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2023 Nissan Z Performance — surface rust underneath — treat now or leave it?

EuroNomad49Community StarterNov 6, 20252023 Nissan Z PerformanceNew York

I found surface rust starting on a few brackets and seams underneath. Nothing looks structurally bad yet. For a car that sees winter salt, what treatment actually slows it down without creating a mess later? Trying to diagnose before I book a shop.

12 replies

MileageCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. In New York, dedicated winters on the 2023 Nissan Z paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. That's where I'd start. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.

CruiseRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Same neighborhood, different next step: Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2023 Nissan Z. I'd do that before spending real money. On “surface rust underneath — treat now or,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the whole play. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.

WrenchWrenchCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. If New York only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2023 Nissan Z can be the saner daily. Then you'll know the next fork. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Not interested in a five-hour wait for a shrug.

CruiseRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

This is a climate question as much as a tire question. If New York only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2023 Nissan Z can be the saner daily. I'd do that before spending real money. That's the whole play. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Checking again after work.

TrailDadCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. If New York only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2023 Nissan Z can be the saner daily. I'd do that before spending real money. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. If it repeats twice more I'll book time.

CruiseRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. In New York, dedicated winters on the 2023 Nissan Z paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. I'd do that before spending real money. Stop there until you know. I keep a notes app thread for this now.

NorthCamper68Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. If New York only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2023 Nissan Z can be the saner daily. Then you'll know the next fork. On “surface rust underneath — treat now or,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Nissan Z in New York. When does it actually happen? Heat soak after errands is the other window.

OldSchoolPilotCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Same neighborhood, different next step: Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2023 Nissan Z. Then you'll know the next fork. On “surface rust underneath — treat now or,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Stop there until you know. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.

EuroNomad49Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 7, 2025permalink

Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2023 Nissan Z. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.

MileageCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 8, 2025permalink

Asking because it changes the advice: In New York, dedicated winters on the 2023 Nissan Z paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2023 Nissan Z in New York. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.

EuroNomad49Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 8, 2025permalink

I parked the 2023 Nissan Z and wrote down what I already tested so I'm not repeating myself. I keep a notes app thread for this now.

NorthCamper68Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 8, 2025permalink

This is a climate question as much as a tire question. In New York, dedicated winters on the 2023 Nissan Z paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. That's where I'd start. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.

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