JDM disadvangates

[Ozz]

I've read through the threads on the differences but from the people who actually own them what would you consider are the negatives from owning a JDM?

 

I've done a search for servicing but nothing really answering my query - what do the JDM guys do for servicing?

 

I've been leaning towards UK model, but I'm looking at JDMs this weekend so wondering what problems JDM ownership could bring. My supra was imported, as were a few preludes I've owned and never had a problem but the Nissan is a lot newer and servicing is key I think.

 

My search skills may be weak so if someone knows a thread where this has been covered then feel free to point me at it!

[lomoto]

I have had my JDM for just 2 years now , as regards servicing I have done it all myself, (That is change the oil / filter regularly, only other necessary servicing work was to swop brake discs and pads )

 

Never failed to start , no problems whatsoever, I would never entrust my car to a Nissan dealer...

[martinmac]

IMO its a matter of personal choice. You will see more discussions over the roadster/coupe/GT choices I think.

The JDM route may give you more styling options. You may have to wait three months to get it

Cant recall anyone regretting getting an import so it price, wait and personal choice over the small difference in spec. The cheaper purchase price should cover the possible lower resale value.

[AndySpak]

When I was looking, all I could find were, dodgy rear fog lights (if they haven't been converted with one in the existing light cluster). These don't look as good as the UK fog lights but its purely an aesthetic issue.

 

Also, some of the JDMs still had 17" wheels which again don't look as good but I can't comment about how they affect the drive.

 

There are other differences (e.g. no headlamp washers, VDC instead of ESP, etc but none of them are issues IMO)

 

I've only had one jap imported car in the past (a Version IV Scooby WRX STi Type-R Coupe) and I imported it new so when I converted it to mph from kmph the speedo started from zero. If you've got one thats still in km it might be worth keeping it that way so that when you sell it you can legitimately tell me how much its got on the clock without having to explain that its got X number of Km followed by Y number of miles.

 

As long as you know you are going to get less when you sell it than a UK car and you pay less when you buy it you shouldn't have too much trouble from what I can tell.

[Sarnie]

I thought JDM's had a smaller radiator and petrol tank?

 

Also, JDM's don't get undersealed do they? Or is that part of the SVA or is it optional?

 

I also don't like the square front and rear number plates and rear bumper recess.

 

Have to be careful with the spec. Has it been thrashed in Japan? How accurate and genuine can a JDM's mileage be?

 

I'd buy a JDM but it would have to be cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap. *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Goes away to put flame proof suit on

[steve_b]

I had a uk model for 3 years so not biased.

 

JDM when tested on a dyno run with about 20 UK cars had the highest output and was 10-12 bhp more. He was even running 95 fuel IIRC whilst other had 98 or 95. (was talk that since it is mapped for 100 RON that might have been why)old

 

If over 3 years then old there is not issues as both would be out of warranty.

If less than 3 years then the warranty would be my concern. But if the saving is 2-3k difference then that would make up for some of the work or I believe the insurance could be slightly more. However last point apparently cleared if shopping around for insurance.

 

Nissan UK will not be happy speaking to you but they give shoddy service away so no great loss.

 

If I was in the market for another zed then would consider a JDM as nissan UK already took more money from me than they should have.

 

Last thing, GO and GET one NOW as they are great cars for the money.

[lomoto]

I thought JDM's had a smaller radiator and petrol tank? ??]If they do, does it matter ??, never bothered me for a millisecond

 

Also, JDM's don't get undersealed do they? Or is that part of the SVA or is it optional? again, never bothered me, and to be frank cars run in the UK probably need it, Japanese condition seem to be more favourable, and the cars I have seen for sale from Japan are invariably in mint condition..

