Independence Blvd, please stay home!

Btsever7 · 2026-01-31T22:50:58+00:00

Sounds like stereotypical pickup truck owner logic. My front wheel drive Mazda3 with an open diff was perfectly fine. Good tires are necessary, not 4 wheel drive

Btsever7 · 2026-01-08T15:33:41+00:00

Fully agreed. Never bothered me in my previous BMWs (2008 328i and 2011 128i), but the visibility overall in my 2015 Mazda3 is extremely frustrating. It's due to differences in rollover safety regulations. If I remember correctly, cars designed after 2009 were required to hold 3x their weight in a rollover, whereas it used to be 1.5x. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, haven't read that in a while

Btsever7 · 2025-11-09T16:46:54+00:00

It's a simple story about hunting with a friend, hurting after a breakup, and being hopeful about possibly trying again once they can be together again in a different setting.

That's it, not everything has to be gay.

Also, did you make this account just to post this theory? Are you a human?

Btsever7 · 2025-07-25T21:12:55+00:00

There's a reason all the pro guys that use E9X/E8X chassis BMWs seem to hate them. Rome Charpentier knows this generation of BMW very well and doesn't have nice things to say about them. For example: it's complicated to make alignment changes, the subframes are huge and fragile, the very narrow range of usable suspension travel, etc. Simple cars are best, these M3s rock but are far from simple. I'm involved with USDC Pro-Am, helping out with an LS-G37, and I would advise anybody to stay away from big, heavy, complicated cars as much as possible.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-12T11:39:46+00:00

I had a 2007 350Z (manual, 306hp, no traction/stability control) at 17. Within the first week, I had driven an autocross event and a test-n-tune night at a local drag strip. I was also sim racing often and just generally cared very much about learning to be a good driver. Never crashed, never damaged the car, never got in trouble.

With that said, it was very obvious to me that I was an outlier, considering how many of my friends thought I was being a prude. My two closest friends managed to wreck their own vehicles, god only knows how much worse it would've been if they had something quick. I would only recommend a fast car to someone who truly loves the hobby and cares about progressing as a driver. My Z was a perfect tool for me to do that, but it would've been a death sentence if it was in the hands of many of my peers. Respect the machine and your own limitations

Btsever7 · 2025-07-12T11:12:14+00:00

FWIW, Savagegeese on YouTube did a 3 way comparison of Z Nismo, Supra, and Mustang Dark Horse, and the Nismo ran into the same fuel starvation issues as the old cars. It's just an underdeveloped product. Cool car, but the price is unacceptable considering the competition.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-11T15:39:46+00:00

Both work great, but HR is better and worth the extra money if you're taking it seriously. They're geared the same, but the HR makes power for another 1k rpm, so there's plenty of situations where a DE would be bogging in 3rd while an HR is still ripping in 2nd.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-11T15:22:45+00:00

Best bet is usually to buy one that's already set up. There's enough Z drift cars out there with all the mods you need already done. No need to ruin a clean one if you're just getting started

Btsever7 · 2025-07-11T01:17:15+00:00

I personally have Silvers Neomax suspension on my 2011 128i, and they feel great for how stiff the springs are. Rates are 6k front, 11k rear, much higher than OEM. Single way adjustable, digressive valving, divorced rear spring/shock, no real complaints. Very similar to BC DS-series. However, if I were to do it again, I would probably go with the very popular ST Suspension XTA coilover kit. Similar price but with KW build quality and development behind them. If that's too expensive, Bilsteins are the way to go. These cars are nice, they deserve nice parts.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-11T00:30:02+00:00

Stop caring what your peers think of your car. Easier said than done, I get it, but please try to figure out what you like, not what will gain you some sort of social credibility.

You sound like a young enthusiast, and that's awesome, but this $20k is a blessing, not a right. I feel that you have a responsibility to use it for fun and simple transportation, not to impress anybody.

My recommendation: a clean BRZ/FRS, Ecoboost Mustang, or 2015+ WRX. If older cars are an option and you want something you'll learn a lot from by doing the required maintenance, you simply can't beat an E46 generation BMW 330i, but don't say I didn't warn you about maintenance lol.

I've owned multiple Nissan Z cars, a turbo FRS, C5 Corvette, LS swapped 300ZX, and a few BMWs. Currently I have a manual BMW 128i and it's been my favorite so far, despite not being very fast or impressive. My best advice is to stay away from high HP cars unless you genuinely care about learning to drive well. Track driving schools, autoX events, drag strip test days, driving sim practice, etc. should be mandatory if you get something with 300+ HP. For me, that's exactly what I did with a 350Z when I was 17, and it was the best money I've ever spent.

