Engine mods have never really ben my thing. Maybe I'm in the minority in this board. I do like to do my own maintenance, and have been a big car audio guy since the 90s. Are any of the M37/56 stereo versions any good? I know there is a 16 speaker 5.1 version, but I have read mixed reviews on it, and I hate that's it's so tough, if not impossible to replace the stock head unit.

mrnix wrote:Engine mods have never really ben my thing. Maybe I'm in the minority in this board. I do like to do my own maintenance, and have been a big car audio guy since the 90s. Are any of the M37/56 stereo versions any good? I know there is a 16 speaker 5.1 version, but I have read mixed reviews on it, and I hate that's it's so tough, if not impossible to replace the stock head unit.

I like my 16 speaker 5.1 audio, had to adjust the levels a little to get to were I liked but nothing crazy. Given what you just said I think that is the way you should go.

My M56x is loaded to the tilt (speakers in seats 16spkr system). I love my car. Just wish it had a better aftermarket part support.

Does anyone know what each of the 5 buttons in front of driver's left knee do? I know one is heated steering wheel, and think another is trunk release, but it seems on a lot of models the buttons are blank panels.

mrnix wrote:Does anyone know what each of the 5 buttons in front of driver's left knee do? I know one is heated steering wheel, and think another is trunk release, but it seems on a lot of models the buttons are blank panels.

Vehicle Dynamic Control OFF switch

Rear sunshade switch (if so equipped)

Steering heater switch (if so equipped)

Trunk lid release switch

Lane Departure, Blind Spot Warning, and Front Collison Warning systems OFF switch (if so equipped)

Debonair wrote:

mrnix wrote:Does anyone know what each of the 5 buttons in front of driver's left knee do? I know one is heated steering wheel, and think another is trunk release, but it seems on a lot of models the buttons are blank panels.

Vehicle Dynamic Control OFF switch

Rear sunshade switch (if so equipped)

Steering heater switch (if so equipped)

Trunk lid release switch

Lane Departure, Blind Spot Warning, and Front Collison Warning systems OFF switch (if so equipped)

That's helpful. Thank you.

Ok, I have another possibly silly question. I know all versions of M37/56 have Bluetooth, but do all stereo versions do Bluetooth audio as well as take phone calls? I thought I read a suggestion that Bluetooth audio isn't available on all, only phone calls. And do any versions do anything additional with the phone, like read text messages?

Looks like the base M37 gets Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System. The base M56 (which includes the Premium Package) gets the phone system plus streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology.

I did not know the M56 base included the Premium Package until now. I thought all this stuff was standard on all the M's.

I'm in the same boat as OP... torn between the 37 and 56.. this will be my daily and i'm glad i read about the timing issue.. My local dealer has a 2012 M37 thats in my budget with low miles non sport version..Cars that are 2012/2013 and that are certified only have 2 years left on the warranty from infiniti correct? that timing chain issue scares me...

OP did you drive the 56 yet?

Debonair wrote:Looks like the base M37 gets Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System. The base M56 (which includes the Premium Package) gets the phone system plus streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology.

I did not know the M56 base included the Premium Package until now. I thought all this stuff was standard on all the M's.

I have a '12 M37X without any of the bells and whistles. Not real sure if mine is the base stereo, it has nav but is not 16 speaker, but it does stream audio over Bluetooth.

My local dealer has a base M37 2012 without Nav... not sure if thats a deal breaker or not.. I have Nav now and used it once or twice.. I would use bluetooth, cooled seats, and sunroof much more...

tmf2004 wrote:My local dealer has a base M37 2012 without Nav... not sure if thats a deal breaker or not.. I have Nav now and used it once or twice. I would use bluetooth, cooled seats, and sunroof much more...

Yup. Bluetooth is/was a must for me when car shopping and the AC seats are awesome to have. It sucks driving cars without them now that I am used to them. I don't use the Nav for driving directions either but I do use it while driving to spot quick routes around traffic and back ways into parking lots. Same way I used it in my last car.

The sunroof is much too small for this size car but I still use it as well.

does the 2012 have cooled seats or just heated? or should i try and find a 2013?

tmf2004 wrote:I'm in the same boat as OP... torn between the 37 and 56.. this will be my daily and i'm glad i read about the timing issue.. My local dealer has a 2012 M37 thats in my budget with low miles non sport version..Cars that are 2012/2013 and that are certified only have 2 years left on the warranty from infiniti correct? that timing chain issue scares me...

OP did you drive the 56 yet?

