All the things you mentioned are fluff maintenance items that IMO are the easiest jobs and they make the most profit off. Where the rubber meets the road at the dealer IMO is the engine oil, tranny flush, coolant, brake fluid, differential fluids (front/rear) and transfer case fluid. Could add plugs to that list as well. Those outside of the engine oil can go 3-4 years unless you're driving a ton. Everything else should be done on your own or at a lower cost service provider.

FWIW, I go with the semi-synthetic at the dealer as I don't like the idea of having to change every 7k, as this car's oil seems to get dirty quick. I usually go every 3k instead of 3,750 as I can feel a difference even at 3k. Probably related to the gas I use (Sam's Club, 93oct), but I used the same on my 03 e39 and didn't torch oil as fast as this car. Not a knock at all, just needs a more frequent change and they'll even wash the car for $42 with a coupon at the dealer.

 

^ say what? you can buy OEM pads at many places, not just the local dealer. there are numerous online OEM parts suppliers - sometimes dealer parts departments that set up their own wholesale online stores. this is by far the most economical way to pick up OEM parts. and of course you can buy pads on their own, and of course any owner can install themselves. if rotors need turning any brake shop can do that. there is nothing special about Nissan rotors or pads.

 

I read the brake issue somewhere, can't believe everything you read online I guess. I haven't had to get brakes yet but have been doing research the last couple months. I did just phone my dealer and they will in fact sell me the pads by the pair ($90 for the front, $78 for the rear). You can't buy them in an infiniti box online, but the guy in parts at the dealer said they source them from a variety of OEM manufacturers. Rotors were $120 each for the front, and $113 each for the back. I'll edit the post to remove that.

 

^ correct. OEM parts are often sourced from several suppliers. Nissan does not make brake pads or rotors, or many other service parts for that matter (filters, belts, etc). the parts may come in either an infiniti or nissan box, but those are just rebranded parts which are also available from the supplier as an OE equivalent part at a much lower cost. brakes are a great example of this.

some folks prefer to keep everything 'OEM', and that's great if that is their choice. others choose OE parts supplied in aftermarket supplier boxes to save cost. and then some folks go off the reservation with aftermarket upgrades and non-OE parts - often once the car is out of warranty. my preference is typically OE-equivalent parts, however there are some items i keep OEM like the wiper blade inserts (i tried the aftermarket, wasn't impressed).

 

^ agreed most Car companies source their parts such as pads from suppliers, like brembo for example. It will be too expensive to manufacture their own parts, so they just rebranded them as nissan or infiniti. If you look at the engines its a nissan 370 engine with an infiniti logo on it. You can shop at a nissan dealer for cheaper 370 parts since the G37 is compatible with most 370 parts. You also can't go wrong with aftermarket equivalent of OEM parts. FYI I got oem pads for $60 front and $40 to install with my local mechanic from an infiniti online parts dealer.

 

Kelly Infinity in Mass has an alignment checking tool hanging in the bay you first drive in. They attached guides to each tire and the tool on the ceiling scans each and tells you the toe and camber. They told me in like 6 minutes but I am not sure if every dealership has one.