A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I got out of mine at 11k and never looked back...
A:
drive till you see it, you might not have it....................
thats what im doin because if i dump it now i will lose big time ,also 2005 is around the corner and the g35 might be a option for me also more HP might be added to the Z/G...................who knows we have to wait and see give it time nissan might FIX???? remember they fixed the greased windows and the amp issue who says they wont fix this issue remember dont give in just yet, be a bit patient ................its hard reading forums and hearing all these horror stories but no good stories.....................give it time MAN...my .02 cents i hope it helps you
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cept you're still here, zness, so did you really never look back, or are you constantly staring in the rearview mirror?
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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Good to hear from you again, 350znewbie. I thought you wrapped your car around a tree or something. Tire feathering can do that to you. I am allowed on this site just as much as you are. Get over it...
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Dude,
What are you talking about? You've been looking back ever since!
You miss it and you know it!
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Good one! You sure told him!
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To actually answer the poor guy's questions:
1. Some G35's exhibit feathering, but it is a very small minority. I did a survey on G35driver.com and only had three people tell me they had experienced it.
2. Allegedly some Z's don't feather, but I personally think the majority, if not all (some just don't want to admit it, or don't know what they're looking for) do.
Finally, unless it just really burns you up or something, don't sell it. At least that's my advice. Mine's been through 2 sets of front tires, but I've found a tire made by Sumitomo that costs less than $100 each... so if it eats them up, at least it won't cost much to replace 'em. Plus, see my earlier post... it seems a lot of late model cars feather tires... Not just Zs and that it may just be that certain tires aren't suited for the car and/or that factory OEM tires for most cars suck nowadays. It's interesting to me that G35s don't have the problem nearly as much and they're (almost) the same exact car... just different tires.
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wait wait, ZNESS doesnt even have a Z anymore and he still comes on this site and acts like a total douche. wow man get life. if you disliked the car so much why still post here? you are a sad sad man. please go visit the forums for your new car whatever it may be and leave the Z stuff to the real Z'ers.
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All Z's will eventually exhibit feathering. You must decide if it is a safety issue and if you love your car enough to pay $900 per year for tires. 'Nuff said...
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2003 performance model. 17,000 mi. Took car to Firestone to have a look at my tires no feathering or cupping. Might still happen but I'll have new Goodyears by then. Car still not for sale.
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2003 performance model. 17,000 mi. Took car to Firestone to have a look at my tires no feathering or cupping. Might still happen but I'll have new Goodyears by then. Car still not for sale.
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you can get 20k out of feathered tires safely... i have 12k on mine and they wil be fine til 20k. besides getting a better tire will help and making sure the alignment is always in spec. also new tires wont cost you 900. you can get decent tires for $600. go away ZNESS. what kind of car do you have now? whatever it is im sure youll be misisng your Z when all you can see is my license plate in front of you. loving my Z feathered tires and all.
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The only thing I will see from drivenz is his car wrapped around a tree because Nissan sold him a defective car...
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wait... are you serious? that tire feathering can cause you to wrap your Z around a tree?
really?
wow, that sounds like another firestone-style lawsuit. should be lots of instances of it now, because many have had the car long enough for feathering (which i do have) to take their toll.
must be some evidence of this on the NTSA site somewhere i would think, or somewhere. can you post your source?
thx!
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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It's Friday the weekend is here, 350Znewbie go have a looooooooooong tall drink or two or three or .......... Not everyone agrees with your point of view or cares what you think.
2003 Touring 6MT
CS Black Leather
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Whoops I assumed you were old enough to sidle up to the bar partner.
You are aren't you????
2003 Touring 6MT
CS Black Leather
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ZNESS please spare us all your ranting, and go somewhere else.... MR ZOOOm no one cares what you think either, whats your point. Im not old enough to saddle up to the bar but you are right, I should be out like Newbie having a looong tall drink maybe 4 or 5. so thats what im doing goodnight all. Mr. Zoom and ZNESS make sure you hold it down on tthe forum for me tongiht, seeign as youve got nothign better to do. :) later fellas
A:
What is the matter with you guys. You are playing right into Nissan's hands. Shoulder cupping is not normal. Shoulder cupping is not normal for the Bridgestone RE040. It is the suspension design and/or geometry of the 350Z that chops the tires. If other cars chop their tires then those cars have issues as well. That doesn't make it acceptable. I spent about a hour at a Lexus Dealer today doing research on my case. The IS300 has been produced with the RE040 for some time and has more radical suspension settings than the 350. Guess what guys? The IS300 doesn't chop the tires. Not at 3,000 miles. Not at 6,000 miles. Not even at 20,000 miles. I looked at one car that was a couple of years old, had more than 20K on it and had the original RE040's. They were perfectly flat and smooth. Not a hint of the heel and toe pattern that is characteristic of the onset of shoulder cupping on the 350Z. And they still had quite a bit of tread left as well. I can't believe that people are prepared to deal with the fact they'll need to replace their tires every 5 or 6,000 miles for as long as they own their cars. On the other hand, that is exactly the position that Nissan intends to leave them in because, and I hate to say it, Nissan is going to do absolutely nothing for you. Oh they'll eventually fix the new cars all right but the rest of us are screwed. Flame on if you must but your emotion would be better spent going after Nissan to clean up their mess. They are right though ZNESS. If you are out of your car then what are you still doing here? If I win my case, I'll help anyone here that asks, but other than that I am out of here. On the other hand I can understand that you may be curious to know if Nissan ever fixes the problem, on EVERY car.
