35 vs 56

[Middlebh]

who has driven an m56 and can tell me the difference. I am thinking about getting one a 2011 with about 60,000 miles.

[seldomseen]

The 56 will drive much smoother and be faster due to having significantly more power, but will be a lot less fuel efficient and may experience oil consumption. Go with the 56 if you can afford it. The V6 engine is simply to small/under powered for a vehicle the size and weight of the M. You'll realize this after driving the V6 model for a couple of weeks. Importantly, look for a car with less than 60k miles to save yourself some headaches.

[Altered]

The V6 engine is simply to small/under powered for a vehicle the size and weight of the M. You'll realize this after driving the V6 model for a couple of weeks.

You drove an M37 and observed this, or an M35? Just wondering as I think the M37 runs pretty good for its size/weight.

OP the M56 is both a classy and fun car, and 60,000 miles would not stop me from purchasing one. What options are on the one you are considering?

[Larz]

I have driven a few M56's. Sometimes a loaner from the dealer whlist having maintenance onde, and also testing them before buying my M35. The biggest difference, of course, is pull-away power (the least one can expect from a V8 engine Vs a V6engine). My M35 has plenty of power and when I mash the pedal I have plenty of power to over-take a car on the motorway. I'm sure in a street race or a highway challenge, my V6 wouldn't keep up with an M56, but I don't do that type of driving so that's a waste for me, personally.
As far as ride quality, I noticed no difference at all. Both had a solid, stable ride and nearly equal handling. If I was forced to rate each for steering and handlig, I'd still pick my M35 - although that could be because I have Michelin Pilot Super Sport (ultra high performance rated) tires and the M56 only had the OEM lower quality tires.
Gas mileage was only slightly lower in regular traffic with spirited driving - I reset the MPG gizmo in the M56 when I left the dealership and after driving the M56 around with no regard for fuel conservation, it was in the neighborhood of 14-15MPG. My M35 gets between 16-17MPG with the same spirited driving.
The only drawback I could see was 1-2 less MPG overall. There was no other difference in daily driving for me personally.
What would make me NOT buy the M56 today is the multiple reports of oil consumption reported in this forum. I'm past 80K miles and still no noticeable difference on the dip stick from date of oil change and 3-4 months later at the next oil change using Mobil-1 5w30 grade oil.

[Middlebh]

I have not purchased one yet just contemplating it. I have an M35X. I do like the fact of more power with the v8 cause I am experiencing oil consumption now with only 95000. But I haven't driven a 37 they look very nice and roomy. I would go with one of those if the price is right.

[SmoovC]

I have driven the M35, M45, M56S, and the Q50.

When I was first looking for a M series, I drove a 2006 M35. It handled great, and was solid, but felt a tad underpowered; like it was working too hard.

I then drove (and purchased) a 2006 M45. Power was effortless, and the torque was instantaneous. I never had any oil issues with the M45, it needed very little added oil between changes; if any. I enjoyed the car immensely during my period of ownership, and was actually looking for another one (2008 and up) with lower miles for quite some time.

Gas mileage be damned; I have driven V8's for most of my adult life. It still pulled an average of 16 mpg in combined driving. I have never understood why people buy performance cars with V8's and then b**** about the mpg's!

Enter the M56S: gobs of power, 7 speed transmission with paddle shifters, awesome handling, and killer electronics all wrapped up in one sexy package. Gas mileage is 15 to 16 combined driving. I love this car!

A 2011 with 60k miles seems high; if it was me I would shop around, and wait for the "right" one to come along. After months of looking, I found my 2012 M56S with 13,395 miles and all documented Dealer service for $24k off of its original MSRP. I feel sorry for the 1st owner, taking that kind of hit.

[Middlebh]

Sounds like a plan. I will keep looking.

[M45xATL]

You want the V8. If you decide on the V6, you will always wonder in the back of your mind why you didn't get the V8. The difference in gas mileage won't come close to reconciling the choice in your mind. Get the V8.

[mazz]

I suggest you buy the m37......... 0-60 6 seconds and spend that extra 10 g on electronics like adaptive cruise control lane change warning etc you wont notice the difference cruising at 75 or 80 except you will bypass the gas station and wont need to add oil as well
that v6 is proven for many years and like 350 horsepower what else do you need
Mazz

[SmoovC]

You want the V8. If you decide on the V6, you will always wonder in the back of your mind why you didn't get the V8. The difference in gas mileage won't come close to reconciling the choice in your mind. Get the V8.

Could not agree more, my friend

It is like women: skip one now, die one short later.

[SmoovC]

I suggest you buy the m37......... 0-60 6 seconds and spend that extra 10 g on electronics like adaptive cruise control lane change warning etc you wont notice the difference cruising at 75 or 80 except you will bypass the gas station and wont need to add oil as well
that v6 is proven for many years and like 350 horsepower what else do you need
Mazz

In my humble opinion, the "10 g on electronics" is part of the equation that makes the car so great in the first place: its the total package.

What else do you need? 70 more ponies!

[LouCast]

I really wonder where everyone is getting their info on the VK56 being an oil consumer. Just cause the VK45 that was in the M45 consumed oil, and had oil consumption issues does not mean the same can be said for the VK56 which is in the M56. I recently owned a vehicle with a VK56, no oil consumption what so ever, and yes full of torque, NIssan designed that motor for high torque numbers. I drove the snot out of the vehicle and not once did it ever show oil consumption issues, it had over 150,000 when it was stolen from me.

If you don't mind the extra fuel consumption, then go for it, and don't worry about it consuming oil like the old V8 in the M45, you won't be disappointed.

[TheMajesticKing]

I've driven both and I ended up buying the M56. I've owned and modified lots of Nissan/Infiniti's in the past. My last car was a G37xS. The M56 was a no-brainer. I was tossed between the M56 and the 750i. They both run nearly the same quarter mile times (750 is slightly slower) even though the bimmer is a twin turbo 4.4L. I didn't like the turbo lag and the 750i had the same amount of space as the M so I decided to give it a shot. As soon as I took it for a spin I FELL IN LOVE.

I just got it a few months ago and the oil level is fine, but that may be because it's not over the 65k mark. Ive owned a '04 G35 6MT coupe and that thing burned 1/4 of oil per week so I'm familiar with oil consumption. I also had 2 6MT '02 Maximas that burned that same amount. The Nissan oil burners tend to like conventional GTX for some reason. (I've tried dozens of oils)

As far as power, there is no match as far as a N/A full size luxury car. No other car in it's price range can keep up with it. Mine has every possible feature that I can find and I fall in love every time I get behind the wheel of it. I got a custom y-pipe made for it about 2 months ago and that gave it even more top end power. This thing is a BEAST