Which way should I go...
Ok, so I knew when I picked up my J that the big risk item was transmission (thanks to reading tons on this board...) and upon inspection by a couple of shops it is unanimous that a new transmission is the order of the day.
The Q is, which way to go Re-Built or Re-Man?
OPTION 1 - Re-Built
The local AAMCO is the best offer (I get a 15% discount through a company loyalty program which gives them a pricing advantage for my car).
COST = $1960.85 for parts & labor with 3yr/36,000 warranty. Plus I get 15% off of that price for a total of $1666+tax. I would probably go ahead and put in a transmission cooler at the same time ($285 installed -15%)
Total cost for option 1 (not including cooler) = $1814.27 incl. tax
OPTION 2 - Re-Man'd (from Infiniti)
I can get a an Infiniti Re-Man'd from Joe for $2250 to me - $400 for exchange when I send him my core for a total parts cost of $1950 (counting shipping cost back to him). Warranty = 1yr/12,000.
The local Infiniti dealer will install for $650+tax.
Total cost for option 2 = $2657.85 incl. tax
I like the idea of an Infinity Re-Man'd, but for $800 more I get a much lower warranty... The Infiniti tech's claim that a re-built transmission never shifts right, it runs, but it doesn't shift as smoothly...
I am torn, what do you all think? Which would you do if it was your money?
Thanks, Gadget
The BIG transmission Q...
First of all 285 for a cooler is INSANE. you can get one for 50 bucks and put it in yourself.
Second, the tech is right a re-man is better than a rebuild. Saying that I went with a rebuild last August because it was cheaper and money was the most important issue at the time.
If you can afford it, get the transmission from Joe. You'll be happier with it plus if you take good care of it, which I'm sure you will, it'll last longer than a rebuild.
Nick
Second, the tech is right a re-man is better than a rebuild. Saying that I went with a rebuild last August because it was cheaper and money was the most important issue at the time.
If you can afford it, get the transmission from Joe. You'll be happier with it plus if you take good care of it, which I'm sure you will, it'll last longer than a rebuild.
Nick
gadgeteer,
I would still go with the reman.Of course the longer warranty from AAMCO is tempting.....
Likely, both trannies will last longer than 36,000 miles, the only case where the AAMCO transmission would be better, if it breaks after 12,000 but before 36,000 miles.
Is that possible with the Infiniti reman?Yes, but not likely..
Actually I feel both will likely outlast 36k and I would still expect the remanufactrured trannyt o last significantyl longer + shift better when done.
So I would still go with the reman, despite the difference in warranty + price.
It <will> likely be the better transmission.
Fred...
I would still go with the reman.Of course the longer warranty from AAMCO is tempting.....
Likely, both trannies will last longer than 36,000 miles, the only case where the AAMCO transmission would be better, if it breaks after 12,000 but before 36,000 miles.
Is that possible with the Infiniti reman?Yes, but not likely..
Actually I feel both will likely outlast 36k and I would still expect the remanufactrured trannyt o last significantyl longer + shift better when done.
So I would still go with the reman, despite the difference in warranty + price.
It <will> likely be the better transmission.
Fred...
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Q451990
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I'd look for a good independent to install the transmission from Joe. It should take about 6-8 book hours... assuming it's no more difficult that the Q. I'd look for someone with 300ZX experience, since they're very similar. I've heard bad things about aftermarket rebuilds - the factory reman is done in an assembly line setting with new valve bodies from Japan and by people who do nothing but rebuild that specific transmission! It's worth the extra cash.
Heath
Heath
You ready for this info?
Here's what you get with the AAMCO warranty: first thing is first, only they can service your transmission, second, they have to service it once a year but they will NOT flush it, only a fill job.
Also, let's say your transmission actually goes out. Here's what happens:
First they take the transmission apart to diagnose it (a $400 fee YOU pay by the way). Then they come back and tell you one of two things: 1. the failure was caused by a failure of a solenoid or some other electronic component on the transmission and you are no longer covered by the warranty. this means time to buy a new engine. 2. the failure was caused by the transmission itself and they will rebuild it AGAIN under warranty.
EXCEPT...you pay for the labor and you pay for all the electronic parts. overall you save the 700 bucks it cost to rebuild the mechanics on the sucker.
Sorry, but I have some experience with this sort of thing. After my first transmission went out at 210k I had to get a new one. Guess who covered it when it broke at 240k? No one. Me. Learn a lesson off my poorly-spent money and spend the cash on a re-man.
