5.1 surround sound...is it worth it?

[jlindy]

I have done several searches and have found nothing on the subject at all which is actually surprising. I am looking at an 07 M35X and have narrowed it down to two cars. Both black, but one with black interior with 14 speaker surround and the other in the bourbon interior without the upgraded surround. I love the bourbon interior but also like the 14 speaker surround. If it were you, which one would you pick. (around same miles) Also, is the 5.1 surround sound option really worth it and does it make that much of a difference. Thanks.

jlindy

[mazz]

i think soyou can find numerous post on guys improving there system adding sub woofers and 50000 watt ampsbut i think that part of the tech pkg is the one i use the most

[jlindy]

i think soyou can find numerous post on guys improving there system adding sub woofers and 50000 watt ampsbut i think that part of the tech pkg is the one i use the most

I've never been a big bose fan, but my father has the car and it sounds pretty good with the 5.1, but then again I haven't heard it without it. Anything else that comes with the 5.1 package that I would like to know?

Also, given that the pre-08 models don't have iPod integration, I think I remember hearing that the 5.1 surround feature has audio jacks that come with it. Does that work for the iPod? (I'm sure it doesn't display in the screen like the new ones, but I would think that it would at least work right? Also, if you have navigation does that mean you can watch DVD's when stopped or do you have to have the 5.1 feature to do that. Sorry for the ignorance, but I've read a lot of reviews but none specify these things.
Modified by jlindy at 2:28 PM 9/27/2008

[bmui1561]

My mom and I both have 07 M35xs and hers does not have the 5.1 14 speaker sound and mine does. IMHO I can hear the difference between each and the 14 speaker 5.1 package is better but its not great. Along with a lot of others I am also not a big fan of bose. I have the black obsidian with bourbon interior and that color scheme looks great. I would recommend getting the color you want and get some aftermarket speakers that are better than the stock bose system.

5.1 only really works when u have a 5.1 channel DVD. I own like 3, i usually just listen to my iPOD.

The one thing that the upgraded audio package does have is the aux input that you can connect your iPOD too.

Goodluck

[yosM45]

A black/black and a black/bourbon are both rare.

But if it has the Bose 14 speaker system, then it has the advance technology package. I would go with the one with the advance technology package. You get....

-5.1 14 speaker surround sound system. (Important is your doing the Hack)-Intelligent Cruise Control-Brake Assist-Lane Departure System (could do without)-XM receiver provided (the other one may have added already though)

So you should be getting more with the Black on Black.

If you're going to be watching movies, either parked or with the DVD hack, 5.1 with movies is awesome.

[jlindy]

Can you not watch a DVD (parked) without the 5.1? I would think that you could because the non-5.1 NAV is still a DVD based system.

Also, Black/black is rare? I can see the bourbon being rare, but what color does Black usually come with?

A black/black and a black/bourbon are both rare.

But if it has the Bose 14 speaker system, then it has the advance technology package. I would go with the one with the advance technology package. You get....

-5.1 14 speaker surround sound system. (Important is your doing the Hack)-Intelligent Cruise Control-Brake Assist-Lane Departure System (could do without)-XM receiver provided (the other one may have added already though)

So you should be getting more with the Black on Black.

If you're going to be watching movies, either parked or with the DVD hack, 5.1 with movies is awesome.

Modified by jlindy at 6:33 AM 9/29/2008

[John2]

If it were you, which one would you pick.

If it were me, I'd take the bourbon interior in a heartbeat. In fact, faced with a similar choice, I did! In my case, I passed up on the nav to get the bourbon interior. But it brings a smile to my face every time I get in!

john

[yosM45]

Can you not watch a DVD (parked) without the 5.1? I would think that you could because the non-5.1 NAV is still a DVD based system.

Also, Black/black is rare? I can see the bourbon being rare, but what color does Black usually come with?



Modified by jlindy at 6:33 AM 9/29/2008

You can watch a dvd, but the 5.1 sounds amazing with a movie. So if your watching a lot of movies, then 5.1 is the way to go.

And a used black on black. Complete black interior, not the two tone, is very rare, at least here in Florida.

[jankenpo30]

5.1 with DVD-Audio is the ****...no ifs, ands, or buts.

I convert a lot of my high quality MP3s to DVD-Audio, can hear the difference.

BUT, but..I loved to have bourbon. I searched up & down to find one with the tech package...and couldn't.

That's a tough choice, really depends on how much a movie & audiophile you are. If not, go with the bourbon.

[MagicM]

I think the surround sound is a Joke of a system, at 234 Base /30814SP total Watts it's not very good in this class range. They're Hyundais with better sound systems. IMHO not worth the money.

[jlindy]

The black on black one sold so I think it is up to the bourbon interior without 5.1 so my decision is now easier. :-)

I am deciding between the m35x and the BMW 530ix. So far the M35 is winning in the technology/reliability race, but I like the drive of the BMW. You can get an 07 M35x for the price of an 06 CPO BMW.

I know you would have a biased opinion, but what do you think is better/worse about the M35x over the BMW 530ix?

