By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
The 2001 I30t I test-drove (and the different one that I ended up purchasing) had a build-date that was later than what was listed in the TSB, which means that it had the new TCM already in it. The difference was very noticeable. Last year when I test-drove it felt as if the tranny was searching for 2nd gear and then "dropped" into it very roughly. I remember the dealer and I looking at each other with "what the Hell was that" expressions.
The transition between 1st and 2nd on my 2001 is very smooth; no "hunting for gears".
Since we're talking about tenths-of-a-second here, which is only noticeable on paper to most people, I really think that the new TCM brings the 0-60 time of the I30 back to the 7-something range. I mean, the "gear hunting" between 1st and 2nd, even if it only lasted for 1/2 or 3/4 of a second, still would have had an effect on the 0-60 time. I am suprised that Nissan/Infiniti wasn't more proactive about advertising this, but as a downside that would have meant swallowing a larger cost for wide-spread replacement of botched TCMs in I30s that were built before May or June of last year.
According to some other posters on this thread, some Infiniti and Nissan dealers are NOT FRIENDLY when customers approach them about switching out TCM's in 2000 I30's.
I heard that exact same response from my dealer when I took my car for the 1st to 2nd gear problem. "Car is within the normal range". My car also fell outside the VIN's that have the problem. There is one big exception, my dealer said sorry have a good day and refused to fix it. Please let us know after the fix, and any change you notice.
Thanks.
From http://www.nhtsa.org/cars/problems/tsb/:
Service Bulletin Number: ITB00028A
Bulletin Sequence Number: 159
Date of Bulletin: 0012
NHTSA Item Number: SB615939
Make: INFINITI
Model: I30
Year: 2000
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Summary: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JNKCA31A1T015622 MAY EXHIBIT SLOW OR DELAYED SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR (PARTICULARLY AT ONE-HALF THROTTLE OR GREATER APPLICATION). *TT
It apparently didn't affect all cars.
I hope this helps someone. If your dealer won't work with you even after you give them the exact TSB number, threaten to complain about them to Infiniti directly. The dealer doesn't swallow the cost of the TCM switchout; Nissan does.
Also, it will probably help your argument if you can get the dealer/service rep to be in your car so he/she can experience the shifting abnormality first-hand.
Thank you for your opinions as I will expect to purchase a car within the next 3 weeks, unless waiting is a good idea.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1536952
George
I've used 87 octane in my I30 from it's third fill-up in January (bought the car at the end of last year), then tried premium again last week. I do notice a performance gain with the premium. As for the mileage, only a slight difference, less than a mile per gallon difference. I don't hear pinging when I use regular (87 octane rated) gas, and the manual says that it's alright.
My vehicle was a new I30 which was not within the VIN range in the TSB, but because the sensors triggered the Service Engine Soon light, the dealer fixed it for free, with a loaner.
I personally don't believe that all the new 2001 I30s are fixed.
Good Luck!
I received a call today indicating metal scraps were found during the TCM inspection and therefore Infiniti will be replacing my transmission. So after 8,000 miles and 11 months, I am glad I decided to have the TCM checked out.
I assume you mean you purchased your car in 3/31/00. I purchased my 2000 I30 in 10/99. According to the TSB for TCM problem, my car was not affected, based on the VIN number. When I brought my car to the dealer, they would not touch it since they felt the delayed shift was within "normal" guidelines. Plus they pointed out the TSB and the VIN range. So they said good-bye.
Hearing posts such as 669, just shows that the TCM issue was NOT resolved by 3/31/00, and probably affects a good percentage of 2000 I30's. Somehow Infiniti reasoned that it did not.
Q45: $7,000
I30: $400
G20: $1,500
QX4: $750(APR)
* There is $400 incentive on MY01 I30 for IFS/Debis/Chase leases.
* Please note that 2000 & 2001 Q45/I30/QX4 sales are eligible for the "Winter Owner Loyalty Program" at $1000 per unit, and 2000 & 2001 G20 sales are eligible for "Winter Owner Loyalty Program" at $500 per unit if qualifies.
Taken from www.insidenissan.com corporate site.
I would hate to think the guys at the dealership would have to change the entire tranny! Once when I had my 95 max, I took it in to Nissan to have the tranny fluid changed. They couldn't even do that right, they didnt put the clamp on correctly and all the fluid leaked out when I came home!
Good luck with the new tranny, give us an update when it is done
STEVE
I've used it in icy weather and it helped me a bit. I've never noticed the slippage at other times, but I don't accelerate aggresively either. I can see how it might help in the rain and snow too, but not during deceleration. The ABS helps during braking, and I believe each wheel acts independently of the others.
TCS can be toggled on and off using a switch to the right of the steering column. It is on by default when the car is turned on. A light shows TCS Off when it is switched off. Under certain conditions, TCS should be turned off. I remember one instance being while travelling on gravel, where the loose gravel will hinder the traction control during acceleration.
Just purchased an I30...have two questions concerning wheel locks and the CD. My I30 did not come with wheel locks...should I have the wheel locks installed...if so, by who - dealer, local autoshop or do it myself?
Second question - manual said that playing a CD-R or CD-Rw will malfunction the cd player. Is this true...I hope not since I have tons of mp3's loaded on my CDs.
Thanks!
I also have (literally hundreds) of mp3's that I have burned onto CDR's, and have been playing them without incident in my 01 I30.
I have never heard of CDR's or CDRW's breaking an audio CD player, although I have experienced times where audio CD players wouldn't play CDR's and CDRW's. (And CDR's adhere to the same Red Book format as audio CDs, go figure...)
The dash looks great... Will post some pictures as soon as I take them.
Maneesh
What about BMW 525?
I'd get a 525i before either one, but it's big $$ more (new vs. new).
They're pretty neck-and-neck. I think it boils down to a matter of taste.
But like I said, money no object, I'd still go for the Bimmer.
This board is filled with folks who are bragging about how much below invoice they ended up paying for their I30/Acura/Lincoln. When it comes to BMW, "there ain't no bargainin'". As a BMW dealer once told me, "If you don't want to buy this car from me at MSRP today, someone else will tomorrow".
That having been said: If money were no option, screw BMW; I'd get a Benz or an Aston Martin DB7. :-) When it comes to "head turning" I've seen more folks look at a new I30t with nice aftermarket wheels than an overhyped 5-series. (Well, not an M5). But of course where I live BMWs are literally a dime-a-dozen.