Possible new M owner ------------------------------------->

[FSUDrifter]

I'm selling my boxster and looking to get a cheaper sedan ($12-15k).So far I've driven a 2002 BMW 330i with sport package, and I just got back from driving a 03 M45. Other options are C-Class Mercedes or 03+ E-class (not many in that price range).

I was really impressed by the M, the styling is the thing that attracts me the most because I like to have something different. I think with some new wheels and slight drop, the 03/04 M45's look pretty cool.

The one I just drove has 79k miles, no nav system, black, 8/10 exterior and about 9/10 interior. The seller has already fixed the sending unit issue and replaced the shorted out instrument cluster. Also, he mentioned that one of the tpms sensors seems to be bad (keeps saying low pressure when it is fine).

I still want to drive the benz's but I am very excited about the M. I am inclined to get an infiniti because I've owned several nissans and am very familiar with the ways the cars are put together.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me as far as things to look for on the car before I buy it? Or reasons why I should/shouldn't get it as opposed to one of the other models I listed?


Modified by FSUDrifter at 12:39 PM 8/7/2008

[heliochrome85]

I have driven all 03+ E classes, except for the amgs, and all 02+ C-classes also, no amgs, and i can say for certain, VERY SLOW. seriously. some of the slowest cars ive ever driven. Love the detail and quality, but man, when they break, you are gonna be looking for the tub of vaseline because there's gonna be a-rape-n. i say stick with a M, but dont expect stellar Gas milage. Infiniti is to good gas milage, as BMW is to value.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I have really enjoyed mine. If possible, try to find one with less miles. Then again, there are a number of members here who have had smooth sailing with that many miles. Also, you might want to check out the classifieds here. There is one with 53,000 miles and with a brand new motor. Less than 500 miles since the replacement for @ 15k. For that price I would fly/drive to get it considering how cheap it is.Cheers,ML

[CakeDaddy]

I think you nailed it when you said “Unique style & being different”. This car is exactly that! Not to slam BMW, but those 3 & 5 series cars are all over the streets in Atlanta. Now, as for the 03-04 M, you have the right idea with rims and a drop, but keep in mind that after market items for this car are very scarce and hard to find unless you want to truck in parts from Japan (which is a pain and $$$$). H&R,Eibach,GC,Koni,Intrax etc.. do not produce anything for this car.

If I were buying this car today I would probably consider something else due to the lack of aftermarket parts, but…… Now, I do understand the fascination with the Mercedes Benz cars. We have one in our family and I’ve considered and I’m still considering making the move someday , but until then the M is my gem. I’ve only driven it for 9,000 since I bought it in 2005 and it has been solid with the exception of a bad battery.

My only recomendation would be to shop for one with less miles. 80k miles seems high, but if your budget is 12-15k... then I feel ya. Your color choice of Black is right on. What color is the interior? good luck my man.

[FSUDrifter]

Thanks guys. Yeah there are a MILLION e46 3-series everywhere. I would of course HAVE to do some aesthetic mods to one of those.

So are there any lowering springs available for a reasonable price for the Y34's stateside?

That is really the only "mod" I would want to do (*i say that now*) aside from wheels. Then maybe black out the grill and smoke lamin-x the lenses on the heads, tails, and markers. This is going to be my commuting/traffic beyotch, I will pick something else up for modding when the time is right.

Also, is there any easy way to tell if the sending unit issue has been corrected if I look at another M? The one I looked at earlier, he said he had to change the sending unit and change out the whole cluster and have it re-calibrated. I would like to avoid having to do that if possible... I DO plan on taking it to the dealer and having them do a full inspection (checklist for ME to do) of the car, i wonder if they can check on that...

[CakeDaddy]

Thanks guys. Yeah there are a MILLION e46 3-series everywhere. I would of course HAVE to do some aesthetic mods to one of those.

So are there any lowering springs available for a reasonable price for the Y34's stateside?

That is really the only "mod" I would want to do (*i say that now*) aside from wheels. Then maybe black out the grill and smoke lamin-x the lenses on the heads, tails, and markers. This is going to be my commuting/traffic beyotch, I will pick something else up for modding when the time is right.

Also, is there any easy way to tell if the sending unit issue has been corrected if I look at another M? The one I looked at earlier, he said he had to change the sending unit and change out the whole cluster and have it re-calibrated. I would like to avoid having to do that if possible... I DO plan on taking it to the dealer and having them do a full inspection (checklist for ME to do) of the car, i wonder if they can check on that...

Yes, blacking out the grill will be my next project and unfortunately there aren’t any springs stateside for this whip. You’ll probably see that some members are trucking springs from Japan. There are claims of a spring named espilliar(sp) , but I’ve yet to see them on this y34 chassis. There is also a mfg named Tein and I believe these are imported from Japan. Now, if you are lucky you can catch a set of Eibachs on ebay, but the once $225 price tag has jumped to nearly $500.

*****Here it is. I can vouch for the part number of 6371.140. They match the invoice of the ones I ordered. These springs suit the car the best in my opinion, especially black Good luck*****http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...37021If you are curious to how they'd look with a set of 20's, take a peak at my url below. keep us posted

[FSUDrifter]

I think I'll probably try to go the TEIN route.

Also, I've been reading all of the iPod posts here and on FA, why don't people try to tap off the CD changer rather than the tape deck? Don't the 03/04 models have CD changers in the glovebox?

[Mark Linkous]

I think I'll probably try to go the TEIN route.

Also, I've been reading all of the iPod posts here and on FA, why don't people try to tap off the CD changer rather than the tape deck? Don't the 03/04 models have CD changers in the glovebox?

