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yeah i hope i never find out where you mate lives, he will be left with no exhaust and no suspension :)

has an FMIC from memory too?? bastard!!!! haha

He has been warned.

Yep, ARC replacement :P

You may be able to make it out in the pic....

hmmm, starting to think that I should claim a commission for that negotiation!

Edited by iamhe77

My S2 just had the 100k service, runs beautifully, probably better then when i bought it at 80k. After service, i'm getting 12.5L/100km city driving with air con most of the time. Mods are hi-flow panel, 3" turbo back exhaust running @ 9psi.

the M35 doesnt require much on 100,000km as there is no timing belt. its a chain. if its anything like an SR20, it will probably never need replacing in the life of the engine......

i wouldn't use SR's as an example, its not like they last that long, crappy head design :) they shoulda just stroked the CA18

Thanks heaps for those links.

How do the Stagea's handle the mileage? I've read about the 100k service but what else goes wrong when they get in the high numbers (and which high numbers)

Since I have the oldest M35 here with the most "experience" on its ODO I will tell you what has gone wrong.

Bought 80,000km April '07.

Currently over 145,000km's

In chronological order;

Issue #1

Left wheel bearing assembly.

Replaced in 10 days & installed for $211 (as quoted by Ferntree Gully Nissan)

Issue #2

Turbo. I was unaware that the compliance exhaust was left on which was very restrictive (5 Cats + dump pre-cat), caused excess back pressure which, over the course of the first 14mths, wore down and eventually destroyed the ceramic wheel of the turbo. It is a unique turbo (of course), but there are alot of places that can HiFlow it. No need to buy another turbo.

Issue #3

Radiator.

Dropped coolant like I sliced a major artery. Wouldn't put that down to age as Jetwreck's had a similar moment with his radiator.

Bring on the Mishimoto!

These are all the problems I have had thus far, not bad I think for a car that gets boosted quite a bit and is the family's daily (I always chauffeur).

Edited by iamhe77
Issue #2

Turbo. I was unaware that the compliance exhaust was left on which was very restrictive (5 Cats + dump pre-cat), caused excess back pressure which, over the course of the first 14mths, wore down and eventually destroyed the ceramic wheel of the turbo. It is a unique turbo (of course), but there are alot of places that can HiFlow it. No need to buy another turbo.

Hmmm... so you've had your factory fitted turbo HiFlowed? Sounds interesting.

If this is the case, how much extra boost was obtained and how brutal was the fuel consumption increase?

I'm looking for things to put down on the project list, this sounds like it has some potential.

i wouldn't use SR's as an example, its not like they last that long, crappy head design :P they shoulda just stroked the CA18

oh no you didnt!

im not going into an SR vs CA argument.

PS, there was a CA20, which was a stroked CA18 lol

anyway, back on topic, id like to know how the fuel economy went after turbo/exhaust etc as well..........

your turbo was rebuilt with steel wheels??

Yep. Turbo now has steel wheels.

STILL don't know what was used for the internals... Nor do the boys at RE!

Looks like it is to stay a mystery. :P

Fuel economy? Not much change.

Cruising is much improved ~12km/L @ 110kph

Accelerating would be worse of course.

My average fuel consumption over the last 20,000km's has been 9.2km/L (just came down last night, not cruising at all, just little run-arounds through hills & estates :P ).

Makes power much more easily as the car can breathe (was like breathing through a straw before) so I can be more gentle on the accelerator.

Boost is unchanged @ 3200 (0.8bar), but I also now get up to 1bar @ ~3600 (maybe more, my gauge maxes at 1bar).

Dyno? Dunno yet. Haven't really had the time to get it done.

Special mention goes to the Kakimoto front pipe. This is what made the most difference from my stocker.

I also have a direct comparison with my mates M35 as he also has a Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust but with a different (stock maybe) front pipe.

His is a little quieter than mine, but mine has a much deeper growl and sounds much better throughout the range (and I HATE excessively loud exhausts).

Edited by iamhe77
Special mention goes to the Kakimoto front pipe. This is what made the most difference from my stocker.

I also have a direct comparison with my mates M35 as he also has a Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust but with a different (stock maybe) front pipe.

His is a little quieter than mine, but mine has a much deeper growl and sounds much better throughout the range (and I HATE excessively loud exhausts).

I agree this car does sound the biz.... :P

oh no you didnt!

im not going into an SR vs CA argument.

PS, there was a CA20, which was a stroked CA18 lol

anyway, back on topic, id like to know how the fuel economy went after turbo/exhaust etc as well..........

your turbo was rebuilt with steel wheels??

the CA20e is a very different POS

So I like the WC34 and I like the m35 with aero front.

How much better on fuel is the m35 compared with the WC34?