 

I also don't like the square front and rear number plates and rear bumper recess. cheap job to swop front , rear needs a new bumper cover if your really that fussed, myself I like the cklean looks of the JDM rear with no towing hook cover

 

Have to be careful with the spec. Has it been thrashed in Japan? How accurate and genuine can a JDM's mileage be? nobody thrashes cars in the UK then or clocks them , again I think you'll find the Japenes are quite a bit more honourable than the average Brit (unfortunately )

 

I'd buy a JDM but it would have to be cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap. *] Why ?? a man thats got a Lambo , cash shouldnt matter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Goes away to put flame proof suit on MAKE SURE IT'S A GOOD FIT

[Ozz]

Now see I'm even more unsure!

 

Sarnie says no, Steve_b says yes.

 

I think I'll view the JDM with as open a mind as possible and go armed with info from on here.

 

I hate looking at all your cars and not having my own yet. Hopefully remedy that soon tho!

[ir_fuel]

Never heard anyone on here complain about the fact that his/her car is a JDM.

 

Just don't get one with Satnav, unless you plan driving to Japan

[lomoto]

Now see I'm even more unsure!

 

Sarnie says no, Steve_b says yes.

 

I think I'll view the JDM with as open a mind as possible and go armed with info from on here.

 

I hate looking at all your cars and not having my own yet. Hopefully remedy that soon tho!

 

Look at it this way if you see a ropey UK car for £15k and a mint JDM car same age for same money, same age , same mileage which would you buy ? if the answer's the UK car you want your Ass kicking

[AndySpak]

I think that if someone is going to buy a 350Z then they will fall in to one of two categories.

 

Category A - People who will buy JDM or UK

Category B - People who will buy UK only

(before anyone says, I think "Category C - People who will only buy JDM only" doesn't really exist)

 

If you're looking at a £13-15K car now, think what its going to be when you come to sell it. In 1 year it will be a £10-13K car, in 2 years it will be a £8-12K car and in 3 years you could be looking as low as £6-10K. As time goes on the price differences between UK and JDM cars will become a lot closer. I think you'll find that people will lean more towards UK cars because, like it or not, there is a general perception that they will be more reliable.

 

Is there room in that suit for me Sarnie?

[nixy]

It seems to me that there are some people who shy away from imports simply because it's an import but they don't really have a good reason why. There are rules and paperwork to make an auction legit the same as in this country and you are no more at risk than you are buying a UK car from a private seller. If you want the same spec as a UK GT car you can get it, you can also find you may get unexpected optional extras. The base model in japan does have 17 inch wheels but the others have 18's as standard. I can't see the problem with servicing - get it serviced where you like - if you want Nissan history then go there.

 

When I bought my car I had cash in my pocket but purposefully went down the import route as all I could get at the time was silver or gun metal which I didn't want. It was a nerve wracking experience but when I saw my car with 5k miles on it and immaculate I knew I'd made the right decision. I got the car cheaper and will sell it cheaper. The only thing that was disappointing was that it had lots of really hi tech aftermarket stuff I can't use - TV, Sat Nav, DVD etc - I got a new unit for xmas which is going in soon.

 

My advice would be to simply go for the best car and stop sweating over whether it's uk or jap.

[Ozz]

It seems to me that there are some people who shy away from imports simply because it's an import but they don't really have a good reason why. There are rules and paperwork to make an auction legit the same as in this country and you are no more at risk than you are buying a UK car from a private seller. If you want the same spec as a UK GT car you can get it, you can also find you may get unexpected optional extras. The base model in japan does have 17 inch wheels but the others have 18's as standard. I can't see the problem with servicing - get it serviced where you like - if you want Nissan history then go there.

 

When I bought my car I had cash in my pocket but purposefully went down the import route as all I could get at the time was silver or gun metal which I didn't want. It was a nerve wracking experience but when I saw my car with 5k miles on it and immaculate I knew I'd made the right decision. I got the car cheaper and will sell it cheaper. The only thing that was disappointing was that it had lots of really hi tech aftermarket stuff I can't use - TV, Sat Nav, DVD etc - I got a new unit for xmas which is going in soon.

 

My advice would be to simply go for the best car and stop sweating over whether it's uk or jap.

 

Good advice that, I'm not sure why I'm unsure about imports as I've owned several. Never this new though.

