I think I want an M35 and have a few questions

[chairmankaga]

I've been looking for a car for a couple of years now to replace my hated CRV. I come from a gearhead perspective, but now I'm older (41), spend about 2 hours a day in dense urban traffic, have 2 small kids, and don't want to spend much money. I also have a project car to satisfy my wrenching obsession.

I've really been looking at a few cars: Volvo V70 3.2 (the R is awesome but the Ohlens suspension would give me panic attacks), Lexus GS350, and the M35. The Infiniti is the best driving of the pack. I don't mind the "rawness" compared to the GS or the V70. I WANT to be reminded I'm driving a car. I really hate that sensory deprivation chamber thing the others strive for.

My main criteria are: a comfortable place to be for an hour stretch twice a day, solid reliability, Q-ship performance (meaning I don't want a boyracer car - I've had a WRX and am done with that phase of my life - , but something that has some guts without flaunting that fact), in good if not excellent condition, less than 100k miles, and can be had for less than $15k. Beyond that, I just want something that has sort of understated cool. For whatever reason, The Infiniti has it.

So the question is, which year? As far as I can tell, the main different between the '07 and 'o8 is the electronics. Honestly, I'd just use my iPhone for navigation and music, so the HDD based system doesn't seem to be worth the $1500 KBB differential. Mild cosmetics that I can't even really see... ehh. The big difference is, of course, the '09, with more power and a schnazzier transmission. My worry is that the 8-speed unit is more complex and therefore more expensive than the more common 5-speed. But 28 more hp? Is that worth $3,000? Considering my daily commute, I have a hard time justifying it. But maybe, just for the fact that it's newer?

I have a meeting with a guy who's selling a base (although it has the package that includes cooled seats, which is no joke here in Texas) '07 with 85k miles for about $11,500. I've driven an '08 and an '09 over the past few days, so I should be able to gather enough butt-dyno impressions to decide. I just wonder what you guys think. Should I stretch for a newer car, or is the '07 close enough to ideal that if this guy agrees to a price, I should bite? And assuming the PPI works out - I have a friend who works at the local Infiniti dealer and can help me arrange an authorized mechanic to look it over.

Also, the ONLY consistent problem I could find had to do with broken seats. Any method for testing that, or a DIY repair should it happen?

Also, the M45. I think all things considered, the V6 car with the FAR more common engine is the safest choice. Right? The 45 is also far more rare and expensive.

[Ilya]

Welcome to the forum.

Side question...why would Ohlins give you panic attacks? I'm a sport bike rider and in most cases, suspension wise, it does NOT get better than Ohlins. They are the bar for rear shocks or front forks/stabilizers in the bike world.

06-07 had a slightly older body style and the 08-10 had a slight upgrade of the rear tail lights, front bumper/grille, etc. Interior lights also changed on the 2008+ (no more orange but blue/white). I personally think the 08+ is nicer, just like I think the new Q70 (I have a 2011) is nicer.

06-07's are 5AT, 08+ are 7AT, not 8AT.

All M's have cooled seats, standard even for the absolute cheapest options. EDIT: Not accurate, I don't know what I'm talking about

I came from an 07 and it's a fine car. Honestly, if you're not power hungry because you have another car to get your fix (like I have my 636cc sport bike), you'll do fine in a well maintained 06 or 07 V6. And if you did want to wrench on it a little...UpRev tuning + plenum/throttle body spacer + intake/exhaust and that thing will purr nicely.

For the seat, there was a HowTo somewhere on here on someone who welded the bracket (I believe).

V6 is WAAYYY more common and doesn't have the oil consumption issues that plagued the V8. Again, if you're not after power, stick to the V6.

[EdBwoy]

Not much to add to the sentiments above, except that not all Ms have cooled seats. There is a base model with none of that, and no BOSE sound either. The basic seats are easy to identify due to the missing knobs.
I'm a V8 guy, and I'll say that a well-maintained M45 will do you good too.

[Ilya]

Really? Damn...learned something new. I thought that was a standard feature because I've never seen an M without it...even ones that didn't have speakers in the seats, Bose, etc.

I stand corrected.

[Larz]

My 07 M35 had close to 100k miles and was absolutely trouble-free. I would probably still own it today if it wasn't struck down in it's prime by a drunk girl. I now have an 09. The only thing I would add is that the 07 has amber illumination in the dash and the 09 has a lovely blue-white illumination which is brilliantly better. Also the 09 has the HR engine (dual intakes) and a 7 sp gear box which makes a huge difference on long road trips (same mpg in city driving. I firmly believe that if you keep up the maintenance and don't drive it as a race car, that 07 engine will last forever.
I have pics of both cars in my signature below.

