Infiniti FX45 Infiniti FX35

merlin

Hmmmm...looks like we took the lid off a bona fide design mistake here with the driver's seat controls impinging on the right hip area. Further investigation makes me think it's the metal(?) collar under the upholstery to which the plastic switch plate is mounted that's causing the problem. Nice to know I'm not alone out here with a great vehicle with a substantial need for a solution.

Firebird_EOU

Does anyone know what's in 2005 model?
Bluetooth?
Voice recong. nav?
Touch screen nav?
Allow passenger to program while in motion nav?
Adaptive HID?

wibble

Nope to all of those. Only new tech will be the lane departure system.

tedcruiser

The seat are fine. 95% of the people think they are great. The other five percent need to look at the Chevy Suburban. If the seat bothers your siatic nerve then you need to get a physical to see what the real problem is.

duffer7

I am happy to hear that your SCIENTIFIC study says that " 95% of the people " think the seats are OK. I assume that you have talked with ALL the FX owners to come up with this amazing statistic.

tedcruiser

Who said anything about scientific. If you go to Infinitfx.org and look at how many members they have and then look at how many are complaining it's a simple division problem. No matter what model of car your talking about, there is always something to complain about. People continue to compain that it's an Infiniti design problem and that they should fix it for a very, very small minority of folks. Find a different car.

What % of the folks really have a problem in your opinion. Do you really think it's more than 5%?

extech

For those who complain about the seat switch - has anyone tried a set of sheepskins? By cutting a small incision in the seat cover on the right side, one could reach the switches without having to sit directly on top of the switch. A more complex solution would be to remove the driver's switch assembly and mount it to a different location. This might require the fabrication of a longer wiring harness. I think it's a design flaw in a great car, and it's worth correcting.

kflanary

I'm getting ready to purchase an '04 fx35. I'm getting touring, technology, sport, and MES. I definitely want the brick interior, but am torn on exterior color. My choices are diamond graphite (beautiful, but not sure if it goes with the brick) or beryllium (looks nice with the brick, but not sure about the color). Totally torn. For those that have one combo or the other, what are your thoughts after ownership?

wibble

Go on and get laser red or liquid copper with brick/black!

ncvol

The extra padding in the middle of the seat did help, it lifts you up so that your hip doesn't put as much pressure on the seat control housing. I didn't like having to do it, but it definitely relieved the pain for any trip over about 30 minutes. Of course, now I'm entering my fourth week of being without the FX, because it's been in the shop for some engine trouble they can't figure out. At the end of the week, I'll have a presumptive lemon under my state law and I'm going to find something else when they take it back. This car and me are just not meant to be.

Kirstie_H

A reporter is interested in speaking with former BMW owners or enthusiasts who have found an alternative to BMW. If you would be interested in speaking with this reporter about why you now prefer a different vehicle, please forward your contact information to Pam Krebs, Edmunds.com PR, at pkrebs@edmunds.com. Please respond by end-of-day Friday, August 27. Thank you.

dutch47

I like the controls where they are located. I don't have a problem with my legs or rear end coming any where close to the controls. I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs. I don't feel the location of the seat controls constitutes a design flaw. If your butt is too big to fit in a seat that is almost 21 inches across then I guess this is not the car for you. For me it's one of the very best cars I have ever owned. I really like the lay out of the controls, very comfortable seats, great handling, wonderful accerlation, deep rumble of the exhaust, and just all around fun car to drive. Too bad some people are going to miss out on a great car just because their butt does not fit in the seat. Guess those Japanese engineers did not check on the anatomy of some Americans.

tidester

Guess those Japanese engineers did not check on the anatomy of some Americans.

I'm sure they got the anatomical metrics right - but they probably messed up on demographics! :-)

tidester, host

msu79gt82

Has anyone had a flat in an FX35 and had to use the spare tire? How well does the flat tire fit in the spare "hole"? What do you do with the sub-woofer? I own an MDX (love it by the way) and have a Full Size Spare mounted underneath the car. The RX330 comes with a Full Size Spare!

