questions about my new 99 GLE
questions about my new 99 GLE
I just bought a 99 GLE auto with 97k miles; black leather interior, silver/greyish exterior
1. It looks like the 90k service was done on it, the mechanic at the Nissan dealer where I bought it had it open and saw something that indicated to him that the timing chain was changed at that dealership. What should I have my mechanic specifically look at?
2. Looks like the gasket on the bottom of the tranny is leaking a tiny bit. Said it would be 6 hours of labor to change it and that it prolly wasn't worth it at this point unless I drive it hard. What's up with this?
3. The head lights are all farked up. It looks like they got sand blasted or some craziness. How much is it to replace them as stock? What about if I can find some at a junk yard? I hate the way it looks, but I can't drop a bunch of money into the head lights. Should I save up and get cefiros?
4. Theres 10,000 chips in the paint on the front bumper from rocks. How much does a good paintjob cost? Would it be better if I just got a bra for it? I'm not a big fan of the bras, but, not a big fan of sh!tty looking front ends either. Pics of bras would be nice.
5. The salesman at the Nissan dealer said that I might consider putting in 5 gallons of 110 octane once a year. He said the car would really like that. Thoughts? He also suggested changing the oil to synthetic or high mile. Recommendations?
6. Already ordered bumper lights, going to see if I can find xenon corner bulbs for less than $16 on ebay. What's the best price for the red/clear tails? The GD is $99, right, can I find it for cheaper?
7. What's the best way to take care of my leather interior?
8. I've read here that the Bose should be changed, why?
9. Who is it thats selling the .org stickers?
Okay, that's it for now. Thanks in advance for the replies.
10. What do I need to do, regardless of price, to make my max last as long as it can?
11. How much does a drop cost?
12. I want driving/fogs, suggestions?
1. It looks like the 90k service was done on it, the mechanic at the Nissan dealer where I bought it had it open and saw something that indicated to him that the timing chain was changed at that dealership. What should I have my mechanic specifically look at?
2. Looks like the gasket on the bottom of the tranny is leaking a tiny bit. Said it would be 6 hours of labor to change it and that it prolly wasn't worth it at this point unless I drive it hard. What's up with this?
3. The head lights are all farked up. It looks like they got sand blasted or some craziness. How much is it to replace them as stock? What about if I can find some at a junk yard? I hate the way it looks, but I can't drop a bunch of money into the head lights. Should I save up and get cefiros?
4. Theres 10,000 chips in the paint on the front bumper from rocks. How much does a good paintjob cost? Would it be better if I just got a bra for it? I'm not a big fan of the bras, but, not a big fan of sh!tty looking front ends either. Pics of bras would be nice.
5. The salesman at the Nissan dealer said that I might consider putting in 5 gallons of 110 octane once a year. He said the car would really like that. Thoughts? He also suggested changing the oil to synthetic or high mile. Recommendations?
6. Already ordered bumper lights, going to see if I can find xenon corner bulbs for less than $16 on ebay. What's the best price for the red/clear tails? The GD is $99, right, can I find it for cheaper?
7. What's the best way to take care of my leather interior?
8. I've read here that the Bose should be changed, why?
9. Who is it thats selling the .org stickers?
Okay, that's it for now. Thanks in advance for the replies.
10. What do I need to do, regardless of price, to make my max last as long as it can?
11. How much does a drop cost?
12. I want driving/fogs, suggestions?
red/clear tails are 95 shipped from custommaxima if you call them and mention you saw it on the forums. I just got a pair 2 days ago.
I use turtle wax leather cleaner and armorall protectant wipes for my interior.
I use turtle wax leather cleaner and armorall protectant wipes for my interior.
Congratulations man & welcome to the world of maxima.
I agree with Darrick. Definitely a car fax or check of the vin would be a good start. As far as things you may want to do, red/clear tails would be a very nice addition to your car color and changing the turning signals to clear in fronts would really set it off nicely. Keeping up with regular maintenance (oil, tranny fluid, spark plugs - 30k for copper, 60k for platinum, coolant reservoir).
If you want to have some thump in your trunk, then changing your head unit or upgrading your system is something to consider but that's your preference as to whether you want to keep your original bose system or not.