edit: I also can't understand how anyone can say that shoulder cupping is not a safety issue. It amazes me that Nissan has gotten away with this. What kind of contact patch do you think you have with a tire that is scalloped on one or both sides? Do you go to the track and say, "I'll think I'll run my scalloped tires today because they get better traction than the new ones"? This is crazy.
Post Edited (Apr 2, 9:50pm)
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ZLESS and mwaaaahber posting on the same subject. This is, indeed, a gift.
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well, i see it this way. i've put 17K on my Z, and have had some sort of feathering since about 6K miles... just like the recipe says. the inner edge is now farily worn, and the tires will be replaced quite soon. i will be trying a different tire, as well as a different alignment.
i had RE040's on my Audi S4, and you are correct, they did not have a feathering problem. i got about 22K miles out of the first set, and traded it before the second set needed to be put on at about 45K. the reason i traded the car was that there were so many problems i could not own the car without a warranty, which was soon to be up.
as far as safety, if you can put 17K miles on the tires, they are not a safety issue. changing tires at that frequency is fairly common for a sports car. i changed the tires every 8-12K on my 911, and that is normal.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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What's your problem 72n03Zs? Trying to get the thread deleted by making personal attacks so you don't have to be reminded that your car has some serious design issues? Your post was neither informative or constructive. It wasn't even witty. At least I am doing something about the problem and, if everything goes well in arbitration, I'll be out of it soon enough. What better way to send a message to Nissan? You, on the other hand, shall have exactly what you deserve. The car that Nissan couldn't or wouldn't fix and the forum where you are not supposed to talk about it.
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How do you get a life? I have often wondered about that phrase. Do you purchase it on the internet? Do you steal it from an unsuspecting fool? Maybe with all of your wit and wisdom you can enlighten us oh Guru of the Zcar site!
You are right about my being negative but onlyafter reading the numerous personal attacks on Zness. Apparently his heinous crime is that he is no longer an owner of a 350Z.
I believe I am correct when I think back to a post about Jay Leno and how many said he had a right to his opinion.
I guess drivenZ that is only true of those who agree with the "Site Police"??? I bet you're the commissioner of that group.
Well, I'm off to "...Get a Life..." oh wise one, and a cold brewski too!
2003 Touring 6MT
CS Black Leather
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i must commend you friend, you finally got it!... cheers
PS... I dont think you can buy a life off the internet, well maybe, but not the life im talking about. When you find one you'll know. Its just one of those things you have to experience first hand. best of luck in your search.
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drivenz what's a CFP? Is that where I getta life? LOL
2003 Touring 6MT
CS Black Leather
A:
consider this:
let's say you and a friend go to a very expensive restaurant and you felt you got a really crappy meal for like $400 bucks. for that money, you wanted the finest.
once you vow to never go there again, does it make sense to stand outside the restaurant and scream your opinion about it all day long to anyone who passes by?
certain behavior on this board is similar to the above. i think it is often this behavior that is decried -- not the fact someone is allowed an opinion. passion and intent should not be confused.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
Post Edited (Apr 3, 5:38pm)
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Newbie were you banned from MickeyD's or something?
2003 Touring 6MT
CS Black Leather
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CFP? nahh i dont think that will help you personally. do a search on yahoo there may be some sort of how-to instructions, but i doubt it.
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But ZLESS and mwaaahber insist on going inside the restaurant to tell everyone what a bad meal they should be having.
Post Edited (Apr 3, 7:33pm)
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Some 350Z owners are happier then others.
The ones that aren't seem to have a "salesman" attitude to get us to
feel the way they do.
I am happy with my Z, sorry for those of you that are not.
-Zanioed '03 Le Mans Sunset Touring Coupe w/ Nav.
Post Edited (Apr 3, 8:01pm)
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Or... they secretly really love that restaurant but have been asked never to come back. They are on the outside looking in.
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The fact that a meal can hardly be compared with a $37,000 car not withstanding, the restaurant in this case would be Nissan and this forum is the editorial page where everyone goes to critique their meal after they've eaten. Unfortunately on this page some editorial content is more welcome than others and the site police will quickly act to squell any disenting opinion. I am not trying to change anyone's opinion about there car. If you are happy with your 350Z then that is great and if that is truley the case then there is really no reason for you to read or post in these threads, particularly if your only purpose is personally attack those who do. My purpose in this particular thread was to offer an opposing viewpoint for those who are now pushing the position that shoulder cupping is normal. And the most amusing thing about it is that no one, well almost no one, bothered to offer any information to contradict my opinion. They just launched into personal attackes for having expressed it. All of this talk about getting a life is ironic considering there are number of individuals here that appear to have substituted a car for one.