Nick
(P.S. transmission was shop was AZHitman's favorite place (yeah right) Cottman Transmission)
Here's what you get with the AAMCO warranty: first thing is first, only they can service your transmission, second, they have to service it once a year but they will NOT flush it, only a fill job.
Also, let's say your transmission actually goes out. Here's what happens:
First they take the transmission apart to diagnose it (a $400 fee YOU pay by the way). Then they come back and tell you one of two things: 1. the failure was caused by a failure of a solenoid or some other electronic component on the transmission and you are no longer covered by the warranty. this means time to buy a new engine. 2. the failure was caused by the transmission itself and they will rebuild it AGAIN under warranty.
EXCEPT...you pay for the labor and you pay for all the electronic parts. overall you save the 700 bucks it cost to rebuild the mechanics on the sucker.
Sorry, but I have some experience with this sort of thing. After my first transmission went out at 210k I had to get a new one. Guess who covered it when it broke at 240k? No one. Me. Learn a lesson off my poorly-spent money and spend the cash on a re-man.
Nick
(P.S. transmission was shop was AZHitman's favorite place (yeah right) Cottman Transmission)
Ok, so the advice is pretty unanimous to go with the Reman. The hard part is the $3000 up front and then I get to recoup a part when I send the old one back to Joe...
I may have to stick up a 7-11 or something to come up with the dough <grin> but it sounds like it will be worth it in the long run.
There are some great Japanese only repair shops here locally that have a great reputation, maybe I will try checking with some of them.
The other thing I could do is have my transmission pulled and sent to Joe to get the core credit upfront...
I will report back on how it goes.
I may have to stick up a 7-11 or something to come up with the dough <grin> but it sounds like it will be worth it in the long run.
There are some great Japanese only repair shops here locally that have a great reputation, maybe I will try checking with some of them.
The other thing I could do is have my transmission pulled and sent to Joe to get the core credit upfront...
I will report back on how it goes.
Update on AAMCO warranty info.
I stopped by and picked up a copy of the warranty and the only stipulations are it cannot be used for commercial purposes. It also states that no yearly check-ups/services are required to maintain the warranty. It also states that all parts and labor are included.
I work for a particularly large software company here in Redmond Washington and the local AAMCO is a part of a customer loyalty program and there is a customer dispute resolution process that we can go through if they mislead or misrepresent their product/service in any way.
Although I work for said Software company (or not-said as the case may be...) We are a single income family and cost of living being what it is in this area, I have a fixed budget for this vehicle that also needs to have all the other services performed on still (timing belt, tune-up, filter changes, etc.) and the $800 difference goes a long way towards covering those...
I am still torn as you can tell, but am continuing to investigate. Does the warranty clarification change your opinions at all?
I stopped by and picked up a copy of the warranty and the only stipulations are it cannot be used for commercial purposes. It also states that no yearly check-ups/services are required to maintain the warranty. It also states that all parts and labor are included.
I work for a particularly large software company here in Redmond Washington and the local AAMCO is a part of a customer loyalty program and there is a customer dispute resolution process that we can go through if they mislead or misrepresent their product/service in any way.
Although I work for said Software company (or not-said as the case may be...) We are a single income family and cost of living being what it is in this area, I have a fixed budget for this vehicle that also needs to have all the other services performed on still (timing belt, tune-up, filter changes, etc.) and the $800 difference goes a long way towards covering those...
I am still torn as you can tell, but am continuing to investigate. Does the warranty clarification change your opinions at all?
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AZhitman
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My experience is that there's always some damned exclusion involved when you go back with a complaint. But if you're comfortable with the resolution process and the warranty fine print, I'm in agreement - $800 is a lot of money, especially for those of us with a lower-middle-class income and a family.
I'm guessing most folks whose cars need transmission work don't ever keep the car long enough to exercise the full 3/36 warranty. Too bad Infiniti won't cover theirs for that long... Kind of makes you wonder about their faith in their remans...
I'm guessing most folks whose cars need transmission work don't ever keep the car long enough to exercise the full 3/36 warranty. Too bad Infiniti won't cover theirs for that long... Kind of makes you wonder about their faith in their remans...
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Take a look at the following:
http://www.phoenixhardparts.co...nt.mv
It is a re-man too, although not by Infiniti. This guys claim to do a lot of work. 6 month warranty can be extended to 1 year at slight extra charge. This may be quicker than waiting for a rebuild to be completed - but that is a guess, since shipping takes time too.
