pwlorraine

I've discovered two "dings" on the middle panel of the retracting top - one appeared two days ago - the other today. Both occurred with the top down (in the trunk) - they are in identical positions on both sides. The "ding" looks like a scratch roughly 1/4" long inset into a small dimple - roughly 1" from the front panel and 1" from the rain gutter line. The dimple looks like a typical door ding - you can see it clearly in sunlight. The marks appear to be made when the top is retracted - they roughly align with some structures on the third panel (the glass back). Nothing was in the trunk nor have I driven over any potholes of note.

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow - I don't want my top getting marked up whenever I put it down.

Passenger side "ding"
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xouzxvclqGrC9F8SUc2qnA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5mSA4z2YOI/AAAAAAAABLY/JsJ1vHlrhVc/s800/IMG_0085.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g1exnqIohcP9pHjh-84_zQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5mSB3-0LjI/AAAAAAAABLc/h2nAL_GPsug/s800/IMG_0086.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

Driver's side "ding"
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zXawMR5W38MGqwc28poomQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5mRzjKWrJI/AAAAAAAABLU/-LbqrZEzzps/s800/IMG_0088.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

The roof in the partially retracted position showing how the middle panel lines up with the rear window panel.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2B2XXBlSWBrBbiRW9lFCBg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5mSC4nEibI/AAAAAAAABLg/rDqldlXStbY/s800/IMG_0089.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

The marks on the top are roughly coincident with the stowed position of the black "flange" here.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8VpRIt1mDBezmrPALUsmNA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5mSDi1DzaI/AAAAAAAABLk/jt5b9TB_7ns/s800/IMG_0092.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

Peter

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

It's really hard to see anything.

pwlorraine

Near the key tip - the photos don't show it too well but you can see it from 10' away as a ding. A small dark line in a ding. You can feel it with your eyes closed easily. The key tip flags the position - if it is happening on your car this is where you'll find it.

Peter

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

OK. I see it. I've not seen anything like that on mine. But I'll be sure to take a closer look. Let us know what the dealer says for sure.

joo030879

iTrader: (3)

I see the ding from my monitor. Hey cereal2k consider buying better resolution monitor.

pwlorraine

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CJl463ObPO3eXfWJ7yn4-Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_m9ZZY7LyLtc/S5pgRofnhzI/AAAAAAAABNM/9he53_yIXjs/s800/enhanced%20ding.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pwlorraine/G37ConvertibleSnakeBite?feat=embedwebsite">g37 convertible snake bite</a></td></tr></table>

This is an "enhanced" view created by placing a shadow line in the illumination over the ding (this magnifies contrast). Brings out the dimple nature a lot more than the flat light images earlier.

Peter

JohnnyCham

iTrader: (1)

just checked mine 2 secs ago. and it doesnt have any dings in it. i've had the top down about 5 times.

KayC

WOW I have been reading about this. I am very careful when driving my car. I am going to pissed if I get these dents. I shouldn't have to worry about getting the dents. I think it should be a recall to fix what ever it is that is denting the roof panels. I am curious to see what your dealer says.

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

Yeah for real. I just adjusted my contrast and brightness but the original pics show better on my phone. go figure.

pwlorraine

Dealer service department was very nice - said they had never seen this before but will take me in on Friday am to fix. I'll let everyone know what the fix is. Hopefully this is a one-off problem with my car.

Peter

pwlorraine

Update from the dealer visit today -

Dealer service said that Infiniti said they had not seen this reported before but that they performed an "adjustment" to the mechanism that closed the roof to hold the rear window in position more firmly. No idea if this will work permanently or not. The car goes back on Monday for the bodyshop to repair the two dings.

All in all the service department treated me well - my satisfaction will be driven by whether or not this recurs. With luck this doesn't affect anyone else or me again for that matter.

They gave me an 09 g37x sedan as a loaner - I much prefer the handling of my vert! Little too much vibration over bumps which I didn't expect.

Peter

cereal2k

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for the update Peter. Hopefully it'll be back to good condition when they are done.

pwlorraine

Final update - the dealer had the car in the body shop from Monday until Wednesday but the end result is perfect - the roof is smooth with perfect color. With luck, this is a one time problem that only affects me and not a design issue. Right now the problem is over as far as I'm concerned.

I drove a dark blue 2009 g37x during the repair - liked it a little better than the one the previous week although they were the same model. The ride is "busier" than on a BMW - more vibration. Steering and acceleration are great though. I actually used the g37x to give my son a driving lesson. He liked the g37x.


Peter

KAHBOOM

iTrader: (4)

i have a convertible loaner with me i'll check it out.....

nope no dings

psdenno

I just got the "dings" on my three week old car. Called the dealer and was told it was because I lowered the top with something in the trunk - nothing was in the trunk. I take the car in on Wednesday to be reviewed by the manager of the dealership. I hope it's not going to be a battle.