Used 2006 M45 Purchase

[TomThumb47]

I'm looking (tomorrow) at a used 2006 M45 with 145,000 miles. I would like to know if there is anything I should be looking for related to this model and year car. I plan to have the car reviewed by a mechanic, perform a Carfax, test drive, and a long general list of things I like to check, etc. I'm primarily interested in finding out (from this forum) if there is anything specific to these cars I should be aware of?

Your responses would be most appreciated!

Is this the point where I tell you I currently own a 328ic? Now you'll all tell me to go jump in the lake, ha.

Thank you again,

Tom

[Rex]

Moved to get more "on topic views".

[DaSerb]

That's a LOT of miles for 2006......I hope you get at good price.

[Logan00]

Can I ask why you are buying a car, any car, but especially a 2006 that has 145,000 miles? Is it the price and wanting an M45 that bad?

Unless price is an issue I am sure you could find one with a lot less miles.

Sorry I can't be more help since I have never bought a car with anything close to those miles.

Good luck

[TomThumb47]

Good question. Thank you.

No, I don't need a car but I could use a newer car. I'm prone to performance cars. I've been poking around the internet for the last two weeks seeing how close I could come to finding a vehicle I could buy at or below edmunds.com"s "Private Sale" value. This vehicle is priced at below "Trade In" value, so I thought I'd research to find "what's the story" here. If there are any issues or problems inherent with these cars, something perhaps that is very expensive to fix that might make a person want to get rid of it, or if there is a reoccurring problem special to these cars, then I thought this forum would be a good source for my investigation.

I've bought other cars with high miles and consistently had good results, provided I used the tools I've collected throughout my experiences.

Thank you again for your insight and response!

Tom

[EvilIntentions]

Check the front seats to see if they are wiggling, the seat brackets are a fairly common issue in that a tab will break and the seat will move side to side.

Looking to see if the car rocks or shifts hard while shifting from P to R or D, seems that these cars have a reasonably steep driveshaft angle, causing the front u-joints to wear. Listening for clicking during those shifts or slow driving will point that out as well.

The VK burns oil, checking the level and condition would help point to the cars history, but I'm sure you already knew this.

There is conversation that these transmissions are sensitive to fluid changes with the recommended fluid, transmission condition and fluid would be something to check closely.

Outside of these things, just the usual checks. These cars seem to have small condition issues, i.e. the door seals wear out quickly, but other than this not a lot of common large scale or expensive issues.

[TomThumb47]

Perfect! Thank you. Just the type of information I was looking for.

[atlM35]

Just a few tips:

Nissan/Infiniti brake rotors have always been an issue for me. Check for pulsing when you brake.
Suspension, take the car up to 70mph and apply the brakes to feel for steering wheel vibration. Tie rod or other component could be worn.
While you're on the highway, check the alignment to see if the car pulls to one side.
Drive slowly (under 10mph) and repeatedly apply gas and brake... if you hear clicks, the U-joint might be going out.
Go over speed bumps and listen for squeaks or bushing noise. Also, feel if the car suddenly drops when you go over the bump, shocks might need replacing.
Use the manual shifter and keep it in a higher gear at low speed and hear for knocking when you step on the gas.

Good luck!

[Logan00]

Just a few tips:

Nissan/Infiniti brake rotors have always been an issue for me. Check for pulsing when you brake.
Suspension, take the car up to 70mpg and apply the brakes to feel for steering wheel vibration. Tie rod or other component could be worn.
While you're on the highway, check the alignment to see if the car pulls to one side.
Drive slowly (under 10mph) and repeatedly apply gas and brake... if you hear clicks, the U-joint might be going out.
Go over speed bumps and listen for squeaks or bushing noise. Also, feel if the car suddenly drops when you go over the bump, shocks might need replacing.
Use the manual shifter and keep it in a higher gear at low speed and hear for knocking when you step on the gas.

Good luck!

Real good advice

[TomThumb47]

Seriously good advice guys. We should consolidate and publish, ha! Thanks again.