TOP Tearing issue

Hi-Step'n370Z

Yes, but does your top show any signs of wear that would put in into the top tearing issue?

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.

sreyes

Hi Guys,

My name is Sebastian and I am new to the forum. I don't have a ZR but I am considering buying one. This forum's been excellent to learn a lot about this beauty.

I am concerned about the top issues though. I was wondering if anybody has any updates or advice when looking for one.

Do you think it is good to bring up the issue to the dealer before the purchase? Any thoughts about what to watch out when shopping? Anybody consider this a deal breaker?

I would really appreciate your help. I love this car, I was gonna buy it about a month ago until I learned about this. I am little on the fence

Thanks folks

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.

__________________
2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
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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78 Z1R, '08 ZX10R, 2010 BC Roadster S/T, 6M, Stillen G2 CAI, Invidia CBE, Berk test pipes, Painted headlights (180˚Custom), JDM rear fog, B&M short shifter, Stillen front plate mount, stubby antenna, setrab oil cooler, uprev. 337rwhp 254ft/lb corrected!

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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Powertrain Warranty voided on 5/14/2011
Mod List:GTM Supercharger,SmartTop module, Oil Cooler, GT-R Start button, Nismo Exhaust, BC Racing ER Coilovers, Backup Camara
For eastwest:

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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Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB, 2023 Toyota Corolla
Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster

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.

roxannebcb

We are pricing 10 and 11 z convertibles and I have been lurking here. Does anyone know the status of the top problem on the 2011's? Thanks for info. There are great deals on the 2010's but we think the 11's have some fixes we don't want to pass up.

This will be our first fun car in retirement.

Thanks for this forum. Learned a lot.

Daveski38

roxannebcb,

Wish I could comment about the 11 but don't know if they made any changes to the top or not.

Get the best deal you can and get the car you'll love it.

My wife loved her 05 and hated to see it go.

I drive her new one everytime we go out. But when I take it out without her, I get a call...."Where's my car"....She loves this one even more.

Dsphoto

I have a 2010 daily driver (except in winter of when hauling the family), put the top down whenever possible, and have no problems other than a slight abrading near the window which is covered by a TSB.

DS

__________________

78 Z1R, '08 ZX10R, 2010 BC Roadster S/T, 6M, Stillen G2 CAI, Invidia CBE, Berk test pipes, Painted headlights (180˚Custom), JDM rear fog, B&M short shifter, Stillen front plate mount, stubby antenna, setrab oil cooler, uprev. 337rwhp 254ft/lb corrected!