Advice on buying used M56s over 50,000 miles

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walt1227
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Hello,

I am in the market for a used Infiniti M56s between 2011-2013. I prefer to avoid a 2011 since most bugs of first year models are worked out in the following year. What advice could you all offer to me on mileage when looking to purchase one of these 5.6L V8's? I have read post about timing chain issues with some M56's and that is a concern. Any ideal on mileage to stay away from under 100,000 miles? I really don't want to go past 60,000 miles because I am not sure how reliable they are past 60,000 miles. Anything I should look out for when test driving these cars? Thanks!


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Debonair
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I got my 2011 with 60K'ish miles. I have put 20K more on it since with the only issue being the death of the stock battery.

I would say make sure all the dome lights and electronics do what they are supposed to do. This car is sensitive to shorts if the battery is not disconnected during electrical work. Even simple things like bulbs changes can cook harnesses and body modules.

Also the Y51 was sold in japan starting in 2010. So technically the 2011 is the second model year for this platform. Just saying. :)

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biggie
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My '11 had 44k and is now at 64k, no issues but the battery needing replacement as well.

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Ilya
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Same here...42kmi when I got it, 73kmi now. Dead battery too, hah. Died right after I had an inspection done in the Sears parking lot. Bought a new one and swapped it right then and there #opportunistic.

And yes, disconnect battery when doing any electrical. I didn't and caused $5k worth of damage to the car by shorting my footwell light somehow. Luckily, warranty covered it but I was without my car for like 3 weeks over the course of two visits.

lKoRTy
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I bought my 2012 with 68k miles. So far I had to replace the battery, fix rattling heat shield on exhaust, lubricate rear axle and replace 4WAS unit, the latter being covered by the warranty.

Make sure you do get extended warranty... like, no questions asked, top coverage lol.

walt1227
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Thanks for the replies guys! I will surely look out for the electrical issues when I start test driving these cars. Are there any good aftermarket parts for the M56s to increase HP? I know I plan to upgrade the exhaust and a cold air filter kit. Don't want anything too loud but something better than stock, maybe a cat back system from Magna flow or Borla if they make something that will work? I also want to drop it a little to make the body sit better with wheels, I am guessing maybe two inches or so, but nothing very low where it looks like a Lincoln with a bad air suspension lol.

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Ilya
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The M56 has the lowest aftermarket support of any M. Virtually non-existent, although supposedly some parts are in the works. We'll see if the vendors actually pan out.

walt1227
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Is this motor the same one found in the Nissan Titan and Nissan Armada? I recently had a 2015 Armada rental for a road trip and to big such a big SUV that motor had some good get up and go.

BlackCat81
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The 11's are as problem free as the newer models, don't let that hold you back. Timing chains are a concern, but some 11's are still under powertrain warranty.

Stillen makes a great sounding exhaust for them, and R2C is currently designing a CAI that's apparently pretty bad a**. They're using a buddies car for prototype fittment currently.

jmissile
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Bought my m56 11' sport with 108000 mi a year ago (retired rental), at 130,000 now with just a battery replacement and brake pads needed so far. I was skeptical at 1st about high mileage but figured v8s should be pretty durable plus it's from japan! Plus the color combo i was after was practically impossible to find (storm front grey w/the black sport wheels) The engines in these cars are amazing imo just a tad noisy but ive gotten used to it. Washer mod and delete resonators ftw

walt1227
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jmissile wrote:Bought my m56 11' sport with 108000 mi a year ago (retired rental), at 130,000 now with just a battery replacement and brake pads needed so far. I was skeptical at 1st about high mileage but figured v8s should be pretty durable plus it's from japan! Plus the color combo i was after was practically impossible to find (storm front grey w/the black sport wheels) The engines in these cars are amazing imo just a tad noisy but ive gotten used to it. Washer mod and delete resonators ftw
You are right these engines are pretty noisy. I recall a few youtube videos I have watched of revs and I can hear just about everything inside the motor when they are opened up. I've been comparing them to the Lexus V8 found in the LS 460 which is another option for me. The Lexus is a little bit quieter but not as powerful from a HP/TQ standpoint. I test drove the LS 460 and to be such a big car it will get up and go but won't stand a chance against the M56S. I've driven V8's for over half my life camaro, trans am, mustang, so I want something just as fast if not faster but with luxury.

BlackCat81
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walt1227 wrote:
jmissile wrote:Bought my m56 11' sport with 108000 mi a year ago (retired rental), at 130,000 now with just a battery replacement and brake pads needed so far. I was skeptical at 1st about high mileage but figured v8s should be pretty durable plus it's from japan! Plus the color combo i was after was practically impossible to find (storm front grey w/the black sport wheels) The engines in these cars are amazing imo just a tad noisy but ive gotten used to it. Washer mod and delete resonators ftw
You are right these engines are pretty noisy. I recall a few youtube videos I have watched of revs and I can hear just about everything inside the motor when they are opened up. I've been comparing them to the Lexus V8 found in the LS 460 which is another option for me. The Lexus is a little bit quieter but not as powerful from a HP/TQ standpoint. I test drove the LS 460 and to be such a big car it will get up and go but won't stand a chance against the M56S. I've driven V8's for over half my life camaro, trans am, mustang, so I want something just as fast if not faster but with luxury.
It's because they're direct injected.

ArmedAviator
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DI makes an engine noisier?

BlackCat81
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ArmedAviator wrote:DI makes an engine noisier?
Yup. It's the high pressure fuel pump in front of the passenger side valve cover that clanks away. There's a foam cover on it to try and quiet it down some which helps, but that's one of the reasons why they're so noisy.

