Quella's going in the shop...

[AZhitman]

Quella spent a few hours at the shop today. Tomorrow she's getting new upper links, new engine mounts, a new transmission mount, a new fuel pump (buzzing and whining) and possibly a new driveshaft (service writer says something is "binding").

All this is being done under warranty. Is there anything I should have them look at (or replace at my cost) while they're doing any of these projects?

Non-covered problems they noticed, which my mechanic will handle:

Needs new rear pads, shocks are shot (Tokico blues on the way!), one window regulator is bad (they all work fine) and a tension rod bushing is leaking (bought replacement today).

Thanks guys!

[DAEDALUS]

Man, that warranty is working out pretty well! I have to wonder why the upper links are covered but not the tension rod bushings. What logic did they use to determine that?

[AZhitman]

It's an "exclusionary warranty". If a part is listed in their stupid list (which is pretty comprehensive) then it's covered. If not, too bad. Apparently, few cars have "tension rods" (or theyre called something else) so it's not listed.

But I'm not complaining AT ALL!

p.s. They goofed and replaced the L tension rod last year - before they realized it wasn't covered. I said I'm not paying, take it off. They left it on and said, the next one's on you...

[greg_atlanta]

Gotta love the driveshaft and motor mounts on extended warranty if you can pull it off.... at least $1500 for those two items.

[DenverQ]

I pulled out my old invoices for warranty work on my q ( i had the same one as AZ) and it totalled well over 8k the first time it went ion it was there for a week no wonder ive had such good luck with all my driving. Im almost ready to buy another one get the warranty and just sell mine

[AZhitman]

Not a bad return on a $1500 investment, eh Tory?

I'm up to $4400 not counting the aforementioned (pending) repairs, and I'm only 1.25 years into the 3 years of the warranty.

[natsoundup]

Congratulations...but I think some of this is sad.....

Q's are supposedly over engineered.... in many cases they just don't hold up...... they should take some lessons from Toyota or Honda.....how do those cars go 200k without major work?

Don't get me wrong I love my Q, but I am an easy driver....if this care every cost me more than 100 dollars a month or so in repair/maintenance.... I would be out of it......

I guess I should say 1200 dollars a year or so in costs.....

[Q45tech]

Over engineered means fine tuned and understress not overbuilt and extra strength.

At $1200 per year you can't keep a Q up to anywhere near as new specs not even close. OH people spend less but they are driving rolling wrecks which don't accelerate, stop, or handle, ride near new.........leaks, overheats, vibrating brakes, rough idles, inferior AC, rattles, squeaks, moans, etc.

Just keeping tires, brakes, and shocks as new will cost more than $1200 per year prorated! Heck a prorated transmission that lasts 8 years is over $370 per year in use charges alone!$2,400-$3,000 per year is the average rate on 90-96Q to keep everything working near new specs!

Of course the above assumes you are driving 15,000 miles per year.

Comparing 4 cyclinder FWD Honda to a 1200 pound heavier V8 Q is meaningless! Same with Toyota as you go to V6 and V8 and RWD add weight the cost multiply.

Q repair cost should be compared with LS400, V8 MB, V8 Audi, and V8 BMW.

It is true that Lexus overbuilt the first LS models and thus the repair cost are a little lower but the ES250/300 were not as good as you think........we are constantly replacing engines long before 200,000 miles.

[natsoundup]

I drive about 10-11k miles a year.... not to much WOT....or long distance trips.... longest may be to Atlanta....160 miles away...

I just think there comes a point when you don't pour money into it to keep it "as new". For me the car in its waning years, is basic transportation..

However, I respect all of you who keep the car in spec.

[AZhitman]

Nat - My wife says the same thing: "That thing's a LEMON!!!"

What she (and others) don't get is that almost ANY newer car will go 100-150K with nearly no maintenance. Period. And it will get you from point A to point B just fine. But at 100-150K, if you go to sell it, it will need $4K-10K in "rehab" to fix things that are either nearing the end of their useful life OR are only noticeable to a trained technician as opposed to a mechanic.

I sold my 94 Civic Si after owning it for 100K. I did NO maintenance to speak of. The guy who bought my car overpaid by about $4K AND is probably dealing with nightmares now.

I have a warranty, so I choose to take her in every 3 months (whether she needs it or not) and list my concerns. Several of said concerns are lifted directly from Q45tech's (and others') posts. What the Infiniti techs find while she's on the lift is their business (and their bread and butter). I just sit back in the Infiniti-provided loaner and know that my baby is spending quality time with people who will take good care of her...

[AZhitman]

UPDATE:

Warranty company decided to replace other tension rod (guess Joe's getting his bushing back).

They're doing:

Motor mountsTension rodUpper linksDriveshaft and carrier bearing/bushing (?)Fuel pump

transmission mounts ARE NOT covered - SO, is this a big fix or can my mechanic handle this one in my garage?

[Q451990]

The transmission mount can be done on jack stands with a floor jack in about 45 minutes. With all of the other stuff they're doing, you might check to see what's coming off to get to it. I'm sure they're dropping the transmission mount to get to the motor mounts, and probably removing the exhaust to get to the drive shaft (althought that's not necessary). Exhaust hangers should get replaced at the same time if they aren't recent. You're gonna have one smooth Q!

How on earth did you get them to cover motor mounts?! I haven't actually seen them leaking or cracked, so I'd think that could be difficult.

Heath

[DenverQ]

Hey AZ did you get your Q back yet? How Much was the cost of the work? Do you notice any difference in smoothness?

I could never get my dealership to do the drive shaft another reason for me to come to AZ

[AZhitman]

Quella's still in as of today - I'm in no hurry, as she's in good hands, isn't racking up miles, and the I35 loaner is fun to play with (torque steer is the DEVIL!).

I'll do the trans mount myself per your advice, Heath. The exhaust has some rust, so I'll probably have some new pipes made early next year.

Motor mounts was a mystery to me as well. But then again, the front main seal was too - $2200 and I never saw a drop of oil!

I'll post the final invoice when I retrieve her, as well as a list of all prior invoices since I got her in November 2001.

Tory - We're still waiting on ya, brotha - It's a short drive in a Q!

[DenverQ]

If I had the funds I would come down for the superbowl!

Then I could get the Q looked at, meet Joe and have a grand ol time.

But alas Having a Kid and a Q=maybe next month!!

Keep me informed with your Q maybe I can call my dealer and complain somemore

[QShip]

All this is being done under warranty

Hey AZ, where did you get this warranty? Is it a factory warranty?

P.S.I'm the guy that bought Quella's old shoes I still don't have good pictures to post, but I will soon.

[AZhitman]

Hey bud - Glad to see you back on board. I have my aftermarket warranty through http://www.warrantybynet.com. Do a search, I have written pretty extensively about the process.

How are the BBS's doing on the Qship?

[Bayarea Q]

Hitman,

Do you have to purchase this warranty right when you buy the car? Or can you buy it at any time? Based on year/mileage I would assume?

[AZhitman]

Any time - do the search, like I said I have written extensively about this company.

Search by my screen name on "warranty".

E-me off-board and I'll be glad to answer any ?'s you may have.

[AZQ45]

Hey Hitman...

Back from our cruise...740 in the garage, too!

Give me a call at the office tomorrow...I left the # on your cel phone vmail.

Later...Jed