Things I would change (2007 Infiniti M45)

[dernawe]

Hey everyone. Coming up on 6 months of ownership and about 10,000 miles with my 07 m45, and there are some things that I think I would change, or maybe things Infiniti should consider working on for future models. First of all, the gas mileage is horrible. I came out of an Audi S8, with slightly less displacement but more power it got about 20% better mileage. This obviously adds up and as a Japanese manufacturer, I am really suprised that they haven't take this into better consideration. Second is the Navigation system. I would like to qualify by saying it is one of the best systems I have used, but the whole not being able to access all the functions while driving is just silly. No other system I have used does this, and it is more of an annoyance than a safety feature. Third is option packages. The way Infiniti excludes some packages from some cars just doesn't make sense. If I want a M45 sport, I should be able to get rear and side window shades. Why these two things are mutually exclusive is beyond me. Fifth is more of a personal thing, but my armrest just doesn't feel right. Also when I lean on it while driving, it squeaks, which drives me insane on long trips. Sixth, the trip computer. It should be able to track multiple trips, and also have a feature that may track current trips vs. long term (ie to track fuel mileage over a month vs. on that particular trip). Most other cars in this segment have this, so Infiniti should to. I know this forum usually takes on a more positive note regarding these cars, and honestly it has been a good overall experience, I guess I just have high expectations.

[bamaSAAB]

I'm 15 mos and 31k into an '06 M35. The bluetooth not supporting call waiting is my only major complaint. That entire system needs improvement as well. I lost my phonebook about a year ago....just erased...dealer replaced the entire nav/blue tooth computer...just lost it again 2 weeks ago. This time "could find no problem" thats better than losing my Nav memory again. I like others continue to have an echo problem as well....mine is intermittant, thankfully.My gas mileage improved substantially after 25k. I'm now consistantly between 20/21 in mixed urban driving and 24-26 on the highway dependant on speed..usually 80+ and 24/25.Just checked the brakes and they are still "fine". They were always GONE on my Saabs at 30k! This appears to be the cheapest keeper since my '90 Mazda 929. No REQUIRED services till 100k. I've replaced the cabin and engine air filters and oil changes with Mobil1...that's it so far! Hard to find fault....still miss my old Saabs though. Sure wish GM would let Renault/Nissan buy Saab!

[maxnix]

Don't you all love postings from the meth belt?

What's a paragraph?

[Mark Linkous]

Mannix,As a fellow "Meth belt" citizen, I must question your condescending, ill informed remarks. First off, what is a paragraph? 1. a distinct portion of written or printed matter dealing with a particular idea, usually beginning with an indentation on a new line.2. a paragraph mark.3. a note, item, or brief article, as in a newspaper.–verb (used with object)4. to divide into paragraphs.5. to write or publish paragraphs about, as in a newspaper.6. to express in a paragraph. While you might find my bamaSAAB's prose lacking, come on. Last time I looked meth labs seem to be damn near everywhere. I suppose Texas must be immune. Had I known that one's prose was subjuable to peer review, I would have changed my syntax, noun-verb agreement, and a myriad of other things. I suppose us "meth belt" denziens don't know no better.Mark
Modified by Mark Linkous at 11:16 AM 5/20/2007

[auditech10]

I forgot what this topic was initially about now?

[Mark Linkous]

Me too. I suppose growing in the South, it felt kinda insulting. On to "things I would change". I would not spec Bose as the OEM sound system. Also, I wish my 04' would stay in gear during manumatic operation. I might have gotten a bit spirited in my statements. I have spent a decent amount of time on this forum and have not noticed this level of editorial displeasure with ones writing style before bamaSAAB's posting.Cheers,Mark

[stevehodges]

I agree with virtually all of your comments. My last car was a BMW 740i and was a piece of crap--over 90 days in the shop within 36 months and was towed three times to the dealers.

Overall, I've been extremely pleased with the M45, but your comments, particularly regarding options packages and navigation functions. make a lot of sense. I hope Infiniti reacts to owners like yourself and makes a great auto even better.

[lcfootman]

I have an 06 M45 sport with 92,000, yes that right 92kmiles. I just about live in my car. I get pretty good gas mileage considering for a V8, like 23.8 highway & 17-18 in town driving. You should try resetting your fuel economy reset between local and highway driving so that it does continue to give you an average of all driving conditions. I am a Auto broker in Atlanta specializing in Nissan and Infiniti cars. Its seem to me the reason that Infiniti limits rear seat options on the sport, like rear sun shades is that they figure sport buyers don't want all the extra weight of those options. However, I did get the optional mobile entertainment system in my car, which I think by far is the best rear seat option offered in the Sport. As far as your gas mileage, always use the best premium gas you can find, use a good fuel system cleaner every other oil change or so.