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The restaurant analogies fit superbly.
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i believe it was asserted that the feathering problem is a safety hazard. i scientifically asked for evidence of such, since it is contradictory to the testing and production process. since the suspension and tires did undergo significant testing as part of the R&D of the vehicle, those results would be reviewed and the car would pass or fail.
any other presentation is emotive and button pushing.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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I would like to see a picture of "tire feathering" or tire wear to have an idea instead of most conjecture.
"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence and then success is sure,"Mark Twain.
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Damn it, my rear tires are about 60% worn. Based on the logic above my tires are damaged and a safety issue - I want Nissan to replace all my tires as soon as they experience any wear and are therefore damaged.
Tires wear out - period. To say they are damaged and dangerous when they are feathered is not necessilary so. The argument that the tires don't have the same contact patch is just plain wrong. The fact that the edge of the block is uneven does not necessilary reduce the contact patch. The bottom line is that while the noise is irritating it's not necessilary a safety issue.
No one likes the noise generated by the feathering but bitching about it and making unsubstantiated safety claims won't solve it.
A:
as best i can tell, you are losing about 1" of tire all the way around on the inner edge with feathering, which works out to about 11% of total tread area. that's where the wear is. as for a loss of contact, that is approximately 1/4 of that amount, but only in extreme conditions at the end of the tire, which is ~18000 miles.
there are several other factors that would achieve the same effect... different tire size (i.e. the 17"), a different tread pattern, etc.
i see what you are saying, but i don't agree that this type of loss is a safety hazard. again, i ask for the evidence of the accidents caused by the vast losses based on the number of Z's purported to be affected.
that would be common sense.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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I have to suppose that intellect you were so kind to ascribe to me has fallen short of its reputation.
Ta ta for now. I've more chores to run in my wonderfully satisfying 350Z.
Post Edited (Apr 5, 1:29pm)
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Quality.
There! Now the moderators can delete this thread.
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we're waiting. tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
<looks up at sky for sign of mighty finger about to press the SMITE key on this post>
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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Sorry 350ZNewbie. It's not my job to enlighten you or answer any questions that you may have. In any case I already answered your question. It is common knowledge that a cupped tire will not perform as expected. You are throwing facts and figures out there for everyone. "1 inch of tire"..."11%"..."loss of contact is a quarter of that amount"..."18,000 miles"... Where are you getting these numbers? Making them up? My tires are feathered on both edges so even if your analysis is correct, and it's not, you'll need to double your figures in my case. As the cupped tire rotates over each the scalloped area the contact patch can be greatly reduced at that point in time. Read up on one or more of the many sites that describe tire problems. As to whether or not anyone has been injured, I would have no way of knowing. How could I. I have seen a number of crashed Z's but would have no knowledge of the cause. If you want to back the argument that cupped tires do not represent a safety hazard then knock yourself out. I don't think you'll find many takers though. It flies in the face of common sense. Other than that I am about finished with this thread. Obviously no one cares to discuss anything of substance regarding this issue. Only one person has even addressed my original statement that shoulder cupping is not normal for the RE040 and it is not normal for other cars running it and that person pretty much agreed with what I said. You guys are obviously more interested in personal attacks and name calling than engaging in an intelligent conversation. I stated my opinion. Take it or leave it. I don't really care which.
A:
I'll take it mweber.
I had my front tires replaced at 6,700 miles for the famous feathering/cupping/chopping problem.
Now at 12,500 miles it has returned. It is not as loud yet, but it will be.
I love this car...
But CANNOT afford to replace my front tires every other oil change!!!!
-Zanioed '03 Le Mans Sunset Touring Coupe w/ Nav.
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I offered nothing except an opinion that obviously bothers you 350ZNewbie. Prevail in the discussion? This is a discussion? This is more like a flame fest. And your only purpose it seems is to incite an argument. Seeking an "emotive outlet"? You're kidding right? I posted my opinion here knowing full well that I would come under the scrutiny of you and the other site police. "Worldview"? It's a car 350ZNewbie, not a point of religion or politics or philosophy. I state my opinion and you cry out that I am trying to change the way you feel about your car? It sounds like you may need to find that "emotive outlet" or at least break the link between your identity and the hunk of plastic and metal in your driveway. And yes it is different on other forums but I doubt that you would like any of them given that flaming or ridiculing someone for expressing an opinion is not encouraged.
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nah, you just come in here waving your arms screaming libelous statements, and i challenge you to provide evidence for them, and you won't.
emotional, argumentive, combative, and hostile. some people would say those are your challenges, mweber. i think they're your best qualities.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
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