I am considering a new FX or an RX and am very concerned with the FX's poor choice of a mandatory permanant donut-spare!! It seems to me if you have a flat in the FX on a trip with the rear end full of luggage/stuff then you are in deep do-do.

msu79gt82

I am considering either an FX35 (assuming I can live with the ludicrous spare tire design - see above)or an RX330. I have seen one on the lot in the Willow interior with wood grain insted of the aluminum. The wood grain looks very sharp. The dealer said this was a dealer add-on. Does anyone have any experience with this wood grain option?

mrwilson75

'04 AWD FX 35 Sport/Touring Demo with 5K miles ($41K MSRP). Dealer offers invoice, which is $35K. Good deal, or should I keep negotiating? If so, what would be a good price for this FX? Thanks!

gobridge

Not a good deal. You can get at least invoice on a brand new one. I'm getting 04 FX35 sport/tech/mes tonight for $250 under invoice. If you willing to pay invoice, get a brand new one! Who knows how much the demos have been beat up on!

wibble

It's a non-Infiniti add on as Infiniti doesn't offer any official wood trim option. I'd ask the dealer what sort of garantee they offer on it and if there's any other customers they have who you can talk to as regards durability.

A quick aside. Have you driven both cars yet? They are very, very different in terms of drive, handling and overall feel. It's been my experience that people love one of the other but not both.

wibble

I'd second this. $250 to $500 under invoice is the least you should be looking at the moment. On non tech cars (tech packages aen't as plentiful at the moment) you should be looking for even more.

slummyj

I had to make that same decision last year. I went with the beryllium. So far, I have been happy with my decision. Many people have complimented the color. It is unique, which I feel goes with the unique look of the vehicle. If you go with dg, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. They are both striking colors.

sib715

I just traded my Jag S Type for an FX 35, tech, touring, sport,slash guard and cargo protector for 1500 under invoice and fair trade in allowance for the Jag. I didn't want Sport but after taking it home and driving it for 24 hours, I really fell in love with the handling and the ride was no different than other sport coupes I have owned. This is one incredible automobile. I chose Berillium with brick/black, 2nd choice was Diamond with graphite.

huma2

the design should have been thought over alittle more carefully. as a chiropractor, the controls push up on your hip making you sit in an uneven position. this causes repetitive stress syndrome on that right hip which will lead to pain in the hip and or down the leg. i had to give my fx45 to my wife because the pain got so bad. i drove her volvo wagon and 2 days later the pain was gone. it was definetely poor thinking on infiniti's part. also hit a bump while holding a drink and watch the liquid fall right into the controls. but really, the back problems it is causing is a real problem. i am 5'10 180 if you were wondering about a persons size and this problem

tedcruiser

So your now giving your wife a bad back? If you truly believe this a "repetitive stress syndrome" then why in the heck give this awful disease to someone else, especially one you love. I have never been to a chiropractor for this very reason.

The seats are fine and even (unlevel?) and do not put any pressure whatsoever on the hips. It may be uncomfortable for you, but it is not in the least a "medical" issue. You just prefer a different seat just leave it at that. Don't go jumping on the "design flaw" bandwagon just because you are more comfortable in another vehicle.

huma2

my wife is 5'2 105 her hips do not come anywhere close to the sides of the seat., she can even move the seat without moving her leg to see the controls. she loved the car , and seeing her smile when she drove it was one of the reasons i let her have the car. as to why you never been to a chiropractor i did not understand your reasoning. did a chiro try to hand you a disease?? the seat is not the only design flaw, have you ever tried to attach a childs seat to the latch system . the latches are nearly impossible to reach with the latch unless you remove the seat cushion and then good luck trying to get the seat back on. the seat control design is a poor one, i am not jumping on any bandwagon.

ncvol

The seats affect a very small, but definite, minority of FX owners (and G35's as well). Just because it doesn't bother most of the people, doesn't mean it doesn't bother some of the people. I've seen too many people on message boards complain of the exact same problem for it to be all in our heads. Whether that makes it a "design defect" or not depends on your definition of the term.

