What Does 60K Mi Service Cost on M45

[JohnTN]

I am looking at a 2003 M45 with 64K miles on it. The used car lot says they don't have any service records on it. I didn't look through the glove box for service info. Local infiniti dealer will print out Infiniti service records for me on Monday, I think.

What does the 60K service cost and what major things are done at that time?

John

[olega_ts]

from Infiniti maintenance guide:60,000-mile service:

Check all fluid levelsReplace engine oilReplace engine oil filterReplace air filterReplace A/C in-cabin micro filterPerform cooling system service (flush)Perform fuel injection servicePerform transmission system service (flush and refill)Replace rear differential fluidReplace windshield wiper bladesReplace oil drain plug gasketInspect and test batteryReplace drive beltsClean and adjust brake caliper side pis, brake backing plates and friction surfacesRotate tiresAdjust tire pressureAdjust parking brakeInspect tiresInspect brakesInspect vehicle for fluid leaksWash and vacuum vehicle

Cost from my dealer :$ 969.98 plus tax + shop supplies.

I would suggest to customize the service and just to the main things such as transmission flush, cooling system flush, diff fluid and do the rest yourself.

[M4T5]

I totally agree! Just have them do the things that you would rather not do.It will save you some money, but not a lot. The major items are the ones that cost the most...of course. But that price is what I've heard of in the past. It's pretty much the same as the 30K mi service. I've seen owners post costs between $760-$1000+ for these services.Good luck on the purchase!

J

[M45Caliber]

you will notice a LOT of what they are charging for is "inspect". I had most of this done at 30K on my 2003 M45 for a fraction of that price, by having the work done "ala carte".

Get a quote for: oil/filter, air and cabin filter, trans flush, coolant flush, diff drain and fill, PS and PB flush. Should be maybe $500 to $600. You can do the cabin and engine air filter yourself, saving maybe $80 in labor.

So negotiate that cost into (or out of) the final deal. And HOPE it doesn't burn oil -- cold start it (show up at the dealers/owners first thing in the morning, lift the hood and touch the engine to make sure it hasn't been started (cold not warm). The stand behind the car and have the dealer start the car while you watch the tail pipe. Any BLUE smoke? run from the car.

Also -- recommend if you do buy this car that you add the Infiniti Elite warranty - do NOT buy any other after market warranty on this car. There are posts here on that topic. good luck.

[maxnix]

What does the 60K service cost and what major things are done at that time?

John

The OEM recommendation is the minimum to get the car past OEM warranty so the big item failures occur on the owners dime.

Cost depends on how thorough you want them to be.

[JohnTN]

The car I am looking at is at a Cadillac dealership, a one owner tradein. I called the Infiniti dealer today and they did give me the maintenance records on the car.

30K and 60K service were declined by the previous owner (car has 64K mi on it).

Bu$t there was a record of work done under warranty: replace driver seat mount twice, repair trunk release, replace gauge cluster (that's good), replace battery.

Carfax indicated car was rearended in Nov. 2007 with moderate damage. I inspected the rear area and inside the trunk and couldn't tell it had been damaged. Paint matches and body panel alignment look straight.

I think I might offer $11,000 based on the need to spend $1000 on 60K maintenance and probably will need brakes soon.

Do you think that is a reasonable low offer?

John

John

[M4T5]

What are they asking for it?

J

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,While that looks like an excellent price, the previous owner seemed to spend the least amount possible. The only work that was performed on that car was warranty work. God only knows when the oil was changed. And given the PO turned down the 30k service, it is most unlikely a transmission flush was done.

I would run from this car. With proper servicing, these cars are reliable. Given the lack of service history, I would assume that none was done. This will ultimately cost a small fortune as the car goes past 100k and the deferred maintenance manifests itself in the form of blown transmissions, etc..

Cheers,ML

[JohnTN]

They are asking $12,900.

[Mark Linkous]

Wow. I purchased mine over two years ago for over twice that amount. I actually purchased it at Harper Infiniti, where I presume you received the service info on the M you are interested in. Mine was CPO with under 30 thousand miles and every option, but still.

For 12k, that is an amazing price. I would absolutely spend 100 or so Dollars on a pre purchase inspection (PPI) at Harper's. Given the holes in the service history, this is huge. The transmission costs around 5k, engine 8 thousand to replace. ML

[M45Caliber]

FYI -- I looked at trading my '03 last month on a newer FX35 (wanted 1 vehicle with AWD) -- Scottsdale Infiniti. The GM came out to appraise my car (pearl white with factory chrome wheels) 2003 with 37K on it, ALL services done at Infiniti, etc. Said this was the cleanest one he's seen in over 2 years... might want it for his wife -- yadda yadda... and proceeded to offer me $9,000 in trade! That was before I was going to beat him up on the price of the FX. No typo. So, I bought the Infiniti Elite warranty instead and will drive this thing a few more years.

So, with accident history and NO service history and over 60K miles, I would bet they have NO MORE that 6 or 7 grand in it (they may have "given him more in trade" by burying the rebates etc. into his trade in value. He thinks he got more than that, but perhaps $4,000 in factory-to-dealer incentives padded the real trade in amount). Very common ploy.

My buddy who is a GM at a big Nissan dealer says ANY CarFax accident history knocks 25% or MORE off the normal trade-in price they will offer - especially now that consumers can see this for themselves. Used to just be buyer beware. Not any more.

IF you buy the car, I believe you can still buy the Infiniti Elite warranty - you might get 24 mo and 24K miles, but I bet it will cost you almost 2 grand to get it. Call Scottsdale Infinti and inquire (they sell the Infiniti Elite warranties at wholesale - about $100 or so over "cost") Ask for Courtney Mutema - she's the finance manager and will treat you right. But I'd call and ask if you CAN get coverage, then if so what your options are before you pull the trigger on this one.

I would offer $8,000 cash -- or keep looking (let them counter with 10k, then offer 9K and walk -- they'll chase you down and take it). Nice time of year to fly out to LA and look around. I bought mine at Cerritos Infiniti and there are a LOT (relatively speaking) of M45's for sale in the LA basin. Look at Cars dot com and Autotrader. If it's a dealer, offer the KBB Trade-in value in good condition. Put a deposit on it with a credit card, then fly out and buy the sucker. Ship it for $800, or drive it home and enjoy the ride. Good Luck.

[JohnTN]

NADA trade-in is 11.1K for avg condition, 12.5K for clean trade-in, and 15K for clean retail.

By the way, this is the standard model with 18" wheels, no sunroof.

I think I will go back and look through the car to see if there are any maint records stuck in the owners manual or possibly discover the previous owners name. If I could find some record of oil changes I would feel better about making an offer.

I always thought dealers have much more profit margin on trade-ins than new cars because of the way they "steal" them from customers who don't understand the numbers.

But I have never offered 1/3 below the asking price. Guess this might be the first time.

Depreciation on the big Infinitis is terrible. I have a 1995 Q45 with 140K miles and I can't get anyone to even come look at it at a price of $2900.

Thanks for the input.

John

[maxnix]

Verify 3,750 OCI or walk!

[maxnix]

NI have a 1995 Q45 with 140K miles and I can't get anyone to even come look at it at a price of $2900.

John

Have you tried in our market forums? If well maintained, it is just broken in.

Why do you want to sell it?

[M45Caliber]

I just did a search on Autotrader == within a 500 mile radius of Phoenix (which means mainly the LA Basin. I got a hit on 74 2003-2004 M45's for sale. ONE has to be the lowest mileage M45 on the planet -- an '04 with 15K original miles. Asking 18K so you should be able to buy it for $16K. If you are planning to keep it for awhile, This should be your next car.

Fly to LA, have the trans serviced, the rear diff changed and the oil & filter changed, then drive it back to TN. Or ship it for $600 - $800.

There were others with miles in the 40's, 60's and higher - a few over 100K. LOTS of selection available if you really want to search. You might want to check out FLA as well. Should be some nice ones down there too.

[DashingMax]

My buddy who is a GM at a big Nissan dealer says ANY CarFax accident history knocks 25% or MORE off the normal trade-in price they will offer - especially now that consumers can see this for themselves. Used to just be buyer beware. Not any more.

I agree...very true. Here are Manheim Auction prices for a 2003 M45 with 64k miles.Above: $10,900Average: $9,200Rough: $7,500

Carfax accident = rough condition. He will get approx $7500 at Auction. He should be thankful if he can sell it for $8000-$8500 on his lot. Also note that whatever price he gets at the auction, he will need to pay Manheim fees + transportation costs, etc.

Good luck!

[jankenpo30]

Perform cooling system service (flush)Perform transmission system service (flush and refill)Replace rear differential fluid

Just to follow-up. On my '06. Cost to do these 3 a la carte. $475 at Infiniti, $275 at Nissan (right across the street). Guess where I'm going.

[vincent82123]

Just did a quick 30K service in my local Precision Tune shop. 1. Transmission Flush and Refill with Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF (14 qts)2. Oil Change with Castrol Edge Full Synthetic and Mobile 1 Extent Performance Oil Filter.3. Differential Oil Change.4. Coolant Flush by using Nissan factory coolant.Total cost for the service (Fluid and Labor included) was less than $400.

I did replace my in cabin filter in my local Infiniti dealer 2 months ago for ($150), Damm expensive.Installed a spoiler in Infiniti Dealer for $250 and they left me two deep scratches in the trunk.Dealer will charge me over $1300 for a full 30K service, what a ridoff. I don't think the dealer will use quality stuff like Castrol Edge, Mobile 1 filter and Mobile 1 synthetic transmission fluid.

[M45Runner]

Just did a quick 30K service in my local Precision Tune shop. 1. Transmission Flush and Refill with Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF (14 qts)

I thought that the only ATF you can use for M35/45 is Nissan Matic-J ATF, anything else will be causing issues with reduced performance, since it has special addictives in it?

[szh]

I thought that the only ATF you can use for M35/45 is Nissan Matic-J ATF, anything else will be causing issues with reduced performance, since it has special addictives in it?

YES!! Either the J, or the new S fluid, is the only thing you should use for the new Nissan/Infiniti transmissions. This is in bold print all over the Users and Service Manuals ... in many, many places.

Z

[vincent82123]

Mobile 1 ATF will be good for the Nissan Matic J. I did some research on Mobile 1's website.