Good luck with your M

[dernawe]

Want to add another couple of things... First of all, no handbrake, I hate foot brakes, and on a car that has the word sport in the name, handbrake is required. Second is the traction control is non-defeatable. If you turn it off, it is still on, just not so annoying. I absolutely hate this.... I think its time for a new car.

[dernawe]

This list is growing... How come the mileage to empty goes to **** once you have 30 miles left? I would think this is when you need the information most, trying to figure out if you can make it to the next exit or whatever. Inifiniti/Nissan, are you listening?

[auditech10]

Riding your tank to empty is one of the worst things you could do to your car. Not only is it harmful to your engine to run out of fuel but also your fuel pump and a few other things. If you cannot find a gas station within 30 miles then you should have planned your trip more accordingly.

[dernawe]

That is very silly. It is a fact that the pump is at the bottom of the tank, so all that BS about dirty gas at the bottom just doesn't make sense. Doesn't do anything to your pump unless you drive a diesel. And I did not say drive your engine till you run out of fuel. And not sure what you mean by planning your trip accordingly, do you plan where you will stop for gas when you are driving down the road?

[szh]

This list is growing... How come the mileage to empty goes to **** once you have 30 miles left? I would think this is when you need the information most, trying to figure out if you can make it to the next exit or whatever. Inifiniti/Nissan, are you listening?

Along with the above excellent response from auditech10 in regard to the fuel pump, I would add that the reading is not likely to be accurate at those low gas levels anyway. If you are going to rely on squeezing the last mile out of the gas tank, you are probably going to run out of gas at the most inopportune moment!

Better to fill up when you get that low ...

Z

[dernawe]

I think you guys are missing the point. The idea is that the most important time you need to know how many miles you have left is when your gas is low. I don't care when I have a full tank. And it doesn't have to be accurate the mile, but it isn't accurate when its full either, but still, it is a function that it should have. And again, all the competition has it, so why can't infiniti figure it out?

[auditech10]

Actually the bottom line is you are going to have problems with any and every car out there if you are going to knit-pick every part of them. No, I dont plan on when and where I will fill up, BUT if I am going to go for a cruise and see my needle down low I will dam well make sure that I have enough gas to get to where I want to go. If you know you will be driving 50 miles, for example, and you see the gauge nearing the bottom why dont you just fill her up then? Dont wait until the light comes on or it shows the ------. Or go right ahead and drive her empty. I never mentioned anything about dirty gas, by the way. I stated that by running the pump dry you will eventually fry the pump. The fuel in the tank actually acts as a lubricant to the pump and everything else thats in the tank. It does have more than one purpose, believe me.

[909dude]

I own a 2007 M35 Journey Serengeti Sand with NAV. The car is awesome but really needs programmable automatic door locks. My cheap GMC truck has them and are really convenient.

[szh]

I own a 2007 M35 Journey Serengeti Sand with NAV. The car is awesome but really needs programmable automatic door locks. My cheap GMC truck has them and are really convenient.

Welcome to NICO!

Automatic door locks is one of those "some like it, some don't" items. I guess I fall into the "don't like it" category, since I'd rather control it myself. But, I can see where others might appreciate it.

Maybe I'd get used to it if I had it ...

Z

[909dude]

An ipod dock would be very useful. In addition, it is very hard to see the homelink buttons on the inside rear view mirror at night. I suggest lighting on the buttons.

[Hermj]

Things I would change would be the cheap plastic grill on both my mean machines 2007/2006 M35

[szh]

Things I would change would be the cheap plastic grill on both my mean machines 2007/2006 M35

Two M's? Nice!!

Z

[exbmwdude]

Plenty of aluminum billet grilles for sale on ebay to fit the M. Check 'em out....

exbmwdude2006 M35S

[CCEastlake]

I generally love the navigation system, but why won't it display the actual end address with house number like, hint, the Lexus does? By the end of a trip to a strange place, why should I have to remember what the number was when it's lurking in there somewhere?

User settings for daytime running lights, automatic door locking, lights on with wipers (now a California law) like, hint, the Audi would also be nice.

And most of all - I'd love to see what gear I'm in even when it's in automatic mode, so I can learn when it pays to manually shift. Audi displays this and I believe others do too - it would be educational.