Wow this thread is long.

Just took my 04 base into performace nissan in duarte, CA for the road noise issue. Since I'm out of warranty looks like im SOL. They are claiming tire wear is related to it being a sports car. They also "recommended" a few more service that pushes the bill to near $2000. tires, brakes, rotors, cleaning (injectors and throttle body), and lastly a 30000 miles service.

My thinking is "is it worth it for a car that I will have to change 2 tires every 10-12k miles?"

Probably will join a few you on here and jump ship.. sucks only a year away to being paid off. Good thing is, looks like I may have some equity on the car.

 

To be honest, I was freaked out when I realize this thread has been going on for almost five years. It is also very very discouraging as well ... Is there anyone out there who owns a 03 Z and actually don't have tire wearing and roaring issue!?

I am a new owner of 350Z and bought my 03 Z from carmax about two months ago which comes with a set of fairly new tires. I have had almost 3k miles on it since I got it and so far I haven't notice any roaring or feathering noises yet. But since I have a set of new tires to begin with, that noise issue may occur soon when I reach 4k-5k range. Beside the tire issue, the break squeals and I think the tranny is acting funny too... sigh... so much for the legendary Z.

 

There is no fix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

so do ALL the 350s do this or just 03/04?? If the newer ones don't there is a "fix" just Nissan isn't going to cover it. So what was changed on the newer ones??

 

I was wondering the same question... I saw somewhere on this same thread that even 07 has the same problem...

 

I am new when it comes to posting on this forum, but not new when it comes to reading ALL about the beloved Z. I will be taking delievery of my first Z in January. I ordered the Pikes Peak White, Grand Touring Roadster, Automatic with Navigation & the 18" Chrome Wheels. My questions is this, is the problem with the tires feathering hit or miss, or does it occur on every Z that is built? Can the optional chrome wheels help, make it worse, or does it just not matter. Thanks in advance to all that can assist me with this question.

 

It does not occur on every Z built. I wasn't that lucky with my 2003, none of the Nissan fixes made any difference. Since no one has ever really demonstrated a rock-solid case for "why" or a comprehensive "fix", it's impossible to say it is "hit or miss" or not.

Statistically it was much worse in 2002/2003, that's when the problem really hit the fan. But search this thread on 2004-2006 model years and you'll find cases, some pretty bad. Seems to consistently show up (IF it does) somewhere around 5-10k miles, longer with the newer Bridgestone tread pattern (inner blocks are not fully cut to reduce movement). Some of the G Coupes had the same issue, too. Mine so far does not after 4 years and 40k miles, so guessing I won't be seeing this problem.

I may be a slow learner, but I would not let this issue keep me from buying a new Z if I had room for a pure 2-seater in the lineup right now (I don't). Now that the G37 porker is finally out, no more G Coupes in my future purchases, it's no longer a Sports Coupe first, unlike the 350Z, which is still first and foremost a Sports Car, and a darn fun one to drive at that. I'd have snapped up a NISMO Z this year if I could use a 2-seater (it would sit far too much of the time, no garage queens for me).

HTH - and I know nothing about the wheels hurting or helping. I had the 17" stock Base Model wheels, for what it's worth.

 

Thanks for your quick reply back. Like I said in my earlier post, I will be taking possesion of my new Z in January, and quite frankly can't wait. I just hope the tire feathering problem aviods my ownership all together.

 

When I purchased my Touring 03' I knew I had this problem, then I wrote asking about it. Two years later I have purchased SPC Upper Camber Arms, Suspension, New Rims, and two set of tires and the Damn Problem Persist. Even Aligning twice per year, every10k miles.

God, I just decided to sell the freaking car, I love it, But I hate when I have to be paying $500 for a pair of tires every year. Not fair.!!!

 

So did you happen to get a later year of Z?... like 06+... if u did, do they still have the same problem?

 

Yes. I've gone fron 12K out of a set of tires to 35-40K. What I did;

1. Replaced springs with Eibach, lowered car 1"

2. NEVER go back to the original Bridgstones.

3. Rotate tires L-R, R-L once every 15-25K.

after dropping I had Michilin Pilot sports on for about 35K. They would have worn another 10K but I had a cut in one. i had a bent rim about that time and Z Car garage gave me a loaner set of Bridgstones for a few months. Took them 4K to feather. Put on a new set of Dunlaps and i'm at around 20K with them, no sign of abnormal wear.

In conclusion, I have found the best solution to Nissans problem is getting far away from factory OEM tires and rotation. I don't believe at this time the drop had any big effect either way, but it was BETTER after the drop due to the tires and rotation.

 

thanks for the info

 

i didnt feel like reading all the pages, but has anyone figured out what the actual part of the suspension causing the tire feathering issue? and also if changing to aftermarket components would eliminate this issue for good?

 

Jury trail for me in August 2008. I'm looking forward to shoving this car right up Nissan's ****. They may want to settle, but it anit going to happen. I want the settlement to be public record...

 

It's been almost two years since I last visted this site. It was just before I traded in my 03' 350z Track for a 06' Toyota 4Runner. I took a 3K loss to get that nightmare out of my life. Initially I thought I would miss it. NOT. Not one phucken day have I missed that car. I absolutely love my 4Runner. I have 40K on it and not once have I been to the shop for a repair or have any complaints. My Z on the other hand was in the shop 8 times the first 12 months and many more times before I let it go. It chewed up tires every 6K, had 3rd gear tranny problems, the axle click problem, window grease problem (the fix caused an air leak), remote hatch problem, shitty paint, gas gauge and tire sensors were off, frayed cloth seats, window not lowering, and that's just what I remember. To make matters worse, I had to convince my dealer these were real problems. If you weren't a savy Z owner you got screwed. Seeing owners still dealing with this tire issue is upsetting. I feel for you. I say just cut and run. It was the best thing I did. I have vowed to never buy another Nissan.

 

Just get a set of Nitto Invo tires (or any other non-directional tire) and rotate side to side every 3000 miles. This has stopped my tire roar.

 

i just bought directional toyo tires so other tires are not an option right now. what i wanted to know was what exactly causes the improper toe-in on 2003 models. also is it possible to correct the problem completely. i do not want to get another Z as i am very happy with my current one but am annoyed with the tire roar and tire wear. thanks.

 

This is really the solution people...and keep your car aligned. Learn about the settings and ask for before and after print outs. Takes some effort as these cars are more sensitive to alignment settings.

 

i know this is an old thread and all. .but i recently joined and gotta tell ou guy's that my 03 had the road noise. .and this is a recall that the dealer has to take care of. .i got new stock tire's inwhich i replaced with bfg's g force's and since i own my own shop i perform monthly alignments on mine and so far so good. .but i can deff tell you all that every damn time i do an alignment it's allways off. .

 

would changing the wheels or upgrading the suspension correct it completely? or would it still remain the same.