Hi all,

I've owned my Z for 18 months. Purchased it on 2/11/03. First let me say, I *love* the style of the car both inside and out. It's a pretty car and turns heads (or it did before *everyone* owned one

But I do have issues with a car that I paid approximately $40k. Things that should be resolved without any question or complaints. If I were a person that modded his car all day long or basically drove it fast all the time that would be one thing but I'm not that person. My car has 20k miles on them. I would say about 60% of those are highway miles as I used to drive 25 miles one way to work

Here are approximate dates of what went wrong with my Z. Some of these are obviously my issue but pay attention to how the issue was handled by Nissan that's more important. Towards the end of this, these stop becoming my issues.

I also want to point out, I have custom rims. They are Arelli's but everything else on the car has never been touched (well routine maintenance). Also, the dealer was well aware that I was going to be getting rims as they gave me a $2k cash back to buy them.

4/03

I had a flat tire (back right). Completely my fault, I picked up some nails on the road. I live in Vegas and this does happen from time to time. This was just a minor inconvience.

5/03

Another flat tire (front left). Again, my fault but I have no idea how it happened. I drove the car to work without any problem and possibly I picked up a nail at work? But, I used to work in a really nice area, can't figure out where the nail could have come from. Anyway, this is where the problems started. I took the tire into Goodyear to get fixed (closest place). But, they didn't have the equipment (something was broke - or I dunno - whatever). So, I went to Firestone down the street. They fixed the tire and I put it on the car. So, I get in the car and the Tire Pressure Indicator is out. So, wonderful. I take it to Nissan where I bought the car. The service manager actually looks at me and tells me that he won't look at it because I have custom rims on the car. I was furious. But, back in those days I was a fairly busy manager so I didn't argue with the idiot. In my spare time over the next few weeks I ordered a PSI indictor ($250!!!). Had Discount Tire put it on but it still didn't work (has to be calibrated by Nissan). I went to a different Nissan service department and they calibrated them for me.

1/04

I got a few months peace before the NEXT flat tire (front left). I go out to the car and I have a flat tire so I take it to Discount Tire to get repaired this time and I think I'm golden with it. Next morning it's flat again. I take it to Goodyear (different one - only thing open on Sunday) and they're able to fix it. Fortunately no PSI Indicators go out.

4/04

So by this time the Road Noise problem has started. On top of that, the back rear PSI Indicator is still "working" but it's off by about 5 PSI. AND, third gear grinds on "occasion". Not always but it does do it. Also, the trunk has stopped opening when I hit the button on the key chain. I usually have to hit the button and pull on it at the same time. I take it to the Dealer and they say bring it back tommorrow to get worked on which I do. So, they look at it and they call me and tell me that the trunk is fixed (it's not, it works about 2/3 of the time properly), there is nothing wrong with third gear (load of crap but I can't reproduce it on command), the PSI Indicator will have to be ordered and they'll call me when it comes in (they never did) and then the kicker. This is before the road growl "thing" (don't know what they are calling it) from Nissan came out but the service person told me, "Yep it's pretty loud". I go, "What do I do about it". He says, "Get new tires". At that time the TSB was at least out and he didn't even *try* to do that. So, I go and get my car and figure I'll talk to them about it again when they call about the PSI Indicator. Again, they never called.

6/04

Ok, so now I get the mailing from Nissan. And reading it I see all the crap in there about you have to put the old rims back on the car. *sigh*. Ok, fine I'll do that and then go see the service people again.

7/04

I got busy and didn't get around to it until last week to start on this. So I take the car to Discount Tire and have them swap the stock rims for my Arelli's. I WARN them about the PSI Indicators They think I"m nuts and I"m not real sure if I don't agree. So, they swap them out, I get in the car and I'll be damned if a PSI Indicator isn't out (right front). I take it right back to Discount because I want them to see that it's out. They play dumb and say the sensor must be bad. Ok, is it bad because it's bad or bad becasue you broke it? They say take it to Nissan.

