G35 to M45

[oceangrown]

I have a G35 right now and looking to switch to an M45.

Are there any major differences between the 06, 07, or 08 M45's? I've been test driving them lately and I don't really see any major differences except that the sport version has that crazy metallic dash trim, but lacks the DVD player in the center console.

Are the M45's iPhone/iPod ready?

If you wanted to install an after market screen in there, is there an in-dash kit out there available for the M45's? I briefly tried searching online, but found nothing.

Do most of you guys expect this car to be able to go 200K+ miles..?

Thanks for the feedback gents.

[EniGmA1987]

DVD in center console is a package, the Advanced Tech I think.

08 went to hard drive based navigation, meaning map upgrades are more time consuming and expensive.
08 also has a more adjustable passenger seat.
08 has different bumper and tail lights from the 06 and 07 models


Power wise, you should have exactly the same engine. However the M is much heavier and thus a bit slower. The M if geared more for luxury and comfort than performance. I prefer the M to the G myself. Many engine mods for the G also work on the M since they have the same engine, so if you want to do upgrades it is still possible.


EDIT: The 2008's *might* have gone over to the VQ35HR engine as well, so it would be a bit more powerful. Im not positive though

[oceangrown]

Thanks for the reply, this forum is pretty unconventional compared to forums I'm use to posting on.

There's a lot of different communities within this single forum. Does the M45 forum not have its own thread sections for example "General Discussion, Engine, Audio, Tech Questions, etc.."

Seems like every thread is grouped under this "Infiniti M35, M37, M45, and M56 forums" and all subjects are scattered in this single section..

Anyways, no body knows if the M45 offers any in dash kits in case you want to install an after market screen in the dash like the Pioneer AvEC-920 or something?

[EniGmA1987]

I dont believe there are any. You can always get custom work done though. An M is supposed to look more refined anyway, so custom work should always be done on those sorts of things to make it look properly integrated.

The screen space is 7" I think, so that 6.1" screen unit should fit fine. You just have to do a bit of custom fitting work like I had said.

[a.blanco0905]

This forum is a little unconventional because there's like a Gazillion G35s, Civics, Prelude, etc. vs. fewer Ms... plus, less mods available.

[jhuerto23]

This forum is a little unconventional because there's like a Gazillion G35s, Civics, Prelude, etc. vs. fewer Ms... plus, less mods available.

I hate how we are limited on aftermarket parts. How come Nissan has a s*** load?

[InfinitiEric]

I have a G35 right now and looking to switch to an M45.

Are there any major differences between the 06, 07, or 08 M45's? I've been test driving them lately and I don't really see any major differences except that the sport version has that crazy metallic dash trim, but lacks the DVD player in the center console.

Are the M45's iPhone/iPod ready?

If you wanted to install an after market screen in there, is there an in-dash kit out there available for the M45's? I briefly tried searching online, but found nothing.

Do most of you guys expect this car to be able to go 200K+ miles..?

Thanks for the feedback gents.

Welcome!

Here's a little background on the Infiniti M35/M45: The first generation was produced between 2003-2004, and featured a very distinct, and now-considered classical, design and was advertised as the luxurious muscle car that brought Infiniti into their new marketable demographic of luxury-sport car enthusiasts that was previously monopolized by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. During this generation, the only model available was the M45 and featured a powerful 4.5L 340hp/333tq engine with a 5-speed manumatic transmission that reached 0-60 in a tad above six seconds - a true marvel for a vehicle of such large curb weight. If memory serves me correctly, only around 9,000 of these vehicles were produced and sold statewide and have since become obscure and nearly extinct to find, causing those who currently own the vehicle to tend to precaution and increased affection toward their precious M45s. A little-known video showcasing this generation's M45s talents in a video-like production can be found on YouTube, or by clicking here, and truly is worth the watch.

Now you know about the roots of the M, here's some information on the newer generation that your interested in look at as your future vehicle! The second generation of the M-series, production years between 2006-2010, continued the run of the 2003-2004 M45 model, though sporting a much more contemporary and bulbous exterior, and introduced the more economical and gas-saving M35 model. The M45's powerhouse of a V8 produces 340hp (later rerated to 325hp)/340tq, while the M35's 3.5L V8 produces a lower 280hp/270tq. While the engined remained the same, the M-series experienced a major mid-run vehicle refresh which occurred in the 2008 model year. Therefore, you will see several differences between the 2006-2007 Infiniti M45 and the 2008-2010 Infiniti M45, such as, but not limited to, a newly-introduced and far more intriguing sport front and rear bumper fascias (included in the Sport package), redesigned and smaller rear taillight assembly, inclusion of a Compact Flash (CF) music drive with 8GB of music memory storage in the vehicle dashboard, inclusion of an iPod adaptor for music playing ability, introduction of the Infiniti HDD-Navigation system (rather than the previous CD disk drive navigation), minor design in the driver and center dashboard buttons and controls, changed interior vehicle colors from the previous orange-glow to a fancier white and blue glow behind the console buttons and the speedometer, a special new emblem on the rear of the vehicle that indicated the sport package with an 'S' following the model number (i.e. M45'S'), and the ability for customers to bundle the Sports package with the AWD package on the M45 model - all items found on the M45 vehicles produced DURING and AFTER the 2008 model year.