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Debonair
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BlackCat81 wrote:
ArmedAviator wrote:DI makes an engine noisier?
Yup. It's the high pressure fuel pump in front of the passenger side valve cover that clanks away. There's a foam cover on it to try and quiet it down some which helps, but that's one of the reasons why they're so noisy.
Very interesting. I did not know this was the case.

ArmedAviator
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Is it only the 5.6 or also the 3.7 that's direct injected? Do you guys have to have your intake ports and valves cleaned periodically from the deposits?

walt1227
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BlackCat81 wrote:
ArmedAviator wrote:DI makes an engine noisier?
Yup. It's the high pressure fuel pump in front of the passenger side valve cover that clanks away. There's a foam cover on it to try and quiet it down some which helps, but that's one of the reasons why they're so noisy.
Very interesting and makes a lot of sense. I always listen for weird noise coming from engines and when I started researching the M56S the loudness really caught my attention. I assume all their V8 engines are the same because the 2015 Armada engine is loud as well.

walt1227
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Guys what is the true 0-60 times for the M56S? I've read 4.8 seconds but I have seen it out run Mustangs and Camaros that are said to do 0-60 in 4.5 and 4.6 seconds.

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adeedpb
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0-60 may not be the best comparison, I could see a Camaro or Mustang getting a jump on the M56 in a short 0-60 but 1/4 mile plus that is where you will see the M pickup some distance. Beyond that it comes down to reaction time and traction.

vk motorworld
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I also recently bought a used M56 with with the technology package.amazing car. i have big plans for it .

jmissile
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I've seen a few examples of the vk56 used in various motorsports, granted the components are custom but the block isn't.I feel like the production version should hold up pretty good as far as durability goes. This team destroked it to 5.0L and made 660hp at 8800rpm'shttps://youtu.be/RB5o4UkkTH0

walt1227
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That is a cool video. Man they put a V8 in a Altima hahaha, I have to check youtube for others who may have tried that conversion.

walt1227
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Anyone know if it is possible to push the M56S engine to 500 HP without breaking the stock trans and rear end? I would like to get numbers around 500HP/480TQ if not better without having to add turbo.

jmissile
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Check that, my radiator just crapped out

walt1227
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So I finally got to test drive a 2012 M37X this past weekend. I love everything about the car minus the thin steering wheel. Does the Sport model have thicker bolsters on the steering wheel versus the standard M without sport package?

While the V6 was fast I prefer the V8 which I haven't found one to test drive. I definitely will be purchasing one soon hoping by my birthday. How different is the ride quality of the sport versus x and base?

I did notice that the M37X drunk gas like a fish. Not sure if me constantly flooring it had a major impact. What is your gas mileage like on your M37S and M56S? I will be doing mainly highway travel of maybe 20 miles to work and back. I-40 here in Cary and Raleigh is horrible for sitting in traffic. I don't care about gas prices just wondeeing what your average mileage is per tank. I will run speeds of 70-85 mph on I-40.

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Ilya
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I average about 19MPG on my M56x. I usually do similar speeds and most of my driving is at 45mph+ without much stop and go. But I beat on my car. If I fill it up, clear the meters, I can usually keep it around 22-23 before I get bored lol.

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armybrat
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walt1227 wrote:So I finally got to test drive a 2012 M37X this past weekend. I love everything about the car minus the thin steering wheel. Does the Sport model have thicker bolsters on the steering wheel versus the standard M without sport package? It's supposed to...however, my 2012 M56x has the tech package which included that type steering wheel.

While the V6 was fast I prefer the V8 which I haven't found one to test drive. I definitely will be purchasing one soon hoping by my birthday. How different is the ride quality of the sport versus x and base? I live in the Winston-Salem area, and I had to go to Carmax on Hanes Mall Blvd to get mine. It was shipped from Tennessee.

I did notice that the M37X drunk gas like a fish. Not sure if me constantly flooring it had a major impact. What is your gas mileage like on your M37S and M56S? I will be doing mainly highway travel of maybe 20 miles to work and back. I-40 here in Cary and Raleigh is horrible for sitting in traffic. I don't care about gas prices just wondeeing what your average mileage is per tank. I will run speeds of 70-85 mph on I-40.
I drive from Clemmons to KIng every day. I average about 20 - 21 mpg which represents a combination of city and highway driving.

M37xfan
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walt1227 wrote:So I finally got to test drive a 2012 M37X this past weekend. I love everything about the car minus the thin steering wheel. Does the Sport model have thicker bolsters on the steering wheel versus the standard M without sport package?

While the V6 was fast I prefer the V8 which I haven't found one to test drive. I definitely will be purchasing one soon hoping by my birthday. How different is the ride quality of the sport versus x and base?

I did notice that the M37X drunk gas like a fish. Not sure if me constantly flooring it had a major impact. What is your gas mileage like on your M37S and M56S? I will be doing mainly highway travel of maybe 20 miles to work and back. I-40 here in Cary and Raleigh is horrible for sitting in traffic. I don't care about gas prices just wondeeing what your average mileage is per tank. I will run speeds of 70-85 mph on I-40.

Yes constantly flooring will have a major impact on your gas mileage... :yesnod

For about 3 months I was driving about 105 miles a day round trip. I avg'd about 25-26 mpg going on avg 64 mph. Most of my trip was on a highway where the speed limit was 55mph and some was on highway at 75 mph. used the cruise control alot.

walt1227
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If I can get around 23-24 on the highway that will be great.

BlackCat81
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ArmedAviator wrote:Is it only the 5.6 or also the 3.7 that's direct injected? Do you guys have to have your intake ports and valves cleaned periodically from the deposits?
Nope, Infinti says it creates no issues. They do get REALLY dirty though.


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