New Member

[Gilded_Splinters]

Hi folks,

I just bought a 2003 M45 from a 90 year old woman. 18,500 miles and mint.

I love it and have been reading this forum for a while...picked up lots of good tips, but have one question:

What's the definitive answer for the smoke on start-up?

It's enough that people comment on it. I'm not worried, keep an eye on the oil level, but it's a strange thing for a car with so little mileage.

Thanks in advance.

[DaSerb]

2003 M45 w/ less than 20K miles !!!!!

I salute you

[Gilded_Splinters]

It's awesome and still smells new. I dumped a Lincoln MKZ for it in a minute and have no regrets.

The quality, fit and finish are SOOO much better than what we make here, I was astounded.

It doesn't hurt that it's a bit of an animal on the road either.

For 10 grand even I couldn't resist.

[merlinq2]

Hi folks,

I just bought a 2003 M45 from a 90 year old woman. 18,500 miles and mint.

I love it and have been reading this forum for a while...picked up lots of good tips, but have one question:

What's the definitive answer for the smoke on start-up?

It's enough that people comment on it. I'm not worried, keep an eye on the oil level, but it's a strange thing for a car with so little mileage.

Thanks in advance.

Nice Handle Gilded Splinters - SAMCRO fan huh?

[Gilded_Splinters]

You know, I'm not a huge S.O.A. fan, but my girlfriend is. I don't remember the reference from the show.

My ID came from the title of an old song done by Dr. John, and later - Humble Pie.

[merlinq2]

They used that song in one of the final episodes. Cool car by the way, can not find one of those anywhere in Canada - good luck

[Gilded_Splinters]

Thanks, I'll have to watch for that.

I have heard that only about 7000 cars were sold in the '03 - '04 model years, and I've only seen one other.

The smoke thing is a little strange though.

[atlM35]

Congrats on the purchase, good find!
and welcome.
I've read someone else posting about the same smoke, but it turned out it was just condensation buildup in the exhaust pipe that was being evaporated out the back.
It might not be anything serious to worry about.

[Gilded_Splinters]

I've seen posts here (I thought) and mentions in online reviews about oil consumption and smoking on start up.

I am using a quart every 1500 miles or so, and there is a good sized puff of blue smoke...not steam on most, but not all starts. I gather that this was a common complaint.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Se@ttleM35S]

Welcome to the forum and Infiniti ownership! You seriously got one heck of a deal on your ride. Congrats!

Here's a link to a post from a little while back concerning this topic. Hope it helps!

blue-smoke-2003-infiniti-m45-t286712.html

[Gilded_Splinters]

Thanks for the link. That's about what I've heard and what I thought.

Oddly, the original owner bought some outrageous extended warranty that only expired in June! Too late for me though.

I don't think the engine is going to fail, nor do I expect this to worsen with good maintenance, but it is a bit of a drag. More than compensated by the deal and the cool factor I think.

Thanks for the welcome and tips.

[White-Rush]

Sweet deal on a nice Car.

[KoMikeey]

Hi folks,

I just bought a 2003 M45 from a 90 year old woman. 18,500 miles and mint.

I love it and have been reading this forum for a while...picked up lots of good tips, but have one question:

What's the definitive answer for the smoke on start-up?

It's enough that people comment on it. I'm not worried, keep an eye on the oil level, but it's a strange thing for a car with so little mileage.

Thanks in advance.

damn dude thats crazy..

[KoMikeey]

I've seen posts here (I thought) and mentions in online reviews about oil consumption and smoking on start up.

I am using a quart every 1500 miles or so, and there is a good sized puff of blue smoke...not steam on most, but not all starts. I gather that this was a common complaint.

Thanks for the welcome!

the older m's like 03-05 models ate up oil. most of the dealerships would get in m45's running 2qts lower than before

[MaxBolus]

Welcome to the Club! Great deal on a great car.

My '04 occasionally does the smoke thing, maybe 1-2 times a month. (Once my neighbor even came over to see what all the smoke was from, lol.) But it has done this since day 1, and I never really was concerned about it.

Oil consumption has increased slightly over the years (and miles), I'm at about 1qt/2000 mi, if I recall. I just smile and feed it and try to zen a bit :-)

cheers and good luck!

[myother45isalesbaer]

Hi folks,

I just bought a 2003 M45 from a 90 year old woman. 18,500 miles and mint.

I love it and have been reading this forum for a while...picked up lots of good tips, but have one question:

What's the definitive answer for the smoke on start-up?

It's enough that people comment on it. I'm not worried, keep an eye on the oil level, but it's a strange thing for a car with so little mileage.

Thanks in advance.

What Great deal. I thought I had low mileage at 30K. There have been many discussions on this form about oil consumption. My 2004 eats syn oil and does much better on dino oil. But I am the odd man out on this debate. Mine burns, with no start up smoke, about 1Q between oil changes which I do every 3K. I have noticed if I hammer the car for longer distances oil consumption goes up. I suspect these engines when cold have looser tolerences than when fully warmed up. I'd rather have my M and add a few quarts than anything else I see on the road today. Best of luck to you with yours. The more you drive it the more you are going to love it.

[szh]

2003 M45 w/ less than 20K miles !!!!!

I salute you

Indeed pretty awesome!!

Mine is now at 132k miles ... bought it new in September of 2003 and still love it!

Z