Very tall person assistance: details on 2007 M35 variants

Forum for Infiniti M35 and M45, and Nissan Fuga owners.
scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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Hey all...thanks for the advice from all the smart people on this board..I've checked in periodically over the years that I've owned my M. I currently have a 2007 M35 Base model and it's getting a bit up there in miles--and both exterior and interior have seen better days. The problem is I am 6'8" tall and it's one of the only cars PERIOD that I've found will fit me and my extra-long legs. That includes the M35 2008 and up refresh into the M37 model--the design changes unfortunately took the great legroom with it (appears to be more bolstering under the steering wheel that robs it as all i know is I have a ton more room under the 2007 wheel). That leaves only 2006 and 2007 as viable--and 2006 I heard gets lousy gas mileage. I actually am having a 2012 M35h being sent to my local Carmax but i don't think it's going to cut it legroom (I think it's same as M37)...and even the new Q70L is not roomy enough.

A couple questions--as I may be resigned to ordering another M from afar & sight unseen at this point:

1) I don't think the "S" sport models fit the same due to pedal and seat differences--but is there ANY interior differences at all between the 2007 M35 and M35x model. Is it strictly mechanical AWD added with no interior mods at all to accommodate the system?

2) Just how is good *is* that Bose surround system compared to the upgraded CD changer version? Yes, I know what DVD-Audio is and actually have all the good ones released. But Is it worth the expense (and the search!!) in a replacement?

May be looking for probably the rarest of the breed--a 2007 M35 base (or X depending on above answer) with Bourbon Leather interior and Bose Studio Surround. Finding those these days (especially with low miles--under 80k) is becoming like a needle in a haystack...

Any help would be much appreciated :)


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Ilya
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Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
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I'm surprised to hear that your experience from one Y50 to another is different. To my knowledge, all 06-10 interiors as far as space are the same...it's the same platform. If they changed the chassis to make it shorter or longer, they would have given it a new designation (which they did, with the Y51 which is 2011+). I do recall that the Y51 is a bit smaller, so I do think you will not be pleased with the M35h. I am surprised that you still felt cramped in the Q70L. Moving the seat back didn't give you the room you needed? Should be PLENTY of room behind you still.

scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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I know--I'm a freak with nearly a 40" inseam so every micron of space is needed. Seems like they would be the same...but i have now tried a 2009 M35 base and 2010 M35 Sport and neither had enough room. I even showed the dealer the difference between mine and the 2009 as they were parked side by side--and it was obvious even to him. I think it has something to do with a change in the steering wheel. For those of you that may own both a 2006-2007 M35 base and a later one, take a close look at the bottom of the wheel--they've added a plastic molding in the later years that interferes with my knees. My 2007 has barely any extra plastic underneath so it fits my knees with more legroom than any car I've experienced. I go to offlease every so often to try the latest fits--but only the Audi S5 because it's so low to the ground is equal.

I'm really curious about the M35X models and if the interior differs with those...

scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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Sure enough it did not fit (M35h)--so it looks like I'm on the hunt for a 2006/2007 M35 with low miles. Another interesting tidbit--unless i did not have the right options set, the Bose surround sound system did *not* play the DVD-Audio resolution layer as anticipated--just the DD/DTS. I thought that system played the high-resolution disc all this time--like the Acura ELS one.

That's no difference than my B&O Audi system, which also only does DTS layer, but sounds much cleaner.

Larz
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Actually, the M models from 2006 thru 2010 have the same interior volume. The interior and exterior were reduced beginning in 2011 with the M37 / 56 models and remained smaller until the demise of the Q70. I have owned a 2007 and a 2009 and noticed no difference with my 6'3 " height, 36 inseam, 34 waist, and 215 lb rugby frame.

Danyjon
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 2:25 pm
Car: ???

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Don't worry too much about the mileage if you know the owner took care of it well. I bought a 2007 m35 base with 300k+ miles recently. It seems to be doing relatively well for the wear.

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PalmerWMD
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Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 3:14 pm
Car: 2004 350Z

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Danyjon wrote:
Thu May 28, 2020 8:32 pm
Don't worry too much about the mileage if you know the owner took care of it well. I bought a 2007 m35 base with 300k+ miles recently. It seems to be doing relatively well for the wear.
Welcome to Nico! :wavey:

And great first post! :yesnod

scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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This weekend, it's going to be a trek to find an X (AWD) and S(port) model to try fit. For me, there definitely is a difference between 2006/2007 and above, and i think i know what it is. For whatever reason, the steering column is more bolstered in the later years. Look at the attached pic: if you happen to own multiple models, take a look at the bezel under the wheel of the later models and you'll find the knee-robbing plastic (see center pic). Sure the wheel of my 2007 is almost like driving a bus and i would hate for the airbag to slam my face...but regardless...I still have yet to find a car anywhere with this much legroom. Look at the space i have with 38" legs!
infi-fit1.jpg
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inf-compare.jpg
inf-fit2.jpg

scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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Here's something interesting. In 2007, there are at least three car models that had *much* more room then vs now. They are:

The Infiniti M/Q line
Chevy Impala
Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger. They may look the same now, but definitely don't have some interior room!

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Ilya
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Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Contact:

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Do you drive with both feet? That is the only way I could see this being a concern for anyone. My left foot is on the rest stop on the left side and my knee is virtually against the door. My right foot is doing both gas/brake and my knee very often touches the center dash when I'm relaxed. Think of it as 'man spreading'. Even with the wheel in the absolutely lowest position, I don't think it would be an issue.

Perhaps you need to lower your seat?

scottm18
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 04, 2020 6:34 am
Car: 2007 M35
2011 AUDI S5
Location: Orlando FL

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i can't do that--I have to drive as shown or my leg cramps up after a short time. I tried a 2010 M35 Sport from Carmax driving like that for a week and had to take it back.

I also compared an M35X yesterday side by side and instantly noticed there's still not as much legroom as my base M. In addition my base wheel telescoped up a noticeable bit more--so who knows there. In checking an M35h the same day (also not fitting) a very knowledgeable seller said every model but the base M35 (X or Sport) will compromise my needed legroom one way or another--and she appears to be right.

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Ilya
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Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Fair enough...I'm not sure you go from here unfortunately.

moftz
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:42 am
Car: 2006 M35x, 140k mi
Location: DC

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Have you tried an FX35? It's the same engine and nearly the same platform as the M35x but since it's more like an SUV, you may find yourself a little more leg room. I'm pretty tall myself but not as tall as you so I've definitely still had issues sitting in tight cars. I was in the Infiniti showroom once and my mom told me if I fit in the Q50s, she'd buy it for me. My head stuck out of the sunroof.

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Ilya
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Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Contact:

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There is the FX35, FX50 and QX70 (after the re-brand). Agreed, that may be more room for you.

@Moftz, your mom knew what she was saying lol.


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