2000 I30t

[diffinity]

I am looking at several I30ts and have some questions for the knowledgeable owners of I30s.1) Where is a good article on what to watch out for when purchasing?2) I am looking at 130s with 50k or less. What is in store for me repair wise for the next 60k or so?

I know these may be repetitive so if you could kindly respond or point me to another post or website I would be most appreciative.

[PalmerWMD]

Very reliable cars.No known problem areas, except the paint is a bit sub-par, by Infiniti standards.

But that is an easy check.It also kinda depends, what kind of a car you are coming from.If you are coming from a BMW you will find brakes maintenance cheap.If coming from a civic you will find it expensive.

The car is mechnically based on the Nissan Flagship the Maxima with teh famous VQ30 engine.

Except the I30 enjoys a lot more quality control at assembly, than a Maxima does ( sorry Maxima guys...)

The 2000 is also the advent of a new body style so these cars will look fresh for years to come.

Like with all cars its important toget one thst been well maintained of course with a low mile I30 chances are very good as its barely out of warranty (if that). Look in the oil filler cap.Do things look grimy and sludgy?Or do you just see an light color of amber varnish, thast normal and is considered clean.

Check all fluids any unusually dirty?Any vcarnish on dipstick, if yes that would indicate too few oil changes.

But the VQ30 engines in those cars are very good.

The Infitni I30 from a value and quality standpoint, especially of that model year, can only be highly recommended.

Fred..

[diffinity]

Thanks for the info. So no major slip-ups like the Q45 chain guides? Also any ideas about using synthetic after I get one? Any advantages/disadvantages?

[PalmerWMD]

1)So no major slip-ups like the Q45 chain guides? 2)Also any ideas about using synthetic after I get one? 3)Any advantages/disadvantages?

1) No2) yes use them, I like Mobil1 0w-40, Valvoline SynPower 5w-40 or Castrol Syntec 0w-30 ( thick 30 weight almost a 40).The last one <only> by teh 0w-30 Syntec w/o the API Startburst and that does not say enegry conserving on back and it will say meets ACEA A3 instead of ACEA A1. Theya re selling 2 formulations at same time, same price, very different stuff and one is much better than the other.3) Too much writing use search..

Fred...

[Jeff Williams]

2000 I30t - got one, love it!

No problems.

As with ANY Infiniti, take the serial number to the local dealership, and have a service report done on it. Infiniti keeps all records, and they are available for the entire nation.

I have had 3 Maximas, in the past 10 years, and the 2000 I30t is the crown jewel of the bunch. I like it more than the later models, even the I35!

Mine will stay in the family, as long as I can possibly keep it.

I let the dealership do everything, and they don't use synthetic motor oil, but they do use oil addatives. I have no plans for changing the oil anywhere else.

My Q, on the otherhand, gets my personal maintenance.

[diffinity]

Thanks for the oil advice. After reading/skimming much of the oil discussions, I have tentatively concluded to do the following: 1) Use some Valvoline 10W40 Durablend for two (2.5k-3K) oil changes.2) Use Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 as the Mobil 1 0W40 seems to be more difficult to find.

Thanks again for the info/opinions.

[jmatas]

I also have one and have had no problems. I've got 47K, and have recently had rear brakes done and a new set of OEM Bridgestones put on. That's it. Jeff can probably back me up on this, but I would say two things to look for to identify a "good" previous owner would be:- A good set of second tires (I got about 40K out of my originals)- Check to see that the TCU was reprogrammed per TSB issue. This was due to a glitch that caused a delay in shifting from 2-3rd I believe. If you're shopping for 2000s, watch out for the date of purchase because you're in the last year of warranty.

[PalmerWMD]

The dealer oil is MOBIL drive clean in 5w-30.An ok oil for general driving but an enthusitast needs something else.The oild additives the dealer uses is BG MOA.Apparenbtly Infinti concluded that our engines can do with the ZDDP thats in BGMOA.

In recent oil formulations, SJ, SL and soon SM ZDDP jhas bee limited bu API due to some manufacturers concerns about the warranty on their cats.

But thats only an issue if you have excessive blowby, our engines as a rule dont. So BM MOA is probaly not a bad thing to add thing.

Warning: nearly all other oil adiitves are scams!

Fred...

[Jeff Williams]

My dealership uses Quaker State on my I30t. The last servcie revealed the rear pads are at 4 MM, and should be cahnged around 2 MM. The fronts are at 6 MM, still. The transmission still shifts like new, and the doors still don't want to shut, just like new. The driver's seat has some visible "creases" in the leather, but is still buttery soft. At 41,000 miles, it still looks and runs like new.

I have not heard of the TCU reporgram, but I did have the oxygen sensors replaced, and the ECM reprogrammed. It has something to do with the tolerances of the O2 sensors.

The warranty runs out December 22nd. I need to ask about the TCU re-program.

I am also on my second set of Bridgestone Potenza RE92's, but I got my second set with a set of take-off 2002 Chrome wheels. I don't expect 40,000 miles out of the set, because my wife drive a little hard in the corners. More like 30,000, before they get slippery in the rain.