Serviceability Of The V36 370 Skyline

[foibles]

Hi guys,

I've looked at existing threads on servicing the V's...but my query relates specifically to the V36 370 - hence why I am starting a new thread.

A friend of mine wants to buy a V36 370 S model (coupe, auto, 2007/8). He is concerned about servicing costs and practicality.

Please note - he has no mechanical aptitude, does not want to be self-servicing, or even having to source parts. He'd like to think that he can rock up to Nissan dealership or Ultratune (or similar) and get the car serviced.

Given the stipulations of the V36 370 service schedule - is this a realistic expectation?

can any members who do or have owned the V36 370 coupe speak directly with regards to their personal experiences? What I would like to know is;

1. Is servicing the Skyline essentially the same as the 370Z – in terms of who can do it, what it costs, parts required etc

2. Is the ECU the same (by and large) as what is in the 370Z – such that a ‘normal garage’ could tune it?

3. Could servicing be done by (say) Nissan, or Ultratune, or an average mechanic

For reference, my friend lives in Traralgon – so a big country town, with Nissan dealership and Ultratune, but no performance workshops nearby.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Foibles

[spartacus77]

Would never recommend servicing by ultra tune or "average" mechanic lol

[colin.ssc]

Same engine as 370z

Nissan dealership can service them if they want to but alot of them will say they won't touch an import. You can tell them to just follow the service schedule for 370z.

One thing I've found different is that the 350z and 370z is the throttle body is different to the Vs...but in Japan and America they are suppose to be the same.

That said the ECU in Japan and America has the same ECU for the V/G and Z. Tuning can be done only with a reflash. Uprev is a popular reflash people use.

If go with specialist to service the car.

[Nightcrawler]

1). Yes

2). Almost all Nisan dealers won't touch a V35/V36 with a 20 foot pole - they HATE grey imports.

3). as mentioned you cannot 'tune' the stock ECU - if you get a Cobb or Osiris unit you can reflash the ECU, but you really need a local tuner skilled with Skylines to do this.

But the basic servicing any idiot can do - drop the oil then refill, clean the air filter element, top up the coolant. That's about all you need to do in terms of regular maintenance.

[sonicii]

As mentioned, you don't 'tune' a car these days as part of a regular service, like you did in the old days of carburetors, points and weight type advance. These days they just check the ecu for any fault codes during a regular service.

[The Max]

Given they are essentially the same as the G37 being brought in by Nissan Australia, I'd say there shouldn't be any need to draw parallels with the 370Z any longer as the dealerships (those who will touch a grey import) will be trained to know these vehicles as well, I would think.

Get your friend to do the homework and if he isn't confident in servicing the vehicle himself or he can't find anyone reliable in his country town, then tell him to either take the risk or find something else. Otherwise, as already mentioned, any idiot can drop the oil, replace the filter and spark plugs where necessary - once you show them. Be sure he stocks up on copper crush washers for the oil sump drain plug as it's wise to replace that washer with every service.

[foibles]

Hey guys - thanks for feedback, this is insightful and appreciated. I just had a look at the service manual....and would have to agree, servicing does not appear to be an onerous requirement....

[nickcorr]

Repco service agents, if they can be bothered, can access the Repco NZ files that cover the servicing and parts for Imports. The local one in Berwick did, when I had my R33 and the one in Officer needed NZ files for the M35 for brake specs etc. when they did my roadworthy.

[Wogboy]

There is nothing hard about maintianing or servicing a 370GT, all the consumable parts (filters, brake pads etc) are available from ryco, bendix or nissan. Any compident mechainical shop should have no trouble with this car.

[The Max]

Don't forget EBC.

[the toecutter]

If you're really stuck, the Infiniti dealers (not many around) will do a V36 service.

Not sure I could afford it though....