Infiniti M reliability -- let's get better stats

[maxnix]

I will be tracking older cars. I'm already collecting data on a number of cars with over 100,000 miles.

I think one of your questions should reflect teh level of maintenance. Most people don't realize that there are no discounts on parts or labor just because the car is old. To the service department, the car still looks like its original price or even more due to inflation.

At some point after enough maintenance has been deferred, the owner looks at the standard indices of market value for the year and model of his car with mileage and condition, which generally are not an actual reflection of value for any one particular car but a general guide. At that point, the owner decides not to maintain further and to dispose of it or drive it into the ground. this is where long term studies are vulnerable, because that point may be 8 - 10 years or 100K - 150K miles for some, but not others.

[maxnix]

100,000 miles. Seems unlikely for a Japanese GTO. Be clear High performance cars should not be expected to be reliable after being thrown around for 100,000 miles.

Thats why there are not any matching numbers 'muscle cars" with over 60,000 miles.

One must maintain aggressively beyond OEM mimimum standards which are designed to merely get 98% of the cars beyond OEM warranty period.

In the Q45 forum, we don't regard our cars as well broken in until something over 100K miles. Not reaching 300K miiles is an indication of inadequate maintenance. But the VH series is more conservatively designed than the VK series.

I would encourage anyone within 300 milse of T-3 to take their Infiniti or that other brand Lesux for service if they want to keep it longterm with minimal degradation of performance over time.
Modified by maxnix at 9:27 AM 11/2/2007

[mkaresh]

It would be good to have full maintenance histories, especially on older cars, for the reasons you say. However, I do not ask for them for two reasons:

1. More work = fewer participants

2. It's be like when the dentist asks how often you've been flossing. People would either lie or avoid responding, neither of which would be good for the research.

One possible mitigating factor is that people who take the time to participate in reliability research probably care about reliability enough to properly maintain their cars.

What sort of maintenance beyond the OEM schedule do you suggest?

[maxnix]

It would be good to have full maintenance histories, especially on older cars, for the reasons you say. However, I do not ask for them for two reasons:

1. More work = fewer participants

What sort of maintenance beyond the OEM schedule do you suggest?

Surely it could be optional?

Mechanical ATF exchanges, install auxiliary ATF cooler, general preventative maintenance to replace wear parts and fluids before they fail of completely wear out.

The Q45tech school of long term automotive maintenance. Not a common view in our throw away society.

[mkaresh]

Down the road I might set up a second tier, where people willing to report more information will receive more information. But I can't even cover most models at this point. Far too few Qs signed up. They didn't sell many.

[mpgmusic]

Q45tech,What did you mean by:"After all one can purchase an inexpensive Nissan Warranty until 100k"?

I have an 06 M45. Is it possible to purchase a Nissan Extended Warranty for my Infiniti?

Thanks

[szh]

Q45tech,What did you mean by:"After all one can purchase an inexpensive Nissan Warranty until 100k"?

I have an 06 M45. Is it possible to purchase a Nissan Extended Warranty for my Infiniti?

Thanks

Well, I think he meant "Nissan Motor Corporation", since they make Infiniti's! You get it through the Infiniti dealership, but the contract is with Nissan.

Z

[mkaresh]

Updated results were recently posted for the 2006. It now appears to have a better than average repair rate.

I'd like to include additional model years in future updates--but need more participants. The 2007 is close to the minimum.

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

TrueDelta has released updated Car Reliability Survey results for the Infiniti M35 and M45. We now have a partial result for the 2007 as well as a full result for the 2006.

Both results are between 30 and 40 repair trips per 100 cars per year, which is better than average.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November, so additional participants would certainly be helpful.

TrueDelta now has a separate results page for each model that includes the scores of competitors for easy comparisons. The one for the Infiniti M35 / M45:

Infiniti M35 / M45 reliability comparisons

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the M to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 27, better than average

2006: 31, better than average

A big thanks to AZhitman, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Infiniti M35 / M45 reliability comparisons

[M4T5]

I would have a bad reliability rating for my 07' M45. It only has 23,000mi on it and it has been to the dealer 1-2 times a month since purchased in December. Not for maintenace, all multiple repairs. -Memory seat & steering wheel failing -Seat tracking replaced -A/C condensor & radiator replaced (both leaking from unknown causes. At least that is what the dealer told me.) -Both front interior door panel dye coloring peeling off -Auto up window failure-TMPS sensor failure-Engine blows blue smoke upon start-up (currently performing oil consumption tests)Currently A/C compressor makes a constant fluttering noise when it gets hot. Infiniti tech foreman says they will replace it if it gets louder or if I decide I do not want to deal with the noise. I would just have them replace it, but I'm tired of my car living at the dealership. I just received my car back this Tuesday after they had it for 3-weeks.The dealer also had to order me a new engine cover because they scratched it all up from previous replacement of radiator & condensor.I still have to bring it back for that............Hopefully the problems will stop now. At least I'm hoping! Then again, my car blows blue smoke and burns oil.....how reliable is that????????????!!!!!!

