Did they agree to replace all 4 or just the 2 fronts?

 

Get rid of the OE tires and get a Hunter re-alignment after install, the tires are lousy and prone to very rapid wear if your alignment is off. If your dealer doesn't have a Hunter alignment machine, go to someone who does.

 

Hehe. Sounds like you need the help. Anyway, I already filed a lemon law claim and won. I guess you could say I am over it. Good luck.

 

Farleez,

Can you take me through your process? I am starting the LL process in Texas as well. Any advice is appreciated!

 

I could say that you are over it but since you won your case and you are still here I would probably be wrong. So what was the outcome if you don't mind sharing? Did you get a buy back or a replacement vehicle?

 

Nissan has certified that my Z has been completely repaired under the State of Florida LL process. So here's the run down:


The dealership called me yesterday afternoon to infrom me the required repairs were completed and she ran down the work order w/ me. Here's what was reported (I'll scan the actual report tonight):

1) Check for vibration in rear of vehicle. NNA rep test drove and found cupping on the rear tires. Replace rear tires with OEM. Ok'd by C. Smith

2) Check for customer hears single knock from right front when going from park to reverse while wheel is turned. NNA rep found a internal failure with the right front compression rod. Rod was first replaced on 8/23/03 - needs to be replaced again. Good at this time. Ok'd by C. Smith

3) Check for vehicle pulls to right and steering wheel is off center. NNA rep found excessive play. Completed alignment. Inspected by C. Smith - ok'd


So folks - that's it. I have my Z back. So here's my impressions even though my left wrist is broken (in a cast). The Z seems to be tight and she's drving straight for the time being. The wheel hop is gone and my steering wheel is straight - but the damn rattle from the rear view mirror is all of a sudden here. The true test will be in about 6 months if the problems resurface.

Since this was the "final" repair - if the same problems resurface, NNA does not have the option for another "final" repair. We pretty much go staright to settlement per BBB and Attorney General. This can happen any time between now and 1/25/05. So I have 12 months to figure out if he problem returns. I have new rubber on the front and the back (about 700 miles apart in age). So, the road noise should come back (cupping) if the rapairs do not hold up.

I've had (2) compression arms and (4) alignment's and (4) new tires since 1/25/03. Totally unacceptable if you ask me - this isn't a "abused" car.

I'm going to scan the alignment spec's and post them tomorrow.

Good luck and I'll keep everyone posted.

 

Add my name to the list of folks who have the feathering problem. Bought the Car in August 2003, 18,000 miles on it and tire roar is very loud. However the problem only really developed in the last 3,000 miles.

I travel a great deal for work, I bought the car in NJ, live in NY and currently work in Washington D.C. So no clue which lemon law I'd apply to even if I was within it's particular limits (think NJ has a the 12,000 mile/1yr rule).

That said, the dealer down here is excellent. I reported the problem, he determined it was this issue, ordered new front tires even though the TSB says to just swap 'em and they have 18k miles on 'em, will give the tires to me for free and do the alignment. Sadly the tires are not in (probably on backorder) yet so I sit and wait, with tire roar.

I love the Z, I have very minor window grease issues (took months for any appreciable grease to show up). Cleaned the windows and the grease has not come back. The only other issue I've had is that my passenger side in-dash cup holder is a bit sticky (doesn't snap open when you push it) and that the rear view mirror plastic molding rattles (solved by squeezing it tight again).

Honestly if I my problem is such that every 20,000 miles or so I'll need new front tires and an alignment, that's about what I expected for a perf car (note: the tread wear on the rest of the tire has plenty of life left on it, just the inside edge shows serious feathering). However I'm worried that aftert his tsb "fix" the tires will wear sooner (now that the problem has surfaced).

What's not clear to me on this thread or through the rest of the board (I lurk obsessively) is if aftermarket tires and/or suspension really solve the problem or not. SOme folks say it does but I have yet to see credible proof (i.e. someone who HAD the problem, had the TSB done, got the problem back (proving the issue is not fixed by the TSB) then got new tires OR a new suspension and after another 10-20k miles the problem has not resurfaced).

