Hi guys, ive been reading all these threads/posts about alot of ppl having problems with their Z's in the US. Eagerly awaiting my chance at ownership, its very discouraging reading all these problems. Given the Aus Z contigent is growing here, has ne1 experienced ne such issues;

- grease streaks on windows
- transmission problems
- orange peel in paint
- tyre feathering
- interior rattles, etc


I'd really like some feedback from Z owners in Aus as to how well their cars r holding up in our conditions.

Thanks, Sam

 

Got mine in March, no real problems.

I still get minor grease streaks, and I got the seat click, although mine was more of a continuous squeak - but they fixed that at the first service.

Apart from that - sheer pleasure.

 

Well I've only had mine for just over a month so it's too early to comment on things like tyre feathering, just over 2150km now.

I had a single grease streak on the first day but it was barely there and fixed itself within a day.

No tranny problems but I don't think the tranny is as good as it could be. It doesn't grind etc, I just don't feel that it's a good design but that could just be my expectations.

There's always going to be orange peel but IMO it's nowhere near as bad as what people have made out, in fact I think it's good for a mass market car. Cetainly better than my '94 MX-5.

The only rattle I have is the cup holder and it's not loud. It does annoy me though so I plan on fixing that by tapeing it up. I'm never going to use it anyway.

The worst part of the Z IMO is the Audiopilot on the Z. Other than that I'm happy with the car.

 

I've had mine for 3 months now and no problems apart from a couple of minor rattles. Don't expect too much from the Bose audio system. Overall I'm really satisfied. As the car loosens up, performance is also improving.

Apart from some reported transmission problems and tyre feathering on some of the earlier cars, I believe that most of the issues have been minor.

 

Got mine for a whole month now, and the only problem I have is the window grease.

But that only happen during the first week of ownership. It is nowhere to be seen afterwards.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, seems the Aus cars r prone to a few of the US problems unfortunately. The Bose system im not too fussed with since ive already purchased all my audio gear thats going in the car. The rattles i guess can be sussed out and fixed, its more the orange peel and mechanical problems. Its taken me close to 3 months to convince my dad to sell my Alfa for a Japanese car and id hate for him to spend another 70K on something thats going to give us alot of problems and end up selling a yr later for half what he paid.

But those who havnt postsed yet, plz continue to do so.

Mite take the opportunity here to do a little bit of free advertising http://www.drive.com.au/buy/used/det...first_record=0

 

Mine is probably the newest of the vehicles owned by the AU/NZ forum members (I'm open for correction here), and most if not all the major issues discussed in the US and early owner threads seem to have been sorted out in my delivery.

Admittedly I have only had my car for just under a week, but the paint is standard Nissan fair, it has a vague organge peel texture in spots but you have to really look for it, it isn't obvious and I wouldn't call it a fault.

No grease spots at all on my car, the tranmission seems OK after 1000km (yes I have done just a bit of driving in 5 days).

The Bose system sucks, too boomy and too tinny, no mid range.

No rattles yet, but it's a sports car with stiff suspension, you have too allow for a little give. My 200SX had minor squeaks and I imagine this one will as well eventually, just turn up the volume or drive faster

Reversing is a biatch. It will take me a while till I'm as confident in reversing this car into my small 2 car garage as I was with my others, the blind spot is enormous. Lots'a mirror work required.

So saying that, this is the best car I've ever owned, I love it and take any excuse to go driving in it. Get one...

Jim

 

Hello Sam,

First of all, we cannot be able to compare Z with all the european cars because of the materials they use are different... I am sure that Z is a quality built car already among all the Jap sports cars...

I had a few problems before, but most of them were fixed by my nissan dealer after going in and out for several times, from fuel pump to front suspension arms noise and the seat squeal.... I had experienced them all.... the only thing thats left and they couldn't be able to fix are the rattling sound from both ends of my front wind screen area and the break sqeak sound... Tranny is good and it has already been losen up by me after 5k km (well... 500 km to that milage)... I am quite happy with that.... parked the car on Chapel street on Saturday... and it was right opposite to the other standard black track Z.... number plate- ZCLUB.... don't know if any of you know that guy?! nice colour too!

cheers,

richie

 

Sundog you're spot on.

Taking the Z out is so enjoyable that one looks for excuses to go for a drive, or even to take the long way home. I felt a bit of this sensation in my S15 but the Z is even more rewarding.

I'm now looking forward to a small performance upgrade to heighten that "thrill of driving experience" even more. I am hoping that an exhaust and ECU upgrade can add 20 - 30kw which will make it "just perfect" for me.

 

I have had really no problems with the Z.

