I am new to this forum but have a few questions. I have a 06 Red 350Z Convert with 20,000 miles give or take a few. I had to change front brakes and rotors at 12,000 which I thought was somewhat quick. I did not have this done at a dealer but an independent. I go to (it was $200.00 less). He used after-market parts and they are much better than the origonal ones. Besides they should last a LOT longer as my front wheels now stay clean between washes.

My two big complaints are the crappy paint Nisson used, my hood looks like I drive it in gravel pits and the lousy upholstrey used in the standard model. Had anyone had any dealers that have offered to do anything about either one of these "defects". The paint on Hondas, Lexus, Infinity etc. seems to be a lot more resistant to chipping. It is not the aluminum hood either as the chipping is only down th the while underkote.

PS. I had two Datsun 240Z's (1991 and 1992) several years ago. The paint was great on those.

SOFTOPZ

 

Life of the brakes depends on how you drive. People who tailgate, brake at the last second at stop lights and are basicaly aggressive drivers will eat up the brakes a lot faster... My brother who has 18k miles on his roadster is still on his first set of brakes/rotors and they seem to still be in good shape, but he pretty much just crusises in it...

I agree about the paint, seems the paint on my Infinti seems to be of better quality as I have pretty much have no chips on that car but several on my 350zr.

 

I Have 33000 On My Original Brakes, Put Iam On My 4th Set Of Tires

 

I am more concerned about the paint than brakes. Has anyone had any experiences with the dealer or Nissan doing anything about the paint?

Before i bought it I was in some forum that indicated Nissan was saing it is because of EPA not allowing them to use some of the solvents they had before. In my opinion that is a copout as other brannds and Infinities from Nissan don't chip like the Z. Most people with Z's take pride in how their car looks. If they didn't they would have bought a Kia or even a used Pinto. A car with paint chips all over the front looks terrible. I don't know which looks worse on a red car. A bunch of white chipe or a bunch of red bubbles from touch up paint.

 

Might want to think about using a clear bra, from what I've heard they work pretty good.

There was a newer porsche outside my offce this morning and out of curiosty I took a look at his front end and it had quite a few chips on it... Im guessing its the price we pay for a car that sits low to the ground <shrug>

Atleast with my car (which is black) has a aftermarket urethane bumper which is black, so when the paint does chip its black underneath so its not as noticable...