My car is a 2003 Z Performance modeI. I was experiencing the problem that many other 2003 owners describe with the original tranny. My complaint was grinding when going into 5th gear (other owners report the problem in 3rd gear), and a generally "notchy" feel with the transmission. Wayzata Nissan (my dealer in Minnesota) recommended a transmission replacement. The dealer did the tranny-swap today, and I just picked-up and drove the car.

Wow! ...What a difference a day (or a new tranny) makes. The new transmission isn't "notchy" at all; it is smooth as silk and shifts are so much better than what I had before with the original transmission. I feel as though I am driving a new (or completely different) car.

--Spike

 

nice! good stuff man i had the same problem (grinding into 5th gear) and i got a new transmission, i also have a 2003 Z. but i now have a weird clicking feeling when i go into second so im prob goin to need a new tranny again

 

Glad to hear you like it. How much did that run you if ya don't mind me asking?

 

had this EXACT thing happen to me, 3rd gear for me, replaced for me and like you shifts like butter now.

 

My new tranny is on order at the dealer , and my JWT clutch kit will be ordered tomorrow. Their ganna throw it in for free.

 

Yup, the new version 009 tranny is a whole different animal...glad you are enjoying it.

 

Now when you say notchy what do you mean? Like when I shift into any gear it theres the like "clunk" that lets you know your in gear, more obvious then other cars I've driven but I thought it was good, is that what you are referring to or is there something else (I have an 03' lol)

 

yeah, i got mine replaced CD009 FTW

 

I am finally getting mine replaced. New 009 version. Should be nice not to hear the 3rd gear grind I am gonna miss tht little bugger

Chris

 

you'll love it man, it feels like a whole new car...the shifts are sooooo smooth

 

I guess I was just unlucky. I took my car to the dealership with the same problem and they told me it was not covered under my warranty. I have the extended warranty on mine and apparently, it does not cover a bad syncro. Mine was 5th gear as well. Guess I get to put it up on jack stands and fix it myself pretty soon here

 

What does FTW mean...I thought it meant for the record, but record doesnt start with a W.

 

I bet you could print out a thread from here with 10 pages of guys who have had a fifth gear grind and had their transmission replaced as a result. In fact, when I mentioned the grind to a tech at a dealership here, he just went straight to making an appointment to have my whole tranny replaced.

If they tell you they didn't know about Z tranny problems, they are lying to you, plain and simple. It's just too common of a problem to NOT know about.

 

Yea, I called 1 800-nissan1 and talked to a few different people up there and everyone of them told me that the syncro is not covered under warranty. The first guy I talked to was rude and told me that my abusive driving made the clutch go bad and that in turn caused my syncro for 5th to go out so they would not cover it. I am not too sure how my clutch could go bad and cause my syncro for 5th to go out when it feels just fine to me. I am heading up to the dealership tomorrow to cancel my extended warranty and see if I can get any of my money back...the dealership told me that it was covered under warranty and then the day before I was going to bring my car in, they called and said nissan contacted them and said they would not cover fixing my car under warranty....so I am not really sure what I can do other than cancel my extended warranty at this point and try to save a few$$.

 

The transmission was replaced under the 5 yr/50K warranty. The dealer did not charge anything.

--Spike

 

Yes. And like you, I didn't think that was by itself necessarily a bad thing. The "syncro grind" is what got me to the dearship with a complaint. The new transmission is so much better in every way.

--Spike

 

I don't get this. The standard Nissan drivetrain warranty is 5 yrs/50K miles. Even if you have a 2003 model, it would be covered under Nissan's standard warranty timewise unless you are over 50K miles. But, you say you have an extended warranty. Is the extended warranty through Nissan? If so, that is a very costly warranty that should cover this problem.

Clearly the problem you describe is not due to abuse; and, a worn clutch has nothing to do with this.

My dealership didn't contest the transmission replacement. If there is another dealership nearby, you should go to them and ask for the transmission replacement. "Another dealership nearby"... well heck... at the price of a new tranny, you could drive up all the way from where you are to here (Frostbite Falls) and have the tranny replaced, and still save a boat-load of $$'s.

--Spike

 

Congrats, I just took my Z to the Dealer today, (after trying 3 other dealers) and test drove it with a master tech. I made one shift into 5th gear, and he told me to turn around and go back to the shop, he would order a new tranny for me.

I was trying to get the clutch replaced too, but i dont think they were buying it. LOL

I would just assume it was related.

 

For the Win!

 

haha.... i had the same problem going into 3rd. i have an 03 350z touring model... i brought it to nissan and they changed the whole thing, no questions asked...i think i got a brand new clutch too...drives great