I purchased my car over the memorial weekend, had the dealership's finishing touch (wax) and the windows tinted by them. Brought her home, washed her within a week and noticed a scrape about an inch long on the lower bumper driver's side. I have been extra careful with the car, so there's no way in hell I had caused the damage...upon closer inspection you can see that it had been previously fixed with some type of color wax, but somehow that came off. I took the car in for them to fix it and was told the patch job won't be 100% perfect. They are telling me that they can completely redo the whole bumper but the drawbacks are that the paint job won't be as durable as the orginal and that within a couple of years might fade differently compared to the rest of the car. Should I just keep it as is with it's minor imperfections or take the chance with the paint job...??? I'm pissed off at the dealership! I don't know what to do...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
They are giving me till tomorrow to decide...

Letty

 

I actually had somewhat of a similar issue. On my brand new 04 G35, I discovered, upon my inspection on the dealer's lot, a scratch about 1-1/2" long on the driver's side down low [I have the aero body kit]. I talked to the dealer about it and they offered to try to patch / blend it in. I've seen that done before, and sometimes the patch does fade differently and over time can be seen. So instead of taking that risk [which the dealer admitted themselves too], I had them give me the Infiniti G35 car cover instead. I picked that since I already had the trunk mat, the all season mats, a fitted sunshade, an Infinit polo shirt, and an Infiniti jacket thrown in for free - the car cover is at least worth some money whether I keep it or sell it. So perhaps you can negotiate for some extras if you decide that you can live with the scratch.

 

True, if in the event you decide to keep the scratch, then see what you can get in return, free maintenance, something.

On the other hand, you mentioned you were really pissed and you're not happy the way the dealer is handling the situation. Next time you go in there, if the situation is not solved to your liking, just ask them for their store number and that the next phonecall you'll be making will be to infiniti north america, then you will see the expressions change. It's like mentioning the gestapo almost. I hate to do that myself, but it works and gets them to finally do what they need to do. Good luck.

G35sedan03
03.5 BS, 6MT, premium, 19" Kaizer wheels, Skyline badges, PIAA HID upgrade, Racing pedals, clear lenses, 35% tint, 7-wire ground, TEIN basics, side mirror blinkers

 

the gestapo, hahahahh

 

Just got back from dealer and I'm not happy with the patch job they did. The paint is rough and wrinkled looking where the scrapes were. They are willing to repaint the whole bumper but "warn me" that within a couple of years the paint might not wear the same as the rest of the car . Is this true? Can this happen? Is it worth to mess wtih the original paint finish on the whole rear bumper for these couple of spots or did they just screw up on the patch job? Is it unreasonable of me to ask (demand!) them to swap the bumper from another G since it was they who originally caused the
problem !!!!
I know...I know,,, I should get over it...
What would you do if it was your baby?

Hurting and confused in SoCal
Letty

 

Hmmm... To me the patch job sounds like it wasn't done very well. I've seen them done before, but as I noted in my first post, even the smooth / better ones can still be noticed if you are looking for it. I don't have much experience with entirely painted bumpers and how the paint fades over time versus the factory paint on the car. However, I don't quite understand why a quality paint job on the bumper would not last as long as the car's original paint job. I guess it has something to do with the paint product itself??? Perhaps going to the Nissan North America will get the dealer to do more for you? Which dealer are you working with?

 

I think they're bluffing you. They just want you to not take the whole repaint probably.

I've had a lot of body work done to my cars in the past. The longest I kept a car after getting paint done is about 4 years. After all that time I never saw one flaw or mis match. Of course it depends on who you go to. I actually just got my rear bumper painted. The quality is better then stock. The clear coat is excellent. To bad I didn't have the whole car redone.

Your dealer better not bring your bumper to a maco or miracle. Ask for details on the body shop that's doing the repair.

Better yet the swap out idea you had is perfect. It's only right they give you something of equal quality. Especially if they doubt their body shop.

 

My dealer's car wash/detail dept. scratched my black G35 twice!!! After seeing that second scratch (so deep that it had to go to their contracted body shop for repair), I demanded a letter from their service mgr. asking for a new set of tires when mine wear out...I got it. Then, their body shop screwed up by giving me back my car with "fish eyes" (small potmarks where the paint didn't dry right) where they had done a crappy job, so I sent it back. If they didn't repair it that day to my satisfaction, I asked them to give me another letter offering free oil changes & tire rotations for 3 years (which the said they would do). Needless to say, they fixed it that day, and from now on, my service consultant writes a big sign in my car that states "HAND WASH ONLY...BE VERY CAREFUL!."

My point is...you won't get anything unless you ask (or rather demand), and if that doesn't work, then call Infiniti Customer Relations to complain or write a bad review in the survey they send you.



2004.5 Infiniti G35 Sedan 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels
(basically Sport Package w/o stiffer suspension), Darkest Tint (this is FL afterall), Z Tube, K&N Filter

 

I won't let the dealer even wash my car! Although it's "free" with service appointment, it costs you much more in the long run, getting the car polished/rubbed out to eliminate the swirl marks that the dealer's car wash guys leave - especially on black paint like mine. I haven't taken the car to the dealer for it's first service, yet, but know from talking to others who were in for service to avoid the "free" car wash at all costs. Probably for a leased vehicle, or someone who doesn't care as much about their car, the dealer wash is on par with any other local car wash - but they don't care about swirl marks, either!

Sport Sedan Fan - 2004 6MT Sedan
Sport/Navigation/Premium/Aero
Obsidian Black/Graphite & "Titanium"
SHE'S SILVER & BLACK - GO RAIDERS!

 

Don't tell me, let me guess.....Cerritos Infiniti???

G35 coupe 6MT
Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Aero, Navi, Premium 5/15/03