I just got my silver performance model last Thursday. Reading the owners manual, I was suprised to find that Nissan only recommends mineral based oil for the engine (5W-30 for most situations). I have been using Castrol Syntech in my Talon TSI AWD and don't really want to keep 2 types of oil on hand. Plus I thought that all modern engines would be compatible with synthetics. I was going to check on the www.Nissan-tech.com web site but it was hacked the last time I looked. I don't trust the dealer for a straight answer, they told me there was no break-in procedure! However, the manual says stay under 4000 RPM for the first 1200 miles and avoid full throttle.

Does Nissan recommend only mineral oils for all it's engines?

I just got this reply from Nissan NA. Not much of an explanation. Looks like they didn't bother to test synthetic oils. I'm suprised that all you turbo fans out there didn't jump in with your opinions about oil. Or do you all just bench race and don't actually own Z's?

"Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the
opportunity to be of assistance.

I apologize for the delay in my response as we have been experiencing
technical difficulties.

Our 2003 Nissan 350Z was built and tested with mineral based oil. And
please remember that this is only a recommendation; you are more than
welcome to use your preferred motor oil.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail
us.

Sincerely,

Trinh Nguyen
National Consumer Affairs"

Congrats on your new Z!!! I also in the market for the Performance model. I sat in a Performance model yesterday at the dealer, only this one had every, I mean every option available on it, with the exception of the aerodynamic package. The DVD driven nav system was slick, but the pull down cover for it is as cheesy as it comes! I felt like I was going to pull the thing right off.

Anyway, did you order yours? Where do you live...If its cheaper in another state I will consider buying out of state...

Hate to keep peppering you with questions but..

- what is the recommended oil change interval? My Audi lets me go 5000 to 7000 miles between changes. I'm not feeling that 3000 mile thing if thats what nissan suggests.

which sound system did you get?

Originally posted by the_saint
Hate to keep peppering you with questions but..

- what is the recommended oil change interval? My Audi lets me go 5000 to 7000 miles between changes. I'm not feeling that 3000 mile thing if thats what nissan suggests.

which sound system did you get?

Nissan suggests two oil change intervals: 7500 miles standard and 3750 if you drive in hot, cold, fast, slow, dusty conditions. In other words normal use. Every manufacture cops out like this. They recommend extended drain intervals unless you actually drive the car. I am thinking about using synthetic and the extended 7500 mile interval.

I got the base (single CD) system. You had to get the touring model to get the Bose system with CD changer when I pre-ordered mine in Feb. I don't knoe if that has changed. I despise leather seats so there was no way I was going to get touring model. I think the system sounds pretty good but will probably add a CD changer. I spend a lot of time with the stereo off and the windows down listening to the engine. I think it sounds pretty good for a V6, not as sweet as a straight 6 though.

I blew off a BMW Z4 on the way in to work today! I work 1 exit south of the BMW factory on I85 in SC so we see a lot of the new BMWs before they are released. It was a little wet so I an looking forward to another run in the dry.

Excellent! Yeah I was also impressed with the exhaust tunes pumping out of the Performance model I checked out on the lot. Very exotic sounding. Doesn't have that German roar or that Honda rice pitch...Couldn't drive it though..

The only thing I saw that I didnt care for so far is the small space for the dead pedal. I wear a size 12 shoe....this pedal is built for a size 9 shoe.

Didn't get to open the hatch, but it from the driver's seat there doesn't seem to be enough room for a carry-on bag to fit. Just looks big enough for flat garment bag. What's your take on that ?

My gut feeling is Nissan will come out with a moon roof the day after I get one..

I wear a size 10 & 1/2 and have no problem, lots of room but then it's not a 12!. I have not put much in back yet, just some soft luggage for labor day weekend. There is actually a good bit of room but access to it is definately limited but the suspension brace. I don't know why they had to make it so big since the bar inside is probably not more than 1" in diameter. Any large inflexible objects are going to be hard (impossible) to get in through the back. I think there is better access through the passenger side door with the seatback folded and slid forward. It's not a cargo hauler!

I expect that they will come out with a sunroof sometime as there is plenty of headroom. Sunroofs usually reduce headroom an inch or so but they could do that and still not piss off 6 footers. The only difficulty will be the radius of curvature of the roof line. It will make sealing more difficult and the track mechanism more complicated. My last 3 cars have had sunroofs and I decided that it is something I can easily do without. The fewer holes in the car's structure the stiffer it is and there is less chance for squeeks & leaks.