10
This thread now also contains details of the improvements made to the 2006 'facelift' 350z and the 2007 model, for those people considering which to buy. Scroll down until you reach them - they're near the bottom of this post!
*HOT NEWS* *HOT NEWS* *HOT NEWS*
If you have to take your Z for an MOT, don't let them test the rear brakes on the rolling road, as it may naff up your Limited Slip Differential
Thanks to Damo for this information.
Common Problems/Known Issues with the 350Z
Over a period of time, since it's UK launch in 2003 a handful of minor issues, problems & glitches have cropped up regularly on the 350Z.
None of these is major, or of a serious safety nature and all can be fixed free of charge, if your car is still within its 3-year warranty period.
Not all of these faults are warranty issues for cars of all years (03 – 06), but we think that it might be handy for people who are new to the club to have a clear, general list they can print out.
This basic list may also give you an idea of what to look out for if you are a prospective buyer. Any owner/vendor worth his salt should know whether some, if not all of these things have affected his/her car.
If you click on an underlined problem it will link you to further information and/or Technical Service Bulletins about that particular problem (note that some links are only available to fully paid-up club members, simply because they are topics in the members' area, not because they are special!).
Finally, there are many more tips, hints and solutions available to fully paid-up club members, in the Owners' Club members' area.
Now read on!...
MY'03 (2002 - 2005)
WHEELS & TYRES
· Tyre Feathering (front tyres, earlier models, fitted with Bridgestone RE040K's). - Replace with RE040X's
· Incorrect wheel alignment (toe-in) on the front wheels, resulting in uneven tyre wear. - Have alignment corrected using an accurate 4-wheel laser unit!
· Rear drive shafts 'clicking' when moving off at low speed or when starting to reverse. - Renew rear drive shafts
· 'Bubbling' of the Rays alloy wheels, here and there, meaning they are corroding. - Refurbish wheel/s
· Handbrake does not stop car from moving. - ALWAYS LEAVE THE CAR IN GEAR. Dealer adjustment required
EXTERIOR
· Fuel filler cap not opening at first press of button. - Replace components with upgraded parts
· Boot lid not opening on first press of button. - Replace existing springs with heavier duty springs or, thanks to Prescience here's a link to a DIY solution (for JDM's at least)
· Boot not staying up when opened. - New boot struts
INTERIOR
· Bose stereo (on all models) – CD's skip in cold weather. - New stereo head unit (refurbished ones often manifest the same problem)
· Bose stereo (on GT models) – Left speaker cuts out. - Dealer fix
· Electric windows packing up. - New winder motor
· Windows not sealing properly, or dropping slightly at speed. - Dealer reset often works
· Squeaky seat. - Get it down to the dealer
· Airbag Warning Light stays on. - Dealer reset usually works, but it may be more serious than that, so get to the dealer asap
In addition to these common minor faults, a few owners have reported…
1. Premature clutch wear, but this is far less easy to claim as a warranty issue, as Nissan inevitably attempt to blame individual driving style, even if clutch problems arise after only a couple of thousand miles.
2. Crunching Gear Box – when changing between 5th & 6th gears. This is a warranty issue.
Also, the quality of paint has given cause for concern. It chips easily and it is applied as a very thin layer. Nissan say the chipping is a feature of modern water-based paints and that all modern cars are prone to it.
If you discover any of these problems, rest assured YOU ARE NOT ALONE and there is someone here in the Owners' Club, on your side, who will help you through the issue.
MY'06 (2006)
Oil Consumption Issue
CHECK YOUR OIL WEEKLY! There is really only one issue of any note, with some of the 2006 cars. This is excessive oil consumption in the 300bhp 'rev-up' engine. Nissan will only take any notice of your complaint if your car uses in excess of 2 litres of oil in 1000 miles and you have checked it regularly. In these cases owners have been given new engines, under warranty. Your car will have to be given an oil consumption check by a Nissan Dealer, over a period of time.
Some owners are finding that their engine uses around 0.5 litres of oil per 1000 miles and others have reported that their car uses no oil at all.
It is important to keep checking the dipstick weekly, because the excessive consumption issue has been known to occur on MY'06 cars that have previously not used an excessive amount of oil.
One or two unfortunate owners who have not checked oil levels regularly have suddenly been presented with a blown-up engine and good old Nissan are not interested in a warranty claim in these cases, despite the fact that they have fitted a clearly faulty engine.
MY'07 (2007)
At the time of writing, some owners are starting to report a problem with the alarm.
A pattern seems to be developing, with the alarm sounding for no reason. It is a warranty fix. Further details will be provided as and when they appear.
