1st post guys....1st trip to dealer for service since purchasing 06 m45

[richgray5]

Hey Guys,

I did do a search, so please spare me the flames. I just got back from Glendale Infiniti dealer here in SoCal, and I left the dealership thinking that the service manager was spewing lie after lie into my ear. My car is under warranty? Well, I just got nickeled and dimed to the tune of over a $1000. I brought the car in because the tire sensors have never really worked and always tell me my tires are low. Anyway, the service manager was going on and on about how no mechanic in the country can service new Infiniti's, yadda, yadda. Oill filters, transmission fliud, etc, are only sold to Nissan/Infiniti dealerships, etc. I just got the feeling that he was trying to jerk me off. They want to do a new brake job on the font and back for an extra $700. Now, I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have done all kinds of stuff to my past cars, even replacing the brakes on my old Ford Probe. The service manager told me that a mechanic cannot touch these brakes, etc. I think i just need (well, I know actually) brake fluid. I guess my question is in short....Is this guy full of it? He kept yelling over the manager next to him with comments that would assure what he was saying to me is true. I am sure you know what I mean, the car salesman tactics. I just get a feeling that he recently graduated from selling cars to selling maintenance. This forum is awesome, and I have found that I can buy this special Nissan/Infiniti fluids on the net. He also told me that only Infiniti can do an oil change on this car, and the filters are ONLY available from them. So the 3 changes I had done were all for nothing? I dont think so. Then he started telling me that he was my buddy, and was looking out for me....thats when I left. I did make a comment that he must be paid on commission, and hit a very sore spot. He sarted telling me that it is not true that they get paid on commision, and hasnt been that way for over 12 years. I am a loan officer, and know for a fact, that is not true. The service manger of a local Dodge dealership has gotten a few loans from me, and he get a salary, and commsion checks for what he "sells" to customers.

Also, it seemed like they were afriad to try and bill anything to Infiniti, telling me at first the Infiniti has the best warranty in the car business, but then retracting and talking "personally" to me that they, in reality, suck, and wont ever pay them. Do any of you guys take your cars to the dealer for service that you dont or cant do yourself? Does a local, trusted mechanic do the trick as well? Does anyone have anything to share about dealers? Any kind of experience will help me. I am not in a position to be servicing my car, and need a mechanic to do it, I just dont want to over pay, and have a thing about doing business with people that lie to me. I would rather steer clear of Glendale Infiniti if what this guy was telling me is not 100% true.

thanks in advance for any input.

[dernawe]

Is there another dealership you can go to? I would not step foot back at that dealership unless I had to. Obviously his comments about brakes and oil are not true. Unless Infiniti cast some magic spell that says that if any mechanic who gets close and isn't working at a dealership drops dead. This just seems silly, and I would in fact try to speak to his manager, than the owner of the dealership and finally the BBB.

[CakeDaddy]

What a pain!! Like dernawe said , look elsewhere for another infiniti dealer. To answer your question, Yes.. he is full of crap.
Modified by CakeDaddy at 2:08 PM 12/5/2007

[Q45tech]

He is correct on somethings: Nissan uses a special transmission fluid available only at dealers. Beware of claimed substitutes.Same with brake pads and rotors and other Nissan parts.You can buy them from dealer or from internet dealers like Scotsdale Infiniti.

Be careful of aftermarket parts as they may be close but different, especially brake pads and rotors.

Be sure you have and maintain legal documents for every 180 day oil changes as Nissan requires certain exact things to maintain engine warranty. No do it yourself oil filter changes they must be done by some shop [any shop] that provides a written letterhead receipt showing VIN, date, mileage, what types of oil and filter, quanity, and signed by someone who can be questioned in future!

Don't be the guy who always skips dealer until you need them for warranty they just might not defend you when your maintenances are questionable.

Your Warranty is just with Nissan not the dealer who is just a repair shop attacted to a dealer lot with a contract for reimbursemnt with Nissan.

Nissan always looks at the computer service records as appropriate and asks the Service Manager IF you were a good customer and did your part before approving Warranty........................no records and no good will mean you really have to fight hard for Warranty...............it depends.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Wow. That would assuredly be known as the "hard sell". Being that you are in L.A, I would guess that they are many, many dealers to choose from. With a car as nice as yours, I would probably ante up at a dealership. Perhaps not Glendale. I will attest that spending money on labor at a dealership regularly gives a great deal more warranty love. In the past month, I have had my steering wheel replaced and gotten a new shift knob , due to what could be described as wear and tear, under warranty. Would have cost @ $1500.00. Without doubt, having a positive relationship with your dealership is huge. Sadly, it often equates to spending money on labor and services. That being said, it is somewhat pay now or pay later. I hope you get this resolved soon and can start enjoying your M.Cheers,Mark

[Q45tech]

Remember a dealership service department only has 2 sources or revenue: YOU and Nissan and Nissan being the biggest dollar volume customer gets what they want.

No dealership service department could survive without customer paid repairs.

[paigoomein]

I purchased my 07 m35 over at South Bay Infiniti (in Torrance), but because of the distance, I do not take it there for service. For oil changes, I have been taking my car to Miller Infiniti (in Van Nuys). I have the 15K service coming up and they are looking to charge around $370 for the service. Does that seem rather high to anyone? If it's not, I'll just have them do the service. Otherwise, are there any reputable service locations that you guys can recommend that's in the area?

Thanks.

[richgray5]

thanks for the responses guys. I left my car there and they are going to give me an estimate. I guess I am really concerned about the brake job, I am at 36k, and the brakes are noticeably soft.

Just some more info;

They tested my nav system and determined that it needed to be replaced. I guess they are happy about that since Nissan will pay, no problem. I still feel like the service manager was "jerking me Off", but I will post again when I get the car back to let you all know what the deal is.

I am going to try the Van Nuys dealership next time. But, if anyone has a reccomendation in the LA area or even Orange County, please let us LA guys know!