glen1985

Hi there, I was wondering if could someone please confirm:

From what I can find out online:

This is the VG30E engine, and belongs to the GXE model (not SE)
Engine uses timing BELT (not chain).

I'm looking at buying this 92 max and the seller told me that it uses a timing chain rather than belt. I suspect he's been misinformed? Really want to be 100% sure I've got my facts right before I bring it up, and it's important to know as it's just gone over the 60miles mark. Any advice on this would be much appreciated. Thanks heaps!

Not a mechanic!

Pretty clean looking! Did you happen to get the VIN number? It would tell you all you need to know. Just google the VIN decoder for nissan.

I BELIEVE 92 was the year it had both.

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

89-91 both gxe and se were the vg30e and 92-94 the se had the dohc with timing chain. An easy way to tell is the gxe has the red valve covers and the se doesn't from 92-94. Also the badge under the hood will tell you if it's a vg or a ve. They also had different stock rims. The pic. You attached is the vg30e (gxe) which is the sohc and uses a timing belt. The seller has either been misinformed or is trying to pass it off as an se model which people can tend to do unknowingly or not. The vg is a good solid engine as long as you keep on top of your maintenance and you also don't have to worry about the vct clacking like the ve can tend to get though their is a fix for that. Both are good engines. Enjoy your 3rd Gen max if you make that purchase.

glen1985

Hey guys thanks so much for the quick replies, that has helped me greatly! Kind of not what I wanted to hear but interesting point about the VCT issues..

Super keen on this thing but don't know if I can afford the asking price, plus the cost of belt replacement straight away

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

Just curious but what's his asking price? Ask him when the timing belt was last done or if he hasn't done it how long he's owned it. It may not need to be done right away.

glen1985

2.3k New Zealand $$. Which is around 1750 USD. Body and interior is in really nice condition.

He has only had it 8 months and selling due to needing station wagon. He told me the previous owner was an elderly man who pretty much had it since new but lost all service records. Called Nissan dealership where car was serviced most its life, they do have a record of cam seals being replaced 6miles ago, and they said it would be very unusual not to have done the belt at the same time. But that's all I have to go on.

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

I'd imagine the belt probably would have been done then but many people buy used vehicles without doing the timing belt right away after purchasing it. $1,750 U.S sounds pretty steep. Where i am in Canada they arent as common as they used to be but can be had for around $800 CDN but it sounds like the one your looking at was well maintained. I'd talk him down and offer him maybe a $1000 U.S at most and if he doesn't want to take it keep looking around. Im sure he's going to have a tough time getting his asking price.

glen1985

Sounds like it probably was done. Yeah high price is due to very low miles I guess? Still pretty steep. Seller doesn't wanna budge. Think I'll carry on looking. Big thanks for sharing your knowledge with me, you are a legend!

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

The 3rd Gen. Maximas are fun. If your really interested in one keep searching your classifieds in your area. I'm sure something will pop up and you can always get helpful advise from members here. In the meantime you could always make the seller an offer and keep looking. Who knows he may get back to you after not getting his asking price.

glen1985

Yeah sounds like a good plan. Fortunatley I'm not really in any rush. Cheers!!

gp540

iTrader: (1)

All of the third generation Maximas feature many standard options.* The U.S. third generation Maxima came in two models, the SE and GXE.* The SE, targeted a sporty end of the market while the GXE emphasized more luxury features.* The SE features stiffer springs, sway bars, struts, strut mounts, and bushings.* Also, from 1992 - 1994, the SE had a high output DOHC engine with variable timing control.* Here are some standard features that both models share.

Standard allow wheels- 6.5 inch on the SE, 6 inch on the GXE
Four wheel independent suspension
Power windows, locks
Power/Comfort button for automatic transmissions
Cruise Control
Air conditioning
Standard security system (ignition disable, doors, trunk, hood- no shock sensor)
Rear window defrost
SE vs. GXE:

Tighter suspension, thicker sway bars on SE, not GXE
Dual tipped exhausts on SE versus a single tip on the GXE
Black rear view mirrors on SE versus body colored Mirrors on GXE
Rear disk brakes on SE, rear drums on the GXE
5 speed manual available on SE, automatic-only on GXE
6.5 inch rims on SE, 6 inch rims on GXE
Driving lights standard on SE's, no driving lights on GXE
Spoiler standard on SE, no spoiler standard on GXE
White gauges standard on SE, black guages on the GXE with reduced bolding.
Sport leather steering wheel on SE, standard steering wheel on GXE
DOHC high output engine on 92 - 94 SE models, SOHC on all GXE's
standard exterior door locks on SE, GXE's standard with keyless entry
1989-1991 SE specific

VG30E SOHC engine generating 160 hp and 182 ft lbs of torque.
Standard Moonroof
Standard Bose Radio
Black rear lenses
Split front grill with a small "Nissan" sign
Standard with H rated tires
lever to open trunk left of driver's seat
1989 - 1991 SE & GXE specific

hinged door under radio
all speedometers at 1 25 mph
all tachometers redline at 6000 rmps
split grille with Nissan name
1991 changes***

New Bose stereo face design started
chromed wheels started
Extended mirrors on SE models
1992 changes

An extendable bin under the radio
OD light is different in that it is spelled out instead of a separate light on the right
SE's now have a button to open the trunk instead of the lever.
stronger transmission for VG30E
plastic bezel around the radio/climate control changed in that there are no screws above the radio to remove.
new steering wheels for each model.
New mesh grille with Nissan logo.
Black rear gone, SE's have read rear lenses with a slight lens design change.
1992-1994 SE specific

VE30DE DOHC engine generating 190 hp and 190 ft lbs of torque
VLSD Viscous Limited Slip Differential) - if last letter on transmission code = V.
Red rear end
Meshed front grill with Nissan logo in center.
Heated side mirrors
Came standard with V rated tires (up to 149 mph)
speedometer to 145 mph, tachometer to 6700 rpm redline




Source : http://www.4dsc.com/articles/general/comparison/comparison.shtml

glen1985

Thanks!!

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Do you have any other pics of the car by chance?

Just curious because it looks to be teal color. Don't think Ive ever seen a teal 3rd gen before. Being a New Zealand model, does it have those fold down rear seats?

DMad8724

iTrader: (4)

NO New Zealand Model third gens came with VE engines, they all got VGs

the only way it is a VE engine is if it is a JDM import

also, not all NZ models have fold-down rear seats, only the higher end models (like SE-L, etc.)

maximo018

iTrader: (6)

It appears to be green. That forest green color like Greeny's was.