Nissan: 370Z News
#41
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Owners are complaining about Nissan Z...
Wearing Thin: Tire rumbling has Nissan 350Z owners grumbling
By MAC MORRISON
FACED WITH OWNER COMPLAINTS and a raging online debate about unusual tire wear on its popular 350Z sports car, Nissan has dispatched a team of engineers to investigate the problem.
Here’s what we know: A yet-to-be-determined number of the 39,000 2003 model year Z cars sold in America left Nissan’s Oppama (Japan) factory with incorrect front suspension toe settings. The result—after driving only a few thousand miles—is an uneven, “cupped” wear pattern on the inside edge of each front tire that causes irritatingly loud road noise, particularly at speeds below 30 mph. We experienced the phenomenon firsthand with our long-term 350Z test car (AW, Dec. 1), and a click on Z enthusiast website my350z.com reveals over 1000 posts on the matter to the site’s online discussion board.
What if your Z suffers from obnoxious tire roar? Nissan issued its dealers a technical service bulletin (NTB03-006A) that instructs them to adjust the front-end toe, as well as swapping the “cupped” front tires side-to-side (different tire sizes front-to-rear mean Z rubber can’t be rotated in the traditional sense). Dealers should carry out the work under warranty. Failing that, call (800) 647-7261 and lodge a complaint with the manufacturer.
Nissan is cautiously optimistic the problem is under control and will not plague newer 350Zs, although the company acknowledges it does not consider the matter closed and its engineers continue to monitor the situation. Nissan says the problem doesn’t affect handling and it does not consider “cupped” tires a safety issue, meaning a recall is unlikely.
Previously announced changes to 2004 350Z suspension tuning (AW, Nov. 24) were adopted for improved ride and handling, and should have no effect on the tire wear issue.
Source: Autoweek.
By MAC MORRISON
FACED WITH OWNER COMPLAINTS and a raging online debate about unusual tire wear on its popular 350Z sports car, Nissan has dispatched a team of engineers to investigate the problem.
Here’s what we know: A yet-to-be-determined number of the 39,000 2003 model year Z cars sold in America left Nissan’s Oppama (Japan) factory with incorrect front suspension toe settings. The result—after driving only a few thousand miles—is an uneven, “cupped” wear pattern on the inside edge of each front tire that causes irritatingly loud road noise, particularly at speeds below 30 mph. We experienced the phenomenon firsthand with our long-term 350Z test car (AW, Dec. 1), and a click on Z enthusiast website my350z.com reveals over 1000 posts on the matter to the site’s online discussion board.
What if your Z suffers from obnoxious tire roar? Nissan issued its dealers a technical service bulletin (NTB03-006A) that instructs them to adjust the front-end toe, as well as swapping the “cupped” front tires side-to-side (different tire sizes front-to-rear mean Z rubber can’t be rotated in the traditional sense). Dealers should carry out the work under warranty. Failing that, call (800) 647-7261 and lodge a complaint with the manufacturer.
Nissan is cautiously optimistic the problem is under control and will not plague newer 350Zs, although the company acknowledges it does not consider the matter closed and its engineers continue to monitor the situation. Nissan says the problem doesn’t affect handling and it does not consider “cupped” tires a safety issue, meaning a recall is unlikely.
Previously announced changes to 2004 350Z suspension tuning (AW, Nov. 24) were adopted for improved ride and handling, and should have no effect on the tire wear issue.
Source: Autoweek.
#46
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Originally posted by Vegeta1
I guess this is another reason why they say not to buy first year production cars.
I guess this is another reason why they say not to buy first year production cars.
However in the case of the CL you had to wait until the 3rd year to get a "fixed" tranny.
#49
I am not scared of buying a first year car. Mistakes happen, this can be fixed.
The BIGGER problem are the PEOPLE. Everyone was riding 14-15inch tires 10 years ago. 5 years ago even 17s were rare on cars and only on Expensive cars. Nowadays to help make all these BLOATED cars look better, they got to slap 17-20Inch tires on everything. Now to the person USED to these tires, no biggie.To people EXPECTING the car to ride and last as long as their old 15" Civic/Corolla wheels is stupid.