[Ilya]

My 07 M35 had close to 100k miles and was absolutely trouble-free. I would probably still own it today if it wasn't struck down in it's prime by a drunk girl. I now have an 09. The only thing I would add is that the 07 has amber illumination in the dash and the 09 has a lovely blue-white illumination which is brilliantly better. Also the 09 has the HR engine (dual intakes) and a 7 sp gear box which makes a huge difference on long road trips (same mpg in city driving. I firmly believe that if you keep up the maintenance and don't drive it as a race car, that 07 engine will last forever.
I have pics of both cars in my signature below.

No. Drive it as a race care. I did, and mine had zero issues when I traded it in at 142kmi (but I'm anal about maintenance).

[16volt]

Here's a question - why not a M45?

You can find decent examples for 10-12K. My biggest gripe so far is that this car really needs another gear, mileage would be much improved.

[Ilya]

Here's a question - why not a M45?

You can find decent examples for 10-12K. My biggest gripe so far is that this car really needs another gear, mileage would be much improved.

I'd stay away from an M45 personally. Way too many stories on here of people's oil issues leading to busted engines. Too many for my taste anyway. The V6 is rock solid. Also, OP has a project car to get his 'fix'. No need for a big V8 for what is going to amount to being a family sedan, not a DD like mine where I'm alone in it 90% of the time.

[Larz]

If an extra gear is what you're looking for, stay with the M35 but get a newer model. My 09 has the 7 sp gear box and it is brilliantly better than the 07. It's the dual intake HR engine and on long treks to the north I average nearly 26 mpg whilst driving 70-75 mph at just over 2500 rpm. I get from my house up to Maryland with one full tank LESS than in my 07. In regular city driving (driving as I do, LOL) I still get about 16 mpg.
The M45 will give you more hp but you will likely be adding quarts of oil between changes. Not worth it in my opinion. I have never needed to add oil n my 07 or my 09. I check the stick the day I take it in for changes and the level is always perfect.

[adr4]

I have still have my 06 M35 Sport and I absolutely love it. 120k/11 years and running great. This car was well ahead of its time! Adaptive Cruise, Lane Departure, Bluetooth, Voice Recognition, Back up cam, Bose with Speakers in seat, heated & cooled seats, navigation, sat radio, etc.... I get asked all the time, why don't you upgrade? I say, this car pretty much has everything new cars have and its paid off! Still looks great and easy to maintain, and I have had very few problems with the car. I upgraded the headlights and fog lights to HID, tinted the windows, changed out all interior and exterior lights with LED... most people don't believe me when I say the car is 2006. I would recommend going with any M35 between 06 - 10 and you will be fine. The minor differences between the years can get distracting... just focus on the overall condition, mileage, and ownership history. Good luck!

[Ilya]

I have still have my 06 M35 Sport and I absolutely love it. 120k/11 years and running great. This car was well ahead of its time! Adaptive Cruise, Lane Departure, Bluetooth, Voice Recognition, Back up cam, Bose with Speakers in seat, heated & cooled seats, navigation, sat radio, etc.... I get asked all the time, why don't you upgrade? I say, this car pretty much has everything new cars have and its paid off! Still looks great and easy to maintain, and I have had very few problems with the car. I upgraded the headlights and fog lights to HID, tinted the windows, changed out all interior and exterior lights with LED... most people don't believe me when I say the car is 2006. I would recommend going with any M35 between 06 - 10 and you will be fine. The minor differences between the years can get distracting... just focus on the overall condition, mileage, and ownership history. Good luck!

Yep, I loved my 07 too. I only traded in for my M56x because I got offered (surprisingly) a high number for the trade...if they low balled me I'd still be driving my 07 and it would probably have like 175kmi by now (traded it in November 2014 with 142kmi).

[TN_INFINITI]

Ha.

I literally just went through the same dilema. I took ownership of my 08 M35 a couple days ago. 107,000 miles. I budgeted $15K and my price + tax + delivery + mechanic maintenance work (tires, brakes, alignment, fluids, filters, etc.) ended up being well below my budget.

Its a nice, comfortable car, and the thousands of dollars I saved by buying an 08 vs 10 will buy lots of gas to offset any marginal (10% - 15%) difference the '10 might offer.