huma2

well said

gobridge

I just got an FX35 last week. The salesman had to remove the bottom seat cushion to get the car seat attached. A couple of days later I decided to move it. Well, it turns out you don't need to remove the bottom cushion. If you look carefully, there are slits in the seat cushion through which you slip the latch anchors. Once I discovered this, it was easy to attach the seat. One word of caution....I noticed in the owner's manual it says not to use the latch system if you want to put the seat in the middle.

quattro

Thanks gobridge. I'm planning to get a FX and got worried when I saw the postings on how difficult it is to install a car seat. Being able to install a car seat easily is a must for me. I wonder why the manual says not to use the latch system if installing the car seat in the middle. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having the latch system as the safest place to put the car set is in the middle?
Seems like the Infiniti designers/engineers didn't spend enough time on the interior. May be all their time was spent on the exterior and handling. The interior is definitely the weakest link of this otherwise brilliant vehicle.

wibble

The way the LATCH system is designed, the seats are fitted either behind the drivers seat or behind the passenger seat. Have a look at the FX manual for more details. You can look through it online or download it at http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/deptog.asp?dept%5Fid=58

wschee

Hi, All

I live in Austin, TX.
Does anyone have experience of Infiniti of Austin.
They quoted me "firm" $500 "above" invoice of a '04 FX35 with tech package. It seems to me that the one had sat on the lot for a while since its MSRP is based on old base price.

My first impression of the dealer is sloppiness even though the internet manager did her best.

I wonder the quality of service.

Infiniti of Austin is the only dealer within 100 miles.

clpurnell

Try contacting Grubbs and Sewell in Dallas it may be worth the Drive.

quattro

Wibble, you are the walking encyclopedia of all things Infiniti. Thanks for all the invaluable info.
Is it a FX35 specific that the latch system should not be used in the middle seat? I've mine install in my Audi Allroad using the latch. I should go check my Allroad manual.

merlin

I appreciate your reasoned response. We're talking about an automotive problem here, not someone's wife or kids.

ffb13

the good thing about infinity ,and i posted it here earlier ,is that it is a NISSAN.

and,it is a nissan engine...........

so,do as i did and take the car in for service to a nissan dealer and there is always one near you.

but,for a warranty repair you must go to a infinity dealer.

my oil change plus the total service checks at 3750 miles came out to $ 24.00

wschee

First of all, I thank ffb13,clpurnell for the suggestions on my previous post.

I have a question on Intelligent Key.
If a component of system fails, what will happen?
I guess the following may plausible scenarios.

1. If the battery of remote runs out, then you cannot get in the car as well as cannot run the engine, right?

2. If the battery of the vehicle runs out, what will happen? Is there manual key to get in?

3. For valet parking, does Infiniti provide a valet key? Or should you give the remote to the valet?

When I looked at JD Power rating, FX 35 only got 3 circles for mechanical problems. Are there any known and popular issues at this time?

Thanks,

wibble

"1. If the battery of remote runs out, then you cannot get in the car as well as cannot run the engine, right? "

The intelligent key has a manual key built into it. Slide the catch and remove the metal key. The metal key will open the doors and start the car just like a traditional key will.

"2. If the battery of the vehicle runs out, what will happen? Is there manual key to get in?"

See above. The metal key will still open the drivers door.

"3. For valet parking, does Infiniti provide a valet key? Or should you give the remote to the valet?"

You give the valet the intelligent key with the metal key removed. That way they can't open the glove box if it is locked.

"When I looked at JD Power rating, FX 35 only got 3 circles for mechanical problems. Are there any known and popular issues at this time?"

Nothing major as far as I know. There is the seat comfort issue so make sure you take a long test drive.

