Oil Filter

[MikeW]

I regret that I've been negligent in changing my oil. It's been about 2 years but I've probably put less than 500 miles on the car in that time. However, I know it's bad to go so long between changes and to request forgiveness from the car I decided to swing by the Nissan dealer and pick up a genuine filter to take to my mechanic. I would change it myself but disposing of the old oil is as much hassle as just getting someone else to change it.

In any case, when I went into the parts department the parts guy had to look up the part number in a book as the online inventory didn't go back that far. Once he got the number (15208-W1106) he was able to quickly find the filter itself. The interesting thing was because it wasn't in his inventory system he couldn't even sell it to me; he just handed it over. At that point I got a bit greedy and asked if I could have another since he couldn't sell them anyway. Now I have a spare for the next change.

Has anyone else run into this scenario with other, more expensive parts? It seems like this kind of thing will become more and more common as our cars get older. I realize that a lot of the old inventory gets cleaned out periodically but it seems like small parts might not be as much of an issue since they don't take up as much space.

[Arne]

I just bought a Nissan filter from my dealer a couple months ago. Part number was 22183-A5502, and it was in stock and also still inventoried. Nice large filter, pretty Nissan engine blue in color. After club discount, I paid $5.31, about the same or less than a Fram or other generic aftermarket filter.

On the other hand, my local dealer has given me a few odds and ends that they've had sitting around for untold years. Notably a small box of assorted OE-style wire hose clamps.

[Curtis240Z]

Yes, the dealer periodically calls me up to direct customers my way since I hold a inventory of OEM parts that the dealer don't anymore like brake and clutch masters and slaves, shifter bushing, etc.

The most expensive thing they gave me was a new 260Z front bumper still in the wrapper.

[DatsunZsRule]

I get my Factory filter from Courtesy Nissan which is $6.12

I'd get it locally but the Nissan dealers in my area don't know sh!t about the old Classic Z's much less stock parts for them so I don't trust them to get me the correct parts. Completely new generation Plus courtesy treats me good since I've purchased from them a lot