Just some things that you can consider but the possibilities w/ a max are endless.
I agree with Darrick. Definitely a car fax or check of the vin would be a good start. As far as things you may want to do, red/clear tails would be a very nice addition to your car color and changing the turning signals to clear in fronts would really set it off nicely. Keeping up with regular maintenance (oil, tranny fluid, spark plugs - 30k for copper, 60k for platinum, coolant reservoir).
If you want to have some thump in your trunk, then changing your head unit or upgrading your system is something to consider but that's your preference as to whether you want to keep your original bose system or not.
Just some things that you can consider but the possibilities w/ a max are endless.
> I just bought a 99 GLE auto with 97k miles; black leather interior,
> silver/greyish exterior
> 1. It looks like the 90k service was done on it, the mechanic at the Nissan
> dealer where I bought it had it open and saw something that indicated to
> him that the timing chain was changed at that dealership. What should I
> have my mechanic specifically look at?
I really doubt they changed the chain itself - more commonly the tensioner is changed with the water pump to reduce noise. It's more important to find out if the water pump was changed, IMO.
> 2. Looks like the gasket on the bottom of the tranny is leaking a tiny bit.
> Said it would be 6 hours of labor to change it and that it prolly wasn't worth
> it at this point unless I drive it hard. What's up with this?
Auto or manual? If it's a manual transmission, you should be afraid of leaks at the differential axle seal. If it's an auto, dump a bottle of Lucas treatment in there and see if it helps.
> 3. The head lights are all farked up. It looks like they got sand blasted or
> some craziness. How much is it to replace them as stock? What about if I
> can find some at a junk yard? I hate the way it looks, but I can't drop a
> bunch of money into the head lights. Should I save up and get cefiros?
Dunno. I would try rubbing the glass ones well with a medium-cut car polish and see what you can do that way. Glass headlights can clean up pretty good - if you do the same for the plastic ones, rub gently and don't let it get warm under your rag.
I graduated high school, so no I wouldn't get cefiros or whatever.
> 4. Theres 10,000 chips in the paint on the front bumper from rocks. How
> much does a good paintjob cost? Would it be better if I just got a bra for
> it? I'm not a big fan of the bras, but, not a big fan of sh!tty looking front
> ends either. Pics of bras would be nice.
Bras are annoying since the car must be washed often or else dirt builds up underneath and rubs the paint. I imagine if you removed the bumper yourself and took it to get painter it should/could be around $200. Depends if the paint is pearl, and if you want to be **** about matching the faded color already on the car.
> 5. The salesman at the Nissan dealer said that I might consider putting in 5
> gallons of 110 octane once a year. He said the car would really like that.
> Thoughts? He also suggested changing the oil to synthetic or high mile.
> Recommendations?
Your salesman is an incredible idiot. High octane fuel does one thing and one thing only: resists engine knock. Since the 93 octane or whatever you're already buying doesn't knock, anything higher is a complete waste. The only way you can benefit from higher octane is by tuning for it, and this really only applies to a forced induction situation.
The oil isn't a big deal either - I stock only Mobil1 10w30 for all 3 of my cars, and change it with a new filter every 5k. No big deal. That extended life Mobil1 stuff is a bad idea IMO - the reason why to change at 5k is to get the dirty oil out, not because the oil has broken down.
> 6. Already ordered bumper lights, going to see if I can find xenon corner
> bulbs for less than $16 on ebay. What's the best price for the red/clear
> tails? The GD is $99, right, can I find it for cheaper?
I'm not a ricer, can't help you here. Just be sure to install it properly so the harness doesn't catch fire like happened to someone here. Also be sure the wattage rating of the bulbs is the same, or again, fire hazard.
> 7. What's the best way to take care of my leather interior?
Keep it clean, and apply a preservative like Leatherique (recommended by many here). I have Lexol in my garage - I just use that.
> 8. I've read here that the Bose should be changed, why?
Only if it fails. The headunit and the amps for each speaker can sometimes go bad. Until it happens, don't worry about it.
> 10. What do I need to do, regardless of price, to make my max last as long as it can?
Oil changes on time with a new filter, keep an eye out for things like torn CV boots, drain/replace the coolant and tranny fluid every 30k, etc.