I've read so many people complaining of how fast they go through tires with these cheap cars with 17-18" tires. The owners simply like the looks but hate the maintenance and noice and quick wear associated with em.
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
The BIGGER problem are the PEOPLE. Everyone was riding 14-15inch tires 10 years ago. 5 years ago even 17s were rare on cars and only on Expensive cars. Nowadays to help make all these BLOATED cars look better, they got to slap 17-20Inch tires on everything. Now to the person USED to these tires, no biggie.To people EXPECTING the car to ride and last as long as their old 15" Civic/Corolla wheels is stupid.
I've read so many people complaining of how fast they go through tires with these cheap cars with 17-18" tires. The owners simply like the looks but hate the maintenance and noice and quick wear associated with em.
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
#50
Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
I am not scared of buying a first year car. Mistakes happen, this can be fixed.
The BIGGER problem are the PEOPLE. Everyone was riding 14-15inch tires 10 years ago. 5 years ago even 17s were rare on cars and only on Expensive cars. Nowadays to help make all these BLOATED cars look better, they got to slap 17-20Inch tires on everything. Now to the person USED to these tires, no biggie.To people EXPECTING the car to ride and last as long as their old 15" Civic/Corolla wheels is stupid.
I've read so many people complaining of how fast they go through tires with these cheap cars with 17-18" tires. The owners simply like the looks but hate the maintenance and noice and quick wear associated with em.
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
I am not scared of buying a first year car. Mistakes happen, this can be fixed.
The BIGGER problem are the PEOPLE. Everyone was riding 14-15inch tires 10 years ago. 5 years ago even 17s were rare on cars and only on Expensive cars. Nowadays to help make all these BLOATED cars look better, they got to slap 17-20Inch tires on everything. Now to the person USED to these tires, no biggie.To people EXPECTING the car to ride and last as long as their old 15" Civic/Corolla wheels is stupid.
I've read so many people complaining of how fast they go through tires with these cheap cars with 17-18" tires. The owners simply like the looks but hate the maintenance and noice and quick wear associated with em.
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
About the Nissan issue. Yeah it sucks kinda if this is a widespread issue. On the plus side, its good to see that Nissan listens to their customers and addresses/corrects any problems/complaints that come up. Just look at the mid-year changes to the (G35,Altima,350z,Q45) all due to customer complaints. But I say this problem is nothing compared to what I've been reading about the 04TL. But like someone said earlier its to be expected with 1st/2nd year models.
#51
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Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
My take, low profile tires are gonna fock up, your alignment is gonna fock up, etc etc if you drive it everyday. COmes with the territory. So have $$$ to dump into tires or use your car sparingly.
#52
Thats simply not true. Many cars are designed from the factory with low profile tires and 17"+ rims. The suspension engineers take into account this and design the suspension accordingly. Now if you are talking about 26" rims, yes that does mess up your suspension. A GM engineer stated this in a AutoWeek article recently, when asked about larger rims on the Escalade. Now I do agree with you that low profile tires don't last as long, but thats a tradeoff.
And in reading multiple reviews, it seems 18" wheels is the best for performance and ride. Anything above that kills the ride and really adds no performance advantage.
I wish I would have talked to you about a year ago. I found this stuff out the hard way. I went from stock 15 to 17'' wheels/tires. I thought my driving/car was the reason that my tires were wearing so fast...but this explains it.
Hell the ride in a GS with the 16s (60 sidewall) vs the 17s (45 sidewall) equates to a big difference in ride.
#53
Yea my boy has one of the first ones and has had this tire problem a few times. They didnt know what was wrong either so they just they replaced his front tires but it keeps coming back. The sound is very noticeable and loud. Hmm.. I guess this is why.
