec series 2, and it had a small cooler.