M35h work with 20" wheels?

[arrogantyeti101]

Just picked up a used 2012 M35h in pretty outstanding condition considering age and mileage (and after replacing the damn heater core...). I really like the idea of buying a set of the OEM sport wheels (20"?), just wanted to reach out here to ask you fine folks if there's any reason I *wouldn't* want to do that, other than suddenly having a stiffer ride (which is something I'm actually kinda looking for...)?

Also, getting larger wheels would be a totally different area of experience for me. Am I being naive in assuming the OEM sport wheels would just work without any worry? Any reason to be concerned about the other suspension components having a fit or seeing premature failures due to the increased wheel size?

Moving on from wheels, my M doesn't have the deluxe touring package, which was appealing to me only because of how nice those front seats look. If I could find those somewhere, would swapping them out be pretty straight forward? I do have the premium package, so already have the heated + ventilated seats. Again, no experience here so not even sure what to ask other than "will it work?".

Appreciate your responses.

[CRV_33]

In regards to the sport alloys you dont have to modify anything to get it work beyond getting the TPMS programmed to your car, but that's optional.

in regards to the seats from the Deluxe edition, I'm not sure if that's going to be plug and play. There are speakers that are built into the chairs, not sure if all the M's come pre-wired to just plug in.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new ride!

1) I don't see why you couldn't use the OEM 20's. Stock tire size is 245/40/20.

2) The deluxe touring seats *should* work but I don't think you'd have the ability to use the speakers in the seats...this is my guess at least...sorry if that doesn't help.

[arrogantyeti101]

Awesome about the wheels. Probably relegate my 18s to winter duty and pick up some sports going into summer. Is there a particularly good place to pick them up? Or is ebay sort of the best option to look for used wheels in good condition?

Honestly hadn't even thought about those shoulder-mounted speakers from the top-shelf system, but I'd assume my car doesn't have the connections or amplifiers to use 'em which is fine, I'm just interested in the seats themselves. I'd hope there's just a standard connector for power, heat, cooling, etc. That'd make the most sense from a manufacturing perspective, right?

[DoN_BLaZe34]

1) eBay or every so often someone on the Facebook group page has the sport 20's for sale. Unless you buy new I think there is currently a promotion going on infinitiusa.com for 20% off.

2) I agree with you, I would be surprised if they made different plugs for the different seats.

[Malbec 56 Beast]

I was just on eBay and I saw only one set for $2250 or something like that. I have a pristine set of sport wheels and I go back and forth on if I want to sell or not. My friend CRV says never sell them so I'll listen to him for now. At that price, and a lot cheaper, you can get a very nice aftermarket set of wheels and tires. Look online and see if a different style works for you. If you ask for everyone's opinion remember everyone has one. Get what you like and go from there.

Check a salvage yard for seats hell even for the wheels. You never know you might get lucky. You would probably have to powder coat the wheels but you'd still be easy under the $2300 range.

Andy

[Davealan]

Welcome to the forum, I bought a touring package 2012 M35H with low mileage last June and found out this winter that it has the heater core issue.

What it cost for you to get it corrected and who did it for you, an Infiniti dealer or other mechanic?

[arrogantyeti101]

I'm just now seeing your question Davealan, sorry for the delay!

I was lucky enough to buy one with a 90-day warranty from a local Audi dealer that covered the heater core issue, but they still had the work performed by an Infiniti shop. I'm told by my Infiniti service rep that cost would have been a little north of $3,000, mostly labor due to how much work is involved with getting to the heater core itself (they have to take apart the entire dash, then put it back together). Other shops might charge less, but due to how involved the teardown is I'd be hesitant taking it anywhere else. It's also, according to the service rep, not uncommon. They had 3 other M's in the shop for the exact same issue.

If you haven't yet had the work done, I would also make a point to check things are all back together. I had to go back in twice to have things fixed as a result. They had forgotten to plug the USB cable back in for the center console, and they'd done something wrong with the hoses to and from the heater core that required replacement of the hoses and the pump that sends coolant through them. That last part might have been the fault of the Audi dealer, however, as they jumped the gun on retrieving the car from Infiniti and had to put some things together themselves.

[arrogantyeti101]

Another question regarding bigger wheels on the hybrid - has anybody done this and noticed any change in gas mileage? I'm assuming that's the reason the larger wheels weren't available?