Nope, it's normal.

It doesn't sound normal if it continues - 1/2 qt at 200, means 2.5 qt every 1000 miles, way over the 1 qt per 1000 max.

ya that ain't kosher

An update for those with the excessive oil consumption issue. After Nissan replaced the short block (trying to get the photos that shows all the blow by past the seals) and going through yet another 1500 mi break-in period, I got the dreaded Service Engine Soon light. Took it into the dealer right away and they checked the code - valve timing issue. When they tried to reset the code the engine completely shut down and the techs could not restart the car....yes i was dumbfounded as well. First they wanted to replace the sensors....three days later i hear nothing. I told the service guy to go get one off a car in the lot and make sure that's the issue. well magically the parts arrive later that day and i'm told Nissan recommends replacing the long block now. I'm a little fed up as the original question I had was why not just replace the whole damn thing. So now i'm 12 days in a loaner, still a week away and in less than a year my car has been in the shop over a month and i'm going to have to go through a third nanny driving session.

Anybody have reasonable suggestions about going to nissan corporate and getting some relief? I'm beyond fustrated and i just want a car that works as it was intended.

:facepalm:

wow I guess im going to hold off from buying one for now..

no, mine had had a little more than usual test drive miles on it. it's my fault for not being patient and ordering one. i had a feeling in my gut to pass on the deal i was being offered by the dealer, but i let my heart get in the way. given the current progress on my Z, it looks like that will be the step anyway. there's not another sports car in this price range that i'd drive. there's always bound to be one dud in a lot, and too date i'm not aware of these issues in the '10's....just the '09's.

I started my oil consumption test at 1579 miles after already adding 2 quarts. At 2451 or another 872 miles I am down 1.9 quarts. I didn't know I bought a BMW.
What is the delta Nissan is looking for?
Does this explain all the need for carbon clean up at tail pipes?

6600 on my 09 broke it in about average i guess. i'm no gear head.
car has never reached red line yet only had it up to 105.
but so far no oil burn.

doesn't the g37 have the same engine do those guys have the same oil burning
problems?

While this is a real horror story for those who have the problem, you might want to try to determine what percent of buyers have the oil consumption problem before deciding not to buy one. I read about this problem shortly after I bought mine and was worried about it for a while, but mine hasn't burned a measurable amount of oil in 2,500 miles. I'd be furious if my car had been in the shop for a month (or even a couple weeks) out of the first year and I sure sympathize with those who have this problem, but it sounds like Nissan is at least doing something for them.

For what it's worth, my previous car was a Mazda Speed3 and there are even worse stories on the Speed3 boards. Enough that I would not have bought it if I had read them first. As it turned out I had no problems with mine even with a few mods.

One additional follow-up for the oil consumption test. My test was done by the dealer (sealed dip stick) every 1K miles for 3 rounds. As for Nissan's exact pass/fail volume, I'll have to get that information and be happy to post it as my service guy owes my some pics of the defective seals and the oil blow-by.

I also used to 'customer service/satisfaction' surveys done by corporate to voice my displeasure and the next day they agreed to pick up two-months payments for my time in the shop.

So far I'm happy with the new engine, although on the next oil change/inspection I'd like a retuning. Oil temps are still in the 220-240 degree range after a 25 mile commute (freeway speeds), but no higher.

New oil change. 1500 miles later I'm down around 3/4 of a quart. After the oil change though I definitely pushed my car hard. Went on a mountain run plus a long drive two days after the change. I approx. did 450 mi that day. I also get on it a lot while driving to and from work and everytime I'm in it. Doesn't seem too bad to me.

My '09 has just shy of 9000 miles on it. Broke it in easy, first oil change at 1250 miles with Ester Oil, next change was at 5K miles with Redline 5W-30. It's been burning some oil, for the first 5K miles probably burned 1.5 quarts and has burned about 1.25 quarts since the last change. I check the level weekly which is about every 300 miles and it finally seems to be settling down. My previous car was an '04 G35 and it drank about 3/4 quart between changes which were every 3K miles using Castrol GTX or Pennzoil dino. So I think the guys who have VQ engines that use no oil are the exceptions. I could live with a quart every 5K miles and hoping that as the engine is more fully broken in that will be the average.

if the Z keeps burning this much oil... who ends up picking up the tap? the owner or the dealer?

I don't mean for the oil change, but for adding all this oil... if you are forced to add 1-1.5 qt every 1k miles.. that can add up..

You're joking right? If you can't afford to buy a quart of oil every 1000 miles you shouldn't be driving a new car.... wow.... Let's hope you never use more than a quarter throttle or you'll be after the dealership for excessive fuel consumption.....