M35h, Q70h

[Npop]

Preface- first time forum user. Hope this will find the right spot.

I guess everyone here is as big a fan of Nissan as I am. I run them hard but take care of maintenance thoroughly, and never had any problems. That goes doubley for my hybrid Altima.

I've been car shopping for a while now and have researched the heck out of the M35h and q70h. I test drove a used M35h with 99k miles on it that was located near me to see if I liked it. WOW! Even with that many miles! My Altima hybrid has 150,000 on it now and still drives like when we bought it. I was always scared that I'd have to replace the battery pack someday especially since it wasn't the lithium
type. So I had research that long ago when I was nearing 100k (even though it was warrantied to150k). It still charges/discharges to the same amounts it always has. I don't even worry about that anymore. Anyway, my point is, why I am able to buy these M35h's or q70's with low miles for what I consider a steal? Are people worried about battery life? I can't find any problems with them except that auto writers say truly ignorant things about them. I did find a couple recalls on an Australian website. What am I missing? I want to buy 2 of them! I love them!
Hoping they have just flown under the radar of enthusiast because they are hybrid and we're expensive when new.
Am I missing anything?

[Npop]

Oh, want to add, one writer said he didn't like it because it was confused, that it's a hybrid that's almost as fast as the v8 5.6 Infiniti but got too good of gas mileage. Yeah that's terrible!

[airmanhoward]

Not a fan of the lack of trunk space in the Q70h

[Ilya]

NPop, I'm moving this to the Y51 chasis forum (03-04 were Y34, 06-10 were Y50, and 11+ are Y51) as the car you're inquiring about is a Y51.

[DFW2011M56S]

Oh, want to add, one writer said he didn't like it because it was confused, that it's a hybrid that's almost as fast as the v8 5.6 Infiniti but got too good of gas mileage. Yeah that's terrible!

I have seen the road tests and the Hybrid is not even in the same ballpark as the M56 as far as acceleration and speed. 13.8 @ 100 vs 13.2 @ 107. My M56 would have hit 12s stock had I run it down the 1/4 based on my 1/8 mile times vs other M56 1/4 mile time slips.

[ArmedAviator]

I've been very interested in these model hybrids as of late. Only comaints I've seen on the review websites and videos is:

1. Lost trunk space.
2. Brakes aren't linear.

Most of those review complaints were from the M35h reviews. I'm curious if they fixed the brake issues in later Q70s. The trunk space is, of course, not fixed as it is by design.

[mazz]

i don't know the specific value of hybrid cars but to your question why are they so cheap or inexpensive ..i assume it is because Infiniti sedans take a big price hit when selling used. They don't hold their value hence the used cars from Infiniti are less expensive. its not just the hybrids its Infiniti in general . People that know me for 50 years still refer to my car as a Lexus and i have driven Infiniti exclusively since 1990. no brand recognition no resale price
Mazz

[Ilya]

i don't know the specific value of hybrid cars but to your question why are they so cheap or inexpensive ..i assume it is because Infiniti sedans take a big price hit when selling used. They don't hold their value hence the used cars from Infiniti are less expensive. its not just the hybrids its Infiniti in general . People that know me for 50 years still refer to my car as a Lexus and i have driven Infiniti exclusively since 1990. no brand recognition no resale price
Mazz

I'm not sure I agree with that. A used Lexus LS is right around the same price as a used M56 (varies by package of course). Same goes for BMW 7-series, etc. ALL luxury cars, IMO, TANK in value in the first few years before leveling off at 25-35k. That's why I would NEVER buy a $50k+ car new. Not unless I was making like $200,000/yr or something. Even at my salary, it's a stupid move to be the person to take that hit. Buying a lease turn-in though, is quite economical for the level of car you get and the price you pay for it.

[Npop]

Oh, want to add, one writer said he didn't like it because it was confused, that it's a hybrid that's almost as fast as the v8 5.6 Infiniti but got too good of gas mileage. Yeah that's terrible!

I have seen the road tests and the Hybrid is not even in the same ballpark as the M56 as far as acceleration and speed. 13.8 @ 100 vs 13.2 @ 107. My M56 would have hit 12s stock had I run it down the 1/4 based on my 1/8 mile times vs other M56 1/4 mile time slips.

I was just paraphrasing what I read, as I haven't ridden in the 5.6. Still closer to your 5.6 than the 3.7 right? At 27/32 mpg and much lower price investment.

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of it except for the small trunk as someone stated above. The trunk is why my wife is pushing for SUV.

Thanks for the good input so far.

[Npop]

Ilya, do I still post here? Don't want to get anyone upset. I'm just new to posting to forums.

Btw thanks to Nicoclub for all those manuals! Awesome resource!

[Ilya]

Ilya, do I still post here? Don't want to get anyone upset. I'm just new to posting to forums.

Btw thanks to Nicoclub for all those manuals! Awesome resource!

Sure thing, no worries. Just moved it because you'd get more traffic and knowledge here since only a few guys between the two 'sub-forums' own both cars or have owned both cars.

You were asking about a Y51 chasis code, so the forum for that is: infiniti-m37-m56-q70-forum.html

Y34 and Y50 forum: m-series-forum-fuga-forum.html

Altima forum (since I see you also have Altima's): altima-forum.html

[Npop]

I've been very interested in these model hybrids as of late. Only comaints I've seen on the review websites and videos is:

1. Lost trunk space.
2. Brakes aren't linear.

Most of those review complaints were from the M35h reviews. I'm curious if they fixed the brake issues in later Q70s. The trunk space is, of course, not fixed as it is by design.

