Nissan GT-R: is maintenance really that bad?
Discussion
Greetings fellow petrolheads! I've just moved to the UK from San Francisco California where I've owned an M3 for the past few years. My workmates are all car guys, we've already got a couple trips planned including the Ring, and I need to buy a car. Normally I go German, BMW for the past several years now, but a friend pointed out that the GT-Rs are right in my price range, and in fact some are well below it.
However, a former colleague here dumped his GT-R after spending a fortune servicing it. The car in question is a 2009 Black Edition, and has just had tyres and major service. From what I've witnessed the GT-R can be fragile in the gearbox, Nissan have been real b
ds about warranty issues and a full brake refresh is thousands of pounds. Operating costs like that make me think I'd be better off spending the extra quid and going with a used 997 turbo instead. What say you?
However, a former colleague here dumped his GT-R after spending a fortune servicing it. The car in question is a 2009 Black Edition, and has just had tyres and major service. From what I've witnessed the GT-R can be fragile in the gearbox, Nissan have been real b
ds about warranty issues and a full brake refresh is thousands of pounds. Operating costs like that make me think I'd be better off spending the extra quid and going with a used 997 turbo instead. What say you?Edited by dasvolk on Sunday 11th March 11:42
dasvolk said:
However, a former colleague here dumped his GT-R after spending a fortune servicing it. The car in question is a 2009 Black Edition, and has just had tyres and major service.
Edited by dasvolk on Sunday 11th March 11:42
Hi
The search function is your friend - I have posted previously at length on running costs using the best known independent in the UK called Litchfield imports - I have owned my 2009 car for almost 2 years and I think I have spent around 2k on servicing and around 1.2k on 4 new tyres. I wouldn't use Nissan though
Good luck!
The search function is your friend - I have posted previously at length on running costs using the best known independent in the UK called Litchfield imports - I have owned my 2009 car for almost 2 years and I think I have spent around 2k on servicing and around 1.2k on 4 new tyres. I wouldn't use Nissan though
Good luck!
dasvolk said:
However, a former colleague here dumped his GT-R after spending a fortune servicing it. The car in question is a 2009 Black Edition, and has just had tyres and major service. From what I've witnessed the GT-R can be fragile in the gearbox, Nissan have been real bds about warranty issues and a full brake refresh is thousands of pounds. Operating costs like that make me think I'd be better off spending the extra quid and going with a used 997 turbo instead. What say you?
There's loads about this on the forum but it all boils down to this. When they were new there was a lot of scare stories about some failures and costs which have proved to be nonsense. The servicing at Official dealers is expensive, the original Dunlops are available only from the Official dealers and other parts are expensive. However, remember its a proper mega fast supercar and compared to similar cars from Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche etc even those are reasonable.ds about warranty issues and a full brake refresh is thousands of pounds. Operating costs like that make me think I'd be better off spending the extra quid and going with a used 997 turbo instead. What say you?Edited by dasvolk on Sunday 11th March 11:42
BUT, the excellent aftermarket and independent specialists are pretty reasonable even for the 6 monthly services, tyres like the Bridgestones are excellent and not too expensive, the brakes can be replaced by even better aftermarket alternatives (Like Alcons) for a fraction of the cost and THEY ARE ENTIRELY BULLETPROOF even running 10s of thousands of miles with 600 bhp plus with no gearbox or mechanical failures.
My experience is to ensure the car is properly sorted before it approaches the 3 year warranty period from Nissan. This would be the same with any performance car. Nissan have been entirely accomodating with my claims which were all authorised (Although there was a small wobble on the carpet claim).
The issues on my car have been;
- Instrument binnacle lights failed (new binnacle under warranty)
- Gearbox bell housing rattle (replaced under warranty - although newer cars have updated parts as standard)
- Driver's foot well carpet worn through (replaced under warranty and now protected by mats)
- Rear off side tyre valve leaking (replaced under warranty)
I've spent £140 on mats/wipers. £1068 on 2 new tyres. (original spec Dunlops). £280 on a G1 service. £780 on insurance.
I optionally spent £1352 on having the front and rear clear-wrapped to protect it. Glad I did.
For reference I've had the car 6 months, it's a '09 Black series model and I've done about 7k miles in that time. All work carried out at a main HPC dealer.
It's Epic. And I don't regret having it for a millisecond.
The issues on my car have been;
- Instrument binnacle lights failed (new binnacle under warranty)
- Gearbox bell housing rattle (replaced under warranty - although newer cars have updated parts as standard)
- Driver's foot well carpet worn through (replaced under warranty and now protected by mats)
- Rear off side tyre valve leaking (replaced under warranty)
I've spent £140 on mats/wipers. £1068 on 2 new tyres. (original spec Dunlops). £280 on a G1 service. £780 on insurance.
I optionally spent £1352 on having the front and rear clear-wrapped to protect it. Glad I did.
For reference I've had the car 6 months, it's a '09 Black series model and I've done about 7k miles in that time. All work carried out at a main HPC dealer.
It's Epic. And I don't regret having it for a millisecond.
Smifffy said:
My experience is to ensure the car is properly sorted before it approaches the 3 year warranty period from Nissan. This would be the same with any performance car. Nissan have been entirely accomodating with my claims which were all authorised (Although there was a small wobble on the carpet claim).
The issues on my car have been;
- Instrument binnacle lights failed (new binnacle under warranty)
- Gearbox bell housing rattle (replaced under warranty - although newer cars have updated parts as standard)
- Driver's foot well carpet worn through (replaced under warranty and now protected by mats)
- Rear off side tyre valve leaking (replaced under warranty)
I've spent £140 on mats/wipers. £1068 on 2 new tyres. (original spec Dunlops). £280 on a G1 service. £780 on insurance.
I optionally spent £1352 on having the front and rear clear-wrapped to protect it. Glad I did.
For reference I've had the car 6 months, it's a '09 Black series model and I've done about 7k miles in that time. All work carried out at a main HPC dealer.
It's Epic. And I don't regret having it for a millisecond.
Smiffy,im just curious to know what was the issue with the carpet to make it wear through in such a short time??The issues on my car have been;
- Instrument binnacle lights failed (new binnacle under warranty)
- Gearbox bell housing rattle (replaced under warranty - although newer cars have updated parts as standard)
- Driver's foot well carpet worn through (replaced under warranty and now protected by mats)
- Rear off side tyre valve leaking (replaced under warranty)
I've spent £140 on mats/wipers. £1068 on 2 new tyres. (original spec Dunlops). £280 on a G1 service. £780 on insurance.
I optionally spent £1352 on having the front and rear clear-wrapped to protect it. Glad I did.
For reference I've had the car 6 months, it's a '09 Black series model and I've done about 7k miles in that time. All work carried out at a main HPC dealer.
It's Epic. And I don't regret having it for a millisecond.
Hopefully getting a GTR myself in the next few months if i can shift my old M3 cab.
Cheers.
just got my second GTR
a new MY11 -
first was awesome and enjoyed it so much decided to get a new one as my finance deal ended.-
Running costs were really not that bad over 3 years- no worse than any of my 911s-
Downside was 6 month services- But now they are yearly and actually FREE for 3 years!!- so maintenance has suddenly become pretty cheap.
As has been said- they are totally bulletproof- mine never once caused an issue and all the owners I know- barely ever had a problem.
Also Nissan seem very good re. warranty issues of those few who did have issues, even if they had mods done, nissan repaired them anyway-
Totally recommend it- its a fabulous car-
a new MY11 -
first was awesome and enjoyed it so much decided to get a new one as my finance deal ended.-
Running costs were really not that bad over 3 years- no worse than any of my 911s-
Downside was 6 month services- But now they are yearly and actually FREE for 3 years!!- so maintenance has suddenly become pretty cheap.
As has been said- they are totally bulletproof- mine never once caused an issue and all the owners I know- barely ever had a problem.
Also Nissan seem very good re. warranty issues of those few who did have issues, even if they had mods done, nissan repaired them anyway-
Totally recommend it- its a fabulous car-
Nedzilla said:
Smiffy,im just curious to know what was the issue with the carpet to make it wear through in such a short time??
Hopefully getting a GTR myself in the next few months if i can shift my old M3 cab.
Cheers.
Hi - The dealership supplied it without mats. I didn't think it'd be an issue as usually I don't like mats - I've found that in the past they move around and get under the brake at a vital point. I think the GTR is designed to have mats though as there's no rubber/re-inforced area under the heel of the throttle foot so eventually the carpet wore through to the matting underneath.Hopefully getting a GTR myself in the next few months if i can shift my old M3 cab.
Cheers.
So - Nissan replaced the carpet and I bought a set of mats (100 quid or so).
Hi
The search function is your friend - I have posted previously at length on running costs using the best known independent in the UK called Litchfield imports - I have owned my 2009 car for almost 2 years and I think I have spent around 2k on servicing and around 1.2k on 4 new tyres. I wouldn't use Nissan though
Good luck!
The search function is your friend - I have posted previously at length on running costs using the best known independent in the UK called Litchfield imports - I have owned my 2009 car for almost 2 years and I think I have spent around 2k on servicing and around 1.2k on 4 new tyres. I wouldn't use Nissan though
Good luck!
gazchap said:
Sorry, can't help with your query, but are you Das Volk from the SA forums? If so, welcome to our fair shores - always enjoy reading your posts in AI over there
That's me! Thanks for the replies - I happened to talk to someone today who has that exact car and said basically the same thing. He had a 997 turbo, a maser coupe, etc. but found the GTR to be the best car for him. I'm thinking it's a good combination of price/performance second hand and a good car for trackdays and blasts on the continent. That conversation significantly raised it on my radar. I've been supremely busy getting settled here elsewise so sorry for the late reply!
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