Service - Dealer or Independent?

[nchopp]

So I'm taking the Q in - just remembered I have a powertrain warranty on it, so I'm gonna get the MAF fixed, and have them try to figure out why it's started making a new noise (a slight unhappy noise). My question is this: Should I trust the Chevrolet\Nissan dealer in town (no Infiniti anywhere), or just take it to an independent mechanic? (I have one I've trusted for quite some time, he used to work on my '78 Olds) The warranty will cover any "Certified Repair Facility in the United States and Canada. We recommend an ASE or ASTM Certified repair shop."

[Jesda]

Your Nissan dealer will be as inexperienced as any independent in working with the VH45. Go with the one where you can shake the hand of the guy who works on your car.

[Jeff Williams]

I agree. I was fortunate to find a shop that had an ex-infiniti mechanic that worked for a dealership in the early 90's.

Maybe you can be as fortunate.

[Chansen]

I agree. I was fortunate to find a shop that had an ex-infiniti mechanic that worked for a dealership in the early 90's.

Maybe you can be as fortunate.

I'm jealous!

[BlackBirdVQ]

Nissan mechanics know NOTHING. They are as useless as a bad MAF. The exac reason why I am doing head gaskets on my Q45 right now- Nissan service didn't bleed the coolant right and failed to repleace a sticking thermostat.

I highly recomend you do not deal with Nissan, even if you have to drive 100 miles to a closest Inifiniti dealer- DO IT. I have people driving 150 miles to my Acura dealer for service, some of the repairs are very small, and some are just maintenance issues normal Honda dealer could handle, but people do not trust anyone with their cars sometimes.

[elwesso]

plus if you go to infiniti you get a loaner to beat around!

[nchopp]

plus if you go to infiniti you get a loaner to beat around!

Well that seals it - Infiniti it is! <grin>

[nuQ]

even taking it to an infiniti dealer isn't a guarantee. there might not be one tech there that is familiar with a 1st generation Q! bring as much facts and info to the dealer (from NICO!) that you can. i have a local (very good!) mechanic that i trust with my cars, but i always print up pages from NICO and bring my FSM with every repair. this way there is no reason for a repeat visit!!!!

[nchopp]

Gotcha.

I don't really know much about this warranty I've got - it's a powertrain warranty from "Warrant-Ease" - their website is pretty useless. Will something like the MAF fall under a powertrain warranty?