Any s15 owners?
Discussion
So i'm in the market for a new car, have test drive a golf gti (mk5) and a megane r26. I often wonder what kinda jap stuffs around being an ex jap owner and there seems to be a lack of mid 00's cars that were made that fit my requirements. However i then remembered hankering after the s14 and knew they made a s15 albeit only up to 2002...
So it would seem theyre grey import only but, does anyone have a buyers guide and personal experiences of a s15?
Thanks
So it would seem theyre grey import only but, does anyone have a buyers guide and personal experiences of a s15?
Thanks
go to SXOC.com and ask around.
The S15 came in several guises - NA and turbocharged (and also a softtop(varietta)). The S15 spec R (turbo'd one) is basically a mildly tuned 200sx S14. Most if not all of the parts are interchangeable with the older 200sx.
S15 has bigger injectors, bigger intercooler and different gearbox (6speed) and some have a bb T28 turbo others not. minor additional items like Cruise and climate as well I think. often these items are used as upgrades for an S14. Same with front end body panels and stuff with some people swapping front ends to produce 'hybrid' cars S14.5
basically everything that can be done and said about the S14 is the same for the S15
reliable, tunable, more of a tourer than an out and out sports car
The S15 came in several guises - NA and turbocharged (and also a softtop(varietta)). The S15 spec R (turbo'd one) is basically a mildly tuned 200sx S14. Most if not all of the parts are interchangeable with the older 200sx.
S15 has bigger injectors, bigger intercooler and different gearbox (6speed) and some have a bb T28 turbo others not. minor additional items like Cruise and climate as well I think. often these items are used as upgrades for an S14. Same with front end body panels and stuff with some people swapping front ends to produce 'hybrid' cars S14.5
basically everything that can be done and said about the S14 is the same for the S15
reliable, tunable, more of a tourer than an out and out sports car
Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 11th December 11:35
S15s still bring in quite a premium. Obviously the S14 is going to be cheaper as it was sold in the UK originally. also the S14 looks s
t from the back and only the S14a looks good from the front.
S15oc is a good forum, fairly quiet at times but the information is certainly good. I just found a link to this thread on SXOC as well. The first post seems to give a good quick overview.
t from the back and only the S14a looks good from the front.S15oc is a good forum, fairly quiet at times but the information is certainly good. I just found a link to this thread on SXOC as well. The first post seems to give a good quick overview.
I drive a '99 S15 Spec-R Aero as a daily; owned it for about 6 months now.
There's a few different models:
- Spec-S/Spec-S Aero are Naturally Aspirated and have around 168bhp as far as I know. They come in an automatic or a 5-speed manual.
-Spec-R/Spec-R Aero are Turbo with around 250bhp. They come as automatic or 6-speed manual. They also have a helical LSD, rather than the viscous diff that's in the Spec-S. There's also a lot of extra body bracing that isn't in the Spec-S.
- There's also at least two versions tuned by Autech, one based on the Spec-S but with around 200bhp and the convertible Varietta, which is based on the Spec-S.
Most of the mechanicals are shared with the S14 so parts shouldn't be too hard, it's just body parts in particular that are hard to get hold of (and ridiculously expensive; Aero front bumpers run £750+).
It's very much liveable as a daily; suspension can be a bit crashy on our roads and they like to drink (mine averages around 25-27mpg normally).
One word of warning; the Japanese import S15s don't come with NATS (Nissan Anti-Theft System), and don't even have an immobilizer, so make sure you get one added if you do pick one up!
Contrary to popular belief they don't snap the rear end out constantly, you have to really be giving it the beans to get the back end to slide (or drive over any oil, as I discovered tonight, thankfully saved it).
Brilliant cars, it's great owning something that you very rarely see; I've only ever seen one other S15 and that was at a car show. I would definitely recommend getting on SXOC and S15OC for more advice. As for importers, most people seem to pick between Torque GT and JM-Imports. I personally went through DCY Europe and had faultless service.
Unfortunately for buyers the S15 really is holding its price well (much like R34 GT-Rs). I paid around £10k for mine (56,000 miles, '99 car with the Aero wing and skirts), and that was after being unsuccessful on several auctions. If you can justify spending that kind of money and want something a bit different, I would totally recommend one.
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Couldn't really post here without showing mine off
There's a few different models:
- Spec-S/Spec-S Aero are Naturally Aspirated and have around 168bhp as far as I know. They come in an automatic or a 5-speed manual.
-Spec-R/Spec-R Aero are Turbo with around 250bhp. They come as automatic or 6-speed manual. They also have a helical LSD, rather than the viscous diff that's in the Spec-S. There's also a lot of extra body bracing that isn't in the Spec-S.
- There's also at least two versions tuned by Autech, one based on the Spec-S but with around 200bhp and the convertible Varietta, which is based on the Spec-S.
Most of the mechanicals are shared with the S14 so parts shouldn't be too hard, it's just body parts in particular that are hard to get hold of (and ridiculously expensive; Aero front bumpers run £750+).
It's very much liveable as a daily; suspension can be a bit crashy on our roads and they like to drink (mine averages around 25-27mpg normally).