 

I'm much more confident now for my visit to HSC cars Sunday - fingers crossed shes as mint as the dealer describes.

[M13KYF]

the only main disadvantage I can see is when it comes to you selling it on after you have had your time with it. There are plenty of independant garages who can do the servicing. The JDM will save you money over a UK car leaving you some spare cash perhaps for some mods. I am a UK owner but don't know of any JDM owner who has any regrets.

[nixy]

well said Mike. Is there a reason a Nissan dealer wouldn't service it? Mine will need a service in about a thousand miles or so.

[M13KYF]

well said Mike. Is there a reason a Nissan dealer wouldn't service it? Mine will need a service in about a thousand miles or so.

 

down to the dealership. Some have turned there nose up in the past partly to protect the sales of UK cars. I know TDI North are more than happy to carry out the work and you would be using a tuning specialist. They also charge near half the amount per hour for labour

[nixy]

My local Nissan dealership are actually Dixons which is probably a bad thing as they are basically Renault, Nissan and whatever else they've taken over at the time! I doubt they've even ever seen a 350Z!

[letank87]

There are other differences (e.g. no headlamp washers, VDC instead of ESP, etc but none of them are issues IMO)

 

 

VDC and ESP are the same thing! ESP is more commonly understood in Europe so renamed for this market!

 

From what I've read, most people get annoyed with the headlamp washers when they come on automatically! haha

[Sarnie]

Sarnie says no, Steve_b says yes.

 

I never said no

 

I just said that it would have to be at the right price thats all. I would have no qualms buying a JDM at all as long as the package fits

 

For example, this 2002 jdm with 50k is vastly over priced imo, as nice as it may look:

 

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/317056.htm

 

[jim]

I got my spare key set up at a Nissan dealer, who were happy to do the work. I have had the servicing done at my local garage at around half the labour costs of a main dealer.

 

I should add that the reason I chose to import was that I wanted the tiptronic gearbox, and I have never regretted that choice in nearly two years of ownership.

[Ozz]

I got my spare key set up at a Nissan dealer, who were happy to do the work. I have had the servicing done at my local garage at around half the labour costs of a main dealer.

 

I should add that the reason I chose to import was that I wanted the tiptronic gearbox, and I have never regretted that choice in nearly two years of ownership.

 

Spare key? is there an issue with that on jdm?

[Sarnie]

I got my spare key set up at a Nissan dealer, who were happy to do the work. I have had the servicing done at my local garage at around half the labour costs of a main dealer.

 

I should add that the reason I chose to import was that I wanted the tiptronic gearbox, and I have never regretted that choice in nearly two years of ownership.

 

Spare key? is there an issue with that on jdm?

 

Yeah, its costs loads for one from Nissan circa £300.....

[jim]

I got my spare key set up at a Nissan dealer, who were happy to do the work. I have had the servicing done at my local garage at around half the labour costs of a main dealer.

 

I should add that the reason I chose to import was that I wanted the tiptronic gearbox, and I have never regretted that choice in nearly two years of ownership.

 

Spare key? is there an issue with that on jdm?

 

Not if it comes with one, as it should, but I didn't know to check on that at the time. Mind you, my importer paid the full cost of supplying and setting up a spare for me.

[AndySpak]

There are other differences (e.g. no headlamp washers, VDC instead of ESP, etc but none of them are issues IMO)

 

 

VDC and ESP are the same thing! ESP is more commonly understood in Europe so renamed for this market!

 

From what I've read, most people get annoyed with the headlamp washers when they come on automatically! haha

 

I know that, I was using it as an example of simple differences you can use to spot an import over a UK car that don't actually cause an issue.

 

Headlamp washers are ace! Especially if someone walks too close to your car in city centre traffic

[lomoto]

Spare key? is there an issue with that on jdm?

 

I would make that a question when buying either a JDM or UK car... make sure it has all the keys with it... I seem to think it will cost £150 for a UK car Good bargaining point to drive the price down