If you want to know more about the intelligent key system go to;

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/deptog.asp?dept%5Fid=58

You can either view online or download the FX35/45 owners manual there (no account is requird). The intelligent key information is on page 110 onwards of the 2004 manual.

mrbentley

hey guys,

does anyone know when the 2005's will be out? particularly a 2005 FX35 with tech package in the Greater Toronto Area?

i've called dealers and they all gave me different answers varying from late September to late November.

thanks.

clpurnell

#3. They do provide a valet key also.

wschee

Thanks, again, wibble.

wibble

You're welcome. clpurnell is right, there is also a plain valet key I overlooked.

engin555

what is the lane departure system ?

thx

E

cpp

On startup yesterday morning, I had a very loud clatter with lots of smoke from the exhaust. After 10 seconds or so, it settled down to a steady ticking, like you would hear from a loose valve in a car with solid lifters.
  Had it towed to my dealer and looked at. The short story is the tech said the filter was dirty (I looked at it - it was dirty, but not disgusting), causing the engine to suck oil from the crankcase into the combustion chamber, resulting in the smoke and noise (the noise stopped after it was warmed up). I call BS on several levels.
  In checking on other forums, I have found that this is not an uncommon occurrence, but have not found anyone who has received a satisfactory explanation or a fix to prevent it happening again. Any Edmunds posters have any experience with this?

Thanks...

msu79gt82

The system utilizes a small camera, speed sensor, an indicator and an audible warning buzzer.

The Advanced Lane Departure System recognizes lane markings through the use of a small camera mounted behind the rearview mirror. The camera's signal and the vehicle's speed are sent to the system's advanced microprocessing unit, which combines the information to calculate both the distance between the vehicle and the lane marking and the lateral velocity to the lane marking. A judgment is then made as to whether the vehicle is moving out of the lane (depending on the distance and lateral velocity to the lane).

If it is determined that the vehicle is leaving the lane, both visual (indicator light located on the instrument panel) and audible (buzzer) warning signals are generated, alerting the driver to take corrective action. The system will not operate if the camera can't detect the lane markers or if vehicle's speed is below 45 miles per hour.

"Some of the typical scenarios where the Lane Departure Warning system will warn the drivers when they are not giving 100% of their attention to driving and drift out of their lanes of travel are, for example, adjusting the audio system, looking at other occupants, searching for addresses or landmarks when driving on unfamiliar roads, or when concentrating on conversations rather than driving," said Yakushi.

The Infiniti Lane Departure Warning system was developed in conjunction with Valeo SA and Iteris, Inc., the latter that has previously developed LDW systems for the commercial long-haul truck industry.

dklanecky

I probably missed something but what if I just want to change lanes on a freeway/tollway at speed greater than 45mph?

I suppose activating the turn signal could momentarily turn off the lane departure system?

mrbentley

I suppose activating the turn signal could momentarily turn off the lane departure system?

Yes. that is correct.

jpa300

Just wanted to thank Edmunds and everyone on the boards for all the interesting info. on SUV's. I have been trying to decide between the new Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, MDX, XC-90, and 4Runner. After literally reading hundreds of reviews it seems as though the FX 35 I am considering wins hands down. The only major problems seem to be little grips that are basically personal issues. All the other posts on the other cars have all kinds of problems and the FX seems to give everyone great satisfaction and a real pleasure to drive. So thanks again to everyone. It really pays to do alot of research.

lovett

Need a little help. Thinking about getting into a 2003 FX45 demo (registered Feb 2004) with 5700 miles on the clock, they are offering $37500, loaded, tech package and DVD system, Liquid Copper with Black interior. What do you guys think, am I getting a fair deal? Also I live in Germany and does anyone know if Nissan is able to service Infiniti Vehicles, since there is no Infiniti overseas as of yet? Thanks for any help that you can give me. By the way, if you could give me an answer on this right away it would be greatly appreciated, looking to close in the next few days.

clpurnell

IS it a 35 or 45 if 45 write the check now if 35 it is still a good deal.

wibble

It's a good deal but two things to consider;

1. There is no navigation DVD available for Europe that will work with the Infiniti system as far as I know.

2. The DVD entertainment system is locked to region 1, so region 2 DVDs won't play on it.

Nissan should be able to work on it. It may be worth buying some oil filters, air filters and cabin filters (for the A/C) from the U.S. Also, check on the local availibility of the 20" tyres. Good luck!

lovett

It's a 45 in excellent condition.