Which M35?

[raheen]

Hi All,

I have imported two cars (personally) from Japan in the last year, my new baby a series 3 2006 coupe V35 with 24,000K and a 2014 Cube Cubic.

I absolutely love the cubic but got the 1.4 and it needs more power, its pretty hilly where I am so the 4wd and turbo power of the VQ25DET of the 2001-2004 Stagea is pretty appealing.

My question is what are the pro/cons of the M35 with the VQ25DET vs the later ones with the VQ35DE? power wise, reliability, fuel consumption, availability of parts etc.

As far as I can see the VQ25DET wasnt used on any locally delivered nissan where as the VQ35DE was used in a few AU spec nissans.

Having done no research but loving turbos I'm going for the turbo unless everyone on here says "NOOOOOooo your crazy you will regret it".

The only thing that shits me about the turbos is they stopped making them in 2004 hence they have the older plastic interior, same as the series 1 V35 which is why I got the series 3 with all the upgrades.

Pretty cheap for a good example in Japan, 2001/2002 with 40,000-50,000 km can be had for 2.5 - 3.5 K AUD plus shipping and tax will be a smidge over 2K.

Anyone know who is good for compliance and whats the typical rate these days, the guy who has done my previous cars cant do stagea's unfortunately.

Thanks,

Raheen

[tomo123]

I personally went the series 2 PM35 for a few reasons.

1. Parts are alot easier to find for the vq35, there's alot of aftermarket parts and tuning available for the vq35 compared to the vq25. It's very quite simply to turbo the vq35 if you really want a turbo.

2. The PM35 looks better, nicer front end and interior.

3. The vq35 models are not as common where I'm living, I have the only PM35 in town so I like the uniqueness.

[Brick]

Pretty simple, if you want to mod it buy the series 1 with the vq25det in it. It is a much stronger motor and much easier to get power from it.

If you want the ultimate family car that is sexy and a great drive left stock get the series 2 with the vq35de in it.

Or if you are really rich get the series 2 and spend 20 grand on the motor then it would be the best option there is

[raheen]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice, What year did the series 2 begin? was there a series 3?

What's the fuel economy like for the VQ25DET and VQ35DE?

Is the 4WD with the VQ35DE worth chasing, they don't see too common

[PN-Mad]

2004.5

No such thing as a series 3

About the same, realistically. Turbo is a bit better in the freeway, longer ratios

Up to you. You like rwd or awd?

[Hertz Donut]

The VQ25DET was officially listed as being about 1.7km/l better than the equivalent AWD VQ35 models, but let's face it, boost is compulsory outside of factory statistical drives, so the overall consumption would be lineball.

I went PNM35 (AWD) because I needed a wagon asap and it was available on a mate's yard. I actually thought I was getting a PM35 (RWD) until I saw the chassis code (I hadn't seen the car itself) but I haven't regretted it one bit. My wife took our kids up to the snow a couple of days ago and she said it was brilliant having AWD with a snow mode, didn't feel sketchy at any point.

Which reminds me, the AWD system in the series 2 models is electronic, while the series 1 is viscous. No idea how the series 1s handle but the series 2 handle stupidly well for a near-2-ton land barge, I've hustled a nearby gorge many a time with a full load on board at a rate higher than I'd ever expect a car on 215/55s and stock 80,000km-old suspension to attain. And I discovered a couple of weeks ago I'd been driving with a leaking shock.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Hertz Donut

[iamhe77]

Series 2 all the way.

Looks better inside and out and is more comfortable (seats are quite an improvement).

I owned the first Series 1 NM35 (AWD) and put over 160,000kms on it. Turbo failed and a wheel bearing, but that was pretty much all I can remember going wrong with it.

Very good car and is still doing the rounds. I managed around 9.1km/L on average once I changed the dump & exhaust (although this did increase to 9.6km/L once I had the Fcon in). This was a lot of highway of course, but also daily hills & fun, so not too bad really.

I have ownned a Series 2 PNM35 (AWD) for the past three years and have put around 80,000kms on it. I am currently averaging 8.9km/L (intake, plenum, HFC, V36 exhaust) with the majority being highway travel. The plus side is that the 3.5L Series 2 can be remapped relatively easily and you can always put a series 1 rear diff in if you want slightly better economy on highways.

If you are not going to modify it at all, go with the Series 2. If you want the best performance return under $10k, Series 1 is your car.

I can't help but think that the RWD PM35 would get quite snappy in the wet though (for better or worse).

[madbrick]

we're quite happy with the M35 series 1, but thats got a few mods, and it moves along pretty quickly.

i think the vq35 would be an easier car to drive, as ours has a little bit of lag, but when boost hits, it hits.

wife doesnt mind the seats in ours, but i think there's room for improvement.

i'd agree with ppl that say if you're modding, go the s1, otherwise the s2 is a more balanced car.