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Scott's
review:
Finally
some coverage on a highly anticipated car that has
been on wish lists for many here in the states as
well as all over the world. The 350Z. 350Z fans
should bask in the glory that is Nissans attempt
to re-capture the bargain performance arena, and
also that they can now see how the 350Z compares
to some of it's direct competition in heated battle.
This
issue of the Best Mototing International video series
is chock full of exciting features ranging from
a full 350Z impression test by BMI's top personalities
to a funny skit on the Touge in nod to the Initial
D anime series. You'll see the BMI drivers test
the 350Z to it's limits while trying to give an
evaluation worthy to it's fans.
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First up is the introduction
to the new Nissan 350Z. Gan-san, Tsuchiya, Nakaya, all take
the new Z on the widing roads to get a first impression
on the driving dynamics of the car. I don't want to spoil
any of it for you 350Z fans, but I will say they have some
very interesting comments on it's character and how it feels
to drive the machine on the street. Nakaya-san also give
a SUPER interesting view of the under-pinnings on the new
Z, showing you technial side of the new car. Did you know
that the 350Z's Brembo brakes were a direct port form the
R34 Skyline GTR? I sure didn't...but that and alot more
are revealed in Nakaya's technical overview. Overall the
opening impression, technical commentary, and Battle are
very interesting, but left me feeling a little bored. Perhaps
it was the overall concensus that I got fromt he BMI crew
about the new 350Z, but aside from the Battle (350Z, E46
M3, Porsche Boxster, Honda S2000, and Skyline GTR), I sense
that if you're not a complete fan of the car, you'll be
skipping alot of the beginning half of the DVD after having
watched it once.
Next up is a very very good segment illustrating the differences
between Normally Aspirated 2.+ liter cars versus rival forced
induction machines. An Amuse tuned Honda S2000, and a near
race prepped Toyota MR-S take on two Nissan Silvias (S14
and S15)with varying levels of performance. In this battle
Orido-san shoes that the overall lack of horsepower means
little when a car like the MR-S is lightweight and has superior
balance and cornering abilities. In fact the MR-S, with
only 190 HP has to SLOW down purposely to get a better view
on the difference in performance characteristics between
it and it's rival machines.
The final half of this Issue is chock full of the typical
awesome driving and can't miss showdowns. Between the "NA
on the run" battle and the final "Tougue Showdown
2" is a 2 liter VTEC challenge showcasing some very
real speed in the form of an Accord Euro-R. Accord Euro-R
fans will be excited to see how it goes up against the S2000
and Civic-R in super tuned fashion. After this battle we
are taken to our final segment of the BMI volume 6 DVD.
The Togue Showdown 2 starts of with a campy skit where we
see Tsuchiya in a dream sequence racing his AE86 against
a monster R34 GTR. His prize of course being the hot woman
who is legend to grace the winner of touge battles with
her presence. This is a generally funny skit where we get
to some some awesome driving but more importantly some of
the funny side to BMI. Tsuchiya is definitely the pervert
in that in just about every scene in the video that he shares
a frame witha woman, he's trying to lift their skirt and
get a glimpse of something he should not see. ^_^ Cracking
me up. Downhill battles like this are sure to excite any
BMI fan, and these seem to be some of the more memorable
scenes filmed.
Overall I think this is one of the best BMI volumes but
the beginning half left be wanting. I can't say it was that
the material was boring, I think I just chalk it up to disenchantment
with the new 350Z. I came away with my convictions about
this car confirmed so I think it was more of a content conflict
for me personally than it was quality issue. As I got tremendous
value out of the technical aspets of it, I jsut felt sorely
dissapointed in the new Zs outlook. Hmmmm.... Well, on another
note BMI has really made leaps as they grow with their international
video series, and aside from a slightly fast scroll of sub-titles
I consider each one better than the last. For 350Z fans
this is a MUST HAVE, and for other fans of the BMI series
and who are not necessarily Z fans, the rest of the DVD
is full of great action that you are sure to Love. I can't
wait for the next volume...let's pray it's the super car
shootout. ^_^ Hear me guys?
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