I have yet to drive a 56 yet. There is one for sale locally, but has 68k miles, right in the wheelhouse to scare me off due to timing belt.

TLoc wrote:

Debonair wrote:Looks like the base M37 gets Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System. The base M56 (which includes the Premium Package) gets the phone system plus streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology.

I did not know the M56 base included the Premium Package until now. I thought all this stuff was standard on all the M's.

I have a '12 M37X without any of the bells and whistles. Not real sure if mine is the base stereo, it has nav but is not 16 speaker, but it does stream audio over Bluetooth.

I gather the stereo options are 6, 10, and 16 speaker. And you said yours is not 16, do you know if it's 6 or 10? Might shed some light on the matter.

mrnix wrote:

TLoc wrote:I have a '12 M37X without any of the bells and whistles. Not real sure if mine is the base stereo, it has nav but is not 16 speaker, but it does stream audio over Bluetooth.

I gather the stereo options are 6, 10, and 16 speaker. And you said yours is not 16, do you know if it's 6 or 10? Might shed some light on the matter.

6-speaker audio system, AM/FM/CD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control (standard on M37, M37x AWD))

Bose® 2-channel, 10-speaker Premium Audio system, AM/FM/CD/DVD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control with 9.3GB Music Box® hard drive (Standard on M56, M56x AWD)

tmf2004 wrote:does the 2012 have cooled seats or just heated? or should i try and find a 2013?

Someone can correct me on this but I do believe that any 11+ with the premium package will have the a/c and heated seats. I own a '12 so I can confirm your question but I think it goes back to the model change.

Debonair wrote:

mrnix wrote:
I gather the stereo options are 6, 10, and 16 speaker. And you said yours is not 16, do you know if it's 6 or 10? Might shed some light on the matter.

6-speaker audio system, AM/FM/CD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control (standard on M37, M37x AWD))

Bose® 2-channel, 10-speaker Premium Audio system, AM/FM/CD/DVD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control with 9.3GB Music Box® hard drive (Standard on M56, M56x AWD)

I have the music box hard drive so it must be the 10 speaker. I will check it out tomorrow and let you know.

Altim8M37 wrote:

tmf2004 wrote:does the 2012 have cooled seats or just heated? or should i try and find a 2013?

Someone can correct me on this but I do believe that any 11+ with the premium package will have the a/c and heated seats. I own a '12 so I can confirm your question but I think it goes back to the model change.

Correct.

You can read all the 2011 specs and packages in this brochure.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Inf ... M_2011.pdf

So it looks like you can have Bluetooth phone with out the audio streaming. Mine is a 10 speaker with the Bluetooth streaming which is the Premium Package on the 37 and standard on the 56. Thanks for that link Debonair I was kinda unclear on the accessory packages.

OP: just buy the damn car already lol

Found one I like over the weekend, but it has a bunch of scratches on the hood and passenger side, almost like someone keyed it. Salesman said dealer probably wouldn't be able to repair the paint, but suggested they could work with me on the price a little. I'd have to see what it would take to fix, since I can't put this much money in to buy a car that looks like it's been keyed.

Also can confirm Bluetooth audio from phone plays over 10 speaker stereo version. Thanks for the info earlier and sorry to bug everyone with my inquiries

Sold my G. Spent the weekend with a black 2012 M37x, and I wil probably pull the trigger this week if they can fix the scratched paint and we can make the numbers work. It's not certified, but has 40k miles. Doubtful I would look into an extended warranty unless someone here has a reason to think otherwise.

No way to fix a keyed car scratch. Walk away keep looking

Frog wrote:No way to fix a keyed car scratch. Walk away keep looking

Really?

mrnix wrote:Sold my G. Spent the weekend with a black 2012 M37x, and I wil probably pull the trigger this week if they can fix the scratched paint and we can make the numbers work. It's not certified, but has 40k miles. Doubtful I would look into an extended warranty unless someone here has a reason to think otherwise.

do you have pics of the scratches?

M37xfan wrote:

mrnix wrote:Sold my G. Spent the weekend with a black 2012 M37x, and I wil probably pull the trigger this week if they can fix the scratched paint and we can make the numbers work. It's not certified, but has 40k miles. Doubtful I would look into an extended warranty unless someone here has a reason to think otherwise.

do you have pics of the scratches?

Yes. Hopefully I did this right to post pics.

http://www.dropbox.com/sh/9jme1qk3oq0sw ... X0wQa?dl=0

Trying again with Dropbox since I'm not sure one drive worked.