Hey guys/gals im new to the forum and in a few days im buying a 98 green 5spd Maxima SE. Its got 48k on it... being the second owner, what should i repair/replace first on the car as far as wear and tear parts?? ie: should i do a coolant flush, should i inspect the brakes, is it time for the rotor cap and ignition setup to be changed? i plan on changing the oil the day i get it. being unfamiliar with the 4th gen (i have a 92 gxe) what parts in general should be replaced at around 50k ??
also, where should i start with suspension mods , i have tokicos and eibachs on my 92 is that mod as worthwhile on a 98? above all i want my car to handle exceedingly well, what tires will work well with the suspension. I saw a friend of mine lose the rear end in his 97 SE on a highway onramp and his car met the jersey barriers with an explosion of sheet metal and plastic. Will the tokico eibach combo relieve the rear end torquing that is characteristic with maximas in high speed off camber corners?? the upgrade elimated it in my car, is it the same on the 98s? thanks alot for reading through this
-pete

 

Things that went wrong with my 98:

1)Driver side strut - Dealer replaced free.
2)Front brake upgrade.
3)Blower motor (styrofoam packaging peanuts got lodged in there somehow)- Dealer replaced free.
4)Hood shock.


I've got about 57K miles on mine. First thing I would change are the stock tires. A tune up is due at 60K if I am not mistaken along with new platinum spark plugs.

TMAX

 

sounds good to me , what did you do for a brake upgrade ?? and what tires do u recommend, i see alot of people have nitto 555's but i dont want to upgrade my wheels yet and the nittos dont come in the stock size, what tires should i look at ?
thanks again
-Pete

 

I'd get a complete flush on the car..engine, tanny , radiator..ect.ect.. Your kinda close to that 60k tune up. Wouldn't hurt to have it done before 60k... And have your timing belt changed..
I think with Nissan you have a 5yr/60k warranty on engine and tranny anyways..
But other then all that floor it and kick *** hehehe

 

PRPmax - Doesn't the Max have a timing chain?

 

i was reading up on the timing drive method and if im correct it is three chains , one to the intake cams and one from each intake cam to each exhaust cam
-pete

 

The dealer should change all the simple stuff like sparks and filters but do it anyway. Get the engine and tranny flush. Replace your fuel and air filter, maybe even your tranny.Changing the spark plugs is a good idea, dont worry about the wires. Dont need them , the 97+ max have ignition coils. The brakes should be looked at. Its almost at 60k so the rotors might have to be replaced but only if they are bad dont change them for no reason. AS for the timing belt, dont worry about it, its a chain so no prob there. Nissan told me that you should have it inspected at about 100k but if there is something wrong with it, your looking at about $1000 to replace it. Hope you love your max. Ohh yeah one more thing you can do with it, love it! ohh and replace those damn ugly orange blinkers.

 

should i go with the NGK plugs or are platinums better , longevity isnt as much an issue i change them often for peace of mind. If the car needs rotors should i upgrade them ? if so what should i do , ive heard that drilled rotors can crack and because of less surface area they actually bite less then stock vented ones. Lastly, whats a good tire for the max if im gonna do tokicos and eibachs soon ?
thanks again
-pete

 

also.

1. Tires - Get the Kumho Ecsta 712's. Those are the best tire for the buck. $75 a pop from tirerack, or if you get it from local tire retailers, it should be about $110 each installed, which is a good price.

2. Get a complete transmission flush. A COMPLETE one. It should cost anywhere from $50 - $70.

3. Change fuel filter

4. Change spark plugs. Get the OEM NGK titanium tipped ones.

5. Dont worry about timing belt. 4th gens have a chain.

6. Get a bottle of Chevron fuel system cleaner and use it.

7. Get a complete radiator flush.


Have fun!! And dont forget to wash and wax the car!

 

Yeah I had meant that, I'm just so used to putting belt after it.

 

On the front wheels the car has bridgestone turanza revos are these any good ?? i really know nothing about tires at all. thanks for all yer help guys i cant wait to pick it up tomorrow
-pete

 

I just bought almost the same car but an automatic with 32000 miles. I replaced the air filter with a jwt pop, the tires with kumho ecsta (they are great), a front strut tower bar and clear corners. as for my next step i am not sure.. new springs and window tinting and a y-pipe..

. does anyone know the best place to purchase a quality y-pipe and which lowering springs ar the best for th money??

 

on my 92 gxe i had eibachs and tokicos , the ride was alright but the handling was nothing short of fantastic, thats one of the first mods i wanna do to my 98. as for the y-pipe go to a good muffler shop and see how much they would want to build something similar , might end up being less durable but if money is the issue then thats the way to go