 

from what i understand the tire itself plays some fault in this also. granted most of the blame is with nissan and the setup of the car, but the OG bridgestones were way too soft of a tire. I have heard some other people say that other cars with this tire have some similar issues, granted not to the extent of the 350Z. that is why when my dealer gave me new "shoes" at 15k we put a harder compound tire. worked out decent for me cause being in ohio and winter setting in it was an all weather version. as far as the suspension i have that same question. does the nismo-s suspension solve this issue. (oh yeah, the harder tire thing was and still is a guess cause i am not quite yet to 1000 miles on the new ones but to date my wheel is dead straight and absolute min drift to right, mainly on the slope of the road. so we will see).

 

Griffer,

Which brand and type of tire? Do you know the UTOQ rating?

 

the ones they gave me free were still bridgestone potenzas but they were the all weather, not the v rated which were the softy ones on the original. as far as the details i can get to that at another time, i am at work and cant check on that right now. I think when i have to change these out i am going with another brand all together, and maybe even harder compound.

this was the choice of tire because of the supposed "fix" that was going to come in january of this year, which I am beginning to get skepitcal on. if you read some of my past posts, my dealer told me that they were informed from nissan of a possible recall in the next month or two and the tires were going to be these. needless to say i am not holding my breath.

 

Hello there:

I ordered my 350Z T Roadster toward the end of December. It should be in around March. How likely is it that I’ll have these same issues? Is Nissan Actually still producing cars that have a know problem? That seems a little strange. I guess sales are still up. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Nagle

 

It seems to be related to early productions. The NNA representative I regularly talk with indicated it was due to a "shipping problem" not sure how reliable this information.

 

My build date was 12/02 and I thought the problems had been fixed by then.... Nope

 

Check if they are the REO 92 All Weather. I believe they are 220 rated. Tire Rack does not show a size to fit the rear 17" wheels. I can see NNA having this be the fix and realize "Oops, no match for the rears. Well who cares, put the 040's on the rear!"

 

I just went to Tire Rack and checked on the RE 92 High Performance All-Weather Tire. When I replaced my 17" tires a few months back, I did a thorough search of all types of tires to put on. All season's and Summer High Performace tires. From Michelin to Bridgestone to Kumho and all in between. The RE 92 had been put on my car as front replacements with out my knowledge. Take them or wait months they said. I did a search on Tire Rack and was shocked at the reviews. Also, at that time they did not have the 235/50/17 for the rear wheels. I am certain of this because when the rears wore out, that is when I had to go out and get 4 new tires.

This is long winded to get to this point but, guess what? Now they have the 17" size for rear tires on Tire Rack. However, they do not have the 18" sizes. The tire is V rated (149 MPH) and has shi++y reviews. MY experience is they suck big time. They are 160 UTOQ rated.

I hope this is not the anticipated fix but it is coincidental.

 

I believe I was told just the front tires, although what's the point of having front tires with less mileage than the rear tires? I don't want to be buying two tires at a time. I guess I will tell my service advisor that I was under the assumption that a 'set' of tires is all 4 tires. Might as well ride this pig out, I guess I will have to wait and see when I have them put on next Tuesday. I am very curious to see how the W Rated Michelin Pilot series would wear on the vehicle ... but for $1,100 I'll wait.

 

You know regardless of the problems that I've had with my Z I would most certainly do it all over again. I love my Z and I'm sure that whatever problems that will come my way I'll get it fixed and keep the BIG SMILE on my face every time I'm driving.

 

I am with you BlueDragonZ. I definitely would do it all over again! Despite having to solve the tire problem, I just LOVE this car! 28,400 miles so far and still going!

 

same here

 

sounds quite terrible & hopeless. I have only 5500 mi on a pre ordered Enthus. Z I recieved Sept 02..the wear problem is starting & dealer says the alignment will cure the problem. Unfortunatley the cupping is now started on the outside edge also...sure would like to get to the bottom so i can upgrade wheels & Tires. The 19" ers are sure expensive to replace evry 5kmi