I had a 2 year maint package thrown in the deal, so for another 13 months they'll be doing the maint. If I didn't have the package I'd do it myself.

 

Wow... good to know diy won't void warrante... guess I was just on crack because I remember searching a good long time b4 I did my own oil change. OH well... learn something new everyday

ChiShi

 

so I took it to the dealer for the service. its seems they have forgotten to put the oil cap back on. i drove it for 10 miles and heard a chattering from under the hood. when i opened the hood there was oil splatter all over the engine compartment and underside of the hood. so not only are they thieves, they're incompetent theives as well.

 

I bought a used 03 Base 350z and am taking it in for my first minor service (7500Mi). I do not know what has been done to it in the past, and when I purchased the car about 4000 mi ago, I had the car checked out by an AAA garage which gave it two thumbs up. My question..

I already know that I'm bringing my own oil (amsoil 5w-30, and K+N oil filter) but what else should I bring with me? It seems like they just check a crap load of stuff.. I just want to be ready if any of the stuff they check (fluid-wise) is low. Anything non stock I should use for better performance?

According to the "Nissan Premium Maintenace Schedule" they:

*Replace engine oil and filter
*Lubricate Propeller shaft (better lubricant out there? or don't bother?)
*Road Test
*Rotate tires/adjust air pressure (Get this from free from my tire company)
*inspect the following:
- all lights (Can definitely do myself)
- Automatic transmission fluid (uhh.. I have a 6speed)
- Axle/Suspension parts
- Battery fluid level (probably will skip until battery dies)
- Brake pads, rotors, drums & linings (will probably research how to do this.. any links for this?)
- Charging/starting systems
- Clutch Fluid (can I get anything better than stock? or don't bother?)
- Coolant level/top off (anything better than stock? or don't bother?)
- Differential oil (anything better or don't bother?)
- Engine air filter (will skip - I have a popcharger)
- Exhaust system
- Front drive shaft boots
- Front Suspension ball joints
- Horn operation (HAhahahahahaaaa!!!!)
- Limited-slip differential oil (anything better or don't bother?)
- Manual transmission oil (Anything better or don't bother?)
- Power steering fluid level/top-off (Anything better or don't bother?)
- Propeller shaft
- Radiator hoses
- Shock Absorbers/struts
- Steering gear and linkage
- Steering linkage ball joints
- Washer Fluid level/top off (Don't care)
- Wiper blades (Don't care)

Thanks guys!!

 

Dealer. I was pretty scared to go to them after all the horror stories but so far so good.

 

You can do the first one at the dealer, then keep their inspection checklist and DIY for the rest of the life of the car. Hmm... why didn't I think of that for myself?! I'm a quality auditor, I know these kinds of things!

 

Yes. They take record of everything making it easier to prove that your car is well maintained =)

 

Plus if you decide to sell your car the buyer would feel more comfortable to purchase a car that has been well maintained. feel me?

 

Dealer service is a joke. Most of them are kids back there that have no common sense and are only good for oil changes. I only take it there if its free! Last time I went to have something done, they left off 3 bolts on the valve cover, didn't put the clamp back on the intake and the PCV valve hose was not fully seated, all for 750 bucks. I could've replaced the fuel pump myself and saved 500 in labor. They have a friggin racket going on for sure! Now, I use 'Auto-tire' or do it myself if the job isn't gonna kill a whole weekend.
SZ

 

Actually I was refering about oil changes and such (maintenance)... in that case, all repairs I'd do myself =) forget the dealership.

 

Dealer's cheap... $22 even in California for an oil/filter change. Plus I get to add the official dealer paperwork to my car's book. Good for resale value imo.

 

There is absolutely no reason to take the car to the dealer for basic maintenance and repairs. The fact is, it is a waste of money. In many cases, you're simply throwing money away while nothing gets done, as confirmed by bleufiend who apparently works at a dealership, as indicated in couple of the posts above:
Also, there is just too much risk that they will screw up even a simple job such as an oil change. Nobody will do as good of a job on your Z as you will yourself. The only reason to take your car to the dealer is if a complex repair is required that is covered under warranty. Otherwise, DIY or take it to an independent shop.
As far as wanting a "piece of paper" that shows what was done to your car, just keep your receipts for all the parts, and also create a simple "car maintenance and repair" spreadsheet that shows the date, mileage, type of work performed, and cost. This gives you detailed maintenance history to either support a warranty claim or to satisfy a potential buyer at time of resale.

I have been doing this for many years on all my cars, and it works great.