V35 Cvt-8

[SARRAS]

I like the idea of the CVT-8 but have seen on here that some people have had horrid experiences with them. Is there a converse though? Has anyone had extended trouble-free mileage on a CVT-8?

[180 wanabe]

well from what i have read on forum is that as long as you change the oil in the box @ the right times you should be ok, mind you the oil is super expensive for a full trans flush. The other problem is that not many people know how to fix the CVT auto if something goes wrong

Edited January 30, 2009 by 180 wanabe

[tienscissors]

I like the idea of the CVT-8 but have seen on here that some people have had horrid experiences with them. Is there a converse though? Has anyone had extended trouble-free mileage on a CVT-8?

I've had mine for 15000kms and haven't had any problems yet. The odometer is still fairly low @ 44000kms though. I don't think the CVT box is as fragile as people on this forum put it out to be, its just that if in the rare case that if something goes wrong, no one knows how to fix it - so even if its a minor problem, it then becomes a major problem.

I still love the paddle shifts and starting to love the way the 'box kinda spools up when you put your foot down.

[350GT-ATE]

Mine's at 61000km and still going strong, never misses a beat. Very smooth during day to day driving, and paddles for those spirited times!

As per what Tien said, the problems aren't all that people put it out to be. People whose CVT trannies 'breaking' or 'exploding' on this forum have not given us the exact low-down on how theirs broke/the cause, leaving us to conclude that these failures are attributed to excessive abuse. Changing the oil every 100,000km I believe should be enough for a trouble-free life - expensive though.

[SARRAS]

Mine's at 61000km and still going strong, never misses a beat. Very smooth during day to day driving, and paddles for those spirited times!

As per what Tien said, the problems aren't all that people put it out to be. People whose CVT trannies 'breaking' or 'exploding' on this forum have not given us the exact low-down on how theirs broke/the cause, leaving us to conclude that these failures are attributed to excessive abuse. Changing the oil every 100,000km I believe should be enough for a trouble-free life - expensive though.

100,000km ? Is THAT the normal maintenance cycle? Then its like the timing belts - big repair every 5-10 years, Hmmmmm - not so bad.

[whtbox]

When do you suppose to change the Tranny oil? Mine only done 35K km atm and 2003. Not sure if ever been changed or not.

[smoothV35]

When do you suppose to change the Tranny oil? Mine only done 35K km atm and 2003. Not sure if ever been changed or not.

Hey guys, I have researched this quite a bit since I have the 350GT-8 myself. The information I have may already be known, but its scattered around so I'll put the most important facts here.

1 - The transmission was made by Jatco Ltd. They make transmissions for a lot of major car companies worldwide. (www.jatco.co.jp/ENGLISH/index.html)

2 - However the rollers within the transmission, (utilising molybdenum for durability) were made by NSK Ltd. (www.nsk.com)

3 - The unique transmission oil was made by Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd, they even won awards for it. (www.idemitsu.co.jp/e/lube/index.html)

Now onto the question of maintenance. Below is a graph from the Idemitsu Kosan website which shows the practical performance of the oil over a given distance.

You'll notice that the fluid degradation starts rising at around the 90,000km mark, and from that point forward, rises steadily.

This, in my opinion, would indicate that a complete oil change should occur at no later than 120,000km, to minimise potential damage.

My 350GT-8 is at 130,000km and is only now starting to show signs of deteriorating performance. I will have the new oil in a few days, then I can change it and update all on the difference a change makes.

[SARRAS]

I went to see a V35 GT-8 on Saturday and loved it but after discussions with the selling dealer - and note this - on that car which was in very fine condition - he would only offer the statutory 3 months warranty wheras all other stock had 12 months extendable to three or five years - I just baulked. So... much as I liked the idea of the CVT-8 the potential for financial disaster was too much to worry about in a car of this price bracket. Anyways.... now I'm working to import a manual 4 door - at least that's a known quantity and repairable here (basically same box as the 350z) for the usual type of dollars.

[whtbox]

So time interval doesn't matter? I mean talking about being more than 5 yrs old now.

[Blitz]

The recommended service interval for the gearbox is 100,000 Km's, and under no circumstances use aftermarket or uprated gearbox oil otherwise the CVT box will be history.

[Blitz]

I went to see a V35 GT-8 on Saturday and loved it but after discussions with the selling dealer - and note this - on that car which was in very fine condition - he would only offer the statutory 3 months warranty wheras all other stock had 12 months extendable to three or five years - I just baulked. So... much as I liked the idea of the CVT-8 the potential for financial disaster was too much to worry about in a car of this price bracket. Anyways.... now I'm working to import a manual 4 door - at least that's a known quantity and repairable here (basically same box as the 350z) for the usual type of dollars.

What were the specs and price on the car in question Larry?

[SARRAS]

What were the specs and price on the car in question Larry?

The car itself was lovely - Silver, Leather, Bose, Sunroof, Tint, Rear wiper - lovely car and everything I want. Price was a few grand higher than they are going for generally at dealers but you know how it is - there are 'Dealers' and there are Dealers so because this place has a good reputation that didn't worry me too much. Mileage was high - about double the norm for a 2003. Condition was about a Grade 4 - some minor paint defects. If it was a 5 speed or a manual, I'd most probably have bought it.

Edited February 2, 2009 by SARRAS

[maclarenf1]

I went to see a V35 GT-8 on Saturday and loved it but after discussions with the selling dealer - and note this - on that car which was in very fine condition - he would only offer the statutory 3 months warranty wheras all other stock had 12 months extendable to three or five years - I just baulked. So... much as I liked the idea of the CVT-8 the potential for financial disaster was too much to worry about in a car of this price bracket. Anyways.... now I'm working to import a manual 4 door - at least that's a known quantity and repairable here (basically same box as the 350z) for the usual type of dollars.

might want to think about importing a second time.

just got a car from J-spec and Craig was great with finding exactly what i want (70th anniversary V35 coupe). but due to the crappy doller.. i had to pay almost AUS $ 1000 more on the FOB price.. and when the Car lands then again shipping fees have to be paid on US $ and i am guessing that not going to be a good rate either..

so unless you can not really find anything you like locally, might want to think twice about importing.

another thing i notice bidding on Jap auctions was that although japan is in the middle of a much worse economic crisis than us, the auction prices have not comedown by much .. well i only know about v35 the auction prices , definitely not to out done the Aus $