If you find one near you, drive it.
I'm beginning to think it's some kind of oil business conspiracy giving it bad reviews. Some are outright lies.
The trunk however, is small, but if you buy two...well that's a nice size trunk.
I drove one with 99k on it, only one close, and the brake felt fine to me. It did exactly what I asked of it every time.

[Npop]

Appreciate that Ilya.

[Larz]

I could not find a specific detail about Infiniti battery packs, but on average they last between 150-200,000 miles and cost between $2-3,000.
Again, not specific to Infiniti models.

[Npop]

Thanks Larz, yeah it's hard to find the exact info. I found some info and pricing on this battery pack through Infiniti and it looks like you can just buy certain components or the whole thing through them but the pricing was a little confusing. Seemed to me that just the replacement battery packs (12) of them, made up of 8 single batteries cost (can't remember now) 300-600 each?
The Altima hybrid I have now, I was told the battery was about 1500 now, but they are the NiMh variety.
I would guess the lithiums in these cars could be higher since they have better qualities, and longer lasting. ? From research I've done on charge/discharge rates and SOC, if done right, I can see them lasting a very long time. I'm guessing Infiniti engineers designed these principles in, so I'm pretty confident in life span.

Sorry, I get on rants about these hybrids. I'm gonna start another post so I can get it out of my system and share some things I've learned through owning a hybrid.

[mazz]

Ilya turns out regarding lousy resale pricing you are probably more correct than me!!
i just looked at resale on ls460 vs M37x not always apples to apples but my car [2013 ]is worth 7500 less than a ls460 [2013 ] that started at10g higher.

[goat35]

I have a 2013 m35H and I only got 33k on it but I love the car. I average 27 mpg.... Not the numbers from infiniti but the equivalent charger 5.7 hemi averages 17 so I can't complain.

Trunk space is a HUGE loss! I didn't get the spare or jack set when I bought the car with 8k on it so I don't know if its included. I would kill for the battery to be in the floor where the spare goes and fold down rear seats!

No issues other than maybe a bearing going bad which I caused.....don't ask i'm embarrassed by it.

No sport package is a big killer too and the brakes take time getting adjusted to. I see overseas it was an option but not here in the states. If i get lucky and find some calipers in a junk yard this might be the next big upgrade.

Other than an outdated system (I praise them for touchscreen) it's been great to me and it has power but feels slow. I took it to 140 mph on a closed asphalt back road and I could've kept going. It's not a V8 but its faster than my 08 g sedan.

[Npop]

Yeah the trunk space is killing my chance of getting my wife to want it. She basically just told me no a couple hours ago when I had arranged a trade and cash for the one I test drove. She has the Altima hybrid right now and she hates the trunk space.

Ever watch the movie "Friday"?
(She) told me to "shut up", I'll be quiet. When she walks away... I'll be talking again.

[Npop]

It looks like she is liking the trunk space of the panamera hybrid. Looks like I may sell out on N/I.

[Ilya]

It looks like she is liking the trunk space of the panamera hybrid. Looks like I may sell out on N/I.

Dude, no offense, but if my car choices were a loaded M56, hybrid or not (I know, not possible, only the M35h but I'm just trying to make a point), vs a Panamera? I wouldn't even look at the Infiniti. And I f'in love my car. Granted, I'm not a fan of German reliability so that may give me some pause...but as far as performance and exterior look...gotta be Panamera. The new ones are SEXY.

[Npop]

Yeah I know where your coming from. I wanted the M35h over the panamera hybrid for a few reasons.
1. I know the reliability of nissans/Infiniti
I've gotten a lot of info from friends/reviews that have had the panamera, mostly good but not N/I good and I don't like that unknown. Also I wrench on my cars and those Germans just about MAKE you take the car to a dealer to work on now.
2. The M35h actually beats the Porsche/h in performance. Funny commercial about them racing.
3. Cost. Yeah we can afford the Porsche but... look at 1,2.

[Npop]

I'll see if I can post the clip on here

[Npop]

Oh well, look up M35h vs Porsche Panamera hybrid on YouTube

Pretty funny!

[Npop]

Oh and Ilya, no man, I love the non hybrids as well, don't get me wrong. All non hybrids have better styling as well (which sucks) but I just drive a lot and pretty aggressively so it just makes more financial sense in my case to go hybrid. Freakin' love your 56 by the way. I'd like to test drive one, with no salesperson in the passenger seat.

[Ilya]

Yeah I know where your coming from. I wanted the M35h over the panamera hybrid for a few reasons.
1. I know the reliability of nissans/Infiniti
I've gotten a lot of info from friends/reviews that have had the panamera, mostly good but not N/I good and I don't like that unknown. Also I wrench on my cars and those Germans just about MAKE you take the car to a dealer to work on now.
2. The M35h actually beats the Porsche/h in performance. Funny commercial about them racing.
3. Cost. Yeah we can afford the Porsche but... look at 1,2.

Didn't know about 2. Even in the skid pad/cornering? Either way, you can't go wrong. Panamera's are sexy and Infiniti M's are very nice and great bang for the buck compared to it's competitors (hence why I've owned 2 M's when I was also looking at 750il's, older A8's and older Lexus LS' back in 2010 when I was looking at - and bought - my first 07 M35x).

[Npop]

I think you have made wise choices.
That 56 is sweet. You definitely got more bang for the buck.