Net cost is lower than Infiniti and comparable to AAMCO - an Infiniti transmission is $950 from these guys.
NOTE: No one here has experience with these guys yet, so this is at your own risk. However, the price with an Infiniti re-man may be an issue, as you noted. They are in Phoenix, so maybe you can sweet talk AZHitman to visit them and see if anything obviously wrong can be seen!
http://www.phoenixhardparts.co...nt.mv
It is a re-man too, although not by Infiniti. This guys claim to do a lot of work. 6 month warranty can be extended to 1 year at slight extra charge. This may be quicker than waiting for a rebuild to be completed - but that is a guess, since shipping takes time too.
Net cost is lower than Infiniti and comparable to AAMCO - an Infiniti transmission is $950 from these guys.
NOTE: No one here has experience with these guys yet, so this is at your own risk. However, the price with an Infiniti re-man may be an issue, as you noted. They are in Phoenix, so maybe you can sweet talk AZHitman to visit them and see if anything obviously wrong can be seen!
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Q451990
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One other thing to consider... if you can get one of Joe's transmissions installed at your local dealership (Nissan or Infiniti) and you have a problem later - the labor is covered under the 12/12 warranty. The warranty doesn't specify that the parts be purchased at the installing dealership to have the labor covered.
Heath
Heath
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szh
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Q451990 wrote:One other thing to consider... if you can get one of Joe's transmissions installed at your local dealership (Nissan or Infiniti) and you have a problem later - the labor is covered under the 12/12 warranty. The warranty doesn't specify that the parts be purchased at the installing dealership to have the labor covered.
An excellent point about the labor costs. Frontier Infiniti charged me about $800 for the labor (including installing a cooler) last year. An independent may be lower, of course!
Z
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AZhitman
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90Q45blue wrote:Steven Infiniti in Wichita told me that ordering the parts from another dealer would violate the warranty and would not be covered.
Nick
Mabe if those s***-for-brains "other" dealers would get their prices in line with our boy Joe's, they wouldn't HAVE this problem.
I'd call the GM. Bastards. :firedevil
I don't know why that makes me so mad, but it does. SAME damn parts, but "if you don't let us gouge you, no warranty". :rolleyes
The former owner of my 90Q (my uncle) had AMCO rebuilt the transmission just before he sold it to me, and 25000 miles later after all recommended maintanance and transmission cooler installed the transmission is on its last legs. 25000 miles is lame. I took it to AMCO for an inspection (warranty was only good for 1 year which has passed) and they said it needed to be rebuilt again for about $2500. I asked the guy if all I ould expect was another 25000 miles and he couldant look my straight in the face, enough said.
On the other hand a factory reman from Jerry Tucker runs about $2750 complete and Jerry said the factory doesant have enough early Q transmission cores to rebuild so what you get is a brand spanking new factory transmission for the price of a reman. Go with the factory parts and you will be better off in the long run.
good luck
crubio
On the other hand a factory reman from Jerry Tucker runs about $2750 complete and Jerry said the factory doesant have enough early Q transmission cores to rebuild so what you get is a brand spanking new factory transmission for the price of a reman. Go with the factory parts and you will be better off in the long run.
good luck
crubio
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
90Q45blue wrote:Heath,
Does this mean that I can order any part from Joe and have my dealer install it and have it be covered by the dealer warranty. Steven Infiniti in Wichita told me that ordering the parts from another dealer would violate the warranty and would not be covered.
Nick
The way I worked it with Frontier Infiniti in San Jose for my transmission replacement last year was simple. I got a price quote (including shipping from AZ) from Joe and Frontier matched it. I got a labor estimate from another Infiniti dealer and they matched the labor cost. My total cost for the transmission was about $2850 - including the labor for installing the external B&M cooler I bought. Frontier provided the 12/12 warranty.
I apologized later to Joe, but it was just a lot simpler to get it done locally than having a transmission shipped from AZ and sending the core back - I also made up by later buying a bunch of suspension parts (including their rear sway bar kit) from Joe.
(I paid separately for the Mobile 1 synthetic ATF I had them put in - they got it for me at $3.99 a quart as I recall ... less than what Pepboys sells it for.)
You might talk to the Parts Director at your Infiniti dealer and see if you can negotiate a similar deal.
A side note: at Frontier Infiniti, the Parts Director is Marty Wiegert. He has verbally agreed to match Joe's prices for NICO members if the work is also done by Frontier, although I think he will not enforce that rule very hard. If you are having work done there, ask your service rep to talk to Marty.
Z