The only issue that I have started to have is this popping sound when I corner.


Z350Lover,
When you say front suspension arm noise, what do you mean?
How was it fixed?
Just wondering if this is the same thing that I have?

Thanks,

Zdster

 

Zdster:

It happened when I turned into corners, there would be a "clunk" sound at the driver's suspension area... It was hard to reproduce the noise and nissan tried to tighten all the bolts on the suspensions/arm joints, but didn't help... so I needed to take the car back in again and by then, I could be able to produce the noise whenever I wanted...

So it ends up having both side of suspensions being taken off the car and re-assembled with lubes... and it drives perfect now!

Well... it is kinda hard to ask them to look into the problem if they don't hear the noise.... I know it might be hard to reproduce the noise... but TRY this.... Try to reverse the car into your garage, but before you go into the reverse gear, go forward to the right/left with full lock on the steering, then reverse backwards and slowly turn your steering back to the neutral position while reversing... see if you can reproduce the noise that way.... I had the clunk noise whenever I did that..

All the best!

cheers,

richie

 

Rich its comforting to know the dealers r willing to repair the problems. Regarding the brake squeel, im positive thats just the pads. You could fit some EBC green pads, but then even i wouldnt be that happy spending more money on top of the brembo brake ask.

Just off topic, does ne1 have ne info regarding 04 models in Aus. Will there be ne signifcant changes? Is it true that they will add liquid silver to color choices? (doubtful that color would make it newhere but US) I asked one of the dealers but got blank stares, probably coz their more interested in moving the cars in the showroom. Im thinking perhaps wait for an 04 model confident that some of these problems may be fixed.....just a thought.

Oh and quickly, now this question may seem trivial to some, but not for a clean freak like myself, but how r the interiors holding up? R the seats wearing and causing wrinkles on the bolsters? Is it hard to get all the finger marks off the door trim when opening the doors? (i ask the last question since both demo Z's ive driven have had aweful scuff and finger marks on the door trims)

 

My seats are OK but again not many km yet. The door trims concern me. I can't fathom why they'd use suck a textured surface that could mark so easily. Mine is holding up so far but I'm being careful. I've been tossing around the idea of taking it to a place and having them covered in matching leather but I'll wait and see.

 

The door trim is prone to marking and is not the best material IMO to have been used. I tried putting armorall on it, but although it now resists fingerprints, it has become blotchy with shiny and dull patches.

Following advise on this forum, I am going to import some Aerospace 303 which seems to be the recommended product to use.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, greatly appreciated

Malcolm i wouldnt recommend using armaoil on a textured plastic like the Z door trims. Armaoil is only really good for smooth surfaces, or vinyl wrapped interior parts like the Holdens/Fords. I have a similar prob with my Alfa. The plastics r almost like a grippy crocodile skin texture, and my girlfriend mucks up my door all the time with her make up fingers....gets in the grooves. I just use warm water, patience and a rough sponge.

 

Thanks alot Z350Lover, I will give it a shot when I get some time.

Can I ask one further question however, when you took it into the dealer, how did you explain the sound, or did you just back the car up (as you stated) for them?

By the way on Saturday I also saw 'ZCLUB', but I must have missed you. I love that colour combination that he had, the black with the orange interior.

Zdster

 

Zdster:

At the very first time, I brought the car in, had a 10 minutes drive with the technician just to reproduce the noise, and I was lucky to reproduce the noise during that 10 minutes.... so they tried to fix the car in the next hour or so for me, but when I got back home, the noise was still there.... which means that I needed to go back again.... I didn't give them a call until I was sure that I could be able to reproduce the noise whenever I want to... so you better make sure that you can be able to "demonstrate" that noise to the dealer as they know what to look for! else they will refuse doing anything to check out the car!

On saturday, well.... I was parked right opposite to ZCLUB... kekeke.... but I left before that car, so that might be why! (I parked at 1hr parking space while he was parking at 2 hrs zone)...

All the best,

richie

 

Thanks Z350Lover, I will have to make an appointment with my dealership to take the car in.

Oh well about Saturday. Would have liked to have seen your car.

Thanks for your help

Zdster

 

3500kms and i have a rattle at the rear... from the forums it will be a the tail light ... i also have that awful grease streak!

Everything else is 100% so far.

Regardless the way i drive i rarely get to enjoy in-cabin noises. I just love my throttle too much.

 

I hear u about the throttle Whenever i get the chance to drive my dads 360 i just cant resist twitching my right foot and lighting up the rears at every light. Sooooo looking forward to tearing up those rear tyres on the Z, little sideways action at every corner arghhh the fun of RWD

U can all be confident that the donut mpegs will be reeling in