First let’s break it down to 2 sections: What to look for in a used GTR & Which generation is better?

Planning to purchase a used GT-R R35, but not sure which year and what to look for? There are a lot of factors to consider, but in my brief opinion a well looked after car should be the first priority. Aiming for low miles shouldn’t be your concern! You may find a DBA model with 10,000 miles…but how many times has the owner launched and abused the car? Was servicing done right? .. and so on.

What to look for in a used GT-R

You’ll find many R35s for sale, and mostly being modified…so is that better? Think of it this way, for a car like the GT-R, I would avoid buying a modified/FBO or tuned. GT-R owners buy this car for a reason…PERFORMANCE, and not as a luxury cruiser (e.g. Aston, Bentley etc..) Most owners with a modified or built R35, will give the car a good beating.

If you’re struggling to find a completely stock R35, going for one with an aftermarket Exhaust/Midpipe is alright. Most importantly, checklist all the following:

• Get all the service history.
• have a local Nissan Dealer do PPI and tell them you’d like the CONSULT3 logs downloaded. (This typically tells you number of launches the car has done and if VDC was off, and trans temp history.)
• Any transmission or clutch wear & tear.

Which R35 generation to buy?

There are 3 R-35 generations: CBA, DBA, and EBA models. Each gen came with revised exterior/interior, power, suspension and drivetrain.
CBA = 2007-2011
DBA = 2012-2016
EBA = 2017+

Planning to purchase a used GT-R R35, but not sure which year and what to look for? There are a lot of factors to consider, but in my opinion a well looked after car should be the first priority, such as obtaining service history from a pre-certified Nissan dealer (even if you have to pay extra). Aiming for low miles shouldn’t be your concern! You may find a DBA model with 10,000 miles…but how many times has the owner launched and abused the car? Was servicing done right? .. and so on.

Most, including me, would go for a DBA (2012-2016) or EBA 2017+ models. From the drivetrain perspective, the first gen CBA models seemed many common issues, which was updated in DBA models.

CBA common issues (especially 2009)

-Steering lock unit: Earlier CBA-R35s (particularly 2009) have had steering lock unit failures. This is a failure of a module that locks/unlocks the steering wheel as a part of the security system. Nissan issued a voluntary recall for these and replaced them under warranty.

– Bell housing: Many GT-Rs will exhibit noise from the bell housing / flywheel area. While there is a TSB related to bell housing play for earlier GT-Rs, there is a noise in this area that is normal for GT-Rs.

– Instrument cluster lighting: Earlier CBA-R35s have had LED lighting fail inside the instrument cluster. Nissan has fixed this in production and has replaced failed units under warranty.

– Transmission: CBA-R35 GT-Rs have had a relatively higher rate of transmission issues that relate largely to seal and sensor failures. These issues, if they arise, can cause a limp mode and a loss of even or odd gears. Nissan has largely resolved this by replacing transmissions that have had issues. Replacement transmissions have been current model year units which have not generally had issues.

– Headlight: Earlier GT-Rs have had headlight sealing issues where moisture appears inside of the headlight assembly. Nissan has fixed this in production and has replaced failed units under warranty.

– Dashboard degradation: Some dashboards have degraded and may become sticky in heat. Also, some surfaces, particularly in earlier GT-Rs, may be prone to scratching although these surfaces can easily be replaced (either OEM or aftermarket)

CBA vs DBA major differences: Exterior (revised bumpers, headlights, taillights, DRLs, and rear diffuser). Engine (more power, more boost, revised intakes, bigger turbo inlets). ECU (Revised ECM & TCM mapping, Eco mode). Suspension (revised geometry, damping, spring rates, and front strut reinforcement). Brakes (larger front rotors 15.4″). Interior (revised materials, carbon finish, and seats). For the 2014-2016, there were more suspension revisions.

Factory Power Ratings:
CBA: 480hp/434lbft
DBA 2012: 530hp/488lbft
2013-2016: 545hp/463lbft
EBA: 565hp/467lbft

FULL DBA SPEC UPDATES

USMY2009-2010
Color Offerings: Ivory Pearl discontinued, replaced by Pearl White; Titanium no longer offered
Exterior: Super Silver GT-Rs feature polished front bumper
Engine/Transmission: +5hp rating on the engine output
Launch Control updated (to “LC2”) and warrantied
Suspension: Revised damping and spring rates
Brakes: Brembo logo replaced with Nissan logo
Stiffer brake lines used
Wheels: Black wheel package features darker finish on wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires
Blue valve stem caps to signify nitrogen filled tires
Premium GT-Rs equipped with Dunlop Summer tires standard
Other: Fuel filler cap now 1 click type
Fuel tank capacity increased from 18.75gallons to 19.28 gallons
Side impact and curtain airbags standard on all models.