[John2]

When I bought my 06 M35x, I also test drove a BMW 5 series. It was a year or two older than the M at about the same price. No question that the Bimmer was an amazing driver's car. It seemed to me to be the perfect balance of ride handling and comfort. But the interior was very plain and masculine (which will appeal to many). And I figured the downstream maintenance (older, higher mileage, less remaining warranty) was a pig in a poke I didn't want.

Plus the M's interior is just so damn sexy!

But buy the one that blows your hair back.

john

[jlindy]

Ha, ha, this is almost funny now. They called me and now have another 2007 Black with bourbon interior with 5.1 but it has 28k miles vs the one without 5.1 that has 18k miles. I could get the surround but I would sacrafice 10k miles/warranty. I finally was cool with the non 5.1 to get the bourbon, but now the plot thickens. What to do? Whew, this is exhausting. Ha, ha.

[MagicM]

I used to like the 5 Series until Chris bangle or whatever his name is Messed up the design, the *** end of the 5 Series looks terrible imo.

[jankenpo30]

Get the BMW if you want to fit in with everyone else on the road.

Get the sexy azz black with basketball guts & 5.1 if you want to be ya own man....man up!!!..lol
Modified by jankenpo30 at 10:46 PM 10/1/2008

[yosM45]

Dude,

Balck on Bourbon with the Advence Tech package? You should have told them you'd be ther in 5 mins.

Sound like that car has everthing anyone can want. As a matter of fact, I'll take it.

Seriously, we have 60k bumber to bumper. You can add an extended warranty if you need one.

28k miles on the M, no big deal.

[wolfM35]

I agree. I live in Charlotte and it is a BMW haven. I love BMW driving, however when I test drove it, I brought my dad and his knees were against the dashboard and my wife was crunched sitting behind me. Not to mention, no cooled seats and ugly interior, lame wheels (unless M5) and ugly design. Tech package and design of M35 and $10K savings...

[John2]

Balck on Bourbon with the Advence Tech package? You should have told them you'd be ther in 5 mins.

Yep. What he said.

[jlindy]

still not sure the advanced tech package is worth a much lower mile vehicle that is pristine. However, I still have to sell my car so it is worthless for me to think about until that is done.

[jlindy]

It looks like my current car is all but sold, meaning the deal is supposed to be done on Monday. Now I can look for the M, but of course the two black on bourbon cars that Iwas deciding between are now gone. However, I have found another car, although it is not in black like I really wanted, but still like the gray. I think I am going to pull the trigger on an gray/graphite 07 m35x with only 1000 miles on it for about 28k. Is that a great deal or could I do better?

[maxnix]

Is that a great deal or could I do better?

What does the Infiniti Dealer performed service history reveal?

Maintenance history is much more important than color choice when it comes to longevity and long term expense.

[jlindy]

Haven't seen the service history yet, but will ask for it. What should I look for? With only 1000 miles, how much damage could there be other than being wrecked or totalled? Anything that would void factory warranty or reveal a lemon?

What does the Infiniti Dealer performed service history reveal?

Maintenance history is much more important than coler choice when it comes to longevity and long term expense.

[palincal]

Are you buying it at an auction? 28K for an 07 with just 1000 miles is an excellent deal. Almost too good to be true. Did you check the carfax report for accidents, water damage, salvage, airbag deployment etc. A good bodyshop can find out if the car was ever repainted.

[jlindy]

Haven't seen the service history but I have pulled the carfaxes on both cars that I am looking at (identical but one with 8k miles and the other with 1k miles) Both show clean to carfaxes, but neither have been reported to be titled as of yet. Could it be that they were service/loaner cars from an Infiniti dealership? Is that something to be concerned of? Could they have a washed title or something?

Are you buying it at an auction? 28K for an 07 with just 1000 miles is an excellent deal. Almost too good to be true. Did you check the carfax report for accidents, water damage, salvage, airbag deployment etc. A good bodyshop can find out if the car was ever repainted.

[FilthyFifthAggie77]

I have an 06 M35 Sport with the Technology package and truly love the 5.1 surround system. In general, the radio/CD system is average, however put in a DVD Audio disc in the DVD Audio player and the sound is AWESOME. The real drawback to the system is that the 5.1, with a good disc, is so good that it makes listening to the radio seem flat & bland. The DVD Audio format did not take off as expected, so the number of discs available is limited, and as a result they are expensive. You can listen to concert DVD's and get the 5.1 experience, but to truly appreciate the capability of the system listen to Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" DVD-A disc. The sound is absolutely amazing. The limited amount of DVD Audio titles is the true downside of the system.

[jlindy]

not to get away from the 5.1 discussion, but I never heard an answer to my earlier question so I thought that I would ask you all for your advice. Is there something fishy about two 07 cars, one with 1k miles and the other with 8k miles that carfax show to have never been titled and both clean?

I delivered my car yesterday so I need one now and will buy this week. Thanks for your advice.

[chaz2936]

I just traded a blk and bourbon for a blk on blk M and as much as I loved the aero and bourbon, I could not live without the 5.1... If you find a good music DVD it will sounds second to none... It is a amazing system..!

[ronez82]

I would assume that the 8k car could have possibly been a loaner at the dealer. The one with 1k is probable just a left over 07 that just didn't get sold and somehow is still just floating around out there. They both have warranties and being that they have never been titled the warranty will start ticking when you buy it so you are getting a brand new warranty. Good luck.