So I take my 2000 GLE for a test drive with a Nissan transmission specialist. HE hooks up this "Consult" thing and we go for a drive.

I had the TSB rapir for the A/T done about two weeks ago. 2nd to 3rd slipping is totally fixed, but 1st to 2nd still does not sound or feel right.

After about 30 minutes we go back to the garage and he tells me he thinks everything is OK. He acknowledges that the shifting from 1stto 2nd is not "solid", but tells me that is the way people have told Nissan they like it. He says people complain about harsh gear changes in A/T and most manufacturers have been trying to eliminate any sign the transmission is shifting - he also says this is part of the reason Nissan is "experimenting" with the CVT in the Murnao and if it is successful look for it in more Nissan's in the future.

I asked him about the quality of the Nissan A/T and he says it really is one of the better A/T on the market. He claims this is not just because he works for Nissan. He said one of the things they have been very good at is designing a transmission that shifts smoothly. He says it is actually one of the more reliable A/T on the market today.

He also told me that his dealership has made a committment to "rebuilding" transmissions. He is an older guy and he said very few dealers employ a transmission specialist. He said most technician cannot and will not rebuild a transmission if there is a problem. They just order a remanufactured tranny and put it on. In his opinion - remanufactured transmissions are junk. They have had customers request "new" transmissions - but in most cases a "new" transmission is actually a remanufactured transmission - he said it is a real crap shoot to get a quality remanufactured transmission.

He suggested if you have future transmission problems and if ultimately Nissan decided they will replace the transmission to ake sure you find out if you're getting a remanufactured transmission or if they have someone who can bebuild them on site.

Interesting morning - I'm not necessarily any happier with my car, but I always think it is beneficial when someone like that spends and hour riding and talking to you about your car - especially since he does not get paid to ride around in cars with customers.

Just thought some of you might be interested.

 

I don't suppose you live in the Atlanta area? It would be great to find a shop around here like that. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

I call BS on most of what he told you. Unless his 'local' shop is Level10, I dont buy it. Nissan doesnt let dealerships rebuild engines and/or trannies locally with warranty repair.

Even the largest dealerships in the entire south dont do enough tranmission work to have a dedicated rebuild shop. Many have one guy who's gone to enough school to do the basics. Anything more doesnt make any money sense on their part because again, Nissan sends another tranny. They wont pay the dealership for a rebuild.

So, that must mean they are rebuilding out of warranty trannies. If their dealership has made a 'commitment' to rebuild out of warranty trannies, that *must* mean they are dropping like flies. Just doesnt add up.

He's right about the pre programmed soft shift killing the tranny.

 

BWAHHHAHAAHAHAHAHAH! He must be smoking crack!

Uhhh is it me or do those two statements contradict one another?