#58
Originally posted by synth19
oh, and btw..I didnt have any feathering problems yet (my Z was a late model '03).
oh, and btw..I didnt have any feathering problems yet (my Z was a late model '03).
#59
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Here's a red-hot Z! Nissan has unveiled a limited-edition 350Z in Japan, and our sources say that a souped-up version of the already sporty coupé could come here.
The Type E two-seater features a range of body modifications to give it an even more purposeful appearance. It's based on the standard S, and has the same 240bhp V6 engine and six-speed manual gearbox. But that's where the similarities end; a chunkier front bumper complete with huge cooling ducts gives the nose a more aggressive stance. The chin spoiler extends beneath the number plate and increases the car's length by 18cm. There is similar treatment at the rear, with a racing-style bumper and air ducts. Uprated brakes and stiffer suspension complete the package, hinting that a hardcore performance 350Z could well be on its way to Europe.
Nissan is tight-lipped about expanding the range in the UK, but the styling modifications at least are likely to be offered either as aftermarket options or on a limited production model similar to the Type E.
Source:
Autoexpress
#64
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Originally posted by zeroday
uh yeah thats no good. wtf is the rear side air intake for?
uh yeah thats no good. wtf is the rear side air intake for?
And the car is very ugly IMO
#65
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Originally posted by Habiib
Is it normal for Companies to make changes so quickly in response to bad reviews or complaints. I say Kudos to Nissan for actually listening. I'm also glad I didn't buy none of their cars yet, as I feared that something like this would happen (ie G35/G35C changes).
Is it normal for Companies to make changes so quickly in response to bad reviews or complaints. I say Kudos to Nissan for actually listening. I'm also glad I didn't buy none of their cars yet, as I feared that something like this would happen (ie G35/G35C changes).
#69
Well while NIssan needed the Z to bolster sales and it's image, Toyota is selling better than ever without the Supra. It may not come back unless they really want to. They don't need it.
Besides, a 10 year old SUpra is superior to a new Z.
Besides, a 10 year old SUpra is superior to a new Z.
#70
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Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Besides, a 10 year old SUpra is superior to a new Z.
Besides, a 10 year old SUpra is superior to a new Z.
i dont think you will see another supra, but dont think you wont see something similar out of lexus!!
#71
Yeah, the Z is a great car the cheaper it is. 37k for the track model is nuts to me though.
The Supra was enroaching on supercar territory stock (sub 5 sec times). I don't want to even go into modded ones.
The Supra was enroaching on supercar territory stock (sub 5 sec times). I don't want to even go into modded ones.
#73
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2005 35th Anniv 350Z?
From the Z board........sounds cool.
“We got new brochures for the 05 Maxima today and on the back it shows pictures of the Nissan model line up. One of the pictures is a yellow 350Z with what looks like 19" wheels. Under it in small print it says, " Z 35th Anniversary model 1/05".
#74
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I hope there is more to it then ugly chrome wheels.
They could take the anniv editon and run with it if they want to.
They could take the anniv editon and run with it if they want to.
#76
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Originally Posted by Minch00
I like the wheels.....I wonder what all they did to it......
The G gets a bump in power for 05, hopefully the Z will as well.
#77
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Originally Posted by Beltfed
I like the wheels also, don't think they're chrome though.
The G gets a bump in power for 05, hopefully the Z will as well.
The G gets a bump in power for 05, hopefully the Z will as well.
bump in power would be nice.
#78
Originally Posted by Beltfed
I like the wheels also, don't think they're chrome though.
The G gets a bump in power for 05, hopefully the Z will as well.
The G gets a bump in power for 05, hopefully the Z will as well.
#79
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Besides, a 10 year old SUpra is superior to a new Z.
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Yeah, the Z is a great car the cheaper it is. 37k for the track model is nuts to me though.
The Supra was enroaching on supercar territory stock (sub 5 sec times). I don't want to even go into modded ones.
The Supra was enroaching on supercar territory stock (sub 5 sec times). I don't want to even go into modded ones.