(Small Note: This has nothing to do with anything really but I backed into a pole at a Casino. I had to get that fixed as well. Completely my fault but this added to my stress levels in these past couple of weeks).

Ok, I'm going to take it to Nissan. I'm driving it back home and I hear this *horrible* noise. The brakes are squealing. No, no way those brakes are out. They never made a noise with the Arellis and there is ONLY 20K ON THE CAR. And I baby drive the thing. I downshift a lot and everything. But, I take it to a brake place and sure enough the front brake pads are out. And the rotors have to be turned as well (my fav).

So, I get the brakes fixed and I'm going to take it to Nissan the next day and I'll be DAMNED if the front left tire isn't out again. So, here we go again, I take the tire back to Discount and they can't fix it this time. Ok, *sigh*. I put the spare tire on the car and I"m going to Nissan. At this point I just want my PSI Indicators fixed really. If they can get me a new tire then the heck with it (I'm really sick of the car at this point). So, I go to Nissan, drop it off and tell them to I have tire growl and I want the PSI Indciators fixed. The rep tells me all they do is "flip" the tires. Ok, fine, if that fixes it then fine. If you can get me a new tire then get the new tire and flip the old one. I go home. A few hours later they call and tell me that ALL the tires are bad. 20k out of these tires. (Really doesn't surprise me all that much but I'm still ticked about it). What REALLY made me mad is that they won't look at the PSI Indicators at all until all 4 wheels are on the car. Now I'm mad because I know where this is going. They want me to get 4 new tires from them at some outrageous price or I can go to get 4 new tires from somewhere else and they're going to tell me that the "other" place broke the 2 PSI Indicators that are bad. I'm just furious and say the hell with it. So, I call Discount Tire, I order 4 new tires and I will be DAMNED if they have to have them shipped. They don't have *one* tire the right size. Two days without a car (thought it was going to be more). So, they call me today, the tires are there. I tell them to put the Arelli's back on, put the PSI Indicators in there and mount the new tires on the car. They do it (in a short amount of time oddly enough) I get in and the front right psi indicator is still out and the back right one is still wrong. HOWEVER, the computer has apparently given up because it doesn't register that the PSI Indicator is out like it usually does. Sooo.. I'm in no rush to go back to the dealer and get them to look at it and tell me it's my fault. Because I know where they're going to go with it all.

So I've had the car 18 months and I've had to replace the tires and the brakes and Nissan Service has been absolutely useless to me (I've been to all 3 shops in Las Vegas). Also in those 18 months, the trunk stopped working properly (the only thing that I find acceptable), the transmission is having problems (I expect this to get worse).

What I *haven't* mentioned is the Radio, this has been something everyone's complained about as well. I think it sounds like crap. And another added bonus? When I took the car in to Nissan back in 4/04 my XM Radio was working fine, ever since then the reception isn't what it was, I think they've cut a wire by accident when they were working on the trunk.

Oh and the doors! The doors get dented if you breath on them funny. I have two door dings right now. I already fixed one last year sometime but it doesn't take much of anything to create a door ding on the car. I did one of them myself opening my wife's car door onto mine. And it being my car I was very careful but it left a ding. Ridiculous.

One more thing. The PSI Indicators on the car in my opinion are a complete scam. They are $250 a piece and apparently it doesn't take much for one of them to fail. As I've already replaced one and I have 2 more going out. And in my opinion anyone who has a flat if they're going at any speed (I never have been), forget it, they're damaged and they're going to be replaced. Everytime you have a flat tire you shouldn't have to pay $250 for a PSI Indicator, that's ridiculous.

Ok, I've ranted long enough. Those of you looking to buy a 350Z (or any Nissan for that matter), I don't recommend it. I'll never buy another Nissan car after this fiasco. If I was hot rodding my car all over town that would be one thing but I baby'd this car. For it to have this many problems at 20k miles is just not right. I've owned camaros (gm sucks we all know that - and they didn't have this many problems). And I currently own an Eclipse that I've had almost 6 years. It's been a good little car, not nearly these problems (until it was in a flood last year - long story) But I paid *half* for that car that I paid for the Z. It's just not right.

 

Whoa, man you're cursed!

Can't give you a lot of sympathy because the car being a Z has nothing to do with 1) flat tires, 2) door dings, 3) tire stores messing up your sensors.

I will offer one piece of advice though. Look in the Private Classified Forum and find somebody selling a set of TPS. They usually go for anywhere from $200 to $300 for a set of four. Looks like you're going to be needing eventually.

 

I understand your frustration, and it does sound like you've had horrible luck and not much help from the dealers. The tire growl and trinny grind are legit issues but I've yet to see someone else complain about the tire sensors though...and did you expect tires with a 140 treadwear to last longer than 20k?

Also I remember someone posting that GM uses the same Schraeder tire pressure sensors, and the GM retail price is less than half of Nissan's...hopefully that will help ya.

NzZ

 

Just curious, did you go to Desert Nissan for service on your Z?

 

In the post that I wrote, I went to United first (where I bought the car), Desert second (they've definitely been the most helpful) and Planet last (as useless as United)

Btw, I had to cut my post a little short (10000 character limiit). I had a blurb at the end that I cut off:

Has anyone noticed that Service people (not just Auto Dealer Service people) really don't care at all how much of your time they are wasting? If I were working currently I'd have had to take 2 weeks off to get all this (what I did get) done.

 

What I expect is a car that costs $40k to have tires put on by the dealer to last more than 20k. I personally could care less what they are rated.

As far as the tire sensors, I'm still determined that's a scam. I'm a software developer by trade and I have a very good idea how that little piece of equipment could get built and it wouldn't cost $250. And if you're driving full speed and have a flat, forget it they're not going to survive and Nissan knows that.

Thank you for the info on the GM Sensors though I may look into that - but of course I'll have to go to Nissan to calibrate them

 

The point of the posting wasn't that I had flat tires or the tire stores messing up the sensors. The point was that Nissan Service has been so poor in regards to all of this and that the car isn't manufactured well enough to handle normal everyday wear and tear without costing a fortune.

1) Just because I have third party rims on my car I shouldn't be turned away from service completely - especially when the sales staff knew I was going to put them on the car. (This is the biggest issue)
2) Tires shouldn't need replaced after 20k of use
3) Brakes shouldn't need replaced after 20k of use
4) Tire Pressure indicators shouldn't cost $250 and break so easily (and if they do then they shouldn't be on the car)
5) The doors shouldn't ding just by touching them barely. Again, I dinged one of them myself and it didn't take much. I"m surprised I don't have more of them.

I've owned several brand new cars and I've never had as many problems with one as soon as I have with this one. And I didn't baby those cars nearly as much as I have this one.

 

I dinged my trunk lid by closing it too hard about a week after I got it. The metal must be really thin. All I can say is be careful.

 

Unfortunately, in a high performance car with a lowend price tag, that's exactly what's going to happen. Remember, this isn't a $60K+ Porsche or BMW. As you read through this board you will discover that there are a lot of people replacing tires and brake pads at even lower mileage. Consider yourself lucky.

Personally, I can't wait till mine wear out so I can get some "real" high performance tires and pads. Just about any decent pad will help solve the brake dust problem that is a common complaint.

 

Thoalex if that's the case then you need to do a little more research before buying a car. Most high performance cars come with sticky tires with soft tread compounds that just don't last that long. Porsches, Ferraris, BMW M-cars, STis, WRXs, etc. all have tires that around 20k. Z or W rated max performance tires typically last about that long...there are some brands that last longer, but often they have compromised handling. As for the tires sensors, you could always choose to just not use them.
NzZ

 

Maybe he should just trade in the Z, since it doesn't sound like the car for him.

