Pierscoe1 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Hello all, Just been to test-drive a 350Z ('56 296 variant)... There seemed to be a lot of what I think was transmission noise in the cabin.. a whiney sort of noise, distinct from engine noise. Is this normal, or does it point to something wrong? Also, the bite-point of the clutch was quite high-up in the travel which felt a bit odd to me. Again, is that how they all are, of is it awaiting some big bills? I plan to go and try another one to compare, but thought it'd be worth gathering the collective wisdom here too... thanks :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Welcome to the Forum. . If the car has a whining noise you are not happy with...walk away,, the clutch biting point is quiet high on a Zed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamdc2 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Yup high bite as said above. Shouldnt really be making a whining noise...unless its supercharged?!!!! Yeah go and compare with other Zeds. Thinking back I drove about 6 before I found one I thought felt the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizurd Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Welcome. As said shop around. Look for the best example you can find. Not sure on the whining noise. Anyone know if that could be a problem with the diff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Welcome. As said shop around. Look for the best example you can find. Not sure on the whining noise. Anyone know if that could be a problem with the diff? Could be anything on the transmission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 A bit of "chattering" from the clutch is normal, don't think I've heard of whining from the transmission being normal though, if you're unsure walk away, there's loads around. Also look at the member cars for sale forum on here: http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/51-zeds-for-sale/ Trade Link usually have a good selection of Zs stock, they're on here but seem to get a mixed response. Basically people seem to complain about their cars being overpriced, but you're paying extra for good service and warranty etc so in my view it's probably worth it to get a good car if they have what you're after: http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/202-trade-link/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mx5 Paul Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I suppose it depends on where its coming from, front or back? If its the back could be diff. Have you checked the oil in it? A cheap way of testing if it is the diff change the oil or put in a oil additive that might make it quieter then monitor how long it takes to come back, if it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierscoe1 Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 yup, I will have to compare. Was just wondering if you'd expect to hear much mechanical (but not engine) noise generally... I've also been looking at a Z4 coupe (am I allowed to say that here :-P )... which was basically silent apart from induction noise when you put your foot down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 yup, I will have to compare. Was just wondering if you'd expect to hear much mechanical (but not engine) noise generally... I've also been looking at a Z4 coupe (am I allowed to say that here :-P )... which was basically silent apart from induction noise when you put your foot down. You can say Z4 on here , but members will assume you are a hairdresser.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I bought mine 3 years ago and it developed a whine in 5th, turned out to be syncro which thankfully was replaced under warranty. Is your whine in every gear? If so definitely walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) Go drive some more Zeds I saw, fell in love and bought the first zed I drove. Fantastic price with very low mileage for a 2004 car and had a full dealer service history, BUT its cost me so-far somewhere in the region of 1-1.5k in repairs it needed. Things like an upcoming service, new tyres, bushes, all droplinks and the bill next year to get the aircon fixed all add up very quickly. It was alarming (until I learned better) the amount of noises you hear within the cabin. The zed is just a very mechanical sounding car, still makes me worry sometimes but the only way you will know if that one is a dud is to drive another. I also have the transmission issue with the syncro (as I believe many other members do) but ive just learnt to shift slowly from 5th > 6th and let the revs dull down a little. Cant afford the £800+ for a gearbox to cure a problem that only occurs if your already breaking the speed limit anyway, changing into 6th rapidly at high revs will easily put you over 100mph so don't really see the point... Edited December 9, 2013 by cs2000 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Hmmm, mine has always made a bit of a whine from the transmission, I assumed it was engineered into it as it sounds a bit touring car-ish. Best bet is to drive another and see if they both do it, if they do its probably meant to be there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick hook Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 my 350z has the same 6th gear syncro issue. can it be easily fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Maybe us older types have lost our hearing in that frequency range and all Zeds do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-monster Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Having driving a '47 MG TC with a brand new 'box that makes loads of noises, but is apparently fine. I'd say if you don't like a noise from a gut feeling then steer away, but otherwise as long as the gears are engaging and not grinding and you're comfortable it's fine. **Shameless plug** Mine's for sale if you fancy a drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierscoe1 Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 [Mine's for sale if you fancy a drive.] Whereabouts are you roughly? Was really after a GT, but you never know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-monster Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Cardiff at the moment, but it's going into dry storage in South Essex on 20 December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Cant say i ever heard any whining from mine. Grumbling yes from the lightweight flywheel, but no whining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roscoe Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 My 08 zed whines more noticeable in 1st and 2nd. Gearbox oil changed with nissan stuff still the same. Might just be a hr trait 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 As I said before, I think the OP is understandably concerned by the noise. The zed is very mechanical and makes some quite frankly agricultural noises sometimes so its hard to say what is and isn't normal. Best advise was to go and test drive another zed and see if you hear the same noise, if you do, then take your pick, if not, avoid car #1. On a test drive I think everyone drives on edge and understandably questions every rattle and squeak, but you only learn what's normal when you have others cars of the same model to compare it too. I had a quick test drive in BulletMagnet's zed before buying mine so I knew roughly what to expect (damn you Mark! lol) and even then I picked up a car that needed some mechanical work as I stated above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deklan Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 If its whining i would walk away, i had this with mine and had to have the whole gearbox rebuilt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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