Nissan GT-R.. 500kms and initial thoughts

[errant]

hey all, some background first- i had been on the waiting list for an E90 M3 for more than half a year, but switched my deposit for an E93 335i and decided to get a GT-R as my "hardcore" car instead. Part of it has to do with the fact that the GT-R is actually cheaper here in Singapore than an M3

So, after driving the GT-R for 500+ km during the run in phase, what I can say is that for those sitting on the fence, you can't go wrong either way. The GT-R is one huge machine, and at low speeds, heavy traffic and carpark maneuvering, you do feel it's girth and weight. From that perspective, it definitely won't be as good a daily driver as the M3, and if you intend to use either as your only car, the M may be the safer bet.

The GT-R also has one of the stiffest suspensions of any stock car i've driven/owned, and even without R mode suspension setting, it relays every single imperfection of the road to you. Tramlining is also an issue with those 20's.

Performance-wise, while I haven't redlined or even gone WOT yet, whenever I drive it a little more aggressively the entire package starts to make sense. It gathers speed like a plane, shrink-wraps itself around you through corners, plays to your F1/WRC fantasies as you flick those paddles and hear the engine blip, edges you on as you build boost.. until on hindsight you think about it and go- what M3?

plenty of photos and more comments here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=145473&page=3

[M2381]

Nice cars! Prob one of the first pics of GT-R from an actual owner i have seen

[luckistryke]

NICE....i like your style. the best of all 3 worlds

[rai]

thanks for the info and good luck. I was 'on the fence' but here in the US at least the nissan dealersips were being very greedy (IOM) to want +$20K for the GTR.

I went with the M3 partly since it was cheaper for me by about $20K and much easier to obtain one since BMW seems to be flooding the market or the market is soft whichever. But also I like the larger rear seats in the M3 coupe as I do have wife and 2 kids.

Could you say if the GTR rear seats are any good for real people?

[Hans Delbruck]

WOW! Congrats.

I just checked out a GT-R in person today.

You made the right choice. What an incredible presence the car has. Pictures don't do it justice.

Compared to the M3, C63, RS-4, IS-F.... The GT-R is in a different league. To a true enthusiast... the GT-R is just.. special. I can really appreciate that car... very nice!!

I heard the same from the driver. Not an easy car to deal with at low speeds, the dual-clutch is not so smooth at takeoff (like the M3?) but the car is very fast, and the shifts lightning quick.


Awesome

[spearfisher]

I think you made th right choice, it's the best performance car out there today, nice ride

[Keto]

Sounds like you need that 2nd car for daily driving. The car sounds like a blast at speed, however.

[MTrizzy]

your one lucky man. thanks for the impressions

[errant]

Originally Posted by rai

I went with the M3 partly since it was cheaper for me by about $20K and much easier to obtain one since BMW seems to be flooding the market or the market is soft whichever. But also I like the larger rear seats in the M3 coupe as I do have wife and 2 kids.

Could you say if the GTR rear seats are any good for real people?

if rear seat space is a consideration, you can pretty much forget the GT-R.. i tried to squeeze myself behind yesterday to see what it's like, and it's not a very pleasant place to be. If the person in front is of any decent height, you will have zero legroom. Also, I'm 6'1 and my head is literally pressed against the sharply angled sloping rear windscreen.. can't imagine sitting behind there when going over bumps. It's also pretty claustro.. and without the amenities of the M3 (eg. rear aircon vents)

[errant]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

WOW! Congrats.

I just checked out a GT-R in person today.

You made the right choice. What an incredible presence the car has. Pictures don't do it justice.

Compared to the M3, C63, RS-4, IS-F.... The GT-R is in a different league. To a true enthusiast... the GT-R is just.. special. I can really appreciate that car... very nice!!

I heard the same from the driver. Not an easy car to deal with at low speeds, the dual-clutch is not so smooth at takeoff (like the M3?) but the car is very fast, and the shifts lightning quick.


Awesome

yep, you are right.. at low speeds, the transmission noises and jerkiness makes it feel pretty uncivilised. then again, it's raw like a racecar, but with comfy seats!

[rai]

Originally Posted by errant

if rear seat space is a consideration, you can pretty much forget the GT-R.. i tried to squeeze myself behind yesterday to see what it's like, and it's not a very pleasant place to be. If the person in front is of any decent height, you will have zero legroom. Also, I'm 6'1 and my head is literally pressed against the sharply angled sloping rear windscreen.. can't imagine sitting behind there when going over bumps. It's also pretty claustro.. and without the amenities of the M3 (eg. rear aircon vents)

that's interesting. At first when I saw the GTR, I guessed it would be a 2-seat car since the sloping roof. I think the M3 has 5 or 6 inches more headroom in the rear seat. I don't say I need a limo with tons of room, but I have 2 middle size kids. I have a friend with a 911 and he says he can't use his car as much as he'd like b/c the rear seat and his growing kids.

