07 M35 - 120k mile service in southern California

[fusionchickenleg]

Hi all,

My dealership just quoted me $880 for a 120k mile service on my 07 M35, I am in the Los Angeles area, has anybody taken their M35s to trustworthy shop in the area for more extensive services?

Thank you in advance

[Larz]

Welcome to NICO.
I found a copy of the maintenance schedule online:
❏ Replace engine oil and filter - can be done anywhere, or Infiniti will do it with OEM parts and your oil for about $45
❏ Lubricate all locks/hinges - can be done by you
❏ Replace automatic transmission fluid - should be done at dealer
❏ Replace climate-controlled seat filter - buy and do it yourself - http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/cabin_ ... i/m35.html
❏ Replace differential oil - easiest to have dealer do
❏ Replace engine air filter - 5 minutes in your driveway
❏ Replace engine coolant/flush system - dealer IF they have the proper machine to actually flush
❏ Replace engine drive belts - can be done in your driveway
❏ Replace in-cabin microfilter - 30 minutes in your driveway - http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/cabin_ ... i/m35.html
❏ Replace radiator cap - included if flushed at the dealer
❏ Replace wiper blades - any auto part store
❏ Rotate tires (except G35 Coupe, Sport) - any tire shop
❏ Optional: flush automatic transmission (flush with ATF)

The maintenance 'specials' are a savings over doing these one by one. HOWEVER, most of that savings is due to reduced labor for each job when done all at once. If you do some of these items yourself, you will save on the OEM parts bought on Ebay from actual Infiniti dealers with Ebay stores and the labor charge goes to zero. There are some things I will always have my dealer do, but depending on your collection of tools and your experience, they can be done by you instead.

I recommend having coolant, transmission, and differential done at dealer. You can have each done at different times to save spending $500 on one day.
The filters will cost about $20 each (1 for engine, 2 for seats = $60
Lots of members here do their own belt changes and the OEM belt(s) can be bought on Ebay or Amazon for less than dealer prices.
Spark plugs are a major pain and require special adapters to each the back plugs
I recommend brake fluid change too, but it's a less expensive if you have it done with a break job.

Maintenance on these cars (and really any car) is not cheap, but it avoids very costly repairs later on.

**** I had my transmission, differential, and coolant serviced at the dealer mainly because I have a warranty and wanted clear documentation from dealer to avoid warranty issues ****

If you check the FAQ link on this forum, you will find details on how to perform maintenance on your own.

[fusionchickenleg]

Wow thank you for the super detailed breakdown! Yeah I also have a warranty on the car so these items need to be done by an ASE certified shop...is there any shop you can recommend around the SoCal area? I'd imagine any shop familiar with VQ engine cars can probably more than qualify for these tasks?

[Larz]

I'm sorry - not familiar with your area. The coolant / transmission service can be done by any qualified shop so long as they have the flush machine required to do them properly. Some experts recommend doing a drain / fill instead of a flush / fill for high mileage transmissions. Perhaps some other members or techs will chime in regarding that idea.
My local dealer allows me to bring my own parts (Mobil 5w30, brakemotive kit, engine belt.etc) and they do the install. Most auto shops will install your wiper blades free if purchased there.
The goal is to avoid (when possible) the high dealer prices without going too cheap and getting inferior parts or service.
Both of my M's are 100% OEM but without having to buy parts at the dealer each time. Ebay is excellent because there are actual Infiniti dealers who have shops on Ebay and give great discounts on OEM parts - they usually ship free in 3-5 days. Another great source is InfinitpartsUSA http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/?gclid= ... hgodzRsLvg. I have bought power steering fluid, engine belts, engine air filters, MAF sensors, etc and installed them myself.
Many of us use Brakemotive kits instead of getting 'brake jobs'. That way you get new rotors, ceramic pads, and hardware for all 4 wheels for a fraction of what shops charge for a one axle brake pad service. When my brakes get low, I simply buy another kit and replace everything. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-REAR-DRIL ... Fa&vxp=mtr
My dealer charges me about $150 to do all four wheels and if I have them do a fluid change, they give me discount on the labor because they already have the brakes removed.
Surf through FAQ thread and posts form other members here and you will see many great ideas for repairs and modifications. This is truly a great place for information.

[kmiles]

I just want to second what Larz states so well. The Infiniti's are amazingly easy to work on yourself and I've learned how to do a lot of the easier work on this forum. I only take those things to the dealer that are best done by the dealer. I do have them do the transmission and radiator system flushes. Wipers, filters, bulbs, belts etc. are fairly easy to do yourself. Like Larz, mine is about 99% OEM and my new favorite place to purchase parts is parts.com.

[fusionchickenleg]

Wow thank you so much again Larz, and thanks kmiles - I would love to do my own work as I have been wrenching on cars for a bit over a decade, but unfortunately I would void certain portions of my warranty if everything on the service schedule isn't done by an ASE certified shop. I will look around and see if reputable generic mechanic shops in my area can handle these things, and I will definitely hunt around the OEM parts websites you guys pointed out to try to source cheaper parts.

Thank you once again!

[zags]

FusionCL,

Not sure what part of LA you are in, but just to give you an idea, I now live SGV/East LA border and I still find a way to take my car over to the SFV/Van Nuys. So that Donald and his team at CarZone on Sepulveda work on it. Great prices, top notch service and experience, plus reputable too. The trifecta in a mechanic which is near impossible to find in place like L.A.

Don't recall who turned me on to them, it may been a Z or G owner from this board, but its been so long ago, can't really remember, but they didn't steer me wrong, and have been taking my Infiniti's to them for the past 6+ years.