hello everyone. I found this site while researching the 350z for my wife's new car. I've been reading so much about the tire feathering problem a lot of you are having with your Z's. Has this problem been fixed or addressed by Nissan on the '04s? We're looking to buy the Performance model, but if this is a persistent problem w/ all 350z, then I'm kind of hesistant to buy one. I live in So.Cal. If anyone here has purchased a 350z in So. Cal. this year and is experiencing feathering, please let me know. thanks.

 

hey bdog, in fact i recently just purchased the Z, enthusiast on May 18th of 2004... I only have like 200 miles on it and i don't seeem to have any problems... It also seems like most of the tire feathering issues are with the 03 models, but then again I'm still a newbie so... btw The Z ROCKS!

 

Nissan has not fixed this problem. I spoke to my dealer less than a week ago about this, he has 04s that he sold 3-4 months ago coming back with 5k miles and feathering. The dealer does not believe the problem will ever be fixed.

That said, replacing the front tires every 10,000 miles only costs about $350-$400 depending on which brand you choose. If you drive about 10k/yr that means you dump $400/yr on tires...not terribly bad...although I agree that Nissan should fix this issue.

I even spoke to a Nissan rep at the car show a few mos back and he said Nissan had no idea what was causing the problem and it was unlikely to be fixed.

NzZ

 

Well, my 04 seemed to be on pace to develop feathering but i've got about 7,000 miles on the tires and they are just as good as the day I drove off the lot. This does not mean that the tires are 'good' in a quality sense, but, that they haven't gotten worse in terms of noise nor have they shown any signs of feathering.

Just know that the stock tires are loud!!! I'm seriously thinking of doing donuts and track days just to wear them out quicker to replace them with a different set of tires. I'm not one to swear by anything, but, let me tell ya that I am never going to own another set of RE040's in my life.

 

doesn't feathering develop after 4k miles for most zs. so that's $1000/yr on average in tire replacement. (if you replace tires when they begin to roar)

 

You are right it begins at 4-6k...but I believe with rotating, etc. most owners will be able to get almost 10k out of them. It will be a loud last 3000 miles though.

NzZ

 

i have an 04 that has roughly 8000 miles now and its starting to roar!! i guess its time to visit nissan. i hope i get new tires

 

So Far so good. 4,300 miles and no feathering.

 

good luck, im in the same boat. i have 8k, and they are roaring... freekin sucks... 40k car....

 

I just wanted to let everyone that is having feathering/roaring noises know that I took my car in this past week and they are going to order me new tires due to the front ones wearing out on the inside. Come to find out, they are on NATIONAL BACK ORDER!! I guess Nissan is replacing alot of tires for Z owners

 

fairlady350zz, read the tire feather thread in this forum. you'll realize that they're not really on national back order (it's an old trick) and if they really wanted, they could get you a set right away.

i got my first replacement in days even when other people had heard "national back order" from other dealers.

sure, it feels nice to get some new tires and whatnot, but just wait until that freebie offer ends. you'll feel ripped.

they're only buying time by getting you new tires.

it's hard to get 10k out of these tires with feathering. it's annoying as hell for sure. oh it gets LOUD.

 

Has anyone actually taken their car in, Nissan performed the TSB that was released, had an alignment, got new tires, and the feathering problem was gone ??????

 

woogemooge, what would one have to do/say to have them get me tires right away? Nissan sucks!!!