Big/Tall guy's first impression of the M35X

[Bawkchicken]

Hello all, just picked up my (new to me) '06 M35x and wanted to share my experience with it so far. First off, I love it! What an amazing car. I can't believe what I've been missing.

I'm coming from a '03 Chevy S-10 extended cab pickup truck, and the difference is like night and day. For any of the reviewers who felt the M has a "rough ride" and "too much road noise", I think they need to spend some time driving around in a 4-cyl pickup truck!

As for the whole big/tall guy statement, I'm 6'8", and boy do I love this car! I was amazed at the amount of room available to me. In most other cars, I either can't sit in the driver's seat at all, or it looks like I am straddling the steering wheel because my knees are on either side of it. What a feeling it is to now have my legs UNDER the steering wheel. You have know idea how lucky you "average size" people are in regards to things like selecting a vehicle. I can't just pick a vehicle I like... I have to try them on. Luckily, I have now found a vehicle I not only fit in, but also absolutely love.

So far, it's seeming to be a great decision for me, and I plan on keeping it for quite some time. In regards to the used factor, the only issue I am having is the intelligent key only works in the slot to start the car (have to use the physical key to lock/unlock everything). I replaced the battery, but still no resolution. I will go to the dealer tomorrow and see what solution they have to offer. Even if I have to purchase an additional remote, I am so pleased with my experience so far that will I do it with a smile on my face.

Now I'm going to hope I don't get too caught up in all of the great customizations I read about here. I don't think my wife (who also loves it) will understand why I wouldn't want to leave "well-enough" alone!

Forgot to add; I will be further discussing the intelligent key issue in another thread started by a member with a similar problem here: zerothread/357560
Modified by Bawkchicken at 8:39 AM 9/2/2008

[Bawkchicken]

Now I really appreciate the M even more. I just got back from the dealer to fix the aforementioned intelligent key problem, and it will be a day or two to fix so they gave me a G35 loner. What a difference. I think the G35 is a great car, but I can really appreciate the difference between the two now.

I can't wait to get my "new" car back... and as for customizations... I think I'm pretty happy with it the way it is now!

[szh]

Welcome to NICO!

Looking good for sure. And, yes, I strongly prefer the interior luxury of the M compared to the G.

Z

[jonlex99]

Congrats........ Car looks great. We have the same exact car down to the color.

[John2]

Congrats........ Car looks great. We have the same exact car down to the color.

Yep, me too, though I have the bourbon interior. If you want to do some less-than radical mods, you might want to consider window tinting, adding the infiniti OEM aero kit, and/or wheels. I just got my car a few weeks ago and jumped on those items right away. I stuck with 18" wheels, as our pavement around here is about as far from smooth as you can get. I've got winter tires on the original wheels.

What's really neat about this colour (Diamond Graphite) is that if you park it on the grass near trees, you'd swear it was a grey-green. But out in the open with a bit of blue sky, it looks grey-blue.



Modified by John2 at 7:24 PM 9/2/2008
Modified by John2 at 7:25 PM 9/2/2008

[daveM45]

I agree about the head/leg room. The deciding factor for me on purchasing an M over the competitors was the head room - front and back.

BMW 5- Can't even get in. GS - Can't see anything but the head liner. Same for the E. The M has more head room then many SUVs I've been in (including a Sequoia). Not only do I fit but I can actually see more then just the hood out the front windshield, including minor details like overhead red lights and oncoming traffic. The back seat can even hold my niece and nephew who are already over 6ft.

I hope someone from Nissan is paying attention so that we don't lose it on the next redesign...

[Bawkchicken]

...If you want to do some less-than radical mods, you might want to consider window tinting, adding the infiniti OEM aero kit, and/or wheels....

Oh wow, yeah! I really like the look of it with the tint and aero kit. If you don't mind me asking, about how much is it to do the tinting.... and did you have the dealer do it, or [insert Local Performance/Audio shop here]?

[wolfM35]

Congrats on your new car. I completely agree. I am 6'4 and actually don't have to have the seat all the way back. Great leg and head room.

Even better is there is plenty of room in the back for passengers when I drive. I compared the BMW 5 series, Mercedes 350 and Audi 6. Not even close. The Infiniti has the room, features and performance.

