2 Questions before I make the plunge

[esanger]

So I am hoping everything works out this week and I will be picking up my new G37 on Saturday. Two things I have been reading alot about have been bothering me (mainly on other boards) and I wanted to get your feedback..

1) The Leather on the seats prematurely cracking and wearing. I have read alot of reports of folks leather breaking down within like 10K miles of owning the car. Any feedback?

2) Oil changes- I have read that Nissan Ester oil is recommended for teh G37 and that running anything else may cause "ticking" problems. An Ester oil change from Infiniti is like $100 verus the $25 I normally pay for Quaker state at Walmart.. I have no problem doing my own oil changes (did them all the time on my Saleen), but what is Y'alls experience with this Ester oil?

[timmy0257]

1.) i have 35,000 on my 08 and have no cracking problems with the leather. I do use a conditioner and clean it everytime i detail her. Furthermore, with something like that, it should fall under warranty I would assume.

2.) I have no experience with the Ester Oils. I get Mobil1 at superlube. they rotate my tires for free every change also. =)

[esanger]

What are you using for a conditioner?

[370Z/28]

Baby please...don't ever put Quaker State in anything!

[SVTCOBRA]

Baby please...don't ever put Quaker State in anything!

We used to call in Quaker Sludge back in the day....I'm sure it's better now....or not...
I'm thinking the leather issue was more the pre 07 models. Our 08 looks fine at 40K

[esanger]

Here is a link to the thread that was scaring me!!

http://myg37.com/forums/g37-sedan/20828 ... ready.html

[sniper27]

My mom's M35 have 16k miles and the leather is fine. You will see creases, but I don't think it should be cracking. I have some creases on my G and it only has 3300 miles. Ialso use Zaino leather conditioner.

I just had my first oil change 2 weeks ago and the dealer said Ester oil was not necessary. For my driving conditions and low mileage (under 1000 miles a month), he said I didn't need it. He also discouraged me from going synthetic.

[esanger]

Baby please...don't ever put Quaker State in anything!

I've used Quaker in my Altima, probably because I could care less about the vehicle (hence why I am getting rid of it).

But I always used Mobil 1 in my Saleen...

[kmckis1029]

i have 12k with no cracking in my leather and still have the new leather smell

i was told also that ester is not needed and just use a good sythetic... the dealer put in Mobil1 full synthetic on my first oil change... i switched up to mobile1 EP for the last 2 changes, i currentl have pennsoil ultra synthetic in my car because mobile1 EP was sold out... (guess that tells you what people are buying) But have had no problems out my engine or wierd noises not using ester oil.

[joe603]

I've had mine for 6 months and no issues with the leather...and it's been a super hot summer. I use Zaino conditioner.

As for the Ester oil, if it makes drivetrain noise upon startup, the fix is to use ester oil or a mix of synthetic/ester. That's what I had the dealership do for the first, free oil change. When I do the next one, it will be straight Royal Purple. So, no, ester oil is not required; it just helps keep the engine chatter down upon startup.

[esanger]

This is good to know. Ihave no problem doing my own oil changes, but paying $10.50 a quart for oil is a little crazy (for the ester)..

[Poyzinous]

Baby please...don't ever put Quaker State in anything!

For the record, QS is WAAAY better than it was 20 years ago. They make good stuff now, at least the high end oils. The cheapo oils still aren't that good, but their Full Synthetic is quite excellent.

1-I can tell you that RARELY does the leather wear out or have an issue. Out of 5,000 G37 models serviced here, maybe 6 or 7 have had issues from my count. And the driver for each of them was either a fatasss or a lardasss. Or someone that always had keys and buttons and metal accessories on their butts damaging the leather....

2-Its recommended, but you don't absolutely have to use it. I use it, and I don't have a VVEL motor. You can buy a case (of ester oil), and just use 3 quarts with 2 quarts of Mobil 1 for every oil change. I know a few people who do that and have no ticking, and change their oil every 4,000 miles. However, since the motor technically takes 5 and 1/4 after an oil change, you should check the level at around 3k to see if it needs a half quart or so.

[esanger]

I sent a message into the local Infiniti service department out of curiousity asking how much an oil change was for a G37 using the Nissan Ester Oil, and here is the response..

"Infiniti has discontinued the Ester oil. There has been a reprogramming in the system, service term, and starting with the 2010 models Infiniti will no longer be doing this."

[Poyzinous]

Allow me to clarify. Or elaborate. Clariborate.
Ester oil will still be an available option, but due to new reprogramming in newer vehicles, its not as necessary as before. You can still use it as a recommended option though.