oil change price... it's like, WOW!

KillerBee370

What's really funny is the fact they want to charge so much for "ester" based oil when they display an ad at the (Fontana) dealership displaying a 370 and Mobil 1. ??

I took a pic of it with my phone btw... I will post it up when I get to my comp

robones

I just got my second oil change over the weekend. Yes its $120+ taxes and fees. Ester based oil is used on our 370z and Nissan Maxima 09 and up. Unfortunately our cars only use 5 quarts of oil which limits the amount of miles you can go between oil changes. Due to the high performance engine, our cars will natrually consume about 1 quart of oil (depending how you drive) in about 3k miles. That will put you at 4 quarts remaining in our engine which is extremely low and dangerous. I had a Mercedes CLK before my 370z. That beast will use 8.5 quarts of full synthetic Mobile 1. I would go about 7k miles between oil changes. However, the engine oil management system would tell me to top off 1 quart of oil after 5k miles. Realistically I could go 10k miles but I wanted to change oil every 7k miles. Moral of the story, you still have to change your oil relatively close to close the 3k mile intreval because of the low capacity of oil (5 quarts) in the engine.

robones

You can use full synthetic oil but Nissan recommends ester based oil because the VQ engine valves are coated in nissan patented polymer which attracts the ester based oil by its natural polarity. You do not get this attraction by using Full Synthetic oils.

ImportConvert

Car Bangers | Kids in the Hall - YouTube

silver streak

I just spoke with my Nissan dealer here in Sterling Va. and they have quoted me $95 for Ester oil and filter change with there express service taking no more than 45 minutes.
Hate to hear that you were taken advantage of like that. You have got to go back and make them correct this highway robbery!!

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[B][B]Rich Garrett

gbrettin

Look at the original post date.

silver streak

I was talking about wafflesarefun he just got his done a couple of weeks ago and paid $190 after having to hagle with them from $240. That sh#$ is crazy.

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[B][B]Rich Garrett

didymus

He haggled the **** out of them!

onzedge

Maybe he bartered with waffles -- they are fun...

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11Thumper

This is one of the easiest cars to change oil that I've owned. The hardest part is getting it up on ramps. For heavens sake it's a ton easier than doing an annual inspection on my Bonanza (which I do myself) so I think pretty much anyone can do an oil change on a Z...

bvl

That's reasonable if you consider a $12-15/qt product, plus filter and labor.

If you are happy using the Ester that is fine, though don't due it due to mis-information and marketing fluff (vs. hard science) such as what robones regurgitated above (amigo: I count 4 inaccuracies alone in your posts. Do you work for the OEM that supplies Nissan with their Ester brand? )

For the sake of warranty and zero hassle factor, follow the manual (which clearly states any certified 5/30 fill is fine). If you are outside the warranty or don't care, then run what you like and if you choose to run extended intervals, perform some UOA's to see how that particular formulation is behaving.

There are plenty of posted UOAs at BITOG and other sites to go on.

I am following a 6month change interval myself (as I don't hit the mileage numbers per the scheduled maintenance guide), which will include dealer 5/30 in the winter, and Pennzoil Platinum in the summer.

Once outside the warranty, yearly synthetic changes right before the winter when it tends to set for a few months.

- b

DarkZide

Has anyone ever stopped to think that nissan recommends their brand ester oil because its their brand and its expensive?

If they say that conventional oils and other synthetics work fine then they will work fine, and not one person here can say otherwise with any validity. They would likely be sued if they tried to sell you a car that REQUIRED their own brand of expensive oil, which is why its nothing but a recommendation.

RandyD

I got lifetime ester changes when i go tthe car... - first trip in to the shop, i watched as they lifted the car, changed the oil... then the service manager caught the fact that they didnt put in esther.. so up it went again, and they changed it again to the right kind...

all other service at that dealer has also been excellent..

onzedge

Nissan Ester oil is pure overpriced crap. I used it once and the viscosity broke down so badly by 3,000 miles that I am amazed it was lubricating at all. I have the analysis to prove it. 12 bucks a quart? I don't even spend that much on hooch.

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Koni|Swift|Michelin|Motordyne|Berk|RJM Performance|Gates|SPL|Motul|Technafit|Ate Super Blue|Hawk
Tommy Kaira|Momo|Optima|Hella|Hotchkis|Red Line|ZSpeed|Stillen|B&M|H&R

NYBladeZ

Used ester oil for my first 2 oil changes. Definitely overpriced, went over to Motul 300V power racing 5w30 for the summer. Pure nectar, its an ester oil and in my opinion the best you can get. Its about time to do an oil change before putting her away for the fall, going with amsoil synthetic, will go back to Motul next summer.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling