A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Second that, unless it's a M class BMW I will never buy one again.
A:
There's a huge difference between BMW and Nissan. BMW pays close attention to detail and is critical about any problems. My friend bought a 2001 or 2002 330i. He drove the car for about two months and noticed a barely audible creeking/rattling noise coming from the rear passenger compartment. BMW took the car and replaced all suspected panels. BMW's reputation as a world class car maker is on the line. If there is even a hint that something might be wrong they address the issue.
Nissan and many other car makers try to skate the issue for as long as possible. Not bagging on the Z in any way (feathering) it's just the way it is.
75 280Z: Eibachs/AGX's/intake/85 5spd & Rear end. Soon to be V8 GOD!
02 WRX: 5spd sedan/225 45-17's/Eibachs/Cobb tubular swaybars/Cobb Tuning stage 2/Accessport. 0-60 sub 5 seconds wet or dry.
A:
They replaced all the suspected panels just to fix a squeek? No wonder BMW are so expensive. I have had a lot of squeeks before and never had to replace a panel. It seems to be a clip or poor fitment of the panel that can be easily shimmed or replaced.
All the panels? That would make me question the tech's ability.
I do not think a squeeking panel can be compared to a design or quality problem that NISSAN as far as the feathering is concerned.
Relate it to motors that explode and you might be close.
I would rather have to replace a couple of tires than an blown motor once out of warantee. I do plan to keep cars longer than 5 years. Heck half of my cars are over that right now. I would have to pay for motor if one blows. I would much rather pay for tires every few years than a blown motor.
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's
A:
Joe C: The piont is, they took the car back, fixed the problem with a little overkill and never once questioned my friend about the issue. Also, his car performed flawlessly for the 3 years that he had it. He sold it and bought a Porsche, then sold that and bought a BMW 530i. I have to disagree, I think BMW is better in the customer service dpt.
Mecinoid: Yes they replaced all the suspected panels. I don't know if that was one, two, or three panels. But whatever the amount, they wern't shimmed or modified,...they were replaced.
75 280Z: Eibachs/AGX's/intake/85 5spd & Rear end. Soon to be V8 GOD!
02 WRX: 5spd sedan/225 45-17's/Eibachs/Cobb tubular swaybars/Cobb Tuning stage 2/Accessport. 0-60 sub 5 seconds wet or dry.
A:
Chrisnonstop - point is, they got lucky because they replaced everything instead of doing proper diagnostics to the car. That causes everyone more money and shows their competence for fixing problems. The panels were more than likely not the reason for the squeaks. It was probably a .10 broken clip or a rubbing of the panels. Now, if I were paying for those panels I would be really pissed. Yeah he got off scott-free because he was under warrantee and BMW corporate got billed. But, had he not been under warantee that would have been at least a $500 bill he would have had paid.
All I know is the resell for a BMW is really good. Status. For service they are very expensive and I am tired of my friends bitching about them. I tell them go buy a 350Z. They say .... what about feathering/cupping of tires. I tell them two things:
1) What feathering/cupping? I do not have the problem and know more Z owners that do not have the problem, than do.
2) If their was feathering/cupping and you couldn't fix it, which is weird cause I have; then the $200 you would spend every couple of years for tires would be a lot less than your paying on your car right? Hmmmm ...... right.
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's
A:
Chrisnonstop: The caliber of service is directly dependent upon the dealership. And, it can change if there is a change in management or in the staff of technicians.