[3.5V6]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. Mondays usually stink, but I'm so glad its Monday tomorrow. Everything will be open and I'll be busy making phone calls. Thanks again all.

 

[mgthe3]

Yep

Get the new engine. Make sure it's factory fresh.

 

[enamurao]

The dealership has loopholes that they can get away with. They dont have to tell Nissan they screwed the car up. They can just claim the car was brought in with problems and they request that an engine swap be made. Therefore they will actually be getting paid to correct the mistake that they caused..

Not sure if dealers work that way but I guess most big companys shops go over inspections on bad parts returned by they're branchs,I work for a major trucking company where they have they're own shop and the mechanics have told me every single part they replace must be send back to the corporate to be inspected to make sure that part needed to be replaced and why,
if they find out the shop is at fault of the bad part, someones @$$ will be chewed up.

 

[SIM]

A dealer very rarely lose much on any mistake they do. It is part of its association with the car maker. Where they lose is usually only that they cannot charge their full hourly rate for an entire day or two for the mechanic that will work on this warranty job. Since this priviledged rate is close to half their full rate, they lose $500 very quickly and they really hate this...

And as far as I know, at least for Nissan, they really very rarely inspect the parts that are claimed, again because of two main factors. One, the cost of such detailed inspections and two, the dealers are their representatives, the people who sell their cars. They are on the same side. They won't stain their relation with the dealers by refusing too many claims.

 

[elliotgb]

Nissan service techs and managers really seem to sweat out not getting a 100% score on the surveys that they send out asking for ratings (at least mine does). I think I kinda already know how you are going to rate them, maybe you might drop a hint to the service manager that you're dealing with.
Get everything that's promised in writing and maybe a call to the regional service rep might be in order. I'd be pissed too.

 

[manitoba murano]

IMO, Nissan USA should be cc'd on every piece of correspondence.

 

[biggun]

This is MHO:

1. New Car: I would fight for this until I have exhausted all avenues. They can place your car on the lot and still sell it as a used car and give you a new one. Their real loss will only be around $5000 or so. There is no way why they shouldn't give you a new car - period.

Except....that they are more than likely just greedy and are going for the cheapest loss, which is a couple of thousand for the extend warranty vs the car swap. Or they really don't feel comfortable with your car's condition or reselling it. Either way, that should not be your burden.

2. New Engine: No way - because even if they give you a new engine, it would not be complete. It will be simply the block. They will still need to swap all of your electrical parts, wiring, throttle body, manifold, etc.

I don't care how many times they have done this before, the engine will most likely still have clip not fastened and look like its been worked on. I had a jeep CJ's engine replaced one time by a reputable engine replacement shop and it looked noticeable (these engines are simple compared to the Mo). Also, still never ran the same.

3. Extended Warranty: This is tough. My biggest concern, is the engine running rough, poor gas mileage, and possibly burning oil, down the road. Yes, you have a extended warranty, but do you really want to drive a precision car that does not run with precision (ie. rough idle). Will you really feel content, after making that monthly car payment.

I would take the extended warranty (200K only) with the following conditions:

a. If the engine show any sign of performance loss, oil burning, mileage loss, rough idle, up to 100k - you get a new engine. 100k to 200k, problem gets fixed - which still may require a new engine.

b. Free oil changes for that period.


Final thought, Don't settle.

-Good Luck

-biggun

 

[3.5V6]

Maybe you should even take it to Nissan North America and see what they have to say about the issue...just an idea

It was a long weekend and Monday is finally here. I just called Nissan of N.A.. I told them my sad story and also said that I have documetation from the dealership claiming this was their, the dealerhip's, mistake. Nissan told me that since the dealership is considering a new engine replacement pending the owner's decision then thats what they will be wainting on. If the owner refuses an new engine, then I can call the same person I spoke with from Nissan and they will step into the situation. She told me that they do not want to lose customers due to dealership mistakes. I hope all goes well from here.

 

[tmnjmurano]

posted by Biggun-
2. New Engine: No way - because even if they give you a new engine, it would not be complete. It will be simply the block. They will still need to swap all of your electrical parts, wiring, throttle body, manifold, etc.


3.5V6
This is a good question- does Nissan even offer a 'complete' engine assembly ? Cause if its just the block then that maybe too much underhood work to trust these guys with given their track record.

 

[njjoe]

3.5-

What's your decision? Are you leaning towards the engine replacement?