J

[mkaresh]

You experience does not seem to be typical, but unfortunately it's possible to have this sort of experience with any car.

177 M owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the M to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 63

2006: 48

Both are about average. The difference between the two results is probably due to the small sample size for the 2007s.

A big thanks to AZhitman, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Infiniti M35 / M45 reliability comparisons

[myother45isalesbaer]

I have a 2004 M45. I think, hope I just signed up. No issues except for a tach that stopped working and a TPMS sensor going.

Hope this helps.

[mkaresh]

Thanks for signing up, I appreciate it. Though the 2004 isn't in the main survey yet, you can still post these repairs to the site using the Repair History Survey.

Car Repair History Survey

[mkaresh]

The 2003 M45 is now well over halfway to the minimum. So perhaps we can get that year into the survey soon.

Additional participants remain needed for all model years.

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results again next month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results again later this month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the M to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 58

2006: 54

Both are about average.

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

In the case of the 2006, the percentage with no repairs is about 66, and the percentage of lemons is about 4. Not enough responses to provide these stats for other years yet.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thanks to AZhitman, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Infiniti M35 / M45 reliability comparisons

[xxxalpinexxx80]

Infiniti's and Acura and lexus are the way to go, I hear too many problems with mercedes mostly audi and a lil with bmw. Also with infiniti u get alot more bang for your buck compared to bmw

[mkaresh]

Based on responses to our survey, the Germans are doing much better since 2008 or so. Well, at least with the sedans. Some of their SUVs are still iffy.

Car Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

216 M owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

http://www.fitfreak.net/forums...30951

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the M to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 34, better than average, small sample size

2007: 72, about average, small sample size

2006: 44, better than average, large sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

In the case of the 2006, the percentage with no repairs is about 74, and the percentage of lemons is about 4.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thanks to AZhitman, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Infiniti M35 / M45 reliability comparisons

[The00Dustin]

Good to know I'm in the 4%... I keep thinking about joining, but you have a ton of 2006s already, and I keep thinking surely nothing else is going to break, so I don't want my "lemon" to skew the odds toward "nadas"...

[mkaresh]

We don't have too much of anything. For the nada-odds, we'd ideally have 200+ cars. Not nearly there yet.

[shadow1017]

Dennis:

I made another post, but I'd appreciate your insight about the maintenance items that you would suggest for the 2006 M35 with 50,000 miles that I just purchased. I followed your guidelines for my 1994 Q45 and that car now has well over 200,000 miles. Thanks. Bob.

[mkaresh]

222 M owners now signed up. A good start, but most of these are for a single year, the 2006. More participants remain needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

[tmf2004]

I don't have a M model but i went to your website and read your review on the 06 M35 sport.. Even though the HP numbers are obviously higher in the M45 I think you mentioned the M35 was comparable at only 280HP with the V6.. Meaning it had plenty of get up and go..

So with that said is it recommended to get the M35 Sport over the M45 sport?

I have a V8 now GS400 and really don't want to lose that V8 drive..

Thanks

Tony

[wizard8873]

I don't have a M model but i went to your website and read your review on the 06 M35 sport.. Even though the HP numbers are obviously higher in the M45 I think you mentioned the M35 was comparable at only 280HP with the V6.. Meaning it had plenty of get up and go..

So with that said is it recommended to get the M35 Sport over the M45 sport?

I have a V8 now GS400 and really don't want to lose that V8 drive..

Thanks

Tony

It's your choice at that point. People mention the V8's have fuel consumption issue but I know the VQ35DE also has this issue in some other cars, Altima and Maxima (last two gens at least). I drove both similarly equipped and like the M45 more. Came from an Altima 3.5SE and while the V6 is strong, it can't match the V8 for it's amount of torque. If you don't want to lose the V8, go with an M45 but the best thing to do is test both. Find an M35 and see if you like it and then see how the M45 compares.

[tmf2004]

It's your choice at that point. People mention the V8's have fuel consumption issue but I know the VQ35DE also has this issue in some other cars, Altima and Maxima (last two gens at least). I drove both similarly equipped and like the M45 more. Came from an Altima 3.5SE and while the V6 is strong, it can't match the V8 for it's amount of torque. If you don't want to lose the V8, go with an M45 but the best thing to do is test both. Find an M35 and see if you like it and then see how the M45 compares.

Thanks i appreciate the reply.. I will have to test drive both to get a more accurate comparison.. Seems like many members have 06 models in both the M35 and 45.. Is this the better year? I think CR rated the 06 and 09 as being the better years but i do realize that any year can have its issues like you said..

Thanks again