M35X Hold or Fold?

[jazzy765]

Hello All... I am new to the forum and came seeking advice. I am the proud owner of a 2007 M35X which I got in 2009 which at the time has around 23K miles. There are about 144K miles on her now. I have kept up the regular maintenance with the dealership. I drive every day around 50 miles per day in NYC traffic. Over the years I've had belts changed, brakes done, alternator replaced when they have failed me and other fixes. The car is owned outright, no monthly payments.

Now I am having some leaking issues, valve covers etc which the dealer says will cost a couple of grand altogether to repair, they are probably over charging. The car also has a few minor scratches and dings which aren't horrible but NYC is hard on cars.

I have driven new models M37's and Q70's. I love the upgraded bluetooth sound systems etc but I also like not having any car notes.

At this point is it worth the repair to keep her or is it time for an upgrade? Thoughts?

[BlackCat81]

A couple of grand for valve covers? Yes that's ridiculous. Or are you including "a couple other leaks" in that estimate too? Mine has 208k and still going strong, fwiw.

Edit; you can add Bluetooth for a couple hundo.

[jazzy765]

Thanks Blackcat...Part of my research is looking for another mechanic that will not give astronomical quotes. Part of it is that I get the loaner for a few days as I need the car to get around. I didn't know about adding bluetooth for audio to it.

[cruzad3r]

which side of the valve cover is it leaking? parts for both sides including gasket is around 450 shipped. i'm thinking for labor, it'll be around 2-3 hours from the dealer. so overall, it'll be around 800 for the job.

now you take that and start thinking about how many time you have to pay for a new car and whether you want to do that or not.

[BlackCat81]

The valve covers themselves are pricey. They're about $250/ea, but the gaskets are cheap. At that mileage I'd recommend replacing them as well, since the spark plug tube gaskets are probably leaking as well and aren't available separately. Even so, it should still be less than $1000. GROM makes a Bluetooth device for $150. There's a few other options as far as Bluetooth goes but I'm not super familiar with them.

[jazzy765]

I better start looking for another mechanic other than the dealership.

[BlackCat81]

I better start looking for another mechanic other than the dealership.

I agree.

[jazzy765]

So apparently I have the rear main seal leaking, valve cover gaskets leaking, oil cooler seal and according to the dealer this may run a couple of grand.

[Markc]

When you add rear main seal in there that changes everything.

[jazzy765]

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the cost of repairs or taking that money and putting it towards a newer model

[Gunnar75]

I am in the exact position with my 2006 M35 with 148k. Same leaks too. Other than those issues the car is in pretty good shape.

As a financial counselor please allow me to process out loud. Any car purchase decision is a personal financial issue that has many variables. These cars will last much further than 150k but if you are in the position to buy another than the choice is less about the repairs and more about the desire change. Stable job, cash reserves of 3-6 months, living on a budget with margin, family vehicle needs, car market on the buy and sell side, economy during the election cycle, these are all questions or variables to consider.

Check out this cool chart and website on the M35 long term reliability. The site has every car manufacturer and model if you go back to the "home" page. http://longtermqualityindex.com/reports/Infiniti.html

For me, I plan to fix the car and keep driving another few years then give it to my second daughter who will be turning 16 as her first car. Of course all this is subject to change because my wife wants me to buy a 2012 Audi S4 that a dealership friend has for sale. We will go look in Friday when I get back from London

[BlackCat81]

As an Infiniti tech, I'll say I've never done a rear main seal on an M, nor have I ever seen one leak. Don't forget, if your valve cover gaskets are leaking, it can run down the back of the block, and down around the bottom of the bell housing and possibly look like a rear main leak.
The oil cooler seal is a $6 part and if you can remove your own oil filter, you can replace the seal. It's REALLY easy.

[Gunnar75]

That is good to know. I will clean everything up and take another look.
Just curious, what is the most miles have you seen on a M35 or any Infiniti?

[jazzy765]

Hopefully a reputable mechanic will say one way or the other. I asked the dealership to send me a detailed statement as to what exactly they say needs to be done. I would love to keep her on the road a while longer even though the upgrades in a newer model are appealing BUT having no monthly car note is spectacular.

[cruzad3r]

if you're looking for reason to buy a new car, this is your chance. i am in the same boat but i will just replace the VC, gasket on the driver side and continue to drive it. If i ever get promoted (which essentially equal to better spot financially) then i'll buy a new car. Remember, trading or even selling this car at this stage won't yield you much.

Furthermore, if you think fixing the Infiniti is expensive, well you haven't see anything yet with Audi.

[jazzy765]

I would most likely look at something coming back from a 2 year lease which is how I got this one. It was a 2007 that I purchased in 2009.

[kmiles]

As an Infiniti tech, I'll say I've never done a rear main seal on an M, nor have I ever seen one leak. Don't forget, if your valve cover gaskets are leaking, it can run down the back of the block, and down around the bottom of the bell housing and possibly look like a rear main leak.
The oil cooler seal is a $6 part and if you can remove your own oil filter, you can replace the seal. It's REALLY easy.

