'03/'04 M45 Common Problems/Issues

Post by **furiousM45** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:06 am

Do these cars have any common problems or issues I shoukd be aware of? Anything specific to be aware of?

Post by **szh** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:01 am

If the engine is not broken in properly, you may have an oil consumption problem (search and read the thread here on this forum on oil consumption!) That is the only major thing to worry about - particularly if you get a used M45 from those years.

I can tell you that early care of the engine with frequent oil changes in the early miles will reduce the issue to about a qt per 3750 miles - that is what I get on my 2003 M45. A good outcome, given the power of the engine!

However, if not taken care of, the oil used could be a qt per 1000 miles!

Z

Post by **furiousM45** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:45 am

Good info.

How are the brakes? Do they warp easily? Any annoying squeaks or rattles?

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:02 pm

The car is pretty well built.... The brakes are gonna be decent enough...... havent heard too many people complaining about them warping...

Post by **furiousM45** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:22 pm

Any aftermarket options?

Post by **szh** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:48 pm

car_lost wrote:Any aftermarket options?

Not as many as one might like. The car only sold for two years (or a bit less actually) and was replaced with the recent 2006 model, so ... limited numbers of cars sold means limited aftermarket options!

Z

Post by **furiousM45** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:03 am

szhosain wrote:Not as many as one might like. The car only sold for two years (or a bit less actually) and was replaced with the recent 2006 model, so ... limited numbers of cars sold means limited aftermarket options!

Z

yea, i hear you... but if it shares parts with any other car (ie. the q45) theres a better chacne of more parts being made. i've seen those x drilled and slotted rotors on ebay... anyone tried those?

Post by **elwesso** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:06 am

You can bolt on a 300ZX twin turbo rear end..... mvoes you from a 3.11 rear end to a 3.69... Would make the car FLY! Thatd have to be worht it by itself!!!!!

You can also bolt on 300ZX brakes...

Post by **furiousM45** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:11 am

elwesso wrote:You can bolt on a 300ZX twin turbo rear end..... mvoes you from a 3.11 rear end to a 3.69... Would make the car FLY! Thatd have to be worht it by itself!!!!!

You can also bolt on 300ZX brakes...

very good info.

you're talking about the differential, right? does that affect gas mileage by much?

what is the difference between the stock brakes and 300zx ones? i take it any aftermarket big brake kit for the 300zx would also work?

Post by **elwesso** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:29 am

car_lost wrote:very good info.

you're talking about the differential, right? does that affect gas mileage by much?

what is the difference between the stock brakes and 300zx ones? i take it any aftermarket big brake kit for the 300zx would also work?

Expect it to effect gas mileage by at least 15%

OD on the M is .83:1 ... which means based on tire diameter (26.7 on 245-45-18), and final drive (3.11) youll be going about 62MPH at 2000 RPM.. at the same RPM with the 3.69 from the Z32, you'll only be going 52MPH ..... which means that it takes 120% more RPM to do the same speed (or therefor, 20% more over stock, since stock would be 1:1 vs 1.2:1)... In other words, to push 60 MPH, its gonna take about 2500 RPM instead of 2000 RPM...

Your speedo will also be off by a little, which you can switch out the speedo sensors no biggie.....

onto the brakes, the stock Z32 brakes with some good pads are going to be all you need..... you can put the big brake kits for the Z32 on too (another Y34 M guy did this with good results)... But the Z32 is such a bargain itd be strange to spend big bucks... Really the stock M brakes are good id try some good pads first...

Post by **RAGTPZ** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:52 pm

Z32 brakes an upgrade for the M's brakes??? NO WAY! That's one of the weaknesses of the Z32, hence why I upgraded to StopTechs. The M's stock brakes are more than adequate.

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:21 am

huh? how are they a weakness on the Z32???? the calipers are just as strong as the brembo's offered on the R33 and R34 skylines, as well as the G35 and 350Z with brembo!

Post by **RAGTPZ** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:11 pm

The calipers are actually quite good you're right (unless you get the early models which were aluminum and thus warped from the heat), but the rotors are far and away too small for that car's performance and weight. So I guess if you mean upgrade you mean the calipers only then that is sufficient but if you mean the entire stock brake system then no way. Z32 owners upgrade their brakes to either the Skyline or 350Z/G35 rotor applications if they cannot afford the big brake route.

Sorry for the confusion.

Post by **MinisterofDOOM** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:55 am

car_lost wrote:
yea, i hear you... but if it shares parts with any other car (ie. the q45) theres a better chacne of more parts being made. i've seen those x drilled and slotted rotors on ebay... anyone tried those?

Sharing powerplant with the Q45 won't help aftermarket support--at least not performance wise. The current Q45 is not a car that's likely to see many performance-oriented owners. Also, the F50 (current model) Q45 is not exactly a common car. Sales numbers are VERY low.Previous Q45s, which saw much higher sales numbers, used a different engine.

However, with the popularity of the new M, I definitely expect to see an increase in aftermarket support of the VK45DE.Even the Titan's use of the VK block is cause for hope. Truck aftermarkets are huge.

'03/'04 M45 Common Problems/Issues

'03/'04 M45 Common Problems/Issues

Re: (szhosain)

Re: (car_lost)

Re: (elwesso)

Re: (car_lost)

Re: (szhosain)

Re: (car_lost)

Re: (elwesso)

Re: (car_lost)

Re: (RAGTPZ)

Re: (elwesso)

Re: (car_lost)

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums