Good Infiniti mechanic in LA?

[matt-2004g35coupe6MT]

I've been incredibly unhappy with my Infiniti dealer's service department in the year that I've owned my 04 G35 coupe. I bought the car used and have had problems with the transmission and with squeaky brakes in the first 6000 miles since my purchase (at 33,000 mi.). They initially and repeatedly denied there were any problems ("oh, that's normal." "oh, I can't hear any squealing or squeaking.") and then said those problems were "normal", and then all of a sudden the problems are serious and my clutch and flywheel need to be replaced, as do the brake rotors.

Anyway, now I'm looking for recommendations for a trustworthy mechanic in the LA area. Anyone?

[BigWill]

Matt... I don't know how far you want to drive for your service, but I go to a place in Anaheim called 'S&D Nissan Service'. The owner, (David), has that rare combination of honesty, thoroughness, smarts, reliability and is reasonable with his prices. All of my immediate family have been going to him for quite a few years. I drive from Long Beach to get my G serviced there.

If you are interested:

S & D NISSAN DATSUN SERVICE2349 W LA PALMA AVE STE 103ANAHEIM92801-3339(714) 535-4617

[Q45tech]

You seem to be confusing Nissan not wanting to pay to do warranty work for a real problem resolved by you paying.

Technicans hate warranty work because Nissan like all manufaturers pays fewer hours for the same job vs the amount customers pay. Manufacturers demand and get a discount based on volume.

Some dealerships are pressing techs to find [real or imaginary] warrantable work, some are not.

If you agree to pay a dealership will do anything you desire...........afterall they are just an independent repair shop with a direct reimbursement contract with Nissan.

[matt-2004g35coupe6MT]

That's partially true, yes-- I'm sure they didn't want to call any of it warranty work. But the fact is I need a mechanic who is honest and consistent in their diagnosis and assessment of the problem, and not affected by whether or not the work is covered by warranty.

I have no problem with the workmanship of what they've actually done to the car. I just need someone to be upfront with me about what's wrong. Having the QC guy take two separate road tests with me and telling me that he can't hear these ear-piercing squeals coming from the wheels -- that's when I decided I was done there.

So... independents?

[SR20Essex]

This is why I won't even take my car to the dealership for its free scheduled maintenance

[BigWill]

You are absolutely right Dennis. I was speaking more about my scheduled maintenance than the warranty stuff. Even though I would trust my independent mechanic in for major work, I would take the car to the dealer first for any warranty related repairs. Fortunately, the dealer at which I bought my car has a really good reputation with warranty issues. I can understand Matt's frustration if he is having trouble getting good warranty service from his dealer. My suggestion in that case would be to first try another Infiniti dealer.

Beyond that, I think that I would start to contact Infiniti corporate, and get a regional manager involved. Sometimes that is all it takes to put a fire under the dealership. My Dad had a service engine light problem with his '05 Frontier and kept getting stonewalled by the dealer. He finally got ahold of Nissan corporate, and when he started to site the lemon law to them, and started talking about requiring them to give him a brand new truck, all of a sudden the dealer was able to find the trouble and he hasn't had a problem since.

Sometimes with dealers it is a'squeeky wheel/grease' situation. (No pun intended, Matt!)

[BigWill]

That's partially true, yes-- I'm sure they didn't want to call any of it warranty work. But the fact is I need a mechanic who is honest and consistent in their diagnosis and assessment of the problem, and not affected by whether or not the work is covered by warranty.

I have no problem with the workmanship of what they've actually done to the car. I just need someone to be upfront with me about what's wrong. Having the QC guy take two separate road tests with me and telling me that he can't hear these ear-piercing squeals coming from the wheels -- that's when I decided I was done there.

So... independents?

Unfortunately Matt, the nature of the dealership beast is that sometimes you have to latch on like a pit bull and not let go. Sure, you can go somewhere else, but then you end up paying for the work yourself, when it may have actually been a warranty issue. I guess it depends on just how much patience one has for staying in the fight, vs just going somewhere else and ripping open your own wallet.

[Q45tech]

Many things can happen:

Dealers who get caught stealing from Nissan by lying about some warranty repair are punished if they do it too much, then everyone suffers, as they cut back on even trying to get warranty approval on somethings.They have to jump thru a dozen hoops and legitimate problems go unsolved.

They have tried all the known warranty fixes and nothing helps.

Meeting with the Nissan Zone Rep is the way to go as he can authorize almost anything.............one the dealership knows they will get paid regardless they begin work again.

[BigWill]

Thanks for the great insight Dennis!

[yzarcur]

I agree with everyone here so far. I have had no problem with Tustin Infiniti. In fact, because I was having problems with Mission Viejo Infiniti regarding a waranty issue I talked with Tustin Infiniti and they said bring the car to them and they would take care of it. (it was my MAF sensor) I took it back from Mission Viejo and took it to Tustin and they took care of it. I will always take my car there for any warranty service. Check with the other Infiniti dealers in your area it sounds like you have a dealership with one thing on his mind ($).