Couple of newbie questions...03-04 M45

[Hovik]

Hey guys!Just signed up after reading the forum for about 3 hours.I'm looking into purchasing an 03 or 04 M45.Now couple of questions, and if any one of them has been covered before a simple link to the thread would be much appreciated.

1. Is there a big difference between the 03-04 models? Usually car manufacturers have little bugs and issues with the 1st year of the production of any new model. But later on they get fixed and worked out. So is this the case with the M45 also? Should I look for 04 models instead of 03?2. I'm just stepping into V8s, had a Maxima before, so how much different is the gas usage?... how much more am I looking to spend on gas for normal driving of 10-30 miles a day?3. How serious is oil consumption problem? Would love to get some feedback from people who had that problem? 4. Did anybody try to lower theirs? Not too much just an inch or 2.5. How's the Navigation on it?6. After the initial depreciation the car saw with the newer 05-06 M production, would it be safe to say that the car's prices are somewhat stable now?

I know its alot of questions, but I just thought I'd put them in one thread instead of starting new threads for each one of them.I loved the design of the M45 the very 1st day I saw it. It doesn't look like anything else on the road. It has a somewhat futuristic, obstract and understated look, I love it... exactly my style and what I look for in cars.

Thanks everybody!

[CakeDaddy]

Hey guys!Just signed up after reading the forum for about 3 hours.I'm looking into purchasing an 03 or 04 M45.Now couple of questions, and if any one of them has been covered before a simple link to the thread would be much appreciated.

1. Is there a big difference between the 03-04 models? Usually car manufacturers have little bugs and issues with the 1st year of the production of any new model. But later on they get fixed and worked out. So is this the case with the M45 also? Should I look for 04 models instead of 03?2. I'm just stepping into V8s, had a Maxima before, so how much different is the gas usage?... how much more am I looking to spend on gas for normal driving of 10-30 miles a day?3. How serious is oil consumption problem? Would love to get some feedback from people who had that problem? 4. Did anybody try to lower theirs? Not too much just an inch or 2.5. How's the Navigation on it?6. After the initial depreciation the car saw with the newer 05-06 M production, would it be safe to say that the car's prices are somewhat stable now?

I know its alot of questions, but I just thought I'd put them in one thread instead of starting new threads for each one of them.I loved the design of the M45 the very 1st day I saw it. It doesn't look like anything else on the road. It has a somewhat futuristic, obstract and understated look, I love it... exactly my style and what I look for in cars.

Thanks everybody!

question #2: I average around 18mpg around town. In the beginning I drove it like I stole it, but that soon wore off after the first two tanks of gas. Now I just creep around like an old man.

question#4: I lowered my '03 with Eibach (1.0 inch) and it looks lovely. After lowering it I got it re-alligned and everything fell back in spec.

question #1 The only difference I saw in the 04 is that the analog clock has chrome around it instead of the brushed look, but I'm sure there are more cosmetic differences. It still has 340hp and 335lbs torque

[szh]

Hey guys!Just signed up after reading the forum for about 3 hours.

Welcome to NICO!

I'm looking into purchasing an 03 or 04 M45.

Good!

1. Is there a big difference between the 03-04 models? Usually car manufacturers have little bugs and issues with the 1st year of the production of any new model. But later on they get fixed and worked out. So is this the case with the M45 also? Should I look for 04 models instead of 03?

The differences between the 2003 and 2004 are probably very nominal at best. Infiniti knew that they would be releasing the 2006 M35/45 and I think they put their energy and resources into the new design rather than doing much with the 2004 model.

However, it is also very likely that they did some incremental changes during the production years - to fix things that cropped up after the initial model release - so late model 2003's or 2004's are likely to be more reliable (for example, the engine oil issue might be mitigated perhaps).

So, I would say that if you have the finances and the opportunity to get the 2004 over the 2003, consider doing it, but it is probably not the major thing I would look at!

2. I'm just stepping into V8s, had a Maxima before, so how much different is the gas usage?... how much more am I looking to spend on gas for normal driving of 10-30 miles a day?

On my 2003 M45, with about 60 to 65% highway driving, I average 16.5 to 18 mpg, depending on the time of year. When my wife has the car, with her effective 0% highway driving, she gets between 15 to 17 mpg. In the 2006 M35, the differences would between 1 to 2 mpg better - but not a lot more, I would suspect - OTOH, this is not a fair comparison to the Maxima, since that is a lower power V-6, I believe.

So, in your Maxima, the mpg might be a bit higher than that, I would guess. What do you see as a normal average on it?

3. How serious is oil consumption problem? Would love to get some feedback from people who had that problem?

This one is easy to search for, so I will not post much here. Just look for the key words "oil" and restrict it to this forum!

6. After the initial depreciation the car saw with the newer 05-06 M production, would it be safe to say that the car's prices are somewhat stable now?

I would also think so ...

I loved the design of the M45 the very 1st day I saw it. It doesn't look like anything else on the road. It has a somewhat futuristic, obstract and understated look, I love it... exactly my style and what I look for in cars.