Moreover, the 2009 model year introduced a new engine for the M35 model - an empowered V6 producing 303hp/262tq with a newly redesigned 7-speed manumatic transmission and featured a new, dual-intake system within the engine compartment, which is what Enigma was referring to above in his post.

As for the model breakdowns, the 2006-2010 M45s are separated into two categories: Base/Luxury and Sport. During all the production years, 2006-2010, the Base and Sport models were different from each other in several ways, and the Sport model was invoiced at a far higher price, unless the customer added several technology or luxury packages to their Base vehicle. For example, the Sport models would include an exclusive aluminum dashboard kit, premium red-colored stitching around the steering wheel and leather seats, aluminum driver pedals, Rear Active Steering (RAS), 19" wheels wrapped in Bridgestone tires, Xenon headlights which were tinted dark inside compared to the Base models, and, if chosen, specially produced sport bumpers and side stills for the exterior of the vehicle.

Although I mentioned it earlier above, the Infiniti M45 is only iPhone/iPod ready (for music-playing capacity) in the 2008+ models and include a special cable to connect your iPod/iPhone inside of the glovebox compartment. The 2006-2007 model years do not include this cable, but several aftermarket components are available for purchase, but - be warned - many require you to replace the XM/Sirius satellite radio in order to achieve the ability to connect your iPhone/iPod in the 2006-2007 models.

In-dash kits are not readily available for the Infiniti M45, as is usual with most aftermarket performance or visual accessories for our models, and would have to be custom made. You'll get used to being told that things aren't available for your car if you end up purchasing the M45. We're a very forgotten group of car enthusiasts.

I have yet to hear of an Infiniti M35 or M45 that has surpassed 200,000+ miles, but I'm positive that several are out there and in perfectly running condition. There was, however, a member that reported his Infiniti M45 reaching 150,000 miles without trouble and posted his prior maintenance history which mainly listed the typical required maintenance items (oil intervals, brake replacements, etc.). So, I'm sure that you'd have to problem with reaching that 'mile'stone if you can find an M45 that was treated properly and maintained both well and regularly.

Also, as you said that you'd be coming from an Infiniti G35, here's a quick video of a run between a G35 and an M45:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXa6gfkLZbI[/youtube]

Pretty good run for a vehicle that's roughly 416 pounds heavier and only shoving 19 more horses into the engine!

Let us know how the search turns out and welcome again.

This forum is a little unconventional because there's like a Gazillion G35s, Civics, Prelude, etc. vs. fewer Ms... plus, less mods available.

I hate how we are limited on aftermarket parts. How come Nissan has a s*** load?

Cheaper cars.. more sold.. bigger market for aftermarket parts.

I guess it's the downfall of having an expensive luxury car? We don't get to beef them up

[oceangrown]

Thank you Eric for that wealth of information. It helped a lot.

I have some 19 inch Volk TE37's on my G35 that are 10.5 inches wide in the back and 9.5 inches wide in the front. I would rather throw them on the M45 instead of selling them. Anybody know if those size rims would look strange/funny/not right/undersized on the M45.

[a.blanco0905]

I love those wheels and I'm sure they'd look beautiful on an M, however, a drop might be needed.

[oceangrown]

You don't think 19 inch rims are a bit small for that car? I'm sure 20's are perfect?

[a.blanco0905]

I mean I got 20's on my car, some people rock 24's but I would never put anything bigger than 20's on my M. Different ppl, different likes, different perspectives on what a car should look like. If I had those volks u own, I'd rock them, Those wheels are gorgeous and all you'd need is a drop and they'd look very good especially if the offsets are aggresive (which I think they are) for an M... but that's my taste. I dont know if you're into 22's, 24's and the likes but I doubt it since you own real wheels.

[mexillis]

I have a friend who did just as you are about to. He also had a g35 and now is in love with his M. Stock g and a stock M45 he said was a big difference in power and is true on the track with the M running a 13.8 and G's running low 14's. There aren't any dash kits for any model made from 06 til now and it would have to be custom made. If you get the car that has an aux jacks in the back you can plug in your ipod with that or you can buy a kit that allows you to keep your steering wheel functions. The 19"s you have will look tiny on the M unless you have bags and slam it. I have some 19"s and it looked too small IMO compared to 20"s with a lip. Now if they were rims w/out lips 19"s look ok and no drop. If you're into red I would find one and get it since they are somewhat a "rare" color and with the stone interior look amazing. There aren't too many mods for the M45 compared to the 35's but by the time you get all of them you'll just be at the power of a stock V8 version M. Also the MPG difference is like one gallon and could be easily matched withan exhuast. What color/model are you looking for?

