R35 Rims Cracking!

[marksuxass]

Hi Mark

My dealer is in QLD and only sent some pics to Melbourne HQ who based their decision on that, then knocked back the claim.

The wheel is at home in a box. When I get a chance I am dropping it in to a local engineer who can provide a proper analysis. It is simply the principle of the thing, I can not stand being ripped off!!!

I think part of the issue is that, Nissan have accepted part liability in the fact that, they paid for one third of the replacement cost instead of the whole amount.

So, what are they saying with that??????????

Bottom line is, they have never before dealt in the higher end value prestige/sports car market and it shows big time!

That is why many GTR owners will only ever be one time buyers. The attitude and customer service experiences offered by BMW, Mercedes or Audi etc, etc, by comparison to Nissan, is SO incredibly different!!!!!.

Such a shame!

I know where you are coming from here. I thought they actually called for the item rather then judged it by pictures. The reason for them paying for a percentage of that is purely for goodwill. We have cars that come in that are out of warranty, and nissan will often pay a percentage of the repair/parts cost out of goodwill.

Things they also take into consideration are things like has this problem occured previously which im pretty sure it hasnt ( Ive asked the question on the nissan technicle forum for you). See how your results go from the engineerer and take it from there.

[marksuxass]

If I'm reading this correctly Mark, that's a damn lot of 370Z rims!!!!

Kymbo, we'd like to have an update on your engineer's analytical diagnosis/report! Umm... perhaps after Nissan has perused it I guess.

Haha i know, i mean 3 wheels not sets. The sad thing was 2 of those wheels came off the same vehicle, one after the other. Im very confused why nissan would replace these and knock the OP's claim back. But its must be a common issue to you through that many already.

[kymbo]

Terry & Mark

Thanks for the comments.

I have to go down to VIC this week to do the Philip Island GTR drive day (and hunt down some Nissan HQ bandits), after I get back I will get the wheel checked and reported on by an independent engineer, I will then post the information as well as some more pics showing the condition of the entire rim etc.

Thanks again!!!

[central coast person]

Also working for Nissan Parts i can understand why they have knocked this back for warranty, the warranty price of them is about $2,000 and this has probably never happened before so the evidence the engineers have would be solid. I would'nt say Nissan treat there customers bad, they warrant 95% of parts that have claims made against them, most of the parts that break are commonly the same thins over and over so its not new to them, you can drive a y61 Patrol in with a bubble on the dash the size of sand and it will be swapped out by the arvo for warranty because its so common.

They will even give warranty to a car thats passed its warranty by some time if its a common enough problem. I would just put this down to its price and evidence from the engineers and that it has not occured with these rims yet, remember nissan also have to do there own damage claims and warrantys to who ever makes the parts for them if they are a common enough thing or else the company would have no money at all.

[nisskid]

Everyone arguing that it must have hit a pothole needs to stand back a little and realize these cars are on run flats!

By their very nature they are different to what many folks have experienced in the past with bruised or cracked wheels.

Fact: I crewed for a 35 in a rally that did several kilometers over very rough roads on a completely flat tyre without any rim damage whatsoever.

honestly, id be pissed if my forged wheel broke without a major hit, and id probably try to get nissan to replace it (hey why not?), but i wouldnt expect nissan, or any manufacturer to replace wheels with damage that could very easily have been caused by a big hit.

[ylwgtr2]

To the OP.......dude you might want to edit a post of yours in the r35 parts section

[SKITTLES]

As you can see by these photos, the rim has a clean crack, with NO other rim damage.

I have never hit anything hard like a big pothole etc. I haven't even used the launch control. The car is always properly serviced and maintained.

Anyway, the latest word from the Nissan A-holes in Melbourne is that my rim is bent and it is my fault. Talk about dodging the issue?

LOOK AT THE PICS AND YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK?

WHY SPEND $180K ON A CAR THAT NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND!

CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME HOW I CAN GET THIS POST WITH THESE PICS ONTO OTHER GTR SITES AROUND THE WORLD (ESPECIALLY JAPAN & US), SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IS GOING TO PAY I PRICE THEY DON'T DESERVE!!!!!

ANYWAY, ANYBODY GOT A GOOD 2010 'REAR RIM' WITHOUT A CRACK IN IT, I AM A DEAD SET QUICK SALE!!!!

[Gazza1]

Wow,I can't believe the venom displayed by some posters on this forum.

If you buy a car that you would consider elite and out of reach of most people(lets say $200k+)the level of expectation and behavior is at a higher level.

This is why you get treated better and given more in say first class than economy when you fly..

There is a large void between Nissan's approach on this car and other manufactures in the same market sphere of customer demographic.

I speak this from personal experience of owning a R35 and other cars that reside in my Garage.

In this level of car category the customer is given the benefit of the doubt unless malicious damage is on show.

This is not the case here as the rim is not marked so it should have been replaced fuss free even if there is in Nissans mind some mitigating circumstances.

Since the release of this car Nissan has a world world factual history of saying no,no,no for some genuine issues that fall under warranty.

For all of you out there that criticize this guy and with respect..I don,t think you have ever had the experience out of economy class with your own cars to experience the higher level that does come with higher level ownership.

This is not being a snob or someone special,,its just the facts.

For example do you honestly believe that if a owner of say a Aston or some other high level brand turned up to a dealer with a crack in the rim and no sign of outward damage that they wouldn,t replace it in a flash and apologize.

