Possible New Owner Here

[Jdiablo84]

Hello everyone. I've spent the last few weeks reading and researching here and I've zeroed in on a loaded 2008 M45 with very low mileage (under 50k) for a good price. I'm planning on checking her out tomorrow.

I feel I have a good grasp on many of the possible issues, and I've already requested a quote for the Elite Warranty. Any other tips or warnings I might have missed?

I've driven Jaguars all my adult life. I've had several Series III XJ6's, and XJ40, and two XJ8's. My current driver is a 2005 XJ8 with the 4.2L V8. I've had that for about 5 years now and its closing in on 150k miles. I do 90% of my own maintenance work, and the Jag is super over-complicated, so I'm pretty confident about working on the M45.

About a year ago, my girlfriend got a 2011 G37 with 10k miles on it. Practically brand new. But it really blew me away in terms of performance and quality, especially all the high tech toys inside, which is a department in which the Jag is lacking. Then I saw the interior of the M at a local Carmax and was very impressed by it. Very similar to the XJ almost...much more modern, of course, but not in a cold German way. It still seems like a very pleasant place to be.

Anyways, now that the Jag is getting a bit long in the tooth, I've caught the bug for the M45. Bigger engine, more power, more toys...I'm truly looking forward to it. I'll probably keep the Jag for fun, since I have a soft spot for it, but I think the M45 will be an excellent replacement.

If I end up purchasing the car tomorrow, I will update with pics.

[Ilya]

Welcome to the forum. It's a great car, and with that low mileage, I'm sure you'll be happy.

[Six_Legs]

Welcome Jdiablo! Sounds like you have a nice prospect! The M is a great vehicle and an upgrade from the Jag IMHO.

Carfax for sure and if possible, service records are great info to have. If you are buying from an Infiniti dealer then getting them is not a problem as long as past service was done by Infiniti.

You mentioned Carmax. If that is where the car you're looking at is then Larz, one of our moderators, has experience in dealing w/ them. He seems to have had positive dealings with them. Search thru his posts, great info there!

Hope the M is as good as it sounds and you can officially be a proud M owner!!

[Jdiablo84]

I ran the Carfax already, everything looks good. There are some service records listed but not what I would call "complete". And the car is for sale at a local high-end used car dealership, so no Carmax. But thanks for the suggestions. If it passes my personal inspection, I have a mechanic nearby that I trust that will take a look at it also.

Your profile avatar is pretty good, Six Legs. Gave me a good chuckle.

[Six_Legs]

Thx J!

You MIGHT be able to get service info from your local Infiniti dealer if you have the VIN#. Never hurts to ask...

[Jdiablo84]

Not a bad idea. I might do that. Thanks!

[Jdiablo84]

Let me ask another question: given the choice between a 2008 M45 with 43k miles and a 2011 M37 with 70k miles, which is the better choice? Or does it just come down to personal preference?

[Six_Legs]

I was able to get full history on my M after I bought it by going in for an oil change @ my local dealer(complimentary on 1st visit). The service writer gave me a printout of all work/issues done by previous owner.

Prob personal preference. Newer goodies on the 2011, body style, gas mi. is better than the 2008, etc...
43k miles is very low and I like that! I also prefer my M's body style.

[Jdiablo84]

I like the exterior of the M37 a tiny bit more than the M45, BUT...I like the interior of the M45 a tiny bit better than the M37. And that low mileage is hard to pass up.

Is there much difference between the 5 speed and 7 speed transmission? Or is it just fuel economy?

[Six_Legs]

I think that would be the biggest difference from everything I've read. There are mbr's here that could advise better since they have went from one to the other.

[pedsemdoc]

Ilya, one of the moderators, went from an older style Y50 M35x to a newer style Y51 M56 and I know he's commented on how the 7 speed is nicer when cruising on the highway. I guess it depends on what kind of driving you expect to do - prolly won't miss the 7 speed with mostly city driving.

The exterior styling between the 2 models definitely has its fans and "haters" - I didn't like the new style at first, but with a few choice mods I think it could be turned into something I would definitely love. (don't get me wrong, I really LOVE my '06 M45!!)

Prolly harder to find aftermarket parts for the 2008 vs the 2011 (both engine performance and exterior - not as many choices for the VK vs the VQ, if you are into that sort of thing.)

For example, the aero kit for the 2006-07 is a pretty rare commodity. I managed to get the front lip for cheap at my local dealership, but now I don't think anyone has got it. Every now and then there are members here who are willing to part off their kit because they're returning the car back to stock, but not very often.

