Ok here is my second brief review of my Z as I just passed 100,000 miles. I am still on the same tranny and clutch the car was purchased with and no major problems shifts fine and no grinding. I had the window grease fix done and the grease never returned. I also had the bose headunit replaced with Alpine headunit only same speakers and amp. I had the dreaded hatch not open with one button press of the key fob or the button underneath. I posted a simple fix for this using 2 pennies a while back. I recently ran into a problem with my driver side window failed to work and had a fix done on the passenger side window. The passenger side window would go up and then by it's self go down half way. I just replaced the driver side motor since it just failed to work anyomore. I had some concern with abnormal oil consumption but I just have to check more often that usual. The wierd thing about the oil is that when I started using sinthetic blend it burned faster. I had one of my HID bulbs go out on me and also the two rear license plate light burn but that is about it as electrical is concerned. The A/C control buttons are kinda really loose and once in a while if I turn off the A/C it automatically blows in auto and the only way to turn off the A/C I have to turn the car off and then turn it back on. I may have pinched the A/C controls cable when installing my Stereo so that may have caused that to happen. So after so many miles overall my car has held up well dispite all the rumors of the 03's being problematic. I was also thinking of a TN kit but I think the logic thing to do would be a engine rebuild before installation. I know I have seen just a few Z's over 100k but I thought I'd let you guys and gals know how she is doing so far. i would like to hear from other Zers who are PAST 75k to chime in please as I would like to compare how other Z's are doing at such high miles.

 

Thanks , Ed , for that info . Nice , well written and informative report . As an '03 owner as well , I couldn't agree with you more .If that's all that happened after 100,000 big ones , then we are looking REAL GOOD ! Thanks !

 

Ed, thanks for the writeup. Congrads on passing 100k if that is appropriate. I am at >60K on my 03. I had the ac control problem, this month I had my battery disconected for several days, when I hooked it back up, the ac controls are now working correctly. I just wonder if something in the ECU became corrupted and an ECU reset fixed it. I did not touch the controls nor the cable. Perhaps try resetting your ECU and see if it helps you.

 

76k miles here on my 03:

Had the tranny replaced at 30k and no problems since. That is the only major problem as of now.

I have the dreaded rear axle click, but I deal with it. It really can't be heard over the radio and exhaust and it doesn't effect the axles performance.

I have grease streaks that have returned, but I plan to fix myself using a fix I found on here, on Friday when I replace my OEM mirrors.

And I have the hatch button issue, but heck, I don't mind pushing it twice.

Otherwise the car is running good and strong (knock on wood) and no big issues since the tranny and clutch replacement...

I'm pretty darned satisfied.

 

So most 03 held up well then but does anyone have a ideas on what to check for at this point as far as repairs.

 

How many road trips to NY did you take?

 

How do you drive your Z? What kind of oil?

 

Wow, I have 41K on my 03 Z and I thought I was driving too much. What was the two penny trick to fix the hatch? I took out the dead weight in the rear and it still doesn't open after 1 push.

 

castrol synthetic blend what the stealership uses. I take her in alot for the changes so she always has fresh blood in her...

 

Found it but the pics are not up but if read on the 3rd or 4th page someone posted pics
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....943#post892943

 

I wonder who on the website has the most miles

 

You should treat your car to a new part as a reward to it holding up so strong. I plan to keep my 03 for many years and many miles. I have a 97 accord that I bought in 99 with 40k, now its 160k and still running strong.

 

Good to hear. I only have 18,000 miles on my 03 so hopefully I will have as good as luck as you.

 

Congrats on making 100k

Time for a Rebuild and a Turbo

 

Congratulations on a successful (but not yet over) journey with your Z Ed! Nissan built a great car. I know you're the type of person that takes care of things as required, so you're getting out of it what you put in to it. Kudos.

 

Ed, I'm sorry for the OT, but FrankieZZ, you're one of the earliest members of this site..your first post all the way back in October of 2002 (that I could find anyway). Must have been exciting to be one of the first owners of this awesome car!

 

Frankie what is your production date on your car mine is 09/02

 

Is changing oil every 2 thousand miles overkill? I just turned 4000 miles and did my second oil change on friday. 4k in six months Ive owned my 2006 350Z. I only use Mobil 1 Synthetic. I figure if i change it this frequently, I wont need to go to those most expensive brands people are shouting about. And congrats, hitting the 100k milestone is always a turning point. I just turned 100k on my 2000 year SUV and its a fantastic Isuzu, and turned 140k on my 1997 Maxima sedan and it rides like new. I just purchased a 2001 BMW with 61k on it for my teen.

 

Now at 88k miles my Z has been in the shop for a laundry list of warranty repairs and flat out breaks. BUT... My Z has never left me hanging on the side of the road, I definately give it that. I love my car and despite all the repair headaches it still puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it. My latest endevour in the repair shop is a nasty starting issue that Nissan seems to finally be troubleshooting appropriately. Before the car would just have random starting problems and it's been a YEAR now with trying to troubleshoot this issue. I just got my BCM (body control module) replaced yesterday and I am crossing my fingers hoping that's the fix. My seat sometimes clicks when I roll outta the car, I get a slight grind when I shift into 5th gear when the tranny is cold. I still have the OEM clutch and I have literally put the car thru 80,000 miles of pure hell. During a cruise one of my friends may have noticed white smoke coming out during power shifts so I have the car going into the shop on the 26th to see if the integrity of the headgasket has been compromised. I'm actually just about to get the Greddy TT kit installed, so my turbo install hangs in balance pending on how the compression and headgasket look on the motor. Other than my starting issue I really dont have any complaints with the Z, and it's just had it's share of warranty repairs and repairs covered by my extended warranty (thank goodness I got that as it paid itself off immensely). So the Z is still going strong, and hopefully going to get stronger come next month if everything checks out okay as it'll be turbo'd shortly after

 

Congrats!
I don't think my Z will ever see that many miles ever.
My 2003 had 2,000 miles on it when I traded it in, and my 2006 Z currently has 1,800 miles.