This is a 2015 Q60 Sport convertible but for all practical purposes the same as a G37 for this question.

The passenger exterior escutcheon just fell off one day. This is the small plastic cover adjacent to the exterior door handle (on the driver's side it has a hole for the lock cylinder; passenger side is just a blank). The dealer quoted me $142 for an unpainted part. This is a piece of molded plastic the size of your thumb.

Where else can I buy this? I've checked a couple of aftermarket parts sources online but they seem to just carry mechanical parts and the most common body parts, not as comprehensive as the dealer inventory. I've never bought used parts from a salvage yard--how does that work? Do you go through a parts broker or direct to the yard?

 

On the driver-side door jamb there will be a data plate. It will have a 3-digit paint code.

What is that code?

 

PN should be 82646-JK01A
I think the first half denotes the color code? This is for blue slate. And BTW, if your car is blue slate, I have one for sale.

 

Color code is GAC
Color name is Malbec Black. I don't know what year that color was introduced.

 

Escutcheon, GAC= p/n: 82646-1NL0A.

The odds of finding a new one, in the USA, is next to nil. If you do not mind ordering from Japan, they cost ≈$12 (not including shipping) from here. I have used this service for years without any issues for JDM and paint-matched parts.

You can scour eBay and pull-a-part places but they are going to be hit-or-miss.


The opposite actually. Here is a quick little read on the 10-digit system. In a nutshell, the first 5 digits identify "what the part is" whereas the last 5 digits identify what specific vehicle "the part applies to." Now, as parts get "revised" the last 5 digits will change, but will always apply toward the same specific vehicle.

 

That information is awesome. I set up an order but it says that further processing is required before they can ship and they'll get back to me. I am guessing that they have to confirm this is actually in inventory.
I guess that's why the dealer can charge $140 for it.

 

That response is normal. They (Amayama) is essentially a proxy service. They order it from Nissan, receive it, and then ship it you. To me, and for my needs, it is a very seamless transaction and never had any issues. Just keep in mind there is a 12-hour (+/-) time difference!

Please let us know how you make out.

 

Thanks again. If they are getting OEM parts from Nissan, what are the economics of them selling me a part for $12 when the dealer charges $140? Is the dealer taking $128 profit on that part?

 

You would be surprised how much markup there is on these parts here in the states. There is even a markup because the name "Infiniti" is thrown into the mix. Depending on the part, go to a Nissan dealer and more than likely the same part will be cheaper because it is "Nissan" branded. Same part, just a different outlet.

I do not know what the method is to their economic madness. All I know is that I have ordered parts through them from both Japan and the Middle East and have saved tons of money in the process- even with shipping thrown into the mix. And, when it comes to "discontinued" parts, they always seem to be able to source them.

 

^^Few years ago bought a flush valve for the crapper. Amazon had 2 listings, an oem part at $4x.xx, and a generic at $2x.xx (half price). I bought both. Turns out the generic was the same as the oem except for the packaging. One came in a double walled box, other single (like holiday card stock). Both items had the same manufacturing part number stamped and identical in every other way.

As ILM-NC points out, it's all about which channel a particular item is sold through.

 

You can also use a regular black one. They look the same when on the car. I also got black mirror caps and don't even notice.