Thanks for this comment - I was wondering what it would take to blow that many gaskets and a rear main seal on one of our cars. I'm at 123K miles and I still don't burn oil (I've never had to add oil between oil changes) and I don't have any leaks. I still love this car, and because I do, I do all of the recommended maintenance at the recommended intervals and do most of it myself.

[jazzy765]

I asked for a thorough breakdown of the costs and based on the first estimate it may be time to say goodbye to it. The car needs to have both valve covers and gaskets replaced, oil cooler seal replaced, rear main oil seal and the power steering pump needs to be replaced. I'm looking at around 3700.00 bucks to keep it on the road. I am not sure its worth it.

[EdBwoy]

.. I'm looking at around 3700.00 bucks to keep it on the road. I am not sure its worth it.

$3700 to keep it in excellent condition. A little gasket leak here and there never killed nobody. You don't have to do everything a dealership recommends at the time they want it done. Just check your oil level and do the repairs over a spread of time.

I would definitely get a second opinion and quote though. That might be your game changer.

[BlackCat81]

That is good to know. I will clean everything up and take another look.
Just curious, what is the most miles have you seen on a M35 or any Infiniti?

Just under 300k on an older FX35. The guy was a traveling jeweler and had a safe in the cargo area bolted to the body/frame. It got broken into several times so he got a new car. I see 150k plus cars all the time, but 200k is kinda rare, I think only because at that point they're no longer coming to the dealer for service, but I bet they're out there.

[BlackCat81]

I would most likely look at something coming back from a 2 year lease which is how I got this one. It was a 2007 that I purchased in 2009.

I mean, if you want a new car then you want a new car. I see the point of wanting an updated car, but if you like your M, the repairs it needs will be less than a years worth of car payments. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the logic of "my car needs $3500 in repairs and I don't want to spend that, so I'll spend $30,000 on a new one."

[Gunnar75]

119,000 miles is the model average according to the long term quality index. http://longtermqualityindex.com/reports/Infiniti.html

A car will last as long as you want it to last it just takes money to rebuild and replace items. Our consumer economy has conditioned us to buy another when stuff breaks. I travel around the world and most countries keep vehicles much longer than we do because wages are lower and cars are much more expensive. In Israel there is a 100% tax on vehicles so they just keep fixing until there is not much left of the car.

That Volvo guy with 3,000,000+ miles only got there by replacing and rebuilding. At the end of the day it is simply a personal financial decision. If you really like it $3500 to restore to great condition is much cheaper than a new/used car!

[jazzy765]

Appreciate all of the viewpoints and tips. I'm glad I came across this forum! I agree @BlackCat81 that it doesn't make much sense to trade a 3500.00 repair bill for a 30,000k monthly car note. I took the car in for a second opinion. One of the first things the mechanic told me after looking over the car for the day was one of the fixes, power steering pump, was fine and did need to be replaced. After going over everything the cost quoted is 2300.00!

[Markc]

Something to also keep in mind: a 30K car note will not put you in the driver's seat of a new or even 2 year old M.

[jazzy765]

Decided it was well worth the cost to get the work done and keep her on the road. The mechanic was able to identify all the leaks and replace all the seals. The car runs great.

[EdBwoy]

Decided it was well worth the cost to get the work done and keep her on the road. The mechanic was able to identify all the leaks and replace all the seals. The car runs great.

Do you mind sharing which leaks ended up being fixed at this mileage and what it cost?

[jazzy765]

They replaced the return hose, suction hose, pressure hose, transmission oil seal, air filter, spark plugs, PCV hose, valve cover hose, intake manifold gasket, intake plenum gasket, Front engine crankshaft seal, Oil pan gasket, both valve cover gaskets, power steering hose and oil change. Since my inspection was due they took care of that as well.
The final cost including the rental car I went and got while they had the car was 3780.00

[cruzad3r]

Gawdly - that's a lot of hoses - did you take them old hoses back for inspection? Also what was the labor cost? Finally, I would assume they replace the Valve Cover but somehow it's not on your list.

[jazzy765]

Gawdly - that's a lot of hoses - did you take them old hoses back for inspection? Also what was the labor cost? Finally, I would assume they replace the Valve Cover but somehow it's not on your list.

Yes entire valve covers also, I was going off the top of my head but yes that was a lot of hoses and they did break down cost of labor vs parts, I can post that later. There was a noticeable "drag" that I used to feel that so far is not there any more.

[BlackCat81]

Gawdly - that's a lot of hoses - did you take them old hoses back for inspection? Also what was the labor cost? Finally, I would assume they replace the Valve Cover but somehow it's not on your list.

Yes entire valve covers also, I was going off the top of my head but yes that was a lot of hoses and they did break down cost of labor vs parts, I can post that later. There was a noticeable "drag" that I used to feel that so far is not there any more.

It's such a bummer Infiniti doesn't make or sell the spark plug tube gaskets separately. I need to do valve cover gaskets on my M, and I gurantee you after 208k the spark plug tubes are full of oil. I'm smearing RTV all over them and throwing them back on there, lol.