One word of warning; the Japanese import S15s don't come with NATS (Nissan Anti-Theft System), and don't even have an immobilizer, so make sure you get one added if you do pick one up!
Contrary to popular belief they don't snap the rear end out constantly, you have to really be giving it the beans to get the back end to slide (or drive over any oil, as I discovered tonight, thankfully saved it).
Brilliant cars, it's great owning something that you very rarely see; I've only ever seen one other S15 and that was at a car show. I would definitely recommend getting on SXOC and S15OC for more advice. As for importers, most people seem to pick between Torque GT and JM-Imports. I personally went through DCY Europe and had faultless service.
Unfortunately for buyers the S15 really is holding its price well (much like R34 GT-Rs). I paid around £10k for mine (56,000 miles, '99 car with the Aero wing and skirts), and that was after being unsuccessful on several auctions. If you can justify spending that kind of money and want something a bit different, I would totally recommend one.
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Couldn't really post here without showing mine off
Clark3y said:
I've got a Spec S I bought recently. Got an s14 SR20DET motor with poncams and s15 turbo, nismo diff and bucket seat to go in. Should be a canny little motor when it's finished.
which turbo BB or non BB (they came with either at different manufacture dates) - what intercooler are you going for S15WMIC or FMICwhat you using for the ECU?
sparkyhx said:
which turbo BB or non BB (they came with either at different manufacture dates) - what intercooler are you going for S15WMIC or FMIC
what you using for the ECU?
The proper GT2560R, FMIC, Nistune. I have a 14 Zenki ECU but the plug is different, probably go with a 14a one and de-NATS it.what you using for the ECU?
Clark3y said:
sparkyhx said:
which turbo BB or non BB (they came with either at different manufacture dates) - what intercooler are you going for S15WMIC or FMIC
what you using for the ECU?
The proper GT2560R, FMIC, Nistune. I have a 14 Zenki ECU but the plug is different, probably go with a 14a one and de-NATS it.what you using for the ECU?
EDIT
just found this....................
It looks like cars 6 speed manual cars built between Jan 1999 and Oct 2000 got the ball bearing turbo and cars built after this got the non ball bearing turbo. Indications are that a 6-bolt housing means it's ball bearing and a 4 bolt housing means it's non ball bearing. The best way to check though is to look at the part number on the turbo. It's a small plate in between the compressor and turbine housings.
14411-91F00 is ball bearing
14411-69F00 is plain bearing
14411-75F00 is plain bearing, used Nov 2000 onwards
The factory spec turbo is T28
Turbine - 53mm T25, 0.64 A/R, 62 trim 38.5mm outlet, Inconel wheel
Compressor - 60mm Exd, 46.5mm Ind T3, 0.60 A/R, 60 trim
The factory spec turbo is pretty much the same as the Garrett GT2560R and is good for a little over 200kw at the wheels
Edited by sparkyhx on Thursday 12th December 10:08
Edited by sparkyhx on Thursday 12th December 10:11
make sure you get the right ECU - manual and auto are different
look at Horsham Development )JEZ) has off the shelf chips that make the car run better if you start upping the boost - more power, better economy, smoother delivery from the same set up.
the standard map tends to run rich as you up the boost.
look at Horsham Development )JEZ) has off the shelf chips that make the car run better if you start upping the boost - more power, better economy, smoother delivery from the same set up.
the standard map tends to run rich as you up the boost.
Neith said:
I drive a '99 S15 Spec-R Aero as a daily; owned it for about 6 months now.
There's a few different models:
- Spec-S/Spec-S Aero are Naturally Aspirated and have around 168bhp as far as I know. They come in an automatic or a 5-speed manual.
-Spec-R/Spec-R Aero are Turbo with around 250bhp. They come as automatic or 6-speed manual. They also have a helical LSD, rather than the viscous diff that's in the Spec-S. There's also a lot of extra body bracing that isn't in the Spec-S.
- There's also at least two versions tuned by Autech, one based on the Spec-S but with around 200bhp and the convertible Varietta, which is based on the Spec-S.
Most of the mechanicals are shared with the S14 so parts shouldn't be too hard, it's just body parts in particular that are hard to get hold of (and ridiculously expensive; Aero front bumpers run £750+).
It's very much liveable as a daily; suspension can be a bit crashy on our roads and they like to drink (mine averages around 25-27mpg normally).
One word of warning; the Japanese import S15s don't come with NATS (Nissan Anti-Theft System), and don't even have an immobilizer, so make sure you get one added if you do pick one up!
Contrary to popular belief they don't snap the rear end out constantly, you have to really be giving it the beans to get the back end to slide (or drive over any oil, as I discovered tonight, thankfully saved it).
Brilliant cars, it's great owning something that you very rarely see; I've only ever seen one other S15 and that was at a car show. I would definitely recommend getting on SXOC and S15OC for more advice. As for importers, most people seem to pick between Torque GT and JM-Imports. I personally went through DCY Europe and had faultless service.
