TOP Tearing issue

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.

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?

Zaggeron

I've got about 6500 miles. I operate the top around 3-5 cycles a week -- each time I drive it the top goes up and down at least once -- sometimes twice since I put the top up if I am going to leave the car. These are the potential issues I have

1. (as I've mentioned in this thread) I have a small area of discoloration on the side to the rear of the driver's window --same place as other owner's have gotten holes. I can't feel any wear from the inside so it might just be a crease that attracks dirt.

2. I have some very minor fraying along the seam at the top of the driver's door -- it looks like it was rubbing a cable at bit when the top went down. I watch for the rubbing now and I haven't seen it happen any more and it doesn't seem to be getting any worse

3. I recently noticed some discoloration on the inside head-liner exactly where HybridFusion had his problem -- no where near as bad though

Worst case scenario -- I'll eventually have every problem reported in this thread
Best case scenario -- It stays as it is and doesn't get any worse

I can live with the best case scenario. I've got around 1.5 years before the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty is up. If the problems don't get any worse, I think I'll wait and see how the folks who have had their tops replaced are doing. If the replacements are holding up, then I'll probably try and get warranty service. Hopefully by then there will be a TSB and I won't have any headaches when I take it to the dealer.

@ sreyes

Even with these problems they are in no way a deal breaker. I believe that if the issues get any worse, I will in fact be taken care of and the pleasure of top down driving with this car makes up for some inconvenience that early adopters always experience.

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2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

Daveski38

Zaggeron,

Couldn't agree with you any more. I don't have any issues with my top and am following the same steps you are taking and will address it the same way if anything starts to develop.


You can't beat the feeling of sporting around with the top down.

Dsphoto

I thought I read on the tsb section of this site that there is a tsp for the top. I have 9500 miles and some discoloration. I brought it to the dealer but the manager needs to see the car. I will bring it back this week and see what they say.
DS

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Daveski38

The tsb is for the window rubbing the top when you open the door. The fix is for them to move the window forward in the frame just enough without causing wind and water leaks.

sreyes

thanks guys, I think I am getting mine tomorrow. I told them to do a complete check on the top to look out for any problems

Kirkster

It is a great car. First and foremost, YOU must do the check. It is a rare dealer that wants more than to get your name on the paper and get you off the lot.

Keeping an eye on the roof is an ongoing task. Mine fortunately has been good so far, a slight bit of wear on the roof but no major issues that would necessitate me taking it into the dealer for work.

Good luck.

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gr8-wrx

This is great info. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread. My top has been raised/lowered only about 10 times so far since I've had it. But I'm going to keep a close eye on this since I don't drive my Z as often as I would like to.

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Roadster Fan

It's been awhile since my last post. Last I wrote, I was taking my roadster in for a roof replacement. The dealer made it very convenient for me (they even hand washed it for me since I refuse machine washes under any circumstances). I retrieved my car and have been putting the top up and down through the great Texas spring weather with no problems and no sign of wear (so far). Now, entering summer, my top down times will be more limited. But, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to be prepared for the cooler weather of fall.