I would definitely try to make sure you can get maintenance records if possible. There have been a few guys that have had some oil consumption problems with the VK (seemingly more than the VQ based on my recollection of previous threads and concerns by others, although I might be wrong) I've been very lucky and have not had any sort of problems with mine and I've got over 100k on the clock (bought it used with 41k)

Don't think you could go wrong with either - the low mileage ride is certainly tempting. gl with your choice, not an easy decision but I'd love to have that dilemma.

Craig

[Larz]

The difference between the body style of the M37 and the M45 is mostly personal preference. I had an 07 M35 with the 5-speed gear box and I loved the way it shifted and performed. My 09 M35 has the 7-speed gear box and although motorway gas mileage is significantly increased, all 7-speed systems do a bit of 'searching' in stop and go traffic regardless of the brand.
I fancy the M37 less than the M35 and M45 because (1) the side mirrors are bloody huge when looked at from inside the vehicle, (2) the wavy sides took me a while to get used to and I still prefer the M45 style, (3) the interior is less roomy and I don't fancy the two-humps above the speedo area. That said, if you have the wood trim interior, the trim coloring is much better in the M37 and the side mirrors can be folded electrically instead of manually. When I use a car-park at the mall, etc manually fold my mirrors as twice someone rather huge walked too close to them and forced them outward (due to the girth of their waist I imagine). I also fancy the side turn indicators on the fenders of the M45 instead of the mirror lights on the newer models.

As far as reliability, any year M will be dependable IF you keep up with the maintenance. My 07 M35 had nearly 100k miles and the only repair was the starter at about 90k miles (and that was 90% paid for at the Infiniti dealer by my CarMax warranty). Aside from tires, a battery, and reg maintenance there was no repair cost. All electronics, the 5.1 surround stereo, radar cruise, etc worked perfectly.

[Jdiablo84]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I have officially converted and am now the proud owner of a black on black 2008 M45 with the Advanced Tech Package, with 43k miles on the clock, all for an outstanding bargain. I changed her oil and air filter yesterday, gave her a bath, and completed about 75% of the LED conversion (missing the dome lights and rear festoons). Looking forward to completing some more preventative maintenance this week, and hopefully window tints on Saturday. So far, I must say I am very impressed with this car. Smooth, powerful, comfortable...exactly what I needed.

[Six_Legs]

Congrats J and welcome to the family!!

Post some pics when you get a chance.

[Jdiablo84]

Will do.

Pretty much the only complaint I have is the Bose 14-speaker sound system. Not good at all. The stock Alpine system in the Jag sounded 100 times better. There just doesn't seem to be any clarity. From what I read, this is a common opinion. I dug up some old threads about replacing the tweeters and woofers with Infinitys, so I think I'll start with the tweeters first and see what that does.

[Larz]

Congratulations J !

I agree about the surround sound. Definitely NOT up to par with the quality of the rest of the car, but it's not crap. Mine has all the audi settings about mid-way and I hear highs and lows just fine. I would like to see Infiniti keep Bose, but add the option of a B&O system. The latest B&O set-up (available in the high-end Audis) adds about $6000 to the price of the car, I suppose they will not. The B&) system in the A6, A7, and A8 is absolutely brilliant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktM_b50FbGk

[The Bodyguard]

Will do.

Pretty much the only complaint I have is the Bose 14-speaker sound system. Not good at all. The stock Alpine system in the Jag sounded 100 times better. There just doesn't seem to be any clarity. From what I read, this is a common opinion. I dug up some old threads about replacing the tweeters and woofers with Infinitys, so I think I'll start with the tweeters first and see what that does.

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the forum!!!
I personally love the Bose 14 speaker surround sound, it is best experienced with some DVD audio, DVD movies and ipod!! Check your settings make sure you have audio set to Bose Centerpoint "On" and Audiopilot is personal preference, volume will increase and decrease according to speed (rpm). In my opinion it lacks bass not so much "hi's" but that's my opinion, I keep the surround volume to the max so I can hear most of the audio stream around my ears!! All in all sounds like you found a great car! enjoy!!!

[pegasus]

"Smooth, powerful, comfortable" Absolutely, best used car bang for the buck IMO. Don't know that I'd pay full boat for a new one, but I love my 08 M45 S. The driver's seat is amazing, firm, but incredibly comfortable. I used to think Volvo and Cadillac had the best driver seats, but I'd now give the nod to Infiniti. Agree with the negative stereo comments, certainly serviceable, but the car deserves better.

[Jdiablo84]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone.

Just thought I'd share...I took the Alpine tweeters from my Jag and replaced the Bose ones with them and voila! A solid improvement in clarity and treble. Not a huge difference, but definitely noticeable to me. I think I'll go ahead and also replace the door woofers and see how that goes.