Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| BNR34 | GT-R | Two-door GT-R coupe, from January 1999; the 2000 V-Spec II is the heritage example |
| ER34 | 25GT Turbo | 1998 25GT Turbo four-door with the RB25DET; not a GT-R |
Codes are those Nissan's heritage pages attach to specific exhibited cars. Nissan does not give a letter-by-letter breakdown in the sources used, and this is not a complete code census.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
- R34 is the tenth-generation Skyline: ordinary range May 1998, GT-R January 1999.
- BNR34 identifies the GT-R; the ER34 25GT Turbo is a different car with the RB25DET.
- The Nür limit is a combined 1,000 cars across M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür, not 1,000 of each.
- Z-tune is a later NISMO conversion of used cars, completed in a total of 19; it is not an ordinary factory trim.
- Torque depends on gearbox: only five-speed-manual 25GT Turbos gained 363 Nm at the August 2000 facelift, up from 343 Nm.
- Some GT-Rs were sold outside Japan: Road & Track names Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and New Zealand versions.
Background
Ordinary range and the August 2000 grid
The 25GT Turbo (ER34) uses the RB25DET NEO at 280 PS; Nissan's 1998 sedan example weighs 1,450 kg. Five-speed-manual turbo cars gained 363 Nm from August 2000, up from 343 Nm. The facelift grid lists rear-drive 25GT Turbo, 25GT-V, 25GT-X and 25GT sedans, four-wheel-drive 25GT-X FOUR and 25GT FOUR L sedans, and coupe equivalents. M-ATx and E-ATx are four-speed automatics. The 1998 introduction table rates the RB20DE GT at 155 PS and the RB25DE 25GT at 200 PS.
GT-R grades
The BNR34 launched in January 1999 with four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The V-Spec II went on sale on 30 October 2000 at 392 Nm with a carbon bonnet and NACA duct, and Nissan extended larger rear brakes to all GT-R grades at the facelift. The M-Spec followed on 8 May 2001 with ripple-control dampers, leather and heated front seats and the Silica Breath launch colour. The M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür of 2002 share a combined limit of 1,000, with an N1-based engine, a 300 km/h speedometer scale and Millennium Jade paint.
NISMO Z-tune and later competition
The Z-tune is a conversion of approved used GT-R donors, offered from 2004; NISMO's retrospective counts 19 completed, with a 2.8-litre Z2 engine rated at 500 PS in customer cars. The R34 GT-R race car won the 2003 JGTC championship after road production had ended.
Technical Specifications
Engine Options
-
ER34 25GT Turbo sedan 1998 example
RB25DET- Displacement
- 2,498 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo
- Power
- 280 PS @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque
- 343 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT / M-ATx (Aug 2000 grid)
1,450 kg. Nissan's facelift release gives the earlier torque as 343 Nm and raises 5MT cars to 363 Nm from August 2000; the English heritage table prints 43 Nm.
-
R34 GT 1998 introduction
RB20DE- Displacement
- 1,998 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 155 PS @ 6,400 rpm
- Transmission
- Sedan: 5MT / E-ATx; coupe: E-ATx (Aug 2000 grid)
Introduction table; transmissions are from Nissan's August 2000 grid.
-
R34 25GT 1998 introduction
RB25DE- Displacement
- 2,498 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 200 PS @ 6,000 rpm
- Transmission
- Aug 2000 sedan: 25GT 5MT; 25GT FOUR L 5MT / E-ATx. Coupe: 25GT FOUR E-ATx.
Introduction table; the FOUR is four-wheel drive.
-
BNR34 GT-R V-Spec II coupe 2000 example
RB26DETT- Displacement
- 2,568 cc
- Aspiration
- Twin-turbo
- Power
- 280 PS @ 6,800 rpm
- Torque
- 392 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission
- 6MT
1,560 kg.
-
BNR34 NISMO Z-tune 2004 onward
Z2- Displacement
- 2.8 L
- Power
- 500 PS (customer cars)
Conversion of used cars.