USMY2011
Exterior: Double clear coat applied to all GT-Rs
Engine/Transmission: Launch Control updated (to “LC3”) and warrantied
Suspension: Revised damping and spring rates
Wheels: slightly darker center caps
Bridgestone RE070R tires replaced by RE070R R2
Other: Auto on/off headlights
iPod interface standard
VGA navigation display with upgraded nav modes and media capabilities
CF reader replaced by USB port and moved to the center console
XM NavTraffic and NavWeather features added to the nav system
Only around 315 sold in the US

USMY2012
DBA-R35 Model Update
Colors: Blue pearl added
Obsidian black replaced by jet black (metallic)
Exterior: Revised front and rear bumpers incl new rear diffuser
LED Daytime running lights
Improved aerodynamic efficiency
Engine/Transmission: Now rated 530hp/448lbft (+50hp, +14lbft tq)
Engine boost pressure increase from 10.8psi to 13.0psi
Revised intakes, red trim engine cover, exhaust piping
New ECM and TCM mapping
Launch Control “4” standard, warrantied
Fuel save “eco” mode on transmission switch
2WD mode on transmission switch for low speed 2WD use
Suspension: Revised suspension geometry
Revised damping and spring rates
Revised damper construction
Carbon composite front strut reinforcement
Reinforced chassis firewall
Brakes: Larger 15.4″ Front rotors (+0.4″) with new construction
Wheels: New split spoke Rays wheels (1.6lbs lighter per corner)
New Dunlop GT Summer Tires (Bridgestone no longer available)
Interior: Blue primary gauge MFD
Revised interior materials
Revised premium seat design & materials
Carbon finished center HVAC controls
Carbon finished lower console panel

Introduction of Black Edition:
Recaro front seats
Spec V wheels
Red trim interior
Black roof liner
Dark interior trim

USMY2013
Colors: Unchanged
Exterior: Premium Unchanged / Black Edition retains 2012 equipment and adds hand made dry carbon spoiler (from SpecV/Egoist)
Engine/Transmission: Now rated 545hp/463lbft (+15hp, +15lbft tq)
Revised intake manifold, Intercooler duct piping, compact catalyzer in midpipe, revised valve control timing, air mixture ratio and ignition timing
Suspension: retuned with higher spring rates further reinforced chassis firewall
Brakes: Unchanged
Wheels: Unchanged
Interior: Ambient blue accent lighting in tachometer

USMY2014
Introduction of Track Edition (known as For Track Pack in other markets):
-Carbon air ducts on the front lip with brake cooling guides front and rear
-Revised springs & dampers
-SpecV rear seat delete
-Microfiber Premium Edition based seat surfacing with blue trim
-Blue Track Edition label on lower console
-Black Edition rear wing & wheels

Introduction of Optional Premium Interior Package:
-Red Amber colored semi-aniline leather with hand stitching on the front seats
-Red accents on the steering wheel, door trim, armrests, and shift knob

All models feature the following changes from the prior year:
Colors: Unchanged
Exterior: No change
Suspension: Retuned dampers, front suspension link bushing location and anti roll bar have been changed to lower the roll center height, maintenance of front suspension alignment improved due to revised cam bolts
Engine/Transmission: New injectors (unconfirmed) and sharper mid-range engine response and improved high end acceleration, revised turbo bypass relief valves, new oil pan baffle to better stabilize oil pressure under G loading, increased torque from driveshaft to the hub bearings
Interior: Nameplate of engine builder added to engine, Black edition receives red/black steering wheel, stitching now white as opposed to gray

USMY2015
Colors: Regal Red Added
Exterior: All models receive new LED headlights and tail lights with signature GT-R tail
Revised forward underbody paneling
All models receive modified GT-R logo side badging
Engine/Transmission: No change
Chassis: Enhanced chassis assembly for added precision with additional noise absorbing materials
Revised steering with adjusted speed sensitivity for easier use at low speeds
Suspension: Fully revised suspension with significantly greater compliance and road contact and fewer steering corrections at speed
Brakes: Revised brake response
Wheels: Black edition wheels now dark blue/gray
Revised Dunlop tire specification
Interior: New ivory semi-aniline soft leather interior
Increased leather coverage on premium interior options (amber & ivory) including pattern designs on doors and rear seats
Carbon fiber accents behind gauge faces
Revised interior MFD with new display layout
Revised BOSE audio system with active noise reduction and ambient noise based automatic volume control
Introduction of GT-R NISMO

USMY2016
-Introduction of 45th Anniversary Model in Silica Brass
-Adoption of 20 spoke wheel design
-Continued changes to suspension aimed for improved comfort
-Revised gear shift knob

USMY2017+
Substantial model refresh
4 models offered Pure Premium Track NISMO
Addition of 20hp and 4 lb/ft tq bringing the total to 565hp 476 tq
Restyled exterior including new front and rear bumpers side skirts wheels and hood
Restyled interior including all new leather dash new steering wheel new infotainment
Addition of Titanium Exhaust with driver operated valve
Addition of new exterior color Blaze Metallic
Addition of new interior colors Rakuda Tan & Urban black (new premium black leather)


More spec details –> HERE

Photo Comparison:

Exterior (Premium trims):

Interior (premium trims):