Hello all,

I haven't posted much on this site since I became a member and kind of forgot how informative and helpful it really is!

The main question I have is this; What's everyone's opinion on maintenance? Meaning, do most of you do it yourself (the stuff that can be DIY) or is the majority taking their cars to the Infiniti, or other shops?

I bought my '04 coupe back in August of 2006, so I've had for over a year now. Love it! It's been a really great car, driven well and no complaints. However, I got into the habit of taking it to the dealership for routine maintenance (oil changes) and also when the brake pads needed to be replaced as well. I could look past spending $50 for a simple oil change since I knew Infiniti would be good with my car and keep an eye things that perhaps I wouldn't catch. [Even after spending a total of $1100 for what started out as a simple need for front brake pads, which I was then told that my rear brake pads are low and need to be replaced as well, and the engine drive belts were worn too and need to be replaced, and then the brake fluid was dirty and needed to be flushed, all totaling over $1100. I was told that since I had Brembo brakes the pads weren't going to come cheap. $230 for front brake pads plus $175 labor and $165 for rear brake pads and $175 for labor. Oh and the service guy told me he "cut me a brake on labor". Clearly...]
Even after this expensive brake pad instance I was still planning on taking the car back to Infiniti for oil changes (at least as long as it's under warranty).

Well the straw that broke the camels back came when I noticed oil spots on the garage and driveway where I parked! Surely, my car, my 2004 thoroughly maintained G35 could not be leaking oil like a 1991 Ford Taurus! Oh, yes, indeed it was my car.

The first thing I did was drive the front end up on two wood planks and look under there. Sure enough, the oil filter was dangling on by a thread!! The very service techs that I entrusted with my chariot obviously cut corners or whatever, and, had I not noticed the oil leak, I could've been driving and had the whole 4-5 qts come dumping out on the road while driving!!

So after seeing this I said enough is enough, I will change the oil myself, the oil filter is very easy to get to. And I just wanted to get a feel for everyone else's take, do you all do the 30K type maintenances yourself? I got a fax from Infiniti of what they do for the 30K maintenance (I'm at 32,500 now) and for $750 it's just a bunch of check this, inspect this, lubricate this, and a few other replacements that I imagine I could do myself.

Thanks to anyone that's read this all and posts feedback. If requested I'll gladly post what they say they'll do for the 30K maintenance, but I feel I've rambled enough for one post.

Scott

 

seeing it done correctly with the fluids parts you source yourself is both cheaper and more rewarding IMO. 50$ will get you full synthetic oil, a funnel and a top notch filter with enough left over to buy lunch for 2 and youll know the filter wont fall off.

The stealerships cut corners and must do the job within time constraints.

it sounds like you took your car in at the end of the month and the mechanic started finding things to keep him/her employed, which they will do. Dirty brake fluid? belts need replaced before 30K on a 2004? Possibly you didn't even need pads, they can last quite awhile depending upon usage.

Just do it yourself from now on.

 

Thanks manalishi,

That's what I was hoping to hear. It's good to get feedback from other owners.

 

Not everyone feels comfortable working on their own car, but if you do I say go for it.

Aside from TSBs or other warranty covered failures.... I do all work on my cars.

 

You can break down the services and do not have to do EVERYTHING that they tell you. In your owners manual there should be your routine maintenance "Schedule". I don't know what you are comfortable doing yourself so you can pick and choose what you want to do and what you want the dealership to do. Ask your dealership service manager what is included in the price. You can also negotiate on the price as well tell them you have had plenty of other service there and they should give you a 10% discount.
I think they are rapping you on the oil changes there. Were I go in Milwaukee (Infiniti North Shore) its only 39.95 and that includes a full service car wash and they vacuum it out too. And for your next break job.. DO NOT take it to a dealership, you can get infiniti parts and have someone else do it if not yourself.
When you have work done at a dealership (especially breaks and tires) you have to pay for labor obviously and marked up parts. Break Jobs are generally paid out at 3 to 3.5 hours at $120 per hour and then you have the parts they mark up 15%. So even if the dealer pays retail for the part (if they don't have it in stock and go get it from somewhere) they will charge you ANOTHER 15% on top of that. So you WAAYY over pay
I am not pulling any of this info out of the air either, I worked for a car dealer service department for years. So I hope this helps alittle!

 

It does help, thanks!