I am sure the GTR is a monster performance car. I am glad to hear like you said it's not the best all around car in the world. I don't care as much about the power as I do about the comfort and room so likely the M3 would be better for me.

[stevehifi]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

WOW! Congrats.

I just checked out a GT-R in person today.

Where did you check out the GTR? Are they in dealer show rooms now?

I'm in socal too.

Thanks,

Steve

[JEllis]

Nice good choice especially if the Bimmer was more!

Jason

[BMW335icDDS]

Congrats man! My GT-R is coming in January since I never pay over MSRP for any car, including my future Ferrari. I can't wait for the GT-R, and know it smashes the M3 anywhere, by anyone, anytime.

[RealSanaii]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

Congrats man! My GT-R is coming in January since I never pay over MSRP for any car, including my future Ferrari. I can't wait for the GT-R, and know it smashes the M3 anywhere, by anyone, anytime.

I respect the GT-R but they appeal to different group of ppl. And GT-R is a limited car so it will be more special and less of a DD.

[jaiman]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

Congrats man! My GT-R is coming in January since my dad never pays over MSRP for any car, including my future Ferrari. I can't wait for the GT-R, and know it smashes the M3 anywhere, by anyone, anytime.

Fixed that for you. Though I doubt anyone here believes a dental student is paying for his own cars.

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Where did you check out the GTR? Are they in dealer show rooms now?

I'm in socal too.

Thanks,

Steve

I saw it at the Huntington Beach concours. It was a press car.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

Not an easy car to deal with at low speeds, the dual-clutch is not so smooth at takeoff (like the M3?) but the car is very fast, and the shifts lightning quick.

Sorry, not to get too OT but it is categorically false that the M3 with M-DCT is either difficult nor not smooth at takeoff. You did use the "?" so I am answering. It is not 100% perfect in the smooth category and sometimes make a bit of noise when stopping but other than that it is darn smooth, unreal fast and just as good at 2/10th or 10/10th. Well OK it is actually waaaay better at 10/10th but you will get my point.

[footie]

Hans comment of DCT not been ultra smooth on take-off is correct swamp, it's to reason why I can't 100% say a comment like 'in auto mode they are as good as an automatic'. For what they do they are brilliant and BMW's M-DCT is possibly the best so far but they ain't no automatic, not yet anyway.

[Mickb]

Originally Posted by footie

Hans comment of DCT not been ultra smooth on take-off is correct swamp, it's to reason why I can't 100% say a comment like 'in auto mode they are as good as an automatic'. For what they do they are brilliant and BMW's M-DCT is possibly the best so far but they ain't no automatic, not yet anyway.

Footie

I know you and Swamp have history and I don't typically like to get involved in such things, but that statement is plain downright incorrect and shows you have probably never driven a DCT car. Although possibly you are correct in that in auto mode, they are even better than an automatic. Firstly, the takeoff issue has been way overblown and I suspect most people would not even notice it. Can be resolved by having your key set to start with Sport power on. Secondly, when shifting it is even smoother than an auto transmission. Everyone who has been in my car has been amazed......its like a CVT.......you cant feel the gearchanges.......it truly is as smooth as a Jaguar XJ6 box. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Mick

[footie]

Originally Posted by Mickb

Footie

I know you and Swamp have history and I don't typically like to get involved in such things, but that statement is plain downright incorrect and shows you have probably never driven a DCT car. Although possibly you are correct in that in auto mode, they are even better than an automatic. Firstly, the takeoff issue has been way overblown and I suspect most people would not even notice it. Can be resolved by having your key set to start with Sport power on. Secondly, when shifting it is even smoother than an auto transmission. Everyone who has been in my car has been amazed......its like a CVT.......you cant feel the gearchanges.......it truly is as smooth as a Jaguar XJ6 box. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Mick

Mick,

Honestly to say that I have never driven a DCT car after owning one for 13months it's insulting but I was let that comment ride over me.

You have to remember that this comment of mine was prior to driving the new M-DCT in the M3 and it was a comment based on what swamp had said, slight transmission shunt and my own experience with DSG which didn't have creep mode.

After sampling the M3 with DCT I have to say that I found is behaviour equal to a very good automatic gearbox in the area where an automatic rules which is creeping along in traffic and in stop/start traffic jams.

If possible I would like to readdress that earlier comment and say that M-DCT is very good as an automatic but with none of it's short-comings.

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by swamp2

I am answering. It is not 100% perfect in the smooth category and sometimes make a bit of noise when stopping but other than that it is darn smooth, unreal fast and just as good at 2/10th or 10/10th. Well OK it is actually waaaay better at 10/10th but you will get my point.

Yeah, I was just posing a question since this is the M3 forum... and relaying the comment about the GT-R's dual clutch.

gawd knows I am not going to smack talk the M's DCT now! I want to have at least one friend left on this board.....