Is there a difference between the 2 cars? I hear the 04 m45 is easier to find parts for. Is that the only advantage?
Background: I'm new to this forum and I am shopping around for a 03 or 04 m45. I fell in love with the body style and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the vehicle before I make my purchase. Thanks guys in advance for the knowledge
03 m45 vs 04 m45
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candymanfb
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:15 pm
- Car: 2004 M45 - Every possible option on an M!
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
The only difference is in the interior which is very slight (location of the cd changer/tape player) and depends on the package.
These are rare years (2003/2004) ... in my opinion parts will not be as easy to get as the 2006+ models.
Check the insurance rates before you buy .... I was surprised with mine for a bit.
Good luck!
These are rare years (2003/2004) ... in my opinion parts will not be as easy to get as the 2006+ models.
Check the insurance rates before you buy .... I was surprised with mine for a bit.
Good luck!
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Be sure to read my long term ownership report on the 04.
One other difference is that the 04 will let you bang against the rev limiter whereas the 03 will upshift for you, even in manual mode before you hit the limiter.
One other difference is that the 04 will let you bang against the rev limiter whereas the 03 will upshift for you, even in manual mode before you hit the limiter.
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Thanks for the knowledge guys
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Mark Linkous
- Posts: 765
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:51 am
- Car: 2012 Infiniti M37x
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Hello,
As was said above, many thousands fewer 2004 M45's were imported than 2003. If memory serves of the roughly 8000 imported, around 1500 were 2004. When I purchased mine 7 years ago, I had to search high and low for a 2004 as the CD Changer location was really important to me.
In addition, it seems most 2004's came with the $5000 Technology Package which includes Laser Guided Cruise Control and Navigation. In addition, things like Homelink became standard on the 2004 model.
They really are special cars and I am still greatly enjoying mine. They are the rarest of birds in that the vast majority of cars are tailor fitted for the US Market whereas the 2003-2004 Y34's took the body of a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) car in the Cedric/Gloria while adding the new at the time VK45 V8 and 5 Speed Transmission of the latest Q45. The 2003-2004's also share many of the same interior bits like the Climate Control and Navigation.
Cheers,
ML
As was said above, many thousands fewer 2004 M45's were imported than 2003. If memory serves of the roughly 8000 imported, around 1500 were 2004. When I purchased mine 7 years ago, I had to search high and low for a 2004 as the CD Changer location was really important to me.
In addition, it seems most 2004's came with the $5000 Technology Package which includes Laser Guided Cruise Control and Navigation. In addition, things like Homelink became standard on the 2004 model.
They really are special cars and I am still greatly enjoying mine. They are the rarest of birds in that the vast majority of cars are tailor fitted for the US Market whereas the 2003-2004 Y34's took the body of a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) car in the Cedric/Gloria while adding the new at the time VK45 V8 and 5 Speed Transmission of the latest Q45. The 2003-2004's also share many of the same interior bits like the Climate Control and Navigation.
Cheers,
ML
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
I've noticed more 2003 Y34's for sale than 2004. Thanks for the info. Either year will work for me. It's a gorgous car
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bent99
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:44 pm
- Car: 2004 M45 Gray w/ Black Leather
- Location: Keller, TX
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Not to get too off topic but after buying my 2003 M45 earlier this month I was shocked to realize that it did not have Homelink. I was after a 2004 for its additional standard features but I could not pass up this deal. Anyway, after driving 4th gen Maximas for the past 11 years with Homelink this was a surprise. I was about to attempt a little DYI hack with an Audi A4 Homelink in the overhead console when I saw a 2002 Q45 visor for sale with Homelink on the bay, just like my Maxima. As luck would have it a local salvage yard had a 2002 Q45 with tan interior so I went to see if it was a match. It was a direct fit. Everything lined up, the plug plugged right in and withing 10 minutes i had the unit programmed and good to go. I really dont like the auto dimming mirrors so this was a win for me and incredibly easy install. Hope this helps someone looking for an easy Homelink add.
