Man, I everytime I read a story like this it reminds me why I got rid of the 350Z and got an Infiniti.

Why are all Nissan dealers like this?

I am in Hillsboro right now (just outside Beaverton) on business, I feel like going down there and protesting for you. What a joke.

 

And if they had just authorized the local dealer to replace the tank right from the get-go, this would've been so, so much faster and easier. I think this has cost Beaverton more money in parts and man-hours than it would've just to replace the darn thing initially.

Sounds like your local dealer is pretty together, though. Hopefully they'll treat you right. If push comes to shove and Beaverton just won't work with the local dealer, I'd probably just pay the local dealer to do it right, then deal with Beaverton separately. Not sure if that's a good or bad way to handle it, though. (legally speaking)

 

I'll go with yea....

 

Time for a lawyer ... I like jreiter's idea.

 

The local dealer got the tank uninstalled. They found not one, but three welds on the tank. Two were clearly patches for screw holes and one was on the side of the tank, presumably caused by damage during Beaverton's removal of the tank the first time. The best part, though, is the two unpatched screw holes still in the top of the tank. One even had a screw in it, still hanging from the sheet metal from where the amp was installed. How did they miss the other two holes? How could they LEAVE a screw hanging down for repiercement?

Still better is the fact that now there are no 350Z gas tanks available anywhere in the United States. The tank will have to be made and shipped here, probably from Japan, before any work can resume. So now the car is sitting on the local dealer's lift waiting. They have contacted Chip, but of course he still has not returned the voicemail message they left for him. They will try back a few times before the end of the day. They are going to try to get the tank expedited, but they cannot start that process until Chip gives them approval and a PO. Yipee!

 

I would definitely get a lawyer now. The first dealership put you in danger by installing a half assed repaired tank and putting you out on the road with it. What if you got into an accident before you noticed their crappy fixed. Maybe a big firey explosion. Do not let the local dealer throw the tank away, you'll probably need that for evidence.

 

At least we now know why they wanted to repair over replace your gas tank!

Anyway, get one from a salvage yard.

Your previously logic is all wrong, it's not difficult for them to remove a gas tank at a salvage yard.

First they don't have to worry about being careful, they'll just lift the car up with a tractor or something and get the tank out as quickly and easily as they possibly can.

Also, remember half the parts will probably be out of their way anyway. Wheels, rear suspension, interior, etc. all go fast.

I suggest calling around and seeing who has a wrecked 350Z, I bet you'll find a tank somewhere locally for a decent price. Screw waiting for one from Japan!!!

 

Right. And then spend the rest of your life trying to get the dealer to agree to warranty the tank they just pulled out of a car that was declared "totalled" by an insurance company. I don't think so. Sometimes it's better to wait than to take the shortcut.

 

Actually, why don't you just approve the repair & get it going. Point is to get the car back with the proper repairs. Then if the beaverton idiots don't come thru you can go after them.

 

Salvage/Used/Rebuilt parts go through dealers all day long.

His car will be there a very long time if he waits for one out of Japan. Personally, I would just fix it if I needed a car to drive.

 

Wow. Just spend the past 2 hours reading this mess. I can't believe the audacity this dealership is showing you, and I really can't believe that they put the tank back into the car without so much as removing the screws! I think it's time to get a lawyer...

They've had your car for 3 weeks.
They havne't fixed the original problem.
They've caused an additional problem with the steering wheel.

 

if you have ever bought a part from napa/autozone/pepboys chances are it was a refurbished part from a salvage yard. there is nothing wrong with parts from a yard so long they are in good condition. and you could have one in a matter of days rather than weeks/months. its your call though.

 

I agree, approve it and get the process started.

 

I agree with ZU L8R1. Keep the tank for evidence.
2. Ask the dealer to allow you to take photos BEFORE they install the new tank.

Sounds like you’re doing a good job at documenting everything. Get all the evidence you can.

Hang in there. Good luck.

