Back to catalog
Top issues
12 known problems · 2 high
high
Excessive oil consumption (Rev-up)
3.5L VQ35DE V6 'Rev-up'
high
Pre-cat / catalytic converter breakdown
3.5L VQ35DE V6 'Rev-up'
medium
Rear (and front) tyre feathering / inner-edge wear
All engines
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Before and after
Before: Nissan 300ZX (Z32, 1989-2000)
After: Nissan 370Z (Z34, 2009-2021)
Price (AUD)
$18k-$45k
Body styles
2-door coupe, 2-door roadster (convertible)
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
Launched in Australia in February 2003 as a coupe, with the Roadster (convertible) following in 2004. Sold here in two core grades - the manual-only Track and the manual/auto Touring - powered throughout by Nissan's 3.5L VQ35 V6 driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual or 5-speed auto. The engine evolved in three distinct steps that matter enormously to a buyer: the original VQ35DE (2003-2005, ~206kW), the higher-output 'Rev-up' VQ35DE (mid-2005-2006, ~221kW) which is the one most associated with the notorious oil-consumption complaints, and the much-improved VQ35HR (2007-2009, ~230kW, 7500rpm redline). A honest, well-sorted Z is a brilliantly cheap entry into a real RWD sports car with a fantastic chassis and huge aftermarket - but they are now old, often modified or thrashed, and the early/Rev-up oil burning, worn clutch slave cylinders and feathering rear tyres make service history and a compression/leak-down check non-negotiable. Buy the car, not the bargain.
Engines & variants
3.5L VQ35DE V6 (early)
Engine
3.5L DOHC 24v naturally-aspirated V6 (early non rev-up)
Engine code
VQ35DE
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3498cc
Power
206kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
363Nm @ 4800rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Economy
11-13 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (twin chains, no service interval)
Pros
- Strong, characterful 3.5 V6 with a great noise
- Generally the least oil-hungry of the VQ35DE versions
- Cheapest way into a genuine RWD sports coupe
- Massive aftermarket and parts availability
- Excellent 6-speed manual and balanced chassis
Cons
- Heavy on fuel and tyres for the power
- External clutch slave cylinder is a known weak point on manuals
- Now old - many have been modified, tracked or neglected
- Cabin plastics and trim feel cheap and rattle with age
Known problems
medium
Engine oil consumption
The VQ35DE family can consume oil through crankcase blow-by and the PCV system, with worn piston rings/oil control rings causing it at higher km. The early engines are generally less affected than the Rev-up, but any Z should be checked - running low destroys the engine.
Fix: Confirm oil level on test drive, watch for blue smoke; catch-can and clean PCV help. Severe cases need a ring/engine rebuild. Always check service records for top-up frequency.
medium
Clutch slave cylinder (CSC) failure - manual
The external concentric slave/clutch master seals fail with age, the pedal goes soft or sinks to the floor and gear selection becomes difficult or impossible.
Fix: Replace the slave (and often master) cylinder; the DE's external slave is relatively easy and cheap versus the later in-bellhousing units. Many fit a heavy-duty aftermarket CSC.
low
Worn front end / steering clunks
Multilink suspension bushes, sway-bar links and tie-rod/ball joints wear, giving clunks and vague steering common to aging, hard-driven Zs.
Fix: Refresh bushes, links and joints; wheel alignment afterwards.
3.5L VQ35DE V6 'Rev-up'
Engine
3.5L DOHC 24v NA V6, revised cams/intake, higher redline ('Rev-up')
Engine code
VQ35DE
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3498cc
Power
221kW @ 6400rpm
Torque
353Nm @ 4800rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Economy
11-13 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (twin chains, no service interval)
Pros
- More power and a higher, more eager redline than the early DE
- Sharper response and the most exciting of the DE engines
- Manual-only - the enthusiast's pick (Track / 35th Anniversary)
- Same huge aftermarket and chassis goodness
Cons
- This is THE engine notorious for excessive oil consumption
- Higher-revving use means harder life and pre-cat wear risk
- Manual only - no auto option in the Rev-up
- Many examples thrashed; history is everything
Known problems
high
Excessive oil consumption (Rev-up)
The 2005-2006 'Rev-up' VQ35DE is the version most associated with heavy oil consumption - owners (including in Australia) have reported litres consumed within a few thousand km. The cause is crankcase pressure/PCV behaviour and oil-control ring design; if ignored it leads to oil starvation and engine failure.
Fix: Check oil level obsessively, fit a catch-can and clean the PCV, use the correct oil. Persistent heavy use needs a ring/engine rebuild. Treat any low-oil-warning history as a red flag.
high
Pre-cat / catalytic converter breakdown
The factory catalysts can break down and, combined with oil consumption, ceramic dust can be drawn back into the cylinders causing bore/ring damage - a known VQ failure path.
Fix: Inspect cats and listen for rattle; high-flow cats or headers are a common fix. Address oil consumption to protect the bores.
medium
Clutch slave cylinder failure
As per the early DE, the hydraulic slave/master seals fail with age and the clutch loses engagement.
Fix: Replace slave (and master) cylinder; heavy-duty aftermarket units are popular.
3.5L VQ35HR V6
Engine
3.5L DOHC 24v NA V6, 'High Revolution/High Response', 7500rpm redline
Engine code
VQ35HR
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3498cc
Power
230kW @ 6800rpm
Torque
358Nm @ 4800rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Economy
11-13 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (twin chains, no service interval)
Pros
- The engine to have - largely fixes the DE oil-consumption reputation
- More power, higher 7500rpm redline, smoother and stronger top end
- Taller bonnet/revised cooling and a generally more refined car
- Best blend of reliability and performance in the Z33 range
Cons
- Uses the in-bellhousing concentric slave cylinder (CSC) - harder/dearer to replace
- Still thirsty on fuel and tyres
- Most desirable so commands the highest prices
- Later cars still old enough for age-related wear
Known problems
medium
Concentric clutch slave cylinder (CSC) failure - manual
The HR moved to an internal concentric slave cylinder inside the bellhousing; when its seals fail the clutch loses pressure and the gearbox must come out to replace it - far more labour than the DE's external slave.
Fix: Replace the CSC (gearbox-out job); many owners fit an upgraded heavy-duty CSC while in there, ideally with the clutch.
low
Residual oil consumption / PCV
Much improved over the DE but the VQ can still use some oil via crankcase blow-by at higher km.
Fix: Monitor oil, fit a catch-can, keep the PCV clean.
low
Suspension bush / front-end wear
Multilink bushes, links and joints wear with age and spirited driving.
Fix: Refresh worn bushes and links; align afterwards.