I love the unique look of the 2003/4 M45 too. It is instantly recognizable on the road and cannot be mistaken for other cars. Was one of my reasons for buying it (and similarly for the original Q45 purchase I made back in 1991).

Z

[Hovik]

Thanks for all the information guys.You are being extremely helpful.I was parked next to a grey M45 today in a parking lot and had about 15 mints to kill, so I went and examined every inch of the car, and love it even more now. For some reason some of them look too high off the ground, but others, like the one I saw today looked just right. The driver was an old lady, so I doubt she had bothered herself with lowering the car.I follow up on the sales on ebay and cars.com and 90% of the cars are 2003. Why is that? Did they make very few of them in 2004? Or just the owners dont want to sell them...

[CakeDaddy]

Oh yeah.I find myself gazing at other 03-04 M's as well. The car was only produced for 17 months (1yr & 5 months) So, in 2003 they were produces for the full year and in 2004 only 5 months worth were made. This is what I learned from my dealer. It was due to lack of sales that, so they started working on the 06. It is kinda funny now, because now people are seeking them out.

245/35-20 x8.5 front 34mm - 265/30-20 x 9.5 rear 40mm with BFGoodies KDW2Lowered with Eibachs.

[Hovik]

Beautiful ride!!!!!

How much did the lowering cost?

[CakeDaddy]

Beautiful ride!!!!!

How much did the lowering cost?

525 I believe, but here is my write up from another forum and thanks for the props.

I had my local dealer install them for me yesterday and the service guys were all impressed with the looks of the car. With only 15 other 03-04 M45s in New Mexico, mine was the first to get aftermarket springs; well, at least that's the case for me here in Albuquerque. The install was approx. $525 and took 6hrs. The install include the alignment which I'm happy to report that everything is back in spec. after the 1.0 drop. There was no cutting of the bump stops or any ball joint replacements. I have pictures, but I'm searching for a place to host them for free.

As I pulled up to the dealer to pick up my car I was impressed with the new stance. My car has black skin with black guts so, the car looked even lower than it would if it were white or silver. That black lower molding seems to give the car an elavated look, but that's my opinion. Any how, as I pulled off from the dealer I noticed that the car sat a little lower, but it drove the same as it did before. With this cars weight being 3800 + lbs I was concerned about it bouncing, but that isn't the case at all. Eibach did a good job on these springs. The service tech said that it drives a little stiffer than before, but I can't tell any difference, but if it drives stiffer; that's all the better for me Over time the springs will settle just a bit, but I'll report any changes if any.

If I can answer any questions............. Just holla at me.

Eibachs only with old tint:

Always a fun shot

rear shot of wheel and fender clearance

front shot

[Hovik]

I'm deffenetly dropping mine too.Again.. your car looks absolutely great!Now if I can find a black/black by next month... hmm.

[mrmark]

If you can wait.....and want an M that's already modified.....and have $60k saved up.... I will be selling mine in a month or so.

[Hovik]

If you can wait.....and want an M that's already modified.....and have $60k saved up.... I will be selling mine in a month or so.

Thats way too much.. I'm planning on putting some down and financing the rest.. my prices will be 20-25... I won't spend any more than that.And what did you do to yours that you want that much?

[mrmark]

....we have a couple mods on the car. Well worth the money...

[AZhitman]

Cake, I LOOOOOVE your M45.

Damn, that's a sexy beast.

[mcarlvr]

Your ride is "Bad" nice mods. Where can I fine that rear spoiler?

ThanksMcarlvr

[richao]

Ya nice spoiler!

I bought an aftermarket 100K miles warranty but the guys said Lowering and muffler void the warranty is this true?

[richao]

This one is easy to search for, so I will not post much here. Just look for the key words "oil" and restrict it to this forum!

Z

How do I restric just to this forum?

I am using the Google search is this the correct way to search?

[szh]

How do I restric just to this forum?

I am using the Google search is this the correct way to search?

You have two options:

1. One is the Google search on the upper right. This has pros and cons. Faster, but it gives you a lot of stuff to look through and does not allow you to narrow the search as easily.

2. Second is, if you look at the top of the page, you will see a slow-blinking red "Search" button. This takes you to the built-in forum software search function. Also has pros and cons, a bit slow and clumsy and not as easy to use as Google (plus the "search in recent vs. archived messages" means that you have to do two search). But, one of the options allows you pick which forum to search in! And the returned results are easier to use, since they are tied to the forum software a bit more specifically.

Z

[CakeDaddy]

Ya nice spoiler!

I bought an aftermarket 100K miles warranty but the guys said Lowering and muffler void the warranty is this true?

I guess different deals/service depts have different rules. Like I mention earlier; my dealer installed my springs and re-alligned my car back oem specs.

[jEzTeR]

The 03/04 M45 is a great car! I love mine more and more each day!

[maxnix]

I am using the Google search is this the correct way to search?

I find the board search to be better targeted. There is a tutorial in a sticky in one of hte Forums, Infiniti General, I think.

[lvm45]

hi there mrmark, where can i get a lip spoiler like that and how much would it cost. I have a 04 m45 black/black Thanks