hmale4yu Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 As per title I am looking at importing a Japanese Nismo (mk2 2015>) I love the styling interior and out. However I need an auto transmission Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated with regard to going about how to import one and what to look out for (conversion costs, possible maintenance work, MOT etc) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Not a easy job converting them iirc , the clock/speedometer unit is coded regionally and you cant change the language from Japanese to English so that bit wont work properly without new clocks (Not cheap) apart from that it would be switch gear and fog light fitting and possibly disabling the speed limiter which could be done by a mapper. Probably no warranty from Nissan either Apart from that they are the same afaik any of the specialists on here would be able to commission it i'm sure, as for importing it might be worth speaking to Torque GT down in Devon as they import a lot of cars from Japan and could probably sort it for you Shame really I am sure i heard the MK2 Nismo was going to be available in Europe with the auto , its a popular option in the US and Japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 For importing cars speak to OPJP (usually quick to reply on FB). However I think if the car is under 10 years old it needs to be put through different tests on import which can sometimes cost more. The guys at OPJP can provide more info this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-G- Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 ^^^ This Cars under 10 years old need an IVA - Jurgen at JM got my 380RS road legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmale4yu Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Do you think the total cost could exceed £30k or even 35k which creeps into nice Boxter territory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) Do you think the total cost could exceed £30k or even 35k which creeps into nice Boxter territory? I'm not sure what a Nismo would go for in the Jap auctions, or what the IVA/import fee's would come to. But if you want a MK2 370 Nismo and have £30-35k to spend, there are plenty in the UK readily available? 2 minutes on autotrader and I just found 3. Any reason why you want a Jap one? http://www.autotrade...gcode=p&adPos=6 Edited September 2, 2016 by mattross1313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-G- Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 OP mentioned he needed an automatic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-G- Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 The primary issue hurting your aspirations to own a 2015 model Nismo Z34 is the exchange rate, Right now, Z34 nismos are around 5 million yen, which straight-conversion means around £36,000 - already well inside your budget. This time last year, the same car would have cost you £27,000 - a massive difference. My advice is to either wait until the forex improves or (if you haven't already) enquire at a local Nissan dealership and see if they have ever offered the 370z Nismo in AT. Good luck either way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Buy a UK auto second hand, you've 15k modding budget to make it better than NISMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Think you would need more than £15k to make a 370z gt into a Nismo , the bodykit, seats and wheels alone would cost that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 OP mentioned he needed an automatic? Oh yeah, fair point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmale4yu Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 The standard GT car left me underwhelmed in terms of interior styling (seats, steering wheel) and exhaust note/sounds. Also real world power didnt really blow away 3.2 V6 Audi Quattro engines I'm used to driving. The main plus point is the road presence and rarity the car brings to the table. However for c.£17-22k , this is a fair amount to pay for a car with visible flaws The Mk2 Nismo solves this problem and is great value at £28k. Really looks the part even compared to Porsches but cant live with the manual gearbox Thinking of now exploring the idea of hunting for a 370z Roadster if can find a good used example. Just have a feeling the Nismo is a car is more of a keeper whilst the standard spec 370s would leave me wanting to get rid of it after about 18 months basically as the cabin doesnt make you feel special inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 The seats are nice in the Nismo , you can buy Recaros and fit them to the standard car of course, the lack of switchgear where the heated seat switches are would grate on me with the Nismo , an opportunity lost imo , a nice little Nismo plate instead would be much better Few people keep their 370's standard even Nismo owners I have spoken to want to improve the sound , they are still pretty quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargara Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) I know its not the answer but I honestly dont think sourcing a car from abroad to suit your requirement is the way to go. There are plenty of UK registered cars out there with automatics in that price range to chose from. You are getting close to GTR money when landed and registered I would expect for example. Edited September 2, 2016 by Sargara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 (edited) The standard GT car left me underwhelmed in terms of interior styling (seats, steering wheel) and exhaust note/sounds. Also real world power didnt really blow away 3.2 V6 Audi Quattro engines I'm used to driving. The main plus point is the road presence and rarity the car brings to the table. However for c.£17-22k , this is a fair amount to pay for a car with visible flaws The Mk2 Nismo solves this problem and is great value at £28k. Really looks the part even compared to Porsches but cant live with the manual gearbox Thinking of now exploring the idea of hunting for a 370z Roadster if can find a good used example. Just have a feeling the Nismo is a car is more of a keeper whilst the standard spec 370s would leave me wanting to get rid of it after about 18 months basically as the cabin doesnt make you feel special inside You will notice very little improvement in the Nismo exhaust note over the standard car. Budget an additional £1k at least to rectify the issue with an aftermarket system. Power is also fairly similar. Having owned both, the Nismo definitely feels quicker, especially with a remap, but the difference is not huge. Apart from looks, handling is by far the Nismo's strongest advantage over the standard car. Edited September 3, 2016 by sipar69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Think you would need more than £15k to make a 370z gt into a Nismo , the bodykit, seats and wheels alone would cost that Yes, I'm sure that would be a wedge. I didn't mean a replica Nismo, I meant target the areas where the Nismo has made drivability improvements over the normal 370. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I meant target the areas where the Nismo has made drivability improvements over the normal 370. What, change the suspension very slightly and chuck a half arsed remap on it? I never understood why this forum seems to view the Nismo versions of the 350 and 370 as different cars when in reality the 350 was just a bodykit and the 370 is a bodykit, slightly stiffer suspension and a mild remap, its hardly the difference between a 330i and an M3, or even a Focus ST and a Focus RS. Sure, they look better (arguable in the case of the 350 IMO) but are they really a different car or just the same one with some overpriced mods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I meant target the areas where the Nismo has made drivability improvements over the normal 370. What, change the suspension very slightly and chuck a half arsed remap on it? I never understood why this forum seems to view the Nismo versions of the 350 and 370 as different cars when in reality the 350 was just a bodykit and the 370 is a bodykit, slightly stiffer suspension and a mild remap, its hardly the difference between a 330i and an M3, or even a Focus ST and a Focus RS. Sure, they look better (arguable in the case of the 350 IMO) but are they really a different car or just the same one with some overpriced mods? I did say make it better than Nismo at 9! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 And that I can agree with, you can make a better 370Z than a Nismo for the same money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmale4yu Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 I usually have a 2.5-3 yr ownership period with primary cars i drive . i dont want the honeymoon novelty period to wear off after only 12 months after purchase. Having a lovely interior like the Nismo and the German marques (maybe psychologically?) make me attached to the car and enjoy owning them . I walked past a 2 door Golf R and the cloth sports seats and chunky flat bottomed steering wheel looked like a place to be in during those regular long car journeys . I know its not an exotic thing to look at but with decent examples below £25k, its a car which has q a long period before the "novelty" period wears thin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy78 Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 The 370 Nismo is a nice car, but I wouldn't pay over 35k for one. A Boxster would be nicer in almost every way, with the exception of rarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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