Positive Nissan service experiences

[radin2son]

The premise for this thread was finding a commercial dealership while traveling, a task not that easy in the west. 

 

Regarding google reviews, I’d rather get a review from some one here. 

 

What still isn’t clear is whether or not a non commercial dealership will service an NV. Is it really a matter of just paying them?

 

I’m not that concerned about EVs impacting our ICE vehicles any time soon. But, just look at Nissan ads...

 

From your post, the answer is “not needed.”  OK by me. 

[Local Apparent Friday]

My experience has been that it has to be a CV dealership.  I drive by 4 other nissan dealerships to get to the one that will work on my NV.  Could be related to my high roof though...it's hard to find people with tall lifts/bay doors/etc.

[radin2son]

Initially, the reason was that they didn’t have NV capable lifts. Then, it was $$$$ paid for the privilege of being commercial. Believe the latter. 

 

Our RV policy will tow us to the nearest facility to fix the problem. Doubt they would consider a tow when in the middle of nowhere, equidistant from Denver, SLC, Albuquerque or Phoenix where there are commercial dealerships. Years ago, a NV Instagramer needed a tow from Moab to SLC. $1500. 

[aztec]

I guess if you need a new shortblock under warranty, a dealer makes sense.  Otherwise, what, exactly, is the motivation to let a dealer touch your van?  This has always been a mystery to me.  OK, not always, just since the early 80's when I realized they consistently do sub standard work.

[radin2son]

Well, if you are far away from your diy shop or independent shop, how do you know if quickey lube or what is that auto repair will be able to do what is needed? 

 

At least a commercial dealership is familiar with NVs and can do more than an oil change. Also more likely to have parts or get them fairly quickly for anything else. When you are back home, you can return to your routine. 

 

Higher prices for sure, but not so sure about substandard work. If that has been your experience, then fine. The good news is that 2012-16 NVs have had few problems. 

 

Personally, I have used the same independent shop since 1984. 

[Local Apparent Friday]

I do my own work, with the exception of recalls, because they give me free parts that I would otherwise have to pay for if I were doing the recall myself.  Sometimes I have had luck just getting the parts, but rarely.  And it's not all bad...last time i went to the dealership XM gave me 6 months for free.  

 

As for tow policies, they all have quirks and limits, so the best bet seems to be mix and match.  We're covered by AAA, Good Sam, and AMA.  I think any of them would require you to be able to get out to paved road for flatbed service.

[Local Apparent Friday]

4 hours ago, aztec said:

what, exactly, is the motivation to let a dealer touch your van?

 

There is a certain subset of non-car people that believe dealers are empowered by a higher power to work on their vehicles, and going to anybody other than a dealer is sacrilege.  They will not go anywhere else for ANYTHING, including oil changes, tire rotations, or wiper blades, lest their warranty be in jeopardy or their vehicles value somehow decline.  These are, generally speaking, also the kind of people that you can sell headlight fluid to in bulk and on a subscription delivery, with install.   

[radin2son]

It wouldn’t surprise me that most NV owners go to the dealer. Why? Service plans, discounts and convenience. And if you are lucky, great service.  

 

Re insurance. Most of the time you find out what’s covered when you need it.  When the NV instagramer and towed NV arrived at the SLC dealership, they let him stay in his van on the lot until it was fixed. Now, that’s a reason to go to this dealership. 

[Local Apparent Friday]

I haven't purchased a new car since '09.  They do service plans these days?  As far as discounts, I've only ever gotten a discount online.  Call the dealership and it'll be MSRP+.  Buy it online from the same dealership, super sweet online price.  Makes no sense to me.  Neat that they let him stay in the van, that can be a problem at times.  Happen to know the instagram acct?

 

 

[radin2son]

Out of the loop, eh? 

 

Discounts mainly cover oil changes but keep you coming back. 

 

Memory doesn’t go back that far. He ran a off site software business before remote was the norm. 

 

 

[Local Apparent Friday]

Oh u mean like the oil change coupon books.  Yah I got ya.  There's a mom and pop here that services a lot of NVs...I see a different one in their parking lot every other month or so.  Likely to see more and more as inflation continues up and up.

Edited October 3, 2022 by Local Apparent Friday

[radin2son]

Some “luxury” manufacturers still offer free maintenance and a loaner for the duration of warranty etc. I don’t think Nissan ever did this. 

 

A “local” dealer who owns multi- manufacturers’ dealerships, offers life time maintenance for every used vehicle sold. Only works at his dealership. Although he owns the local NV commercial dealership, I wouldn’t be surprised if NVs are excluded. (So far, Michelin tire roadside service excludes commercial tires. AZ emissions has NVs on the annual test cycle and will not do the obd test. (Cars and light duty trucks test every 2 years with obd and gas cap test.)

 

 

[Local Apparent Friday]

Luxury dealerships have to offer that bc they are always broken and in the shop. 

 

No emissions here, although we'd pass everything except CARB in our current config, at least for just a little bit longer. 

 

Oh and the dealerships here have some kind of crazy warranty that covers everything, but you have to buy it ahead of time.  My Mom has it on her truck...so far they've put in a $1900 driver's seat and an entire transmission at no cost to her.  Pretty neat.

Edited October 4, 2022 by Local Apparent Friday