Trouble Free Tops??

Bshields22

Hey guys,

I have a 2012 370Z Roadster (sport/tech package if relevant) with 28K miles.

Does anyone have some experiences where their top has lasted a long time without issues or are we all just doomed? My top is working just fine however its a 2nd car so its mostly down and only gets up up in case of emergencies.

Hopefully there is a silent majority of 370Z roadster owners out there that don't have problems.

Let me know!

Sparrow

Hello,

I have a 2010 roadster.

My top has worked just fine as far as up & down.

The cover hits the back of the top when opening it.

I had to glue the plastic back on the protects the frame from rubbing a hole in the top. I'm pretty sure this was a quick fix by Nissan.

The fabric likes to come out of the frame under the window.
I opened the top half way & reinserted the top in the frame, then used shim stock to hold it in place. Never had a problem after that!

Every convertible I have owned has had some type of problem.

Thanks!

Sly Nic

My 2014 Roadster has just developed a problem which Nissan warranty people are looking at now.

The problem is that a small sharp edged piece of metal has rubbed through the rubber right behind the drivers side head area. This small piece of metal had scratched my new window tint film and threatens to rub on, and possibly crack, the window.

I took it into Nissan and asked them to repair it. At first they were going to replace the whole top which I think is a bit excessive but now they have told me that they have found a Nissan approved reliable local business that will repair it under warranty. This has yet to happen.

I will keep you posted as to what happens but I am pretty sure it is minor and a quick fix.

Other than that, I have had no issues with the top rubbing or going up and down. I love my Roadster!

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2014 Roadster - pearl white with frost leather and black top. Hood struts, tinted glass, HR spacers (20mm front/25mm back), blacked emblems, blue LED lights.

RN SHARK

As a long time convertible 240SX owner, you should ALWAYS store the top in the up position for longevity of the canvas. Also, use Raggtop products to protect it from dry rot, helps keep the stitching from fraying, sun damage, etc. I replaced the 240's top 8 years ago and it still looks perfect, no fold lines, no sun damage. And I put it down all the time and lived in San Diego up until last year.

__________________
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'09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare
'14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

gr8-wrx

No issues so far. However, our 2010 ZR is a weekend car with only about 12k miles.

__________________
Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB
Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster

Bshields22

Thank you guys for the feedback so far!

Bshields22

Thank you for the insight. This is my first convertible and it is also a 2nd car. primarily for the weekends, track days and rallies. I always though it might be best to limit the amount of movement of the hydraulic system. Since I ALWAYS put the top down when i drive it, I though that it might be best if i just keep it down that way i extend the life of the system. Usually I will put it up if I need to park and there is no shade or it starts raining mid-drive.

This is all a self proclaimed theory though.

With that said, let me know what you think. Or anybody else too!


Thanks guys.

Bshields22

I am OK with a SMALL tear or tattered edge since i only put the top up for short period of time that is mandatory (no shade when parked, rain or sketchy area). Like every Roadster owner I am just nervous about that $15K system replacement of $7K fabric replacement.

Bshields22

See that also makes me nervous too. You practically have a brand new roadster and are already looking to fix the top. My warranty is over in Dec since its a second car i don't think an extended warranty is worth it. The car is maintained better than a professional racing team lol.

The Bodyman

My 2010 roadster has been ok so far. It hits the cover panel on opening but only in colder weather (which is often in the UK). My last Mercedes rag top blow a hydraulic pipe and bumped oil all over the trim. They all have their faults

DWS44

I put about 60,000 mi on a 2010 Roadster as a daily driver before I traded for the 2013 Roadster I have now. Never had any issues on the top or operation on it, other than the occasional times it would hit the cover panel, as others have mentioned.

Bshields22

Good to know there are some roadsters out there that are not doomed!

alcheng

I have mine since 2011, just hit 4 years and I have 100k-km on it, never driven in Winter, my daily commute is at least 70km thus the huge number on mileage.

over the 4 years, couple problems

1) the frame poke a hole on the canvas, it happened when it's under 60k-km thus they replace the whole top under warranty

2) (1) happened again this year, they refuse to replace it under warranty because the bumper-to-bumper comprehensive has expired, nor the extended-warranty cover it.

I sew the hole and put a patch underneath the canvas, both sides, it's good now. Of cos, you can also bring it to a top-repair shop to get it fixed.

3) just got the rear-latch assembly replaced couple weeks ago, the sensor(s) failed thus has to replace the assembly.


This is my 3rd convertible, the 1st one is a bimmer, 2nd was a 350ZR then this one.


when you deal with a fully automatic top, like the 370z's or other brands, it has so many sensors and hydraulic pumps and lines, expect it will cause some trouble over the time.

depends on how long are you keeping the car and how often do you drive it too.

good luck

Bshields22

Good information! Thanks Man. Since my warranty is up in Dec of this year i am going to be SOL in 2016 and on. Since this is also a 2nd car i can be very selective when to take it out.

(open to anyone) but what are your thoughts about this: Say the top breaks...and Nissan says the dreaded words "it will be $14K to replace". Is there a way you can lock it in the "open" position and essentially throw away the key? In other words. Say the top is closed and wont open or it jams half way through open/close cycle. could you manually shut it or do something to permanently store it in its compartment?

alcheng

if the top got stuck half way, i bet you should be able to (not manually) reverse it back to its originally position, but if you cannot do that, you really stuck, i pretty sure you can "press" the top back into the compartment.

otherwise, you can manually open and close it, but it's a 2 person procedure.