-njjoe

 

[Kris]

Many things can go wrong. Even such a simple things like oil change......what is important though that the mistakes get rectified.

If the dealer decides to install a new engine I would witness the job. You would not believe how it changes the performance of the shops.....also insist on extended warranty for the new engine.

NNA does not want to get involved because the dealer is still working on fixing the problem. They may step in if the dealer refuses work. But then again they may say "it was not our fault...."

Keep working on the dealer. It seems that they are quite cooperative. And do not pull out the heavy guns till you really need them....

Good luck

 

[biggun]

Many things can go wrong. Even such a simple things like oil change......what is important though that the mistakes get rectified.

If the dealer decides to install a new engine I would witness the job. You would not believe how it changes the performance of the shops.....also insist on extended warranty for the new engine.

NNA does not want to get involved because the dealer is still working on fixing the problem. They may step in if the dealer refuses work. But then again they may say "it was not our fault...."

Keep working on the dealer. It seems that they are quite cooperative. And do not pull out the heavy guns till you really need them....

Good luck

Good point Kris, I would not mention that you contacted NNA until it is absolutely necessary. You may turn your dealer's attitude into a defensive mode and that will not get you anywhere.

 

[krush40]

Pay attention to problems that may occur because of this whole situation and have it documented. Then look into your states Lemon Law. In California there is a law that is something along the lines of if the same problem occurs 3 times (and documented) within a certain time frame a replacement will be issued.

In some cases only the parts will be replaced, but there are cases of the dealer having to buy back a car. One of my buddys had this hapen with his Camaro Z28.

 

[3.5V6]

A new engine is still at the top of my list. I have not agreed nor even metioned anything about me being intersted in any warranty extensions from the dealer, so they know where I stand in terms of compensasion. The engine question is tough, but I will not settle it soon even if they agree to a new engine. If they agree to the new engine, i'll open up another can of worms by demanding someone qualified for the job. They said they have 2 Nissan master tech there, but I'm not sure if they have ever install a new Murano engine and I will use that in my dispute. Hopefully this causes them enough headache to just give me a new MO.

 

[3.5V6]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. The dealership called me by surprse today and told me that there is a twin out there!!!!! Yes, I'll be getting a new MO in about a week. They found one in Chicago and will have it here soon. I'm glad I didn't have to meet them for round 3 of talks. What ever happened behind their closed door we will never know, but i'm glad they took this route and made me a very happy customer and owner of a MO.

Thanks again for the help and support.

 

[Kris]

If it really does happen this dealer deserves thumbs up!

As I said before - mistakes do happen. We all make them. What counts is how ones fixes them...

I am glad for you. Hope you will have your new Murano soon!

 

[njjoe]

3.5-

Well I'll be damned. I figured there would be no way they would swing for a new MO. I am happy to say that I am glad I was wrong.

Anyone want to guess what will happen to the "old" oil-starved MO? I am betting it will be sold as a dealer demo, with no mention of the "missed" oil change.

-njjoe

 

[craigster]

To be fair, you should perhaps either post your Serial number here or on Carfax to avoid another person suffering an unpleasant fate. Just a thought.

 

[3.5V6]

I was supposed to wait for a week till I would hear from. I began to doubt that I would even get a new engine. The tought of a new MO was out of my mind since nothing else in the car was broken.

I guess they must have fell for my bluff during the 1st two meetings. They told me a new car or engine would be very tough, so I told them the only thing I wanted at that point were documents of the situation and nothing else. Sounded tough in the meeting as if I were planning for legal action, but I was lost when I got home and thought everything out. Coming here helped me plan for what ever would happen and also gave me some hope. I also went into legal forums and got some leagal advice from those who studied law. That was a depressing ordeal in itself.

I called NNA, they told me they would look into the situtation if nothing good happens so that gave me some hope.

And then today, out of the blue they called me and told me they wanted to get me out of my MO and into a new one.

 

[3.5V6]

To be fair, you should perhaps either post your Serial number here or on Carfax to avoid another person suffering an unpleasant fate. Just a thought.

Yes. I will bring it up to dealer that they should do that. Perhaps they may upgrade the warranty to compensate for the engine's condition. They should also test it and make sure it is not damaged. That will be up to them, but I will ask for them to include this.

This is not only between the dealer and me, I did call NNA and they documented the whole conversation by using the VIN# of my MO. I'll let you guys know what goes on from here.