US Import Eligibility
NHTSA's safety exemption starts 25 years from each car's manufacture date under 49 CFR 591.5(i). EPA's separate age provision requires the original engine configuration or an eligible EPA-certified replacement engine and emissions system. State registration rules vary. Canada counts its 15-year federal age exemption by manufacture month and year. Check the car's documents before shipping. Calculate import costs →
Sources: 49 CFR 591.5 (eCFR) ; EPA: learn about importing vehicles and engines ; EPA: importing vehicles and engines guidance (NEPIS) ; CBSA Memorandum D9-1-11
Variants & Trims
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT and 25GT | RB20DE, RB25DE (NEO in the 2000 grid) | 1998 introduction ratings: GT 155 PS; 25GT 200 PS. August 2000 sedan grid: GT 5MT or E-ATx; 25GT 5MT. The facelift GT coupe is E-ATx only. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT Turbo (ER34) | RB25DET NEO 2.5L DOHC turbo inline-six | 280 PS. 5MT or M-ATx in the August 2000 grid; sedan and coupe. 1998 sedan example 1,450 kg. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT-V, 25GT-X and 25GT (rear-drive) | RB25DE NEO 2.5L, naturally aspirated | August 2000 grid: 25GT-V 5MT or M-ATx; 25GT-X M-ATx; 25GT 5MT. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | 25GT-X FOUR and 25GT FOUR L | RB25DE NEO 2.5L, naturally aspirated | Four-wheel drive. 25GT-X FOUR with E-ATx; 25GT FOUR L selection with 5MT or E-ATx. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R (BNR34) | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | Launched January 1999. 280 PS, four-wheel drive, six-speed manual. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R V-Spec II | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | On sale 30 October 2000. 392 Nm; carbon bonnet with NACA duct, aluminium pedals. Larger rear brakes extended to all GT-R grades. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R M-Spec | RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC twin-turbo inline-six | On sale 8 May 2001. Ripple-control dampers, leather seats, heated front seats; Silica Breath launch colour. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | GT-R M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür | N1-based RB26DETT | 2002; combined limit of 1,000 announced. Gold cylinder-head cover, 300 km/h speedometer scale, Millennium Jade colour. |
| R34 (1998–2002, tenth generation) | NISMO Z-tune | Z2 2.8L (customer cars) | Later conversion of approved used donors from 2004; 19 completed, 500 PS in customer cars. |
Should You Buy a Nissan Skyline R34?
Why You'll Love It
- A refined GT-R The GT-R keeps the RB26DETT at 280 PS with 392 Nm, a six-speed manual and four-wheel drive, and the October 2000 facelift gave all GT-R grades the larger rear brakes.
- A documented grade grid Nissan's August 2000 release lists engine, drive and transmission by grade for the sedan and coupe, so ordinary cars can be checked against it.
- Distinct final editions The V-Spec II, M-Spec and Nür each have dated, documented hardware, from the carbon bonnet to ripple-control dampers and an N1-based engine.
- A rear-drive turbo option The 25GT Turbo offers the 280 PS RB25DET, with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
Why You Might Not
- Editions invite mislabelling Nissan's January 2002 launch release and Japanese heritage page give 1,000 Nür cars combined. Its English heritage page instead says 1,000 of each and has an inconsistent heading year; this guide uses the contemporary announcement.
- Provenance and mileage need proof Road & Track warns that rebuilt-car histories and replacement instrument clusters complicate authenticity and mileage checks.
- GT-R gearbox concern Road & Track identifies first gear popping out as an inspection concern on the six-speed manual.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone who assumes an ER34 25GT Turbo is a GT-R: Nissan labels the GT-R BNR34.
- Anyone paying Z-tune money without NISMO proof: NISMO says 19 were completed, from approved used donors.
- Anyone who accepts a clock reading at face value: replacement instrument clusters complicate mileage verification.