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szh
- Posts: 15932
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Cool to know that. Thanks!
I also don't like auto-dimming mirrors at all - particularly ones that revert to the auto mode without staying selected to the off position.
In my 1991 Q45, it was a manual rocker switch, so stayed set in the mode I wanted!
Much better than my 1995 Q45! Which used an electronic switch and would revert to auto mode when the ignition was turned off ... Annoying even though I got into the habit of reaching up, each and every time I powered my car, to disable the auto-dim mode!
On my 2003 M45, it is the old style flip toggle below the mirror! I love it.
Z
I also don't like auto-dimming mirrors at all - particularly ones that revert to the auto mode without staying selected to the off position.
In my 1991 Q45, it was a manual rocker switch, so stayed set in the mode I wanted!
Much better than my 1995 Q45! Which used an electronic switch and would revert to auto mode when the ignition was turned off ... Annoying even though I got into the habit of reaching up, each and every time I powered my car, to disable the auto-dim mode!
On my 2003 M45, it is the old style flip toggle below the mirror! I love it.
Z
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
My 03 M45 has the garage door opener in the review mirror, that is homelink correct?
I find it handy as can be, but find it very interesting my car has the bose stereo, tape deck in the head unit cd changer in the glove box, but no nav, or voice system. and no parking assist/active cruise control.
it seems like the assortment of features is very sporatic.
I find it handy as can be, but find it very interesting my car has the bose stereo, tape deck in the head unit cd changer in the glove box, but no nav, or voice system. and no parking assist/active cruise control.
it seems like the assortment of features is very sporatic.
Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
Yes. If it has the buttons, it's the Homelink.
Bose was standard on every Y34.
The 03 had your configuration as described, the 04 swapped the tape deck & CD locations.
ICC, Nav, and voice was an option as was heated/cooled seats. Those options, though nice to have, are not really special ...as the seat heat/cool works just ok, the ICC is known to be problematic and the NAV system is now 15 years or so with no significant map updates since 08.
Parking assist was not an option for the US market Y34.
In my searching and asking questions of a couple of service managers at Infiniti dealerships, it seemed that more 04 models had those options already installed but NAV was a dealer installed accessory at the time of sale or upon arrival on their lot.
The buttons for NAV on the head unit were factory installed but the other hardware was US installed, probably due to the US-only market NAV configuration.
I have an owner's manual package for sale right now on fleabay for cheap.
Bose was standard on every Y34.
The 03 had your configuration as described, the 04 swapped the tape deck & CD locations.
ICC, Nav, and voice was an option as was heated/cooled seats. Those options, though nice to have, are not really special ...as the seat heat/cool works just ok, the ICC is known to be problematic and the NAV system is now 15 years or so with no significant map updates since 08.
Parking assist was not an option for the US market Y34.
In my searching and asking questions of a couple of service managers at Infiniti dealerships, it seemed that more 04 models had those options already installed but NAV was a dealer installed accessory at the time of sale or upon arrival on their lot.
The buttons for NAV on the head unit were factory installed but the other hardware was US installed, probably due to the US-only market NAV configuration.
I have an owner's manual package for sale right now on fleabay for cheap.
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cbird805
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 4:54 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti M45
1995 Infiniti Q45 Base
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Re: 03 m45 vs 04 m45
I'm surprised no one mentioned that the 04 M45 was equipped with an ICC override. The '03 M45 didn't, so you lost cruise control if your ICC sensor unit went bad. These sensors cost over $2000 from the dealer, and hard to find used. The Q45 and QX56 also uses the same ICC sensor, but they are configured for center mount. The M45, strangely, has it mounted on the right side. Many of these units went bad due to water damage, due to their relatively low location. I suspect the cause as M45/Q45/QX45 driven through flooded roads. If your ICC sensor still works, I suggest sealing the seams with silicone RTV, and also sealing the pigtail. And avoid driving through flooded areas, which isn't good for your car.