 

Mrmdfy
I feel your pain I understand that NNA can not do anything for you as its not a warranty issue since this is all caused by the installation of the AMP, Thus if the dlr is not assisting you in this case there are a few ways you can get back at them once this all clears...contact NNA have them send you a survey a lower CSI(customer service index) will reduce dlr incentive and affect purchasing price for their vehs in the future, file a bbb claim against the dlr... this will require a response along with a payment from the dlr to BBB..hope this helps I think they are billed something like $300.00 for ea. claim
I think if you had not contacted NNA the first time they may have tried to pass this as a warranty claim and had NNA pay for a new tank

 

what's the latest on this?

going to sue (I would)?

did you get your car back?

 

any more info?

 

It took until last Friday before I got my car back. Beaverton Nissan had shredded one of the fuel lines and the part was backordered for about a week. Its interesting that so many people have promoted legal action in this matter. I wonder how many of you actually would go through with a suit. Lawyers aren't free, neither is my time and there's no guarantee with respect to the outcome either. I certainly feel like justice should be sought, but the reality is I'm not sure what I would gain. I believe the best thing that can be done at this point is to make sure my money or that of anyone I can share this story with never makes it into the hands of that dealership.

Now, on to a seperate but related note. When I originally brought my car in to a third Nissan dealer (geographically right between Beaverton and my local dealer) and they told me that my ECU needed to be updated, I had made an appointment to have them resolve this as well as some other incidental TSBs. That was several weeks ago, but I decided now with my car back I would take care of the other issues. Since this dealership had already ordered the new driver's side seat cover, etc, I opted to reschedule my appointment with them. I was to drop the car off yesterday at 8am. I arrived at 7:30 and left the car with them. At 3:30pm I checked my voicemail and had missed a call about twenty minutes earlier from the service department saying they need me to call. I called back and was asked if I had taken my car elsewhere between my first visit and now. I briefly recapped the gas tank story for him. I asked if my car would be ready soon. He affirmed that it was in fact ready now. I arranged to be picked up from the office. The courtesy van arrived and I was shuttled back to my car. The service advisor recapped the work that had been done and had me sign off that I was picking it up. Then he turned a bit more serious and told me he had something that he needed to show me. On the stroll out to my car, he explained that while the service technician had finished installing the new seat cover, he had tripped while carrying the seat back to my car. On the driver's side, just to the rear of the door line, are two 1/4" wide gashes in the paint. My stomach turned. He told me they were sorry and would have it repaired. I asked who would do the work and was told that he had contacted a couple of body shops and decided on one that has done good paint work for him in the past. He told me they were going to cut him a great deal and repair it for $400. That made me nervous. In my experience any time a body shop is involved in ANYTHING, its a thousand dollars, minimum. I asked him if he would object to me taking it to a shop closer to me, since I live 50 miles away. He told me that he would arrange to meet me if I'd like and that they would of course provide me with a vehicle to drive during the car's time in the repair shop. He told me that as long as the shop I chose would bill him, he would agree. He repeated to me that he was quoted $400. I was simply in a state of shock. How can so many people scew up (no pun intended) so bad on one car in such a short span of time? I drove to a body shop with a good reputation whose custom work I have been impressed with. He wrote up the estimate, which he said was less than he had initially expected at $808. I asked if he could bill the dealership and he told me that would not be a problem. It was 5:45pm and he decided to call that service department the next morning instead and get things worked out.

 

man...I am so sorry this crap is happening to you.....

 

I totally agree with your sentiment regarding legal action. People don't realize that in most cases, you aren't going to be awarded remunerations for legal fees on top of any damages. Therefore, it's very likely that while winning a law suit may be quite gratifying personally, from a dollar and time perspective it could potentially cost you more in fees and missed work than simply fighting the battle you've been fighting or even paying the cost of repairs out of pocket. Lawyers aren't cheap.

As for the damage to the paint on your car, all I can say is that you must have done something in a former life that you are now paying for. You don't find yourself answering everytime someone says 'Hitler' do you?

Anyway, I'm sure it will work out. At least this last dealership guy was honest and forthcoming about the damage to your car. I would say, however, that his "great deal" to fix damage that THEY did to your car shouldn't limit your options for getting it fixed. If it comes down to costing them a few extra bucks by accomodating you or saving a few bucks to inconvenience you, they need to just suck it up and pay out.

Keep us posted.