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| First gear popping out | Road & Track identifies first gear failing to stay engaged as an inspection concern on the R34 GT-R six-speed manual gearbox. | Establish the symptoms on a test drive before assigning a repair. |
| Rebuilt cars and replacement clusters | The buying guide warns that a rebuilt-car history or a replaced instrument cluster complicates authenticity and mileage verification. | Investigate the rebuild history and ask for documents that support the displayed mileage. |
| Body, cooling and conversions on 25GT Turbos | Hagerty recommends checking rear arches, sills, rails, boot floor, suspension mounts and cooling, and whether any manual conversion was done properly. | Ask for modification invoices and inspect the listed areas in person. |
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
R34 generation span (Japan) (1998–2002)
- Tenth-generation Skyline; ordinary range introduced May 1998
- GT-R followed in January 1999
- Nissan announced GT-R production would end in early August 2002
GT-R V-Spec II (30 October 2000)
- Replaced the V-Spec; larger rear brakes extended to all GT-R grades at the facelift
GT-R M-Spec (8 May 2001)
- Ripple-control dampers and a leather interior
Nür editions (2002)
- M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür; combined announced limit of 1,000
- Scheduled on sale 26 February 2002
NISMO Z-tune (2004 onward)
- Later conversion of used R34 GT-Rs; 19 completed
2003 JGTC championship (2003)
- The R34 GT-R race car won the championship after road production had ended
Market Data
Reported Counts & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Reported Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R34 M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür | 2002 | 1,000 announced (combined) | Nissan's announced limit across both editions; not an audited split or final build total. |
| R34 NISMO Z-tune | 2004 onward | 19 completed | NISMO retrospective; the original programme offered the car to 20 customers. |
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
First settle whether you want the GT-R or a Skyline that happens to be an R34. The BNR34 launched in January 1999 with the RB26DETT at 280 PS, 392 Nm in the V-Spec II example, four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual; the later V-Spec II, M-Spec and Nür editions are dated and documented by Nissan. The ER34 25GT Turbo is the rear-drive alternative, with the RB25DET at 280 PS, and the August 2000 grid shows which sedan and coupe grades take which gearbox. Read torque claims against the gearbox, since only five-speed-manual cars gained 363 Nm at the facelift. For provenance, treat any Nür or Z-tune claim as unproven until the paperwork matches: the Nür limit was announced at 1,000 combined, and NISMO says 19 Z-tunes were completed from approved used donors. Be careful with mileage, because Road & Track warns that rebuilt-car histories and replacement instrument clusters complicate verification. On the GT-R, test the six-speed for first gear popping out. On a 25GT Turbo, check the rear arches, sills, rails, boot floor, mounts and cooling, and ask for invoices for any manual conversion. Remember some GT-Rs were sold outside Japan. NISMO's Heritage Parts terms exclude overseas use. For Japanese-specification cars used in Japan, the programme covers the R34 GT-R, but lead times can run to months.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between ER34 and BNR34?
- BNR34 identifies the GT-R, with the RB26DETT, four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The ER34 is a different car: Nissan labels its 1998 25GT Turbo sedan ER34, with the RB25DET at 280 PS.
- Which R34 grades were rear-drive and which were all-wheel drive?
- Nissan's August 2000 grid lists the 25GT Turbo, 25GT-V, 25GT-X, 25GT, GT Special Edition and GT as two-wheel-drive sedans. The 25GT-X FOUR and 25GT FOUR L use the naturally aspirated RB25DE with four-wheel drive. The GT-R is four-wheel drive.
- Does every ordinary R34 have a NEO engine?
- In Nissan's August 2000 grid the ordinary RB20DE, RB25DE and RB25DET are all identified as NEO straight-sixes. The GT-R uses the RB26DETT.
- How do the V-Spec II and M-Spec differ?
- The V-Spec II went on sale on 30 October 2000, replacing the V-Spec, with a carbon bonnet and NACA duct and aluminium pedals. The M-Spec followed on 8 May 2001 with ripple-control dampers intended for a suppler ride, hand-finished leather and heated front seats.
- What are the Nür editions?
- The M-Spec Nür and V-Spec II Nür were announced for a combined 1,000 cars, scheduled on sale 26 February 2002. They have an N1-based engine with weight-balanced pistons and rods, a gold cylinder-head cover, a 300 km/h speedometer scale and an exclusive Millennium Jade colour.
- How many R34 GT-Rs were made?
- No sufficiently sourced total for the whole GT-R run was found. Nissan announced 1,000 Nürs combined and NISMO says 19 Z-tunes were completed. Nissan's January 2002 release said GT-R production would finish in early August 2002, without an exact final build day.
- What is the NISMO Z-tune?
- NISMO decided on customer Z-tune sales in its twentieth-anniversary year, 2004, rebuilding selected used R34 GT-Rs. The original programme set a donor limit of 30,000 km, and customer cars used a 2.8-litre Z2 engine rated at 500 PS. NISMO reports 19 completed, against an original intention of 20.
- Can an R34 be imported to the US?
- Federal safety rules allow a vehicle that is 25 or more years old, judged on each car's own age: a car built in January 1999 reached that in January 2024, and one built in August 2002 reaches it in August 2027. EPA separately expects the engine to be the same model and configuration as originally installed.
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