PERSONAL ISSUES(with many thanks to Prescience for the idea)
...finally, we're starting to compile a list of 'personal issues' that ownership may bring to the surface -
1. Colour Thuggery - An irrational urge to defend the colour of your own car by making unpleasant, detrimental remarks about other people's, if they are not the same colour as your own. E.g., Sunset = 'Rust'; Gun Metal = 'Primer'; or 'I wouldn't have my ashes scattered near a Kuro'. In serious cases, CT develops into FCS (Fastest Colour Syndrome), where the sufferer is convinced that his car can go faster than anyone elses, simply because of its colour - The only cure is to sit him next to a twin turbo of a different colour, at the traffic lights. Unless of course his car is Ebisu/Black Pearl - which is faster than the fastest car on the planet (and the best colour too
).2. Zed Eye - The result of spending an inordinate amount of time peeking out of the window to make sure it's really yours/still there/really as beautiful as you thought. (Has also manifested itself as seeing Zeds that aren't really there - sometimes on TV - Woreod!)
3. Zed Neck - A kind of sneaky, furtive twitch that occurs as you're walking away from the parked car, enabling you to turn your head for just one more look
(Some owners try to cover up this behaviour by pretending to lock their car when they know full well it's already locked.)4. The Soppy Grin - No cure - It's permanent
5. Zed Alienation - After spending all weekend cleaning the car, adding bits to it, taking bits off, polishing it, going on the website and driving it around a bit, you suddenly remember you had a family once.
6. *Mirror Syndrome* - the uncontrollable urge to look at the 350's reflection in any office/shop window while driving past...
7. Zedicide - A term first coined by Woreod, to crystalise all those feelings you get when you don't have your Z. It may be in for repairs and they've given you a Micra - and you just feel like crashing the thing into the nearest solid object. It may be that you've sold your Z and you're awaiting delivery of your new one. Or you've sold your Z and every time you open the door of your new Audi you quietly kick the sill, because you hate it. Or worse still, you've sold your Z and wake up in the night screaming, "Noooo nooooo!". No known cure - just get another Z.
8. Zedrage - That feeling you get when you return home from having had your car repaired/serviced by the Main Dealer, you inspect it and find that the Brembo calipers have been chipped, it's got a new dent/scratch, there are dirty greasy marks inside, the alloys are marked, it's got an extra 35 miles on the clock ...and the problem it went in for is still there
Nissan Customer Service - 01923 899 334
Improvements & Changes on the Facelift 2006 model, over the 2003-2005 model (random list)...
03 to 05 engine
276 bhp @ 6,200 rpm (243 lb-ft)
274 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm (250 hp)
296 bhp @ 6,400 rpm (246 lb-ft)
260 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm (237 hp)
Bi zenon headlights
18" Rays alloys as standard
Deeper zorst note
Much improved front end
Feels quicker throughout the rev range, the loss of torque thing gets so old, what is it...9nm? it has a more even spread of torque where you need it, certainly doesn't feel any slower from low down, feels less strangled at the top end too.
Shiny Air-Con Knobs
Soft-touch plastic/better quality plastic all around you.
More shiny aluminiumey bits.
Better position for the hazard warning light switch.
Better position for the heated seat switches.
Nicer, bigger, illuminated buttons on the steering wheel
Illuminated cup holders (in doors)
350Z Owners Club Spotted Card Holder Tray in dashboard
More/ better storage near the handbrake area
Bluetooth integrated phone module as standard
Speed-sensitive power steering
Lighter clutch pedal
Material covering in door pockets.
Improved button on dashboard cubby door.
Nicer rear strut bar cover.
Slightly nicer "tonneau cover"
Alu bevels on the dials which reflect the red from the needles and look really schweeeet
Dash cubby door that actually fits
Double bottle/cup holder in the centre console
Bigger knee pads
Bigger passenger net
Bi zenon headlamps
LED tail lamps
Annoying ding when you go over 15mph without the seatbelt on
Redesigned front bumper, wider at the bottom, looks lower too, less slats on the grille, which are now gunmetal not cheapo looking black plastic,
There's a new redline of 7,000rpm (up by 400rpm)
Variable Valve Timing on the exhausts as well as the inlets
2 colour changes - Pearlescent Black (Ebisu) and Universal Silver
The rubber seal around the boot is hard rubber rather than spongy - thanks to MrUnderground for this gem.
Changes to the 2007 (MY'07) model from the 2006 (MY'06) model...
80% different engine (from 296bhp up to 309bhp)
New redline - 7,500rpm
Bonnet bulge to accommodate new engine
Illuminated ignition switch
A couple of new colours (Midnight Blue & Tangoey Orange) - other than that they're the same.
© 350zUKownersclub - 2006/2007/2008
Nice one Tone!!! How stupid of me 