> 11. How much does a drop cost?
It'st the cost of springs plus installation and an alignment. Springs might run $200, or less if used.
> 12. I want driving/fogs, suggestions?
Get them aimed properly. I see too many fogs/driving lights that are aimed wrong and the people leave them on all the time - if I ever buy a handgun, you'd better not blind me...
Dave
> silver/greyish exterior
> 1. It looks like the 90k service was done on it, the mechanic at the Nissan
> dealer where I bought it had it open and saw something that indicated to
> him that the timing chain was changed at that dealership. What should I
> have my mechanic specifically look at?
I really doubt they changed the chain itself - more commonly the tensioner is changed with the water pump to reduce noise. It's more important to find out if the water pump was changed, IMO.
> 2. Looks like the gasket on the bottom of the tranny is leaking a tiny bit.
> Said it would be 6 hours of labor to change it and that it prolly wasn't worth
> it at this point unless I drive it hard. What's up with this?
Auto or manual? If it's a manual transmission, you should be afraid of leaks at the differential axle seal. If it's an auto, dump a bottle of Lucas treatment in there and see if it helps.
> 3. The head lights are all farked up. It looks like they got sand blasted or
> some craziness. How much is it to replace them as stock? What about if I
> can find some at a junk yard? I hate the way it looks, but I can't drop a
> bunch of money into the head lights. Should I save up and get cefiros?
Dunno. I would try rubbing the glass ones well with a medium-cut car polish and see what you can do that way. Glass headlights can clean up pretty good - if you do the same for the plastic ones, rub gently and don't let it get warm under your rag.
I graduated high school, so no I wouldn't get cefiros or whatever.
> 4. Theres 10,000 chips in the paint on the front bumper from rocks. How
> much does a good paintjob cost? Would it be better if I just got a bra for
> it? I'm not a big fan of the bras, but, not a big fan of sh!tty looking front
> ends either. Pics of bras would be nice.
Bras are annoying since the car must be washed often or else dirt builds up underneath and rubs the paint. I imagine if you removed the bumper yourself and took it to get painter it should/could be around $200. Depends if the paint is pearl, and if you want to be **** about matching the faded color already on the car.
> 5. The salesman at the Nissan dealer said that I might consider putting in 5
> gallons of 110 octane once a year. He said the car would really like that.
> Thoughts? He also suggested changing the oil to synthetic or high mile.
> Recommendations?
Your salesman is an incredible idiot. High octane fuel does one thing and one thing only: resists engine knock. Since the 93 octane or whatever you're already buying doesn't knock, anything higher is a complete waste. The only way you can benefit from higher octane is by tuning for it, and this really only applies to a forced induction situation.
The oil isn't a big deal either - I stock only Mobil1 10w30 for all 3 of my cars, and change it with a new filter every 5k. No big deal. That extended life Mobil1 stuff is a bad idea IMO - the reason why to change at 5k is to get the dirty oil out, not because the oil has broken down.
> 6. Already ordered bumper lights, going to see if I can find xenon corner
> bulbs for less than $16 on ebay. What's the best price for the red/clear
> tails? The GD is $99, right, can I find it for cheaper?
I'm not a ricer, can't help you here. Just be sure to install it properly so the harness doesn't catch fire like happened to someone here. Also be sure the wattage rating of the bulbs is the same, or again, fire hazard.
> 7. What's the best way to take care of my leather interior?
Keep it clean, and apply a preservative like Leatherique (recommended by many here). I have Lexol in my garage - I just use that.
> 8. I've read here that the Bose should be changed, why?
Only if it fails. The headunit and the amps for each speaker can sometimes go bad. Until it happens, don't worry about it.
> 10. What do I need to do, regardless of price, to make my max last as long as it can?
Oil changes on time with a new filter, keep an eye out for things like torn CV boots, drain/replace the coolant and tranny fluid every 30k, etc.
> 11. How much does a drop cost?
It'st the cost of springs plus installation and an alignment. Springs might run $200, or less if used.
> 12. I want driving/fogs, suggestions?
Get them aimed properly. I see too many fogs/driving lights that are aimed wrong and the people leave them on all the time - if I ever buy a handgun, you'd better not blind me...
Dave
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