I'm a 4th gen guy... looking to possibly step up to the 6th gen. Before I ask a lot of questions, are there good "what to look for / problem areas when buying this generation" threads around? Pointers to that? If not, I'll pose the question.

Thanks,

 

Make sure the engine does not produce the coffee grinder noise which is the sound of worn timing chain tensioners.

 

Is there a mileage level at which that occurs? Is it just an undermaintained engine issue (poor oil changes), or is it common even with well maintained cars?

 

Why a 6th gen? Why not 7th, like a 2014 or so, you can get those for a lot less then you think, and with a lot less problems then a 2008 or older.

 

Yes, it occurs every about 100-140k miles depending on how it was driven: it occurs later if all HW driving and earlier if it sat in traffic and revved the engine in stop and go traffic of the city.

 

Just getting back to this priority after being waylaid by life...


Is this a 3.5L problem in general? It looks like they've continued to use the same VQ35DE since 2000 - were there internal improvements made in 2009 (7th gen) that corrected the issue?

 

There was a class action lawsuits for the timing chain guides breaking that Nissan lost. The 04-08 Maxima and several other vehicles using the same engine were affected.

If it had a timing chain job done, I think the replacement parts were supposed to be more resilient. The issue was fixed after 08'

 

[QUOTE=NC00DEK;9208533]There was a class action lawsuits for the timing chain guides breaking that Nissan lost. The 04-08 Maxima and several other vehicles using the same engine were affected.

I've like my Nissans (why I'm looking at one again) but in terms of standing behind their products when a major design defect is found, they suck and have sucked for decades. Not that many automakers are much better these days. They've all taken a "nothing is our fault" attitude and you have to sue them or get an NHTSA recall to get any action.

Thanks. I guess I either need to step up a generation or step out.

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll be moving to the 7th gen forum :-)