So I take my '03 350Z into the dealer today (5/17) to have them check the allignment because of the feathering . I get a call later in the day from the dealer stating that I am going to need new front tires, that the inside portions are close to bald, and they will not do an allignment without putting new ones on first. $620 for the tires (mounted and balanced) and the wheel allignment. So I tell them not to do anything and I go in. Now, Nissan had replaced the front tires (and an allignment) at 11,000 miles because of the feathering under what they called a "recall" for no charge. Now Im at 27,000 miles and I need new tires....these tires should get at least 20,000 miles right? I got 16,000 and they have worn abnormally. It seems that nobody at the dealer has ever even heard of this problem, and the guy that I dealt with says "Its just the nature of that car to do that. The Honda S2000's do the same thing." Oh, dont let me forget the "theres nothing else we can do shoulder shrug." Yea, I didnt leave the dealership feelin real good about that. (Sheridan Nissan on Rt. 13 New Castle, De.)

I called the Nissan Consumer Affairs number (1 800 647-7261 nissanusa.com) and reported everything that had happened today and the problems with the tires. I actually got a call back from the phone reps. supervisor as I was typing this telling me that she is going to investigate what is going on and contact me asap. I'll keep posting what happens.

I am not real surprised, low volume Z dealers may sincerely have not heard of the problem, then again yours is an 03 right?

If an 04 they may know it happens but since the TSB says it wont apply, they may not admit.

Now there is a kernel of truth, the inside of our cars or aggressivevely cambered suspension on sports cars <will> show inside wearing quicker, than rest of tires but it isnt supposed to feather.

There is a TSB out for this exact problem (03's only for now)

With a tread wear rating of 140 your tires should have probably lasted 12,000 to 14,000 miels with normal wear .

What confused your tech he probaly thoght you were just complainign about normal wear ( which is quick on a high camber car with soft tires).

What they did really bother to check is the abromal pattern you have.

I still recommend you give R Nissan a try.

Or you can fix the prob;lem yourself ( nd it will work) do new tires, find the best alignment shop in town, when they look up your cars specs tell them to align just like that <except> make it -.2 for toe.

I am confident that will solve your problem, I think you outta consider thios is you an an early 04 with this problem.

If its an 03 you should be able to get the TSB.( even tho I am not positive about oen thing were the limit on miles is that the TSB applies to so if not try the above recommendation).

Fred...

I've been hearing this frequently from owners of 03s...

The first 15k miles they will replace the tires, but then when you start pushing high 20s, they start to cheap out.

Also they updated the alignment warranty for 2 year 24k miles I think.

It seems they will replace the tires early on, but not later on, even if your still in your warranty period.

According to what I've learned, and others have posted, it boils down to an alignment issue.

620 for the front tires. That's awesome!!! not

Personally I think the stock tires suck, and most other Z owners agree. Even if you think they don't suck are they worth 300 per tire? That's Pilot ZR viper tire range..

I have 285/45 rear Pirelli ZR Asimetrico tires, basically the best tire they make, and I don't even think they cost that much.

What rape

actually i like the stock tires quite a bit very grippy.

But cheaper tires and be found..

Fred..

Well you're insane

close to 400 hp on stock clutch stock tires, and stock suspension = borderline insanity

They may be good, but you know they are not that good. You can't tell me they compare with the best from michelin, pirelli, or goodyear.

I seriously doubt they come anywhere near the best goodyear F1 which comes on the vettes..

they were purpose made just for our car, very grippy.

In any case I am not on stock tires.

The stock suspension I like,.. I will propably throw on Konis Yellows which are well reviewed, when the stock shocks are worn out.

Some minor brake upgrades coming soon too.

Wanna keep expenses small.

hehe small.. yea you got the big one out of the way

Do you have brembos?

Sadly no Brembos but the stock brakes, brake just as well form speed as the Brembos just arent as fade resistant.

The only thing i wanted to improve about the car was power and am pretty confident about the rest of teh set-up.

I think my next Mods will be headers, plenum catback, y pipe and exhaust , with an SC set-up those are very rewarding MOds and should get me a good extra 40+ wph w/ a retune and w/o posing extra stress on engine ( as back pressure is less).

Next year when used engine got cheaper maybe go with 9lb or 10 lb pulley

PLEASE go to the track.

I'd love to get some baseline FI numbers before you add more mods..

The dealer wanted $270 a tire, mounted and balanced and $80 for the allignment which totalled $620. I havnt heard from Consumer Affairs yet. Im real interested too see what they have to say.

me too.

Fred..

PS: sorry ryan and I hijacked your thread a bit..

Well, I recieved a call today from Sheridan Nissan stating that after 21,100 miles a percentage starts on the price of new tires. Since Im at 27,000 I pay 70% which comes too 182.00 per tire, mounted and balanced. I agreed to have them do it since thats cheaper that anywhere else. The manager seemed surprised that the guy at the desk never told me that in the first place.

Anyone with the tire feathering problem might want to have their dealer replace the fronts before 21,000. I wish I would have known.

Any news on the alignment?

PS : chuck dont forgot to check our northeast meets forum for may 29th ripken statium meets thread

It seems that my warranty covers a percentage of the tires, not the allignment. The dealer really took their time (an hour and a half) and did the best allignment possible. I guess making a phone call can really pay off sometimes...

Fred, Im planning on going the 29th. Wondering what time you were thinkin of going down, maybe I can meet up with you and follow. I think you may be going down earlier than 10am, but let me know.

~Chuck

Chuck I wanted to leave Elkton NLT 7 am.I would <rerally> like to have someone there early thatsd not me so I can put out my stuff for everyone and not worry about it while I go to drivers meeting and course walk.

Fred..

PS: Check Scotts alignment post here zer...age=2