Hello,The 2003 M45 CD Changer location is in the glovebox. For 2004, the CD Changer location was moved to the interior in the same location as the 2003 Tape Deck. I have had the same thoughts about the interface for the 2003 model.Cheers,ML

[FSUDrifter]

Yeah if I get an 03, I'm going to completely remove the tape deck, find something creative to fill the space, and tap off the changer input with a switch so I can still use both...

[jadeM45]

There are claims of a spring named espilliar(sp) , but I’ve yet to see them on this y34 chassis.

I actually have the Espiler springs on my car. They are a 40mm drop all around and have spring rates 3.8 / 8.7. If anyone is interested I can let them know where to pick them up. Not sure on the pricing though, i got them direct through importer.

Here are some new photos.

[CakeDaddy]

I think I'll probably try to go the TEIN route.

Also, I've been reading all of the iPod posts here and on FA, why don't people try to tap off the CD changer rather than the tape deck? Don't the 03/04 models have CD changers in the glovebox?

hmm. I'd love to see someone try this and report back to us with some sorta write up. I'd love to use my iPod in my car. Going through the glove box mounted changer sounds easier. I've seen the thread on going through the console, and.............that aint happening for me.

[Boon]

Yeah if I get an 03, I'm going to completely remove the tape deck, find something creative to fill the space, and tap off the changer input with a switch so I can still use both...

If you do that you will have no sound. The tape deck is also the brain for the Bose system. Removal of it will render the stereo useless.

As far as why people hack into the tape deck and not the CD player for their IPOD is that most people want to keep their CD player operable and because the signal input coming out of the CD player and into the head unit is low level, thus making the volume very low.

If you really want to pull that tape deck you will have to replace it with a head unit, then run RCA's to the Bose amp in the back and splice it in there. I am looking at doing this with a double din kenwood nav/dvd unit, if I do there will be a write up that follows. Everyone seems to think this car is impossible to change out the stereo at a low cost, sounds like a challenge to me.

[jadeM45]

I found this on a site but it doesn't list the M45. It MAY work. I cant think what would be so diffferent from our stereos vs some of the cars listed below. I wonder if someone with some more stereo knowledge could figure it out. Its only $99.

Part Number: AAI-NIS2

http://www.pac-audio.com/instr...-NIS2

The AAI-NIS2 works with XM/Sirius Satellite ready Infiniti and Nissan factory radios. It allows audio from devices like Apple's iPod™, VCP, MP3 players, Portable CD players, DVD players or aftermarket satellite receivers to play through the stock stereo system. • Two AUX inputs which are selected by the SAT/Radio button on face of radio.• Negative remote output can be used to turn on devices when the radio is in Aux1 mode.• SWC output wire to control a device when the AUX mode is active (select vehicles only). Compatible Vehicles:2003-2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe Only2003-2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan Only2003-2007 Infiniti FX35 / FX452004-2006 Infiniti QX562006-2007 Infiniti M35 / M452003-2008 Nissan Murano2004-2007 Maxima2004-2006 Nissan 350Z2003-2006 Nissan Pathfinder2004-2006 Nissan Titan / Armada / Quest2005-2006 Nissan Altima / Frontier

[Boon]

I found this on a site but it doesn't list the M45. It MAY work. I cant think what would be so diffferent from our stereos vs some of the cars listed below. I wonder if someone with some more stereo knowledge could figure it out. Its only $99.

Part Number: AAI-NIS2

http://www.pac-audio.com/instr...-NIS2

The AAI-NIS2 works with XM/Sirius Satellite ready Infiniti and Nissan factory radios. It allows audio from devices like Apple's iPod™, VCP, MP3 players, Portable CD players, DVD players or aftermarket satellite receivers to play through the stock stereo system. • Two AUX inputs which are selected by the SAT/Radio button on face of radio.• Negative remote output can be used to turn on devices when the radio is in Aux1 mode.• SWC output wire to control a device when the AUX mode is active (select vehicles only). Compatible Vehicles:2003-2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe Only2003-2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan Only2003-2007 Infiniti FX35 / FX452004-2006 Infiniti QX562006-2007 Infiniti M35 / M452003-2008 Nissan Murano2004-2007 Maxima2004-2006 Nissan 350Z2003-2006 Nissan Pathfinder2004-2006 Nissan Titan / Armada / Quest2005-2006 Nissan Altima / Frontier

From what I have heard this unit works, just not very well. It adds alot of interference into the system thus making it kinda pointless.

[jadeM45]

From what I have heard this unit works, just not very well. It adds alot of interference into the system thus making it kinda pointless.

I wonder why. I may give it a try and see.

[maxnix]

I wonder why. I may give it a try and see.

Probably impedance and equaliztion mismatch.

[FSUDrifter]

So now I'm thinking of getting an F50 Q. Any reason why I should or should not get either?

[CakeDaddy]

So now I'm thinking of getting an F50 Q. Any reason why I should or should not get either?

Well, in my opinion the Q is...... antiquated look, but if you need the extra back seat space and extra gadgets it might be the car for you, but it isn't as hard and aggressive looking as the Y34's. The Q is not unique. I've driven the Q car and was impressed, but that was before I got hip to the y34. I seriously doubt if anyone will suggest that you get an F50-Q instead of a Y34-M on this side of the forum.

[Mark Linkous]

So now I'm thinking of getting an F50 Q. Any reason why I should or should not get either?

Hello,Mechanically, six in one, half dozen the other. With the F50, you do have more years to choose from (2002-2006). There have been issues with the HID ballast going out with the F50. The F50 has a much bigger rear seat. The major difference is appearance. While mechanically kissing cousins, they could not look more different.Good Luck,ML