zoe

Ok. I saw it the other day when putting up my top: a glint of light came through the back right corner. I got out and looked from the outside - and sure enough - there is a small split not more than 3/4 of in inch in my canvas! Looking closer from the inside, I can see this tear lies right along a crease that apparently is formed when it folds down.

So I called the dealership. Service department says that they will need to take a look and probably they will replace the whole cover! Yikes!

Bottom line: I fear the service department. I don't like taking it there for anything more than an oil change. And don't want to use them unless it is major, because the risk is too high they are going to screw something up. My car is otherwise perfect as far as I can tell (cosmetically and functionally) and I'd like it to stay that way.

Am I wrong in feeling this way? Part of me just wants to fix this myself and fogettabawtit.

Thoughts?

maxpowers

iTrader: (3)

Good luck trying to fix it yourself, if you can, let us know how, as you can see by the threads below this is a systemic problem.

Built2shredZ

The dealership will have to do the repair work in order for warranty to cover it.... My brother had his done by the local dealership and it turned out fine..

sq40

iTrader: (4)

This is a COMMON Problem that is covered under warranty. The Shop will most likley not do it themselves, but send it to a specialty top replacement shop.

oakmontgolf

I bought an early turn in leased '05 Roadster but before I bought it I called the dealership to make sure the owner had service performed on it and they told me top had been replaced. I was a little surprised as it was a 2005 but the dealer said it was normal and it was a common problem on the 2005 models and since they have been replaced no more problems. With that said guess I'm not surprised and you should get it replaced. He said the tear was in the same spot your talking about passenger side back.

zoe

I set aside my anxieties and took it to the dealership today.

DENIED!

Servce Advisor: "My Service Manager says it looks to be the work of external influences..."

Bull****. It is clearly a tiny tear (not a cut) along the middle part of a crease where it fairly obviously is formed as it folds down (there are other visible creases like it around this space).

Now I'm pissed.

Built2shredZ

I'd take it to another dealership

maxpowers

iTrader: (3)

Take it elsewhere or tell him this is a systemic problem and that nissan is aware of it, just tell him to call nissan.

ohw

There are lots of discussions on this very topic. Can you post a picture of the tear so we can see why he claimed "external influences"? If it is the same problem, just take it to a different dealer. Many of us here have a similar issue and tops were replaced with no questions asked.

jcastino

I suggest you call NISSAN1 immediatly!!!! They will get results for you! The Dealer is obviously ill informed if they don't know about this known problem on the soft tops!

I just had mine replaced and it had the same problem. And this problem WILL get worse with more and more of the same type worn out problems occuring where the top is folded down.

fuitilium

I picked up my 05 Roadster on Saturday. Same issue with the top. Dealer I bought the car at is not a Nissan dealer so they agreed, in writing, to replace the top if Nissan would not cover it under warranty. I looked at another 05 Roadster on the lot and it had the same issue. As a result, I figured it to be systemic.

brianberes

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear your misfortune. I had the same thing happen to my top in what sounds like the same area about one year ago on my 04 and the dealer said it looked like an external cut. I ended up claiming it on my insurance and having to pay my deductible but the dealership sent it to a convertible specialist in Houston to have it installed and it looked great and I haven't had a problem with it since. Knock on wood...

Good luck.

zand02max

iTrader: (22)

Do you have an 04? Heard its happening mainly to 04 models?

db350zrE

brown's arlington nissan sold me a 350z roadster with two pin holes and are refusing to replace the top...i'm done with trying to work it out, i've read many threads and it appears that pin size holes are common on the o4 roadster. if you are interested in joining me...please reply. thanks.

jcastino

Have you called NISSAN1 and discussed the situation with them? If not, you should do so immediatly!

eylarson

I also had the tear problem at a natural fold. Rosenthal Nissan replaced top, no questions asked. They did contract the work out, but all seems well. Two co-workers also own ZRs. No problems yet, but I keep my top down as much as possible.

tractng

iTrader: (9)

Just curious how much the top would cost to replace if warranty runs out.

Probably an arm and leg.

tony

jcastino

I believe the cost is $1700 for the top plus labor of $500.

Built2shredZ

Ouch.... So far my 2004 top is holding up, but It spends a lot of its time in the Garage, this is probably a bad thing as warranty will be up soon on it Knowing my luck the top will start to tear right after my warranty runs out...

I really like my ZR, but if the new G35 Coupe looks anything like the Coupe Concept I might be tempted to trade it in....

MoorDragon

I purchased a 2005 350Z Roadster Enthusiast last year from a CarMax dealership. I've had the car for 8 months now and the soft top has developed 5 small tears in it which seem to be caused by opening and closing the top. I have no idea what's causing this, but each time I open the top, these tears are getting bigger. HELP! I love this car, but the soft top seems to be coming apart on me. I suppose I could patch it up with some sort of industrial patching tape, but this is rather disheartening to see this happening on a car I just bought 8 months ago.