[oceangrown]

I'm going to assume that since you guys are all M45 guys, the M35 is just simply too weak and not even an option. I'm not even an M45 guy yet, but I would never even consider the M35 because of its lack of power.

I really want a white one, maybe a charcoal dark grey, or even black if I have to.

I want a 2008 after reading InfinitiEric's post about the major differences between the 2006-2007 models and the 2008-2010 models, however the price differences are pretty significant.

On the other hand I've found a 2006 White M45 with 59K miles for $21,000 and many like it thats in the low 20,000 dollar range. Now if even talking about 2008's, that price range gets shifted up to the high 20,000 dollar range.

I was able to find this white 2008 M45 with only 51K miles for $25,000. I found it at one of those no-name used car lots. I'm really wondering if anythings wrong with it because the battery was dead for some reason and the guy claimed it was because someone left the headlights on.

Anyway, I've barely got my feet wet with this process as I've only started to try and sell my G35. Do you guys know of any other advertising tools besides autotrader. I was going to try craigslist, but it's just a mess on there.

[a.blanco0905]

Yes both Mex and I are M45 guys... where do you live? 21k for a 2006 M45 is kinda high... I just seen one on ebay go for about $10,000 it did have 98k miles tho, I even contemplated buying, cuz it had the white interior, lol. Try not to buy from backyard dealers. Craiglist is GREAT imo to sell cars, I always use it. I've never used autotrader. You can also post on the classified section of G35 cars for sale. GL.

[oceangrown]

Thanks for the heads up on $21,000 being too much for a 2006, but the only source I've been using is Autotrader.com.

What are some other good sources besides ebay?

Seems like nobody wants to sell these cars.. which is a good thing..

[a.blanco0905]

Holy crap man, I just did a quick search for you and that's about right... sorry about the false info, it's just that I had been looking for M35s lately and I didnt know the price difference from an M45 to an M35 was so huge. ...I just even checked that ebay listing and it was an M35 as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Infiniti ... sQ5fTrucks

I did find some below $20k but significantly higher miles so I'm guessing your find at $21k and under 60k miles is pretty good.

[mexillis]

Pearl white M's look amazing, the first one I looked at was a white one with stone interior and I wish I would have bought it but moved to the east coast and figured they'd have em over here too. 21k for that car seems good and any M with low miles will probly be in that range or higher. Just a heads up just because a car has sport headlights doesn't mean it's a sport so just make sure it has everything else. What is in the 08 that makes you want it more? What area are you in bcuz an M45x would be nice if you have snow. The rwd M's are horrible in the snow just fyi.

[oceangrown]

I'm in the sunshine state southern style, so I'm okay in that department.

As InfinitiEric mentioned different aspects of the 2008's compared to 2006-2007, it's really all the little things that make me want it. Everything from the 2008's smaller and sleeker looking tail light assembly to its new white and blue glow console buttons and speedometer (because god knows i'm sick of that orange). Also the iPod/iPhone adapters already built in as well.

Does anyone know if it's only the 2008's that have the DVD player in the center console...and also the two Bose tweeter speakers that are right behind your shoulders on the actually seat of the car? I'm really curious about this, if the 2006's comes with these I might just settle for that.

And because a 2008 is newer. Most of the reason why I've grown out of my G35 is because she's growing old, there are a million G35's on the road, I'm ready to finally own an automatic now, and just a lot of other reasons that have to do with maturing. I've also considered the GS430 as well, but my loyalty to Infiniti is pretty strong.

[a.blanco0905]

The tail lights arent that smaller, you could get an Ipod adapter like most of the 06/07 owners, My car (2006) has the DVD in the center console but to me it's useless, it also has the Bose speakers on the seat but they're not tweeters, they're surround. About the orange interior, yeah it looks dated.

The only things I like about 08+ M's over 06/07s is the white lightning of the instrument panels & the front bumper, but I changed my 06's bumper to an 08+ bumper.

[InfinitiEric]

Hey, no problem on the info! Here's a few pictures of a 2006 M45 with 19" Volk TE37s and, honest to god, I'm drooling over it right now. I think these Volks in 19" are the perfect size for this car. I can't wait to see pictures of your M45 with them on!









Also, the DVD player and combined Bose seat speakers in the front driver and passenger seats were available during the 2006-2007 model years too. Those features were actually included in the Technology Package [upgrade from the basic Journey package] in the 2006-2007 models, which also included six addition speakers inside the vehicle cabin, intelligent cruise control that automatically brakes your vehicle for you when approaching oncoming vehicles, an honestly obnoxious beeping system that warns you that your merging out of your lane (it can be disabled ), and the Sirius or XM system.