If you are going to make a special and exclusive high performance car then you need to have the same seam in how you treat your customers.(Exclusive)

Last word is I really enjoyed my R35 ownership but the comparison between the other dealers I engage with is chalk and cheese.

Nissan is like dealing with a Ford or Holden Dealer..not like one who builds one of the more amazing cars around

Thanks Nissan for making a fantastic car,but second time round..no thanks I need first class.

Await the flaming!!

Edited April 1, 2011 by Gazza1

[LSX-438]

Some interesting points. Just quietly, i would never let a dealer inlfluence my ability to own this car. Even if it was an engine or blown tranny issue. I guess people just have different priorities. I consider it a massive previlege to own this car, and having tracked it for over 40 track days, the level of excitment and joy it provides (on track) easily dissapates any warranty or pole polishing i might get in a shiny showroom or service dept. Life is too short, just buy a new rim, and get to the track!!

[Duncan]

Off topic rubbish removed, and offenders warned. Any more off topic crap in this thread will lead to bannings

[kymbo]

To those whom have shown support on this issue, I thank you very much!!!!!

To those that have shown either hostility, ignorance or simple bloody mindedness - READ THE FOLLOWING!

I am very pleased to say that, the problem is resolved and NISSAN HQ have confirmed and accepted 100% responsibility for the cracked rim.

I am sure you would all agree that Mizuno San, the creator and father of the R35 GTR would know what he is talking about when it comes to the R35 GTR, unlike certain individuals on this blog.

I have just had the opportunity and honor to meet Mizuno San at the R35 track day at philip Island and he very kindly gave me his time to hear about the issue. Upon his viewing of the photos and discussing the details, he confirmed that it is a clear product fault and is the responsibility of Nissan!

Incredibly, he even went so far as to apologize for and on behalf of Nissan Australia for their poor handling of the matter. Senior Nissan executives at the track on the day confirmed they will be making amends and picking up the faulty wheel, which will be returned to Japan for proper analysis.

I made it clear to both Mizuno San and the Nissan executives that I believe my R35 GTR is a magnificent car in every way, it was only the handling of the warranty issue that was the problem. They understood and agreed.

So, my advice would be, if you believe you are right about something, then do something about it. You may just prove to be right and get the answer you were looking for.

As a footnote - After meeting Mizuno San, hearing and seeing his incredible passion, knowledge and dedication that has lead to the R35 GTR, I was simply blown away and now have an even deeper appreciation for the incredible vehicle that lives in my garage.

[kymbo]

To the OP.......dude you might want to edit a post of yours in the r35 parts section

IF you are referring to the 'Grazed Rim', it was the rear left that had the gutter scratch/graze, but, it was the rear right that cracked!

I have a new rim in place of the cracked rim and still have the scratched rim (which I touched up with some paint and nail polish clear) on my car.

OK!

[Daleo]

Well that's a great footnote to your issue, the creator of the car is prepared to stand by it . Well done.

[ZOKU]

probly due to shit roads and big rims. nissan is run by a gentleman's standards. if it was a corvette, they wouldn't even give you a reply i reckon.

[DAS KAMU]

f**k stop using exclamations Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[GTR-N1]

I have just had the opportunity and honor to meet Mizuno San at the R35 track day at philip Island and he very kindly gave me his time to hear about the issue. Upon his viewing of the photos and discussing the details, he confirmed that it is a clear product fault and is the responsibility of Nissan!

So, my advice would be, if you believe you are right about something, then do something about it. You may just prove to be right and get the answer you were looking for.

As a footnote - After meeting Mizuno San, hearing and seeing his incredible passion, knowledge and dedication that has lead to the R35 GTR, I was simply blown away and now have an even deeper appreciation for the incredible vehicle that lives in my garage.

Congratulations Kym, echoing Daleo

Your perseverence to stand up for what is right, has paid off.

[LSX-438]

WOW, great ending to your problem. Congrats. Very fortunate.

Love to see the look on your dealers face.

[jiffo]

Good outcome. Always pays to talk to the man at the top.

Time for apologies from the Nissan minions????

[ezy_09s]

Well done on the outcome ..Now i hope the big man at the top handed down a royal arse kicking to the big knobs nissan HQ , i think they truly desrved one .

I think they enjoy denying responsibility to people ' because they can ' ..Typical delusions of grandeur syndrome ...and who here is going to tell them they are wrong.

It always pays to go the very top of the tree with issues such as these when treated unfairly.

[maxzugkraft]

Good work, Kymbo. You are lucky to have met Mizuno-san, as I have too on Wednesday. He is a great, honourable and humble man with an enormous knowledge and politeness.

You should get the f...ing Nissan Australia executives to write you a letter of apology. This has gone on for too long.

There have been too many genuine warranty claims unhonoured by Nissan Australia. Too many! Remember brake problems?

They seriously need to receive a lesson in customer relations, product support and upholding of ethical service/standards to customers.

It is true that they have no idea (or totally out of their depth) about establishing customer relationships to enhance or extend long term support of their High-End product by customers.

You will certainly never see this type of treatment by Audi, BMW or Merc dealerships/headquarters - and you don't even have to own their top-of-the-range.

You buy Nissan's top of the range flagship car and this is how they "brush you off"?

Shame - Nissan Australia - shame, shame, shame.....

"Seppuku" is called for !!!