Contemplating a used (06/07) M35x purchase... but

[JimmyA]

I stuck this in the middle of another topic and realized it would just get lost...

Here goes...

What I like about the M35x is the AWD, the fit and finish and the exterior lines... a very good looking car. What I dislike, road noise and exhaust note, in that order... I like quiet. I know words like this could get me in BIG trouble on this forum, but I really would like to buy a M35x, yet I can't get over the noise issue.

Are there things that can be done to the M35x to quiet it down, ie, different exhaust, different tires, some insulation? I drove a 2005 G35x for 3 yrs and just could not get over the amount of tire noise that transmitted from the rear, especially when the road was wet.

Thoughts?

Thx

[SammyTheBull]

buy the M35x and some earplugs. in that order

P.S. tint the windows so nobody sees the earplugs....

[NightWatch]

I travel a lot for work, so I get to drive a lot of cars. Hertz loves me! And since I'm a member of their Presidents club I get to rent their luxury cars for the same rate as a premium car. I've driven Lexus, Audi's, Jags, Caddy's, Lincolns, etc and I honestly don't think my M35 Sport is substantially more noisey than any of them. The M in any of its derivations is a "Sport" sedan, so being "sporty" is more important to the car's image than being dead silent inside. I know you're interested in the car because of its AWD, but if quiet is more important to you, then you should probably be looking elsewhere.

[JimmyA]

I think you nailed it with the "sporty" reference. The car is designed in part to make noise and allow it to reach the driver. I drove Audi A-6's for 7 yrs. They were a bit quieter in the road noise and exhaust note depts. I recently test drove a 2006 Lexus GS 300 AWD... not impressed. My 2006 Jeep Gr Cherokee Ltd. rides quieter and smoother that that thing.

Thanks for the reply,

Jim

[chad07m35x]

I have an 07 X and I will have to say that the tires are the biggest problem. Once you get rid of those crap stock tires you can get a much quieter ride. The exhaust note is something I love so I cant help you there, but I put about 30K miles a year on a car and once I changed tires this car was significantly quieter.

[DashingMax]

Stock Gooyear tires = crap performance + road noise.

Exhaust Note: Only if you get the Sport package. The Luxury/Premium has no exhaust noise.

Engine noise: It is more of a masculine rumble than a screaming b****. Ok, IMHO!

[M45Caliber]

I also rent a ton of cars -- the absolute QUIETEST car I have driven - and this is in Denver where the roads have been worn down with studded tires and are NOISY -- was the 2009 Ford Expedition. Quieter than a Caddy, an Avalon, a Volvo, etc.

The other car we OWN, which is very quiet, is the new Infiniti EX35. Bought it a year ago (when they first hit the dealers, as we had driven the G35 and liked it - except for the noise. Went back to the dealers to pick up my M45 from the service department and saw the EX sitting on the showroom.

Talked my wife in to driving it. We were replacing our 2003 Honda Pilot and had already driven the Lincoln MKX, the Lexus RX350, the Mazda CX9, the Acura MDX and the BMW X3. The EX was the best handling, fastest and quietest of the lot. MUCH quieter than the G35. We went back and drove another G35 to be sure -- BIG difference in noise reduction in the EX. I don't know why, but it is. Ours has the Michelin tires, as an FYI. So one year later and my wife still loves the car and it's as quiet as the day we bought it. Being able to buy Nissan'sInfiniti's on the VPN program was icing on the cake - no Finance team haggling.

At any rate, if you can live with the slightly cramped back seat space, go drive the EX. You will be surprised and delighted.

[odie]

Exhaust Note: Only if you get the Sport package. The Luxury/Premium has no exhaust noise.

How so? I wasn't aware of any exhaust differences between the two?

[Makman]

I apologize for the slight thread hijack...

What tires do you run over the stock Goodyears? I really don't hear any noise out of the ordinary but if I can get a little more out of the shoes she rides on...so be it.

As for the exhaust note....that throaty growl is something I just love. It announces the cars' presence with authority. It's a luxury car with an attitude is the way I see it. A buddy at work just bought an '08 and the exhaust has been changed/de-tuned to not have that rumble and he's disappointed. The best noise is when you downshift and hammer the throttle and the engine just sings. Music to my ears.

I have an 07 X and I will have to say that the tires are the biggest problem. Once you get rid of those crap stock tires you can get a much quieter ride. The exhaust note is something I love so I cant help you there, but I put about 30K miles a year on a car and once I changed tires this car was significantly quieter.

[Carlito]

i have the 35x and i to kinda like the exhaust tone. how u drive will have a lot to do also with the sound & vibration in the "cockpit". i dont drive hard so it doesnt bother me, plus i keep my music blastin' therefore i here even less noise.