TOP Tearing issue

HybridFusion

I got a call from the dealer this afternoon and was pleased to hear that they will replace the Bordeaux top as well, not just the inner part. Now I just need to find what should be done to avoid this with the new top...

vifferman

Don't allow them to replace your top (complex procedure that is rarely done properly, and/or without collateral damage) until they can explain the cause/source of the wear spots and offer a convincing fix/remedy. I have nearly identical (though less severe) wear spots, but have just 1600 miles on my ZR (built May '10 and purchased June '10). Please provide similar info (mileage, build & purchase dates) for the record.

Merlin

I first noticed wear at less than 1500 miles. I worked with the dealership initially and they tried to fix the issue, but could not. I will say my dealership is awesome and tried to make things right. I then went straight to Nissan North America and filed a complaint. Clearly there is an issue and I've not heard that Nissan is acknowledging it and making amends. Anyway, the tech they sent adjusted the hatch arm and wiring on the driver's side and replaced the canvas only. I must admit the tech they brought in to do the work did an incredible job. The new canvas looks tighter and better than the original. That said, I should not have had to go thru any of this and neither should anyone else. Nissan owes us answers and perhaps some sort of compensation for our trouble. I wonder what they'd think of a "class action lawsuit?"

Hi-Step'n370Z

This is a tough one. Nissan has been replacing the tops that had the tear issue, so they are doing something under warranty.

My concern is in regard to what happens when we're out of warranty?

I have posted a few posts to the Forum addressing this, and asked if you all, we all, think Nissan should out a TSB on the top tear issue.

If it happens to your Z after warranty, you're on your own, and a TSB would show that the potential for the problem was there from the start, it just took longer for it to show up on a particular Z.

For example; I don't drive mine in the winter, and do not operate the top as much as some of you, so I could go a long while before any signs of wear show up, and could very well be out of warranty coverage, and I am sure I am not alone with this kind of timing and frequency of operation.

One more thing. As stated in one of my past posts, I did notice that it appears that the tops that did have a problem, began to show signs around the 1,600 mile mark. So it looked like once your Z get's past that 1,600 mile area, then you may end up without any wear/tear issues. But that's not scientific, just a guess based on commonality of mileage and when the wear began to show up.

I also asked if all of us would post their mileage, frequency of operation of the top, and whether or not they had signs of the wear/tear issue. That did not yield very much. I wanted to see if it looked more like an assembly glitch, or a chronic problem that eventually will hit all of us.

Maybe we can try again.

My Roadster has 7,500 miles, garaged and stored winters, top operated maybe a couple times per week, no signs of any wear at all. No creases or anything negative, looks new.

vifferman

High-Step'n - My roadster has just 1,620 miles on the clock, as I too store mine during the winter months, and drive only for sport/recreation in dry/good weather conditions. As I posted at the time, I saw signs of wear (per Z-U-Later's original post) in just the first few weeks of ownership (with perhaps 500 miles or less). Reported it to my dealer shortly thereafter, and agreed to forgo replacement (feared the surgery more than the ailment). At 7,500 miles with no apparent issue, you should just relax and enjoy your ZR, but your expressed concern about the long-term (after warranty, et al) applies directly to me, as I may not drive my ZR enough to experience damage sufficient to justify surgery before the warranty expires. Depending on how things progress, I may ask for a warranty extention re: the top issue.

sreyes

Hi Guys,

My name is Sebastian and I am new to the forum. I don't have a ZR but I am considering buying one. This forum's been excellent to learn a lot about this beauty.

I am concerned about the top issues though. I was wondering if anybody has any updates or advice when looking for one.

Do you think it is good to bring up the issue to the dealer before the purchase? Any thoughts about what to watch out when shopping? Anybody consider this a deal breaker?

I would really appreciate your help. I love this car, I was gonna buy it about a month ago until I learned about this. I am little on the fence

Thanks folks

havoc2

I forgot to mention I do not leave the top down over night.

HybridFusion

Hi vifferman.

Mileage: 9176 / Build: Black Cherry 2010 370Z Roadster Touring with Sport Package (No Nav, Manual Transmission) / Bought it on January 2010.

Hi-Step'n370Z

Yes, but does your top show any signs of wear that would put in into the top tearing issue?