Hello all, I currently have a 2004 G35 that I've been driving forever, runs great, all is well, but it's getting time to upgrade to something with AWD, and the wife would prefer I get something larger for the family. I am looking at the 2012-2013 Ms with AWD, so M37X and M56X, which should hopefully be in my price range of mid to high 20k.
Any particular items I should look for or avoid in my search? Thanks for any suggestions anyone can shoot my way.

Just bought a 2011 M37x. Was hesitating between a G37x, bmw 550i, TL sh-awd and M37x. Tried all 4 and couldnt be happier with my choice. From my researches seems like the M is a really reliable car. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you glance through the threads in this forum you won't see anything major or recurring (like the TL with oil burning and transmission issues, or the bmw 550 with valve stem seals issues etc). Mine drives great at 75k miles. No complaints so far. There's a lot of m35/45 dudes with 200k miles so I'm not worried about reliability. You'll love the car.

thanks. I can only hope it's as reliable as my G. In almost 9 years, I have only had 1 unscheduled service trip, to replace a sensor at the rear of the engine (name of it escapes me now). I know that the VQ 3.5/3.7L engine is supposed to be a champ, don't know much about the V8 though.

Skip the hybrid.

thanks for the tip. I'm leaning towards the M56, the anti-hybrid as it seems. not sure how long gas will stay under $2 a gallon, but I'm happy to have it now.

Be prepared for timing chain replacement on the 5.6 if you go that route. It's not a matter of if, but when. We're literally doing them left and right at work. 5 last week to be exact. Luckily they've all been failing under warranty. They are FANTASTIC cars though.

Ilya has owned both the M35 and the M56 so maybe he can speak to mpg from an owner's view. Far as I know, the difference is not huge - maybe 2-3 mpg less in the 56.

Buy a sport model.thats it!

Larz wrote:Ilya has owned both the M35 and the M56 so maybe he can speak to mpg from an owner's view. Far as I know, the difference is not huge - maybe 2-3 mpg less in the 56.

Ya, the 7 speed auto is where it's at. Much better than the old 5 speed for fuel economy.

BlackCat81 wrote:Be prepared for timing chain replacement on the 5.6 if you go that route. It's not a matter of if, but when. We're literally doing them left and right at work. 5 last week to be exact. Luckily they've all been failing under warranty. They are FANTASTIC cars though.

Has corporate been looking into this? If mine fails right after I get out of warranty, I will be PISSED. What's the cost of it without warranty? Even though we have determined the sound I get on startup is normal, I'm still worried about this in the sense that it will one day go bad.

Larz wrote:Ilya has owned both the M35 and the M56 so maybe he can speak to mpg from an owner's view. Far as I know, the difference is not huge - maybe 2-3 mpg less in the 56.

Believe it or not, I averaged like 19/24 with the 5spd M35 and get about 17/22 with the 7spd M56. IMO, that's not drastic and likely is due to driving style. Part of that might be because the M56 is a lot more fun to drive and I have a heavy foot though. If I babied it, I could probably match the M35 and get 24 on the highway at the minimum.

BlackCat81 wrote:Be prepared for timing chain replacement on the 5.6 if you go that route. It's not a matter of if, but when. We're literally doing them left and right at work. 5 last week to be exact. Luckily they've all been failing under warranty. They are FANTASTIC cars though.

What does service like that cost out of warranty? And are there warning signs? Any easy way to tell, if I'm buying a used one?

I went from '03 G35 coupe to '11 M56S, MPG isn't a large difference. With a few mods on the G I was seeing 20-21 MPG average and now if I keep my foot out of it (or put it in ECO mode) the M will average 19-19.5 MPG.

BlackCat81 wrote:Be prepared for timing chain replacement on the 5.6 if you go that route. It's not a matter of if, but when. We're literally doing them left and right at work. 5 last week to be exact. Luckily they've all been failing under warranty. They are FANTASTIC cars though.

Once the timing chain has been replaced, would this procedure need to be performed again in the future?.

BlackCat81 wrote:Ya, the 7 speed auto is where it's at. Much better than the old 5 speed for fuel economy.

There is definitely an improvement in gas mileage coming from a 2007 G35x which I avg'ed 13mpg in the city. With the M56x I am easily getting 17mpg in the city.

I was between the M37 and the G37 at first, but once I saw the interior of the M in person I was sold. It has been a very solid car, aside from a ECM and ECM harness replacement due to me messing with the map lights (factory warranty covered it), there have been no major issues. I am averaging 23MPG in combined city/highway driving.

And I agree get a Sport if you can.

With intake ,exhaust and hfc.my gas mileage went down.had better gas mileage stock.

My mileage went up with custom exhaust. I feel like I make way less trips to the gas station.