[John2]

.... and did you have the dealer do it, or [insert Local Performance/Audio shop here]?

I had a local performance shop here do it, but I'm just about as far from you as a guy can get in North America, short of going to Alaska! It was a shop recommended to me by a friend, and it turns out it is owned and run by an ex-Infiniti dealer service manager.

It was a package deal (along with adding a remote starter) but I think the tint was around $350. I wanted a lighter tint on the front doors, and they recommended what they call a "rainbow" tint. The front doors are light, the back doors are one shade darker, and the very back window is one more shade darker. It's subtle and seems to work well. I have no idea what brand of tinting product they use, and you may wish to go darker in Florida.

I also asked them about importing an aero kit, and they said because of duty and shipping my best bet for quality and fitment (if I liked the look) was to get the OEM kit from the dealer. That cost me around $1500 or $1600 (no shipping, comes pre-painted the right colour) from my local dealer, but I think it might be available to you guys in the US for less. The shop installed it for me for around $350. Certainly not as radical as I might really like, but looks great for the price point.

I generally avoid dealers wherever possible, and I think our one and only local Infiniti dealer is no gem, based on my past experience with my Q45. I like this local shop so far, and I'll probably turn to him for help with more projects.

I love this car, but I love it a little more now that it's a bit personalized! There are a few more things I'd like to do, but I need to cool the credit card a bit first, plus get up the bravery to open panels and such to run wires.

Here's another shot that might show the tinting a little better ... these tints do not look dark on the wall of the shop, but they definitely look darker on the car:

[Fafdawg]

I rely like the tint on your M. That's my next project to tint my M. Here is the link... I'll post after the project any advise to what % to tint? I'm in Va.?

zerothread?id=359720

[striz923]

I got my windows tinted with Lumar tint at a local shop for $195. I did 30% for the doors because i wanted to stay legal and i don't like when front windows are darker than back windows personally. Sorry no pics to show you. and i think it was 15% on the rear window. I wish they were 15% all around, but again legal is key for me...

The Lumar website has a link in the auto section that will show you what the legal limits are, but any decent tint shop should know.

Also I am 6'5" and have plenty of room. My only gripe is that an infant carseat doesn't fit behind me, luckily my wife is short so it sits behind the passenger seat since we don't have center LATCH hooks.

[maqueswell]

BawkChicken:

I'm a new (used) 06 M35s owner and i love the car. Talk about the room inside. My previous car was a 2002 Lincoln LS and it was definitly a tight fit.

Mad Max!

[szh]

I'm a new (used) 06 M35s owner and i love the car. Talk about the room inside. My previous car was a 2002 Lincoln LS and it was definitly a tight fit.

Welcome to NICO!

Z

[maqueswell]

szhosain:

Thanks I am so glad i came across this site. There's a wealth of info here! I wish i'd have bought the car earlier!

[Popsickle]

Congratulations on the M! Being a tall guy myself I have to say this car was a blessing. The one thing I wish this car had was adjustable pedals, though I'm not hugging the steering wheel either lol. Had to sell my IS300 after I purchased the M since I finally realized that car was awfully small. Even after a couple of years I find myself adjusting the seat all the way back and I don't need it that far back!?

John2: I know what you mean with the 18" rims since I have 3 bent rims at the moment. Texas roads are a pain due to the weather/potholes! The best part about these roads would be the empty straight-aways, only if you know there is no dips/potholes/etc. On the diamond graphite color I have to say it does seem to change colors. If I park in my mother's garage it looks like a different color than it does in my garage. It's a beautiful color.

DaveM45: I test drove the GS and the two thoughts in my head was "Wow, an IS with adjustable pedals" along with "why is my hair rubbing the roof?" lol. The 5 Series was so small I didn't even test drive it! And the E... it was nice but it reminded me of a car my mother would drive, even though she turned it down The worst car I test drove was a Volvo lol no comment

Popular color!!!

[Bawkchicken]

Man, I keep seeing all of these M35's with the sport body kits... they look so nice! Now how to convince my wife we need to have that added?!

[NBP45]

Volvo's are excellent cars in terms of quality and durability but boring to drive...my father had an 86' 740 with about 300,000 miles...never had an engine or transmission problem...the car probably would still be running now...