Over 100 miles from dealer

[integrator]

I'm looking at some 2008 to 2010 M series with 20k to 40k miles. But the nearest Infiniti dealers are 100 miles and 2 hours away in opposite directions (I'm in Bentonville, AR). I'll be honest, I'm not going to drive that far for regular oil changes and such. Should this be a concern for me. I've really wanted an M for nearly a year now, since I first drove one after my truck washed away in a creek (yes I was in it). The interior and dash are fantastic, along with the body style. A light to medium color and wheat interior are all that will do though.

[DaSerb]

Learning to change oil yourself will save you lot of $$$ and hassle traveling to the dealer. I bought the car last May and the only time I went to the dealer which is 30 miles away was to replace belts. I usually change oil myself.

Anyways, if you use synthetic oil, you will change it about twice a year.

Hope that helps.

[merlinq2]

I'm looking at some 2008 to 2010 M series with 20k to 40k miles. But the nearest Infiniti dealers are 100 miles and 2 hours away in opposite directions (I'm in Bentonville, AR). I'll be honest, I'm not going to drive that far for regular oil changes and such. Should this be a concern for me. I've really wanted an M for nearly a year now, since I first drove one after my truck washed away in a creek (yes I was in it). The interior and dash are fantastic, along with the body style. A light to medium color and wheat interior are all that will do though.

I go to Nissan for my oil changes, they are cheaper, they have all the parts needed etc.

Good luck

[DaSerb]

I go to Nissan for my oil changes, they are cheaper, they have all the parts needed etc.

Good luck

Have not known that...interesting. Only oil changes or some mechanical work also?

[merlinq2]

yes all work except for warranty, they do not get paid from Nissan for infinti warranty claims. Almost all engine parts for the 3.5 are shared in all the nissan platforms. Check it out. I get an oil change for 60 bucks Canadian. I never use synthetic oil, no real value in that for me, i use the dyno based oils, that keeps costs down. I have taken my car to Nissan for transmission oil change, transfer case oil change, new tpms sensors, belts etc. The service is good and they love my business.

[wingFeather]

The benefit of the Infiniti is that it takes standard oil, and any place can change the filter & oil. Yes, even WalMart. $20.

When I owned a BMW M, I had to rely on the dealer as it only ran on expensive, special oil not common in the US. $100+

[merlinq2]

The only reason I go to the nissan dealer is because I know a guy with a G and he took to a quick lube place and they lost all the screws for the shroud under the engine, so the shroud was damaged and the quick lube place basically told him to pound salt. So paying few bucks more for a tech to take his time works for me. I agree any place can do it for 20 bucks.

You can do it your self for the cost of supplies.

Ah the BMW - our stuff is so special that no one else can change the oil. I was told that anyone can change the oil and you can buy warranty approved oil for BMW's at (yes) wal-mart. The issue with DIY, is that you need that special tool to reset the service engine information and warning system. No one but BMW has that magic device.

Benz is worse than that. they have the 450 service phenomena, oil change and service is between 450 and 500

[Ilya]

Thats why, as far as cost of ownership...* > German.

I do my own oil as well. Super easy. In fact, I wrote a HowTo in the stickied FAQ thread on how to do it on the 3.5L motor. Check it out. The link is in my signature.

[integrator]

Thanks guys. I wasn't really worried about the oil change per se, though I used to do them, I don't any more. But looking through the various posts I was concerned on whether there was a lot of dealer maintenance that couldn't be done elsewhere. I may baby my car, but not to the point of a 4 hour round trip that becomes a full day, very often.

[wingFeather]

If there is a Nissan dealer close by, ask if they can do the work under warranty. I seem to recall this being allowed for in the manual?

Ah the BMW - our stuff is so special that no one else can change the oil. I was told that anyone can change the oil and you can buy warranty approved oil for BMW's at (yes) wal-mart. The issue with DIY, is that you need that special tool to reset the service engine information and warning system. No one but BMW has that magic device.

In my case, it really was magical unicorn oil that nobody carried. 10-60W, 100% synthetic, $$$.

[Ilya]

Thanks guys. I wasn't really worried about the oil change per se, though I used to do them, I don't any more. But looking through the various posts I was concerned on whether there was a lot of dealer maintenance that couldn't be done elsewhere. I may baby my car, but not to the point of a 4 hour round trip that becomes a full day, very often.

Any competent mechanic should be able to do any/all work on your car as long as it's not warranty related. Find a good reputable shop in your area.

[antzrus]

Any competent mechanic should be able to do any/all work on your car as long as it's not warranty related. Find a good reputable shop in your area.

I agree. My mechanic thinks it's an honor to get to work on my machine. He loves it. He also loves charging almost Infiniti rates. Damn, he's got the internet too...

I bring my own M-1 (once a yr-approx 12k miles) into a quick change place-been doing it for years-never a problem.

[szh]

I bring my own M-1 (once a yr-approx 12k miles) into a quick change place-been doing it for years-never a problem.

You have been lucky ... way too many horror stories at the quickie oil change places for me to trust them at all!

I buy my own oil from Kragen (Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40), the oil filter and copper washer from Infiniti (at the dealer or in quantity from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com) and have a local place change it for me while I watch the work get done properly.

Z