Noob question, but the Sport is only RWD, correct? I am going to get an AWD model, so I've been looking at the M37x and M56x. The 56 seems to have more/ better standard features. I think I would prefer a loaded 37, but I'm checking out both models.

Do any versions come with HD radio? (Not interested in Sirius XM satellite )

mrnix wrote:Noob question, but the Sport is only RWD, correct? I am going to get an AWD model, so I've been looking at the M37x and M56x. The 56 seems to have more/ better standard features. I think I would prefer a loaded 37, but I'm checking out both models.

Although it is a rare combo, there are a few out there. See link below.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 3116&Log=0

mrnix wrote:Do any versions come with HD radio? (Not interested in Sirius XM satellite )

Negative.

rsilva800 wrote:

mrnix wrote:Noob question, but the Sport is only RWD, correct? I am going to get an AWD model, so I've been looking at the M37x and M56x. The 56 seems to have more/ better standard features. I think I would prefer a loaded 37, but I'm checking out both models.

Although it is a rare combo, there are a few out there. See link below.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 3116&Log=0

Nice find. Around 10k above my current budget though.

mrnix wrote:Nice find. Around 10k above my current budget though.

That was just an example. I found a few others within your price range, with the same features, a couple of pages down.

I went from an 05 G35 to the M56 and couldn't be happier.

Anyone know if the 5.6 is a non-interference engine? Have the timing chain issues just been stretches or breaks?

I went from an 09 Maxima to the M37x....love it.

Looking at the fit and finish, you can tell that it is a well built car. I Love how fast it warms up on very cold mornings here in WI (were talking below zero temps)

So far, the timing chain is the only area of concern noted. Any other frequent issues or trouble spots anyone is aware of? I have done all my own maintenance on the G35, and for the most part, I like how relatively straightforward everything is to work on. I hope the M is similar.

M is not hard to work on, I do most of my own DIY as well and have written some HowTo's (and will write more as I approach other tasks like spark plugs, etc.). With good tools and a general mechanical ability, it'll be just like any other car. Unlike the German cars, there is no need to reset sensors, etc. after changing brake pads, fluids, etc.

Ilya wrote:M is not hard to work on, I do most of my own DIY as well and have written some HowTo's (and will write more as I approach other tasks like spark plugs, etc.). With good tools and a general mechanical ability, it'll be just like any other car. Unlike the German cars, there is no need to reset sensors, etc. after changing brake pads, fluids, etc.

Good info. German cars have the "well made" reputation, but I much prefer the Japanese "well made + easy to maintain" status.

mrnix wrote:What does service like that cost out of warranty? And are there warning signs? Any easy way to tell, if I'm buying a used one?

It'd easily by $4-$5000. I obviously can't speak for corporate, but I'm assuming with a good service history they'd be willing to help you out. The $ amount is above a dealerships authorization level, so the decision would definitely need to come from higher up.

Timing chains are very easy to pinpoint. You get a high pitched wine when rev 'd cold. In really stretched chain situations, it'll do it all the time warm or cold. If they're lightly stretched, it'll only happen cold. Remember, it's only with the 5.6. They're much easier (in my opinion) to replace the chains in an M since the oil pan doesn't have to come off like it does on the QX56 or 80. For some reason, the chains in the QX56/80 seem to fail sooner than in the M56, even though it's relatively the same motor. If you look at one with over 70k on it and it's quiet, chances are either they've been replaced already, or you're not going to have an issue.

Edit; please don't let my comments deter you from buying one. You may or may not have an issue if you go the 5.6 route. The timing chain issue is really the only bad thing I can say about them, they're REALLY fantastic cars. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, and as a matter of fact, as soon as my Lexus is paid for, I'll be M56 shopping.

beachbum718 wrote:With intake ,exhaust and hfc.my gas mileage went down.had better gas mileage stock.

I'd bet donughts to dollars that you subconsciously enjoy the mods, even though you think you are driving with the same weight of foot when it was stock.

Same thing with a butt dyno. You add a mod that gives 2 HP gain and think it's 20. K

FYI....in terms of aftermarket support, should you want to make some changes. Best is the 37 and gets worse as you add in the v8 and worst with AWD. If you need the AWD for weather purposes, just be prepped for no parts love.

IMHO, after driving (RWD only) both the 37 and 56, I didn't feel the bump in price was worth it. And, I was coming from a 5.7L Tundra that would SCOOT. With the (albeit slightly) better aftermarket support for the V6, you can spend less money on mods than the difference in price from the 37 to 56 and really make it your own. In fairness, I purchased my V6 without knowing this ahead of time.

I had this same argument back in 05 when they released the Altima SER. It was (again, IMHO) a waste of money to buy the SER when you could purchase a V6 model and add in the suspension, exhaust, and engine components aftermarket (and have a faster, better handling vehicle) and still have money to spare to buy popcorn AND candy at the movies, if you wanted. All in how you feel about modding vs. factory design.