Nissan recommends the GT-R's first service at 1,000 miles. At that point we were still in St. Louis. So we decided to wait until back in Santa Monica to see the dealer. Not all dealerships are qualified to service GT-Rs. But it happens our local Santa Monica Nissan is one of them.
We called to schedule a service appointment.
"We haven't seen a GT-R in for service yet. Heck, we finally got two of 'em in the showroom just the other week. Bring it by anytime tomorrow. But to warn you, it's an extensive service so we'll need it all day."
Our service experience was truly unique. We're sure some of it was due to the novelty of being their first GT-R. But there was more to it. We really felt as though the red carpet rolled out for us.
At this location one service writer handles all GT-R customers. And only one service technician is certified to work on GT-Rs. Both walked over to shake our hand and introduce themselves when we pulled up. This has never happened to us before. And we service cars for a living. The writer proceeded with the normal check-in questions, but at this point we were already impressed.
"We are still waiting for our alignment equipment to arrive, so we can't check that for another week or two. But we will perform all prescribed inspections and confirm the engine and transmission are still calibrated to the correct factory specifications."
We handed off the key and wandered to the showroom where we spoke with a salesman.
"They shipped us two GT-Rs, but both are already sold. They were bought by Donald Sutherland and Andrew Bynum. He's that tall guy on the Lakers."
How old is Donald Sutherland now anyway? A GT-R? We are figuring he meant Kiefer. And we're also figuring he doesn't realize all of the Lakers are tall in comparison to his 5'10" stature. Regardless, he pointed us toward their two GT-Rs tucked safely in an adjacent garage. We snapped a quick pic.
Days out of service: None
Price: $179.58 (oil change and re-calibrations)
Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 3,903 miles
mercedesfan says:
05:19 PM, 08/13/08
That is actually a really reasonable price for a service visit. It is nice that Nissan has kept the GT-R a bargain proposition for purchase as well as ownership.
jederino says:
05:23 PM, 08/13/08
Nice post - it helps the imagination to hear these intresting details. Good for ol' Donald, if he is, in fact, the owner one of these beasts.
subytrojan says:
05:38 PM, 08/13/08
Jack Bauer might have a GT-R now?! Watch out terrorists!!!
joefrompa says:
05:47 PM, 08/13/08
$180.00 for a thousand mile service (at almost 4,000 miles).
Huh.
Joe
billt9 says:
06:17 PM, 08/13/08
Yes they lure you in with a $179.58 1,000 mile optimization service...
Then hit you with a $1,795.80 bill for the 6,000 mile maintenance!
I bet that's what they do. Nissan is sneaky. You can't trust anybody but GM these days. There's probably also secret cameras in the car spying on you.
slickersdrip says:
07:46 PM, 08/13/08
billt9-- No, it's Jack Bauer spying on you at the Nissan dealership!
I need to get my car serviced! Dammit! Where's the RB26DETT?! Dammit! Terrorists!
carfreak8394 says:
10:30 PM, 08/13/08
Mmmm. That GT-R looks HOT in Black. Espeically when it's all shiny like that :D.
sgude says:
03:59 AM, 08/14/08
I would assume they meant Donald, since it would be awfully hard to mix "Donald" and "Kiefer" -- why would you assume he's not a red-blooded car enthusiast who can see beyond the GTR's lack of beauty?
dougtheeng says:
05:40 AM, 08/14/08
I think I like it in the silver the best. I'm betting it was actually Donald Sutherland.
1487 says:
06:15 AM, 08/14/08
Looks like this car is going to cost a lot to maintain. I wonder how often Nissan wants you to bring it in for service. Never heard of a car that needs service after 1k miles. Do Ferraris need to be serviced so soon?
joefrompa says:
07:18 AM, 08/14/08
Hi 1487,
Alot of ultra high performance machines recommend a 1,000 mile service (or 1,500 mile service) to help get rid of the metal shavings and factory lubricants in the oils and such from break-in.
BMW, I think, still does a 1,500 mile service on their M models. But for as long as I know, BMW has made it free as part of the experience.
I don't know alot about it, but I do know I've read about it in a fair number of ultra high performance vehicles.
It should be included in the cost of the vehicle though, and $180 is not an inauspicious start.
Joe
P.s. What's the maintenance schedule and costs on a Z06 'Vette?
chavis10 says:
09:32 AM, 08/14/08
Since the Z06 has a dry sump, I'm assuming it's a fairly expensive oil change due to the high capacity.
Joe- it's interesting that M models would require a 1500 mile oil change while other Bimmers (and Minis) can go 15,000 miles before their first change. Something just ain't right even if the M's have tighter tolerances.
mercedesfan says:
11:42 AM, 08/14/08
For a frame of reference it costs anywhere from $2000-$3000 for a standard Ferrari service visit (I know a guy that owns a 550 Maranello). When viewed from this angle, the GT-R is dirt cheat to maintain.
subytrojan says:
11:47 AM, 08/14/08
Joe, it's actual 1,200 miles on M models. :o)
The first service on M vehicles is not limited to an oil change. I don't remember everything off the top of my head, but I think it may also include diff fluid replacement and some other fun stuff. :o)
I'm sure Google would be able to help those who would like to find out more.
subytrojan says:
04:48 PM, 08/14/08
Whoops...I meant "actually" above.
Edit function, oh how I miss you.
1487 says:
11:16 AM, 08/15/08
"When viewed from this angle, the GT-R is dirt cheat to maintain. "
The GTR doesnt cost nearly as much as Ferrari so I would hope it's service costs would be much less. If the service intervals are really 1000-1200 miles on M cars and GT-Rs I have to say that stinks. I dont own a vette but I'm pretty sure it's service intervals are anything like that.