I'd like to know if the following issues are fixed for all the 2004 models or just the latter-built 2004 models:

1. The suspension bounce
2. The Bose radio (on the touring)
3. The tire feathering

How can I know before I buy a particular 2004 model that these issues have been fixed?

 

if you got kneepads on the center column, you got the fixed one

 

Thanks, that helps a lot. I appreciate it.

 

Please describe these kneepads in more detail or if someone has a pic that would be nice.

 

reese,
there are two kneepads, made of leather, locating on each side of the wall under ur stereo... just a lil bit lower than the level of ur knee, across from the door
my z has it, &they looks good imo, but no much of use
however, im not sure that they fixed the feathering problem, cuz all the 04's are under the miledge of the appearance of problem.
btw, wish they fixed it

 

Wish i would have joined this club before i bought, i just got mine last week and it was built 07/03. Mine has no knee pads, no padded console lid. It does have the seatbelt extender and visor ext. and power plug. I don't know if its in my head from reading all these posts on the suspension but now i suddenly feel like the car is bouncing. If it wasn't fixed its bull$hit that nissan didn't pull these cars off the lot and change this before they were sold. I do understand however that its a sports car which i haven't had since i was 16 (15 years ago) and they don't ride as well as most cars. However for Nissan to be aware of all this for months (the posts date back over a year now) and not fix the cars that are on the lots waiting to be sold really really frustrates me.

 

Btw, i found some pics of those kneepads, then got in my car. Noway in hell could i ever hit my knee there, unless i had a torn acl and my knee was swollen to the size of a football.

Maybe Nissan said "hey we know there is a problem here but lets focus on some petty b.s. in the meantime"

 

"if you got kneepads on the center column, you got the fixed one"

Trannys are fixed for all 04's, even before the kneepads.. It is the tire feathering that SHOULD be fixed with the new suspension but who knows.

I never noticed bounce on my Z either, ealrly 04 with no knee pads, but hey if people are having that issue, the new suspensions SHOULD fix that too, but again, who knows.

 

i got in an accident about two weeks after i got my car, the camber arm in the rear had to be replaced and they had to put the car in the frame alignment machine. They fixed the alignment and stuff, so i'll never know if i had the alignment issue i guess...

But i have a 2004, no tranny problems about 4k miles on it, no knee pads nor elbow pads, and the car's suspension is kinda hard, but it's a sports car (and i am used to driving a civic for 6 years)

 

i have an '04 and to answer your questions from my personal experience from my own car:
1. no unusual bounce whatsoever
2. radio sounds fine to me BUT i am not a big audio buff as some on this site
3. current mileage: 6839...so far so good

 

Maybe its just the power of suggestion thats make it me feel it, or these terrible Memphis streets. The real test will be in a few days when i drive it 10 hrs each way to Sav. GA.

 

I have an 04 TRACK built 07/03 with 2,200 miles.
no knee pads and no problems at all. I drive the car hard!

I am not sure of any 04 owners with any of the major issues early 03 models have had, Tranny, Window Grease, Tire Feathering.

From what I've read on this forum over the last 3 months the
majority of 04's are clear of these issues.

 

my 04 has tire feathering... getting them replaced under warrenty.

no other problems tho.

dunno build date off top of my head... will check and post

 

If you did a search, you'd find it. Here are pics I took from a JDM FairladyZ when I was at the Oppama plant in Japan.

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....563#post519563

I've seen 04s here in the US now w/the knee pads. Mine doesn't have them since it's an early 04 (but I do have the extra power outlet and the seatbelt extenders).

As for suspension bounce, I do find the suspension quite bouncy.

 

How many miles you got on your 04 Z total and how long before you saw tire feathering issues ?

Your the first 04 owner I have heard of with this issue.

 

Is that Mick Foley the WWE wrestler driving that Z.

 

I have a 10/03 build car and have the following items on my 04 that are not on the 03: knee-pads, seat-belt extenders, sunvisor extenders, front power plug, padded center arm rest(very thin).

In answer to question 1, I have no bouncing issues that are as bad as some 03 owners have been saying. My car may already have the "Euro-spec" suspension, but since I have never tested an 03 I can't really tell. Ride is great, not harsh at all. I came from a 4 door sedan, and the Z is acceptable to me.

On question 2, since I have an Enthusiast with the stock radio I have no comment on that.

With question 3, I have only 800 miles on my car, so it is too early to tell if I will experience the feathering issue.

 

Hey Tweety-nator or anyone else in the Puget Sound area,

I'd like to ride in your newer build 04 Z to compare w/mine. Mine was 07/03 build 04 Z. I'd esp. like at least ride in it around one section of the 405 near the 520 where it's really bouncy. You're welcome to ride in my in return...

Oh yeah, back to the original post. I also have the non-Bose since I also have the Enthusiast trim, so I can't comment on the radio issues other than the stock radio being lousy (well, mainly listening to radio is bad, CDs are better).

 

Hmmmm, interesting cwerdna... yours is bouncy huh? My Z is only 3 months newer than yours, and I doubt Nissan made a drastic change in suspension design in only 3 months.

I dunno, maybe it is bouncy? Seems fine to me, and I had my co-worker drive the car and he said it did not feel bouncy either. I'll have to try that 520/405 area you are talking about.

 

currently reading 5562

didnt check on build date yet... one of the first built tho... it was on the line with a few 03's when i picked it up in mid oct or so.

i started to notice increasing noise when slowing down under 30 mph or so... that was around 2000-3000.... then it only got worse as the miles accumulated. Now at 5500 miles... it sounds loud driving down the road... and super loud when breaking.

Known issue... service manager ordered my new tires already... getting them put on when they come in next week. Was pretty easy to get them to replace tires under warranty... kinda makes me wonder why so many people had problems?

oh well... i love my car... even its loud tires!

Jeremy M