Unfortunately for buyers the S15 really is holding its price well (much like R34 GT-Rs). I paid around £10k for mine (56,000 miles, '99 car with the Aero wing and skirts), and that was after being unsuccessful on several auctions. If you can justify spending that kind of money and want something a bit different, I would totally recommend one.
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Couldn't really post here without showing mine off
Some good stuff there. I wouldn't necessarily agree with you about the back end though. It really is easy to get them out, but they do feel fairly predictable. It doesn't come out constantly but they certainly do it easier than most.There's a few different models:
- Spec-S/Spec-S Aero are Naturally Aspirated and have around 168bhp as far as I know. They come in an automatic or a 5-speed manual.
-Spec-R/Spec-R Aero are Turbo with around 250bhp. They come as automatic or 6-speed manual. They also have a helical LSD, rather than the viscous diff that's in the Spec-S. There's also a lot of extra body bracing that isn't in the Spec-S.
- There's also at least two versions tuned by Autech, one based on the Spec-S but with around 200bhp and the convertible Varietta, which is based on the Spec-S.
Most of the mechanicals are shared with the S14 so parts shouldn't be too hard, it's just body parts in particular that are hard to get hold of (and ridiculously expensive; Aero front bumpers run £750+).
It's very much liveable as a daily; suspension can be a bit crashy on our roads and they like to drink (mine averages around 25-27mpg normally).
One word of warning; the Japanese import S15s don't come with NATS (Nissan Anti-Theft System), and don't even have an immobilizer, so make sure you get one added if you do pick one up!
Contrary to popular belief they don't snap the rear end out constantly, you have to really be giving it the beans to get the back end to slide (or drive over any oil, as I discovered tonight, thankfully saved it).
Brilliant cars, it's great owning something that you very rarely see; I've only ever seen one other S15 and that was at a car show. I would definitely recommend getting on SXOC and S15OC for more advice. As for importers, most people seem to pick between Torque GT and JM-Imports. I personally went through DCY Europe and had faultless service.
Unfortunately for buyers the S15 really is holding its price well (much like R34 GT-Rs). I paid around £10k for mine (56,000 miles, '99 car with the Aero wing and skirts), and that was after being unsuccessful on several auctions. If you can justify spending that kind of money and want something a bit different, I would totally recommend one.
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Couldn't really post here without showing mine off
Also I've never been too sure with DCY. They have had quite a few cars in stock for a long time that haven't been sold. Also they were less than helpful when I was asking about how to bring a car in.
Jurgen at JM Imports was great with bringing mine in for me.
Viperzs said:
Some good stuff there. I wouldn't necessarily agree with you about the back end though. It really is easy to get them out, but they do feel fairly predictable. It doesn't come out constantly but they certainly do it easier than most.
Also I've never been too sure with DCY. They have had quite a few cars in stock for a long time that haven't been sold. Also they were less than helpful when I was asking about how to bring a car in.
Jurgen at JM Imports was great with bringing mine in for me.
Strange, DCY were always really helpful with me, going way back to when I first was just inquiring about the process of importing one in. Some of their stuff does stick around for a long time, whether it's pricing (£10k for a R33 seems a bit excessive when it isn't low mileage) or other reasons. All I can say really is that my car seems perfectly clean, had it checked over and found nothing out of line. I know JM and Torque GT have almost faultless reputations though so particularly if the OP was nearer to those they might be worth looking into. I think if I ever imported in the future I'd definitely consider JM; I just couldn't use them at the time due to them being quite picky on part-ex.Also I've never been too sure with DCY. They have had quite a few cars in stock for a long time that haven't been sold. Also they were less than helpful when I was asking about how to bring a car in.
Jurgen at JM Imports was great with bringing mine in for me.
In regards to getting the back end out, I just never felt like it was going to let go easily (aside from the oil on road incident). Sure if i give it a bootful it's easy enough but even in quick driving it's never tried to bite me. I've only had it since beginning of June though so maybe I'm not trying hard enough
Neith said:
Strange, DCY were always really helpful with me, going way back to when I first was just inquiring about the process of importing one in. Some of their stuff does stick around for a long time, whether it's pricing (£10k for a R33 seems a bit excessive when it isn't low mileage) or other reasons. All I can say really is that my car seems perfectly clean, had it checked over and found nothing out of line. I know JM and Torque GT have almost faultless reputations though so particularly if the OP was nearer to those they might be worth looking into. I think if I ever imported in the future I'd definitely consider JM; I just couldn't use them at the time due to them being quite picky on part-ex.
In regards to getting the back end out, I just never felt like it was going to let go easily (aside from the oil on road incident). Sure if i give it a bootful it's easy enough but even in quick driving it's never tried to bite me. I've only had it since beginning of June though so maybe I'm not trying hard enough
Either that or my foot is heavier than I think. I never had a lot of time to drive mine though as a roundabout stepped out in front of me a few months after I got it.In regards to getting the back end out, I just never felt like it was going to let go easily (aside from the oil on road incident). Sure if i give it a bootful it's easy enough but even in quick driving it's never tried to bite me. I've only had it since beginning of June though so maybe I'm not trying hard enough
How odd with DCY being helpful with you when asking about the process! Maybe they didn't like the cut of my jib
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