[chairmankaga]

Thanks for the input guys. I think this local '07 is a winner. I'm having Auto PI give it a full PPI this morning but I could only find about 4 things I'd need to correct. Worn hood struts, a bit of swapped paint in the bumper, a split rear door seal, and a loose, rattling exhaust tip. Mechanically it seems perfect. He's moving out of the country this weekend and has to sell the thing asap, and is willing to take just over blue book trade-in value, since his final option is to wholesale it. I really have no idea why these cars languish in Autotrader for so long. Maybe everyone wants the G instead?
Anyway, just to answer the Ohlens question from the V70R, that car has an extremely complex and EXPENSIVE adaptive setup that's problem prone. I just can't. The M does everything is want a daily driver to do, and for the price is be paying I just can't find any reason not to get it.

[chairmankaga]

The PPI checked out. It needs new front tires and an alignment, hood struts, and a tack weld on the exhaust tip. All accessories work. No mechanical issues. Fresh brakes, recent dealer work including a new PVC valve, oil change, and general inspection.

The seller was moving out of the country for work and had to liquidate. I waited him out until literally the last hour and offered $9,500, which he accepted without much haggling. Like I said, he HAD to either sell it to me for $9,500 or wholesale it for at most $9,000. Only 88k miles. It has been in a fender bender (he showed me pics of the accident that were used for the insurance claim), but the PPI inspector confirmed the repairs were done right and using OEM Nissan/Infiniti parts, which included a new radiator, condenser and headlights. Zero structural damage. Compression was still factory specs. No flushed trouble codes. Everything A-OK.
(and while they're sort of expensive, I do recommend Auto PI for pre-purchase inspections - they are freakin' thorough)

So now I need to finish registration, get the tires, and detail the hell out of it. Gonna go to town with the 3M polish and glaze left over from my Alfa's recent paint work. Some live oak sap to cut through...

But yeah. Proud owner of an Infiniti M35. My second Nissan ever - former owner of an impossible to kill '91 Pathfinder. Never should have sold that truck. She was a beast.

I'll get a few pix up later.

[Ilya]

Welcome to the club. $9,500 for an 88kmi M35 is a good deal. I traded my 07 in to the dealer for $8k....with 142kmi.

[Larz]

Congratulations and welcome aboard! Seems you did your due diligence and got a peach of a car at a right fair price.

[GeneralTsou]

I am a Sales Manager at a Nissan dealer in MD and I just picked up a clean Moonlight White 2009 M35X with Technology package for $11500. 92K miles. We took it as a trade and the previous owner owns a auto repair shop and is a good friend of one of my Sales Consultants. Just dropped $600 on new tires (Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06). Not sure if its a GREAT deal for this vehicle but I really like the way it drives. Traded in my Wife's 2008 Camry XLE V6 for it and the drive is night and day.

[BlackCat81]

You really want the 7 speed. The 5 speed isn't enough for the gear ratio the car has. Doing 80mph on the highway puts you over 3,000rpm. I just sold my 06, which had 215k on it. They go forever if you take care of them, and the body style still doesn't look dated in my opinion.

[chairmankaga]

Well, I really don't do a whole lot of distance in the car. Our family hauler is a new Highlander, which is more suited for taking the brood across the country in every respect. But for what it is and what I paid for it, I have zero complaints. More HP and more ratios would be nice, but I'm not sitting here pining away for the newer car.

[sonors]

I know this is an old thread but I need some reinforcement. I too am considering a 2007 M35x with 92K miles. I got rid of my cadillac STS a year and a half ago due to excessive(a quart every 500-800 miles) oil consumption. From what I've read in this thread, I should have no worries about that problem with the 2007 M35. Is that correct? I have read in other places that the V6 in many Nissan/Infiniti's has a major oil consumption issue. My wife has a 2003 G35 with over 125K miles and I love it. I went from a 300 HP v8 to my 2012 Altima. I miss the get up and go of the previous vehicle. Will the 2007 M35 compare well with a 2003 G35 as far as power and acceleration? I haven't had a chance to test drive the M35 yet since it is over an hour from where I live. If the OP sees this, how do you like your M35 now that you've had it a while?

[WillV]

I've had my M35 for a few years, and I still love it. It's at 150kmi right now, and I literally just yesterday picked it up from the shop for her first repair. (And it was nothing unexpected--what I mean is stuff like my entire front suspension got replaced, and one of my gaskets seals had dried up from time and heat. Still mechanically sound. And just this morning, I was driving and had to step on it, and the car responded very well still! It can definitely get up and go, though I must admit I've never compared it to an older G.

[fugatem]

Surprised so many people scared of the V8. It sounds and drives so much better imho. Not a hint of oil consumption in the 8 years I've had mine.