Burgundy top discoloration issue

[Dsphoto]

My ongoing saga...2010 ST BC roadster with burgundy top. I drive this car every day that it isn't snowing, have 30k miles. About a year ago I noticed some white discoloration on the top on the contact points where it is stretched over the frame. After 6 months of complaining at the local dealership they finally agreed to replace the top. No tearing but the windows did rub.
They ordered the top twice (they first ordered the black one by mistake). The car was in the shop for three weeks while they tried to get it to operate properly (it wouldn't lock in the closed position). I had a driving vacation planned and made a HUGE stink (my family has bought for 6 Nissans at that dealer in two years). They finally called the Nissan rep who told them how to shim the rear catch and get the top to lock. The new roof was asymmetrical. The passengers side had a 1/2" gap between the window and the top while the drivers side fit perfectly (no leaks, just looks bad). Also, the piping which creates the smooth curve at the top back of the window was broken causing bot the aforementioned gap and a weird curve of the top by the window. The top also had glue marks on it. The dealer ordered another top (the correct color the first time) and contracted a local custom auto interior and top shop to install it. Now the top isn't tight on the bottom left of the rear window and it has the exact same issue around the right side window. I went back and complained and the dealer said that they have contacted Nissan to have their rep come out and look at the top again. This has been going on for about 60 days. This will be the third time the car has gone in for the same problem. They showed me the invoice from the custom upholstery shop so I have to surmise that the replacement part from Nissan is defective.

Can you say "lemon law?" I told the dealer that I will make a big stink with New York State motor vehicles and demand that they replace the car under the lemon law which will require them swapping out the mods I have done. EBE, Berk test pipes, CAI, painted headlights, JDM rear fog light, short shifter, oil cooler, auto top mod. I would never let the dealer do the uprev, but they will have to pay for it. The dealer is not very happy nor am I. My suggestion...if you have a top with issues be prepared for a long and protracted repair process.

[axeman71]

Wow, bad situation. I was very hesitant to have my top replaced for fear of fit issues like you are having with a replacement top. My top was rubbing on a bundle of wires attached to the top cover whenever it was lowered or raised. I ended up opting for the new top and after 3 days (no loaner car the cheapskates) mine came back perfect. That was back in June and things are still good. Sorry your experience has been so bad.

[Ubetit]

I'm getting some wear marks on my top. I'm going to have the dealership note it and i'm going to watch it until my warranty expires.

[sarmyth]

Yeah that's no good. I recently sold my 2010 ZR because I was tired of dealing with top wear issues, top rattling issue, trim piece whistling issues... really too bad as the car itself was very good... but this convertible top was just a horrible experience.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by Ubetit

I'm getting some wear marks on my top. I'm going to have the dealership note it and i'm going to watch it until my warranty expires.

I just bought a used 2010 a couple of months ago and the top was showing some wear as well. I had an 04 350Z and an 07 350Z in the past and the tops on both of them showed some wear after a couple of years. I figured it was just time to show wear. A week or so ago, i decided that with winter coming on, it would be a good idea to treat the top. I got some 303 convertable top cleaner and 303 fabric guard to treat it with. I gave it 3 good coats and let it dry over night. The next morning I looked at it and the wear marks were all but gone. It looks like a new top. I suppose it depends on how close you look, but I'm pretty picky and thought it looked 100% better. That stuff is clear and didn't change the color at all, but it did make the color flatter and much richer. I was very pleased with the outcome. It's like it gave it something back that the sun had evaporated out of it. IDK

[sandmanz32]

they should have never replaced your top in the first place. white oxidation at the wear points is normal, and should clean up with the proper chemicals. however, the dealer you are using has no clue how to install a top and appears to have a group of butchers working there. I have personally replaced 3 of these tops, and it is seriously like a "snap tite" model with how it goes together, if you have the patience for trim work. once they make it right, id never go back there. if they cant replace a top properly, which has instructions readily available on the dealer ASSIST system, what else cant they do right. as a technician, its makes me sad to see such shoddy craftmanship, and lack of pride in your work.

[bigsix]

A convertible top is something I'd definitely prefer to have the Nissan factory-trained technicians make/assemble.

[Dsphoto]

So the story now ends. Nissan has installed 3 tops on my car. The first install was performed by dealer technicians and the fit was horrible. The second was installed at a local upolstery shop, the dealer contracted them to do the install...again, terrible fit (see original photos). The third top was installed by a specalty shop (again under contract by the dealer) resulting in another terrible fit. I would not accept delivery of the car. The shop adjusted the top so now it is symmetrical but there is still some rippling around the rear window and the weather stripping at the fold point has unglued itself. Nissan has clearly stated that they will not do any more work on my top. I find this MOST disturbing that the factory will not stand behind thier repair. They said that the imperfections on the install will not effect performance of the part, this is true. The issues are 100% cosmetic. I will reglue the weather strip myself (if you want a job done right do it yourself) and will have to live with the slight rippling around the rear window.
If I didn't love this car I would dump it, and Nissan for ever. This is the third Z I have owned and the 7th Nissan. It is most unfortunate that Nissan's extremely poor customer service has pushed me away from the brand in general. My next car will be either a 911 or RS5 vert as I am NEVER going to chance a situation like this again.

If you have a 370Z vert and the top is discolored, my strong recommendation is to live with it. Better yet...don't buy it in the first place. Other than the top this car is awesome. THe issue is that if a problem arises which the dealer can't properly rectify, Nissan corporate will give up trying after a few attempts. Not acceptable. In my opinion, a $45k car with a cosmetic defect which is covered by the new car warranty should be brought back to the original factory condition...period. I may be picky about my car (not may...I am) but it is up to the company to restore the vehicle under the warranty. I will post pics later.

[Dsphoto]

I wish that I had never started this process. I will NEVER go back to that dealer nor will I ever buy another Nissan vehicle.

Originally Posted by sandmanz32

they should have never replaced your top in the first place. white oxidation at the wear points is normal, and should clean up with the proper chemicals. however, the dealer you are using has no clue how to install a top and appears to have a group of butchers working there. I have personally replaced 3 of these tops, and it is seriously like a "snap tite" model with how it goes together, if you have the patience for trim work. once they make it right, id never go back there. if they cant replace a top properly, which has instructions readily available on the dealer ASSIST system, what else cant they do right. as a technician, its makes me sad to see such shoddy craftmanship, and lack of pride in your work.

[bvl]

Originally Posted by Dsphoto

I wish that I had never started this process. I will NEVER go back to that dealer nor will I ever buy another Nissan vehicle.

I'm no fan of running to a lawyer, but this sounds like a potential breach of warranty claim. Often consult is free and when they win (they often do) the car goes bye bye.

Friend of mine did this years ago on a C5 vette's which had several issues, the largest a leaky roof that just would not stop leaking.

Lemon laws are for specific issues (time, number of attempts) but breach of warranty is broader IIRC.

Good luck. I have not had the issues you have, but I do have the typical pinch/wear points that I am very suspect of. As much as I enjoy the car my 10 year plan (how often I keep cars, at least) for this one is not likely.

- b

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by bvl

I'm no fan of running to a lawyer, but this sounds like a potential breach of warranty claim. Often consult is free and when they win (they often do) the car goes bye bye.

Friend of mine did this years ago on a C5 vette's which had several issues, the largest a leaky roof that just would not stop leaking.

Lemon laws are for specific issues (time, number of attempts) but breach of warranty is broader IIRC.

Good luck. I have not had the issues you have, but I do have the typical pinch/wear points that I am very suspect of. As much as I enjoy the car my 10 year plan (how often I keep cars, at least) for this one is not likely.

- b