FYI - after the 2008 model refresh, several of the available packages were renamed, and the Technology Package that appeared during the 2006-2007 model years was renamed to the 'Advanced' Technology Package, but basically included all of the same things I listed above. The 2008+ models, however, included a brand new feature in the Advanced Technology Package which enhanced the beeping alert system when you drift out of your lane. Rather than just repeatedly beeping, the 2008+ models actually takes action and apply braking force to the side of the vehicle that is drifting out, thus bringing you back into your lane. Pretty cool stuff.

[a.blanco0905]

^Good find Eric, I knew they were going to look sick with a drop... this dude's on coilovers tho. Damn that bumper's ugly tho... I could never stand it.

[InfinitiEric]

So true about the bumper. I still need to get around to changing mine out to the 2008 bumper. Just waiting for someone to hit my car so I can do it under insurance……

[a.blanco0905]

Lmao, what a coincidence... I wasnt "waiting" to get hit or nothing but I had bought the bumper, the grille & the foglights trim and it was just laying around for like 4 months and I even contemplated selling it all but then one day my wife was hit in my car at a Walmart's parking lot, so I pocketed the money, I was supposed to buy a new hood too but I just had mine bondo'd, lol. So basically that was a free mod.

[InfinitiEric]

Lmao, what a coincidence... I wasnt "waiting" to get hit or nothing but I had bought the bumper, the grille & the foglights trim and it was just laying around for like 4 months and I even contemplated selling it all but then one day my wife was hit in my car at a Walmart's parking lot, so I pocketed the money, I was supposed to buy a new hood too but I just had mine bondo'd, lol. So basically that was a free mod.

Nice

It's not like I'm waking up every day praying to get into an accident.. but it wouldn't be the worst day in the world if it did happen!

[a.blanco0905]

Lol... arent u rich? DO IT!!! Lmao... I remember before I was even a member on NICO saving YOUR thread about the bumper changeout on my favorites list, I would've never thought I was going to have that done before you. The only thing different about my bumper changeout is that I prefer the non-sport 08+ bumper over the sport...

[InfinitiEric]

Lol... arent u rich? DO IT!!! Lmao... I remember before I was even a member on NICO saving YOUR thread about the bumper changeout on my favorites list, I would've never thought I was going to have that done before you. The only thing different about my bumper changeout is that I prefer the non-sport 08+ bumper over the sport...

I'm not rich myself, I just have generous parents that don't mind giving me some of their money . But believe me I WANT TO!! I just have to convinece two other people to pay for it or get a job.. ahh no, I like the first method way better. LOL

[oceangrown]

Man those TE37's do look sexy...Thanks for all the info guys.

What offset is that? Is it 10.5 inches in the back and 9.5 in the front as well?

I have to be honest. Lowering my car bothers me. I mean I didn't even lower my G35 and I definitely didn't switch to an M45 to lower it either. Man, how boring do I sound. I wouldn't have had a problem with lowering it if this was a couple years ago, but I'm just a different kind of driver now; and nothing on the Honda kids, but I prefer not to go sideways up driveways or over speed bumps for that matter anymore.

Even if I did get springs, I'd want the EDFC system and I could think of a million other ways I'd rather spend that money.

What do you guys think. The Volks would look horrible on the M45 unless it was slammed huh?

[oceangrown]

Actually, now that I've taken a closer look. They look like they have the same offset all the way around.

[oceangrown]

Blanco, I love movies so I'm always watching em, that DVD player is especially useful for me when I'm sitting in traffic as well. I'm really surprised and sorry that you find no use for yours.

Given the differences with the 2008's that you've provided me with, I guess its up to me now to figure out if the white lighting in the instrument panels and the front bumper is enough to get me to purchase an 08 vs. an 06-07.

[a.blanco0905]

I just have to convinece two other people to pay for it or get a job.. ahh no, I like the first method way better. LOL

Oceangrown... how old are you? Are you sure you're maturing? Because when I thought I was maturing I was at my dumbest... 20-24??? ...and I was always saying "I'm so much mature now." Lol.. j/k... whatever rocks your boat man.

I dont think those volk would look bad at all... all I'm saying is that they'd look better on a lowered car and you dont have to get coilovers or air suspension to accomplish that. Lowering springs imo would suffice. Besides, did you know the non sport version of this car comes with 18" wheels?

You must really love movies...

I guess I went too far calling the DVD useless when in reality I do use it as my "quick CD" slot... and sometimes I listen to my music DVDs on it (concerts.) But I'm never sitting in my car at some parking lot watching a movie, let alone in traffic... I kinda grew out of that... I just check my facebook on my htc, lol.