 

I asked a friend (he owns an E36 BMW M3) about my tires needing replacing at 15k, and he said that it is perfectly normal for a high-performance tire. Coming from a sedan, I did not realize that and expected tires to last 40k miles.

A lot of former sedan owners (like me) are in for a rude awakening if they expect tires to last 40k.

As for me, I adjusted my expectations and will deal with it. Despite tire longevity being half compared to my old car (a 1999 Subaru Legacy), I am very happy with the 350Z because it gets the same gas mileage (20 MPG in the city) with twice the horsepower hehe

 

20K is not bad for really soft tires. I was lucky to get that much out of my Dunlops on my 240SX, which was a much lighter car....

I wonder if your brakes weren't messed up by whoever was swapping your wheels constantly. If they didn't tighten the nuts right, they could have easily warped the rotors. Definately not Nissan's fault unless they warped them.

Service people... I think that has less to do with the brand of the car than with the specific shop/dealer you are with. I've had horrible service from chevy and great service from Chevy. I've generally gotten much better service than with Chevy, but I've still dealt with a few morons along the way. *shrug*

 

I had a '91 300zx a few years ago. I LOVED that car and always regret selling it. Now, I'm about to buy a new vehicle in a few months and it was between the Z or a truck. I've been browsing this site for over a month to learn about the new Z, and I've read about so many things going wrong. Warrantee doesn't matter if I have to bring the car in every few months to fix stuff that keeps reoccuring, IT'S A NEW CAR! And what happens when the warrentee runs out and the same problems still occur???

Thanks for the advice. Looks like truck time. No offense to the Z owners/enthusiasts in here. I used to be one of you guys too. Enjoy your cars, they're beautiful, but just not for me.

 

Funny b/c everyone my 2 friends w/91Zs have had nothing but problems. I guess it's luck of the draw, but stay away from the Titan - I hear it's more problematic than the Z.

NzZ

 

Thoalex,

What would you replace your -Z- with?

I'm debating upgrading the -Z- vs upgrading from the -Z-

 

I bought a 1990 300ZX - drove it 25 K in 5 years - not one problem! traded it in on a new Maxima - was sorry every since. In February I traded that in on an 04 350 Z - no problems! Love the auto - 4500 miles thus far - going to Colorado for a month on Saturday - love those mountains for ZZZZZZZZZZZZ driving. Get right at 20 around town and 27 cross country - and I dont drive easy cross country - and like to zip a bit around town. I do try to be easy on the brakes- timing the lights, etc.
The 350 gives lots more brake dust than the 300ZX - which I cont understand. When I traded in the 300 they didnt believe me when I said tires were original.
Happy ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ing to all who love em!!

 

When you have after market rims or any other modifications dealers do not want to look at it or touch it. They blame us for pitting mods to our cars but will not work on it. A service manager that I knew told me that it voids the warranty. Make sure that you guys remember to put the old parts back on and then give it to them. That is the only way nissan will fix the problem. I learned the past with my Maxima.

 

A lot of these problems are not 350z problems or even Nissan problems. I mean the flats are just random chance. I drove my Mustang for 8 years with 1 flat tire and then I got 4 in the last 18 months, and 2 were big nails on the brand new tires I had just put on. Why bother telling us about your bad luck w/ 3 or 4 flats?

The sensors I agree are a big problem. They shouldn't be bad after every flat. I still would just buy a set off someone used. There was someone in the private classifieds a day or two ago selling a set of 4 for $250. I don't have the sensors so no biggie for me.

Sometimes you j ust have good luck on cars or bad luck on cars. My Mustang was rock solid for almost 10 years. $450 in repairs in all that time and was only in the shop twice for repairs (not counting 1 accident I had). Now the day before I'm going to sell it I have a problem w/ the clutch. Coincidence? Conspiracy? Nah... just bad luck.

 

could have happened with any car / car maker.