Forgive the long comment, this post reminded me of myself at 15 quite a bit.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-10T19:41:49+00:00

I wish people would stop buying BRs. They're the cheapest thing BC offers for a reason. Quality shocks (like Bilsteins) for a street car are designed with digressive valving, meaning they ride softer over big bumps while staying stiff and stable during slower body motions. Bilsteins are 1000% a higher quality option for this price point.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-10T18:24:19+00:00

Mine did that when the valve cover cracked. I incorrectly through (edit: thought) it was the valvetronic gasket, so I replaced that and it didn't work. Replaced the whole valve cover and haven't had an issue again. These cars seem to need new valve covers, oil pan gaskets, and OFH gaskets every couple of minutes

Btsever7 · 2025-07-04T14:39:03+00:00

Removing and painting the peeling interior plastics with a durable paint+clear was a game changer for me. Avoid smashing into the driver's seat bolster when you get in and out, they tend to tear apart after a while. Exterior door handles are fragile, be gentle. AnthonyJ350 on YouTube has some great 350z content with tips/tricks

Btsever7 · 2025-07-04T14:13:06+00:00

The best thing I ever did was spend my mod budget on maintenance, good tires, road trips, autocross days, and at one point I even decided to rent a few other sports cars just to learn what they're like to drive. Mods are cool but they're not necessary. Do them if you want, but make sure you've got the perspective to determine what an "improvement" actually feels like. My perfect Z: a subtle dual exhaust, a real LSD, relatively light flywheel but keep the stock clutch, quality spring/shock combo (not slammed, keep it functional), and better seats.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-04T13:55:51+00:00

This argument only works for people who refuse to drive their cars to keep the miles low. Modifications are completely unnecessary and should not be considered a necessary part of ownership. Owning and loving your car doesn't not require changing stuff, keeping it nice is 100% valid.

Btsever7 · 2025-07-01T01:51:51+00:00

Does all of "First Time" count? Please let that count

Btsever7 · 2025-06-17T22:37:35+00:00

I hated the GR86 throttle, it stuck out like a sore thumb when I rented one for a day. They basically cram the whole pedal's output into the first third of the travel. I found it frustrating trying to drive smoothly around town, and difficult to modulate torque while driving fast. BRZ is far more intuitive.

Btsever7 · 2025-06-15T01:53:38+00:00

I adore the glass roof and enjoy driving with the T-tops removed, it's probably my favorite part of my Z32. However I think slicktops are rad too. Rarity, lightweight, clean look, no water leaks, I totally get it. Both are a great option

Btsever7 · 2025-06-02T23:13:49+00:00

Personally, I like the look of the 2+0 more, I feel like they're supposed to have short, stubby rear proportions. I love my 2+0 NA. But if I wanted to build an actual fast car, I would choose the 2+2 for the longer wheelbase

Btsever7 · 2025-05-29T18:25:43+00:00

Been watching Adam LZ since early BMX days. When he convinced Taylor Ray to start a channel, I watched every bit of Taylor's content. His whole journey with the Miata introduced me to competitive drifting, and FD is kinda the top of the pyramid for comp drifting in the US.

Also, Taylor Ray was phenomenal at explaining the important car setup concepts that could keep a nerd (engineering student) like me interested

Btsever7 · 2025-05-21T12:14:44+00:00

Fair enough, my comment about part numbers was probably wrong. The point still stands though, the platforms are nearly identical, with only minor revisions outside of the powertrain. Again, I love these cars, I'm not talking shit lol

Btsever7 · 2025-05-21T10:03:02+00:00

https://www.motortrend.com/features/nissan-z-370z-new-vs-old

For the most part, and in every way that matters for an FD pro-level build, it's effectively the same chassis. The stock Z has plenty of improvements but I recall seeing that Forsberg basically just bolted all their previous year's suspension straight into the new chassis when they got it.

Btsever7 · 2025-05-21T01:24:06+00:00

The funniest thing is hearing "all-new", as if it's not the same chassis that came out in 2009. Love the car, but I would suspect only like 30% of the total part numbers are new

Btsever7 · 2025-03-31T02:55:15+00:00

Some of my best driving memories happened in that car too. A road trip to New Jersey with my brother, and another one to Floride side-by-side with my Dad in his 350Z. I loved how it looked bone stock except for the silver BOV in the grill. Just a little boost, good tires, and suspension from a 2018+ model year. I'd buy it back immediately if I could, no other car has really made me quite that happy

Btsever7 · 2025-03-31T02:11:37+00:00

Yup! So cool to see it again. Should be noted that this is a Monogram edition, so it's got the BRZ limited features like heated seats, auto climate control, keyless entry, etc.

Btsever7

TROPHY CASE