If anyone can answer if the Stagea goes well on gas I'd appreciate that info as well.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

I've owned a s2 previously and now own a M35 so I can give you some idea. My S2 started out stock and averaged around 13-14L/100km daily to work / back (semi-heavy traffic - about 30 min each way). After an exhaust, piggyback ecu and tuning, it managed around 12-13L/100km. Best I got on the highway was 10.5L/100km and that was pretty consistent.

The M35 is much improved in most areas over the C34 (but the looks are very subjective - its grown on me quite a bit and now i quite like it - but you really need to see one in the flesh to appreciate it).

Now I still get anywhere between 11.5L/100km to 12.5L/100km but I'm now in brisbane (was in adelaide before) so these figures would be lower if I were still in adelaide. Also note the M35 is completely stock and pulling slightly better economy than the S2 with exhaust and more efficient tuning.

A better comparison is the highway fuel economy which is about 9.8L/100km in the M35.

However, the S1/S2 stageas and the M35 are very different cars - so a decision between them would require you to drive both - and then I guarantee your end decision will be motivated by other factors, not just fuel economy.

The M35 is more powerful, rides smoother, has 5sp auto rather than 4sp (not necessarily a plus since the auto is a bit sluggish changing gears but still ok), BUT even with all these benefits it may not suit your taste. Some days I love my M35, but occasionally I want my s2 back. On paper the M35 is a better car in almost every way, but that doesn't mean you'll prefer to drive it. :) The s1 & s2 have more of a raw feel to them, whereas the M35 is more refined.

Hope that helps.

Thanks heaps. Invaluable information. The more I research the more the Stagea appeals to me. Yesterday I was leaning towards the m35, today I'm leaning towards the c34! (in between I briefly thought about getting a commodore equipe wagon).

Some more questions.

Will it fit 3 baby seats? Not essential, but kinda nice as I have 3 kids.

Where is the best place to source stagea's online? I am in Melbourne, and so would naturally prefer to try/buy in Melbourne or at least country vic but is there an online car site you guys swear by to find them?

today I'm leaning towards the c34! (in between I briefly thought about getting a commodore equipe wagon).

Some more questions.

Will it fit 3 baby seats? Not essential, but kinda nice as I have 3 kids.

Where is the best place to source stagea's online? I am in Melbourne, and so would naturally prefer to try/buy in Melbourne or at least country vic but is there an online car site you guys swear by to find them?

I was originally looking at Commodore Wagon's and drove quiet a few of different kinds, Lumina, Equipe, Executive. They drive like crap compared to a M35 Stagea, you just can't start a comparison between the two. I would say don't rush into buying a commonwhore wagon until you have had a taste of a Stagea!

As for babyseat's, there are 3 secure points at the rear of the M35 on the roof :D Lucky you don't have 4 kids or one would have to roll around in the back area of the wagon... but there are cargo hooks so you could strap 'em down so they don't roll around and do too much damage :P

I posted a few links for you the other night, some nice one's in country vic :)

Series 2 has 3 points on the ceiling too. I have 2 baby seats (well, 1 capsule and 1 seat) at the back of mine and can still fit an adult as well at the back when needed. Then ofcourse theres the boot... :D

Thanks heaps. Invaluable information. The more I research the more the Stagea appeals to me. Yesterday I was leaning towards the m35, today I'm leaning towards the c34! (in between I briefly thought about getting a commodore equipe wagon).

Some more questions.

Will it fit 3 baby seats? Not essential, but kinda nice as I have 3 kids.

Where is the best place to source stagea's online? I am in Melbourne, and so would naturally prefer to try/buy in Melbourne or at least country vic but is there an online car site you guys swear by to find them?

Edited by webng
Where is the best place to source stagea's online? I am in Melbourne, and so would naturally prefer to try/buy in Melbourne or at least country vic but is there an online car site you guys swear by to find them?

You can try Southern Special Vehicles (SSV).

They have an Blue M35 there. It is a VERY basic RS, with a Gialla Body kit.... or should I say Gheyala body kit.

We were out there on Saturday and they also have a black S2... which definitely IS NOT stock.

So I guess if you want to test drive a stock M35 and a modded C34, SSV can be found at the Corner of Princes Highway and Huntingdale Road Oakleigh (03) 9543 3722

http://www.southernspecialvehicles.com.au/...cle-search.html

I have had nothing but a positive experience dealing with Northshore Prestige... Have bought 2 cars through them now (both M35's). Ben and Tony especially go the "extra mile".

They STILL answer any questions I might have, even to the point of mailing down a G35 workshop manual on 2 CD's or sending down some D2R Xenon bulbs. No hassle at all :D

Their stock, from what I have seen/experienced is of high quality and sending the cars (or goods) down to Melbourne is no prob at all.

But if you don't need the car immediately, maybe try one of the importers on this forum, or Prestige Motorsport or, again, Northshore.

You can specify exactly what you want and they will do what they can to find it & bring it in.

Just be prepared for a wait!

Edited by iamhe77

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