I have an M45 Sport with DVD and am trying to connect my iPod mini with a cable through the input plugs behind the front console. The "Quick Reference" manual has a picture of a mini that appears to be connected in this mannter so I assume this is possible. I plug in and turn on the iPod, but nothing....any suggestions as to how to run an iPod through the sound system without using a wireless FM modulator ? I've been through the operating manuals but can find nothing on point.
I purchased M45 Sport because I wanted performance. M45 may have slightly stiffer suspension, but this does not matter to me. The ride is perfectly fine and I do not find it is too stiff. Regarding tire nose, I do not hear anything to complain about. I live in Phila suburbs and snow can be a problem a few days each winter. I have an F150 4 wheel drive truck & Honda Accord for these days.
Sounds like you want performance and you also have a second car when needed for off-road or winter months. I think, in your case, the advantages of sport definitely far out weigh the any negatives.
Nothing against M35 & M45 (Non-sport). Its all matter of personal preference. All Ms are great cars. Based on my initial impressions, Infiniti has done its home work and these cars will also prove to have excellent reliability.
#3975 of 4044 Re: Nose cone and front air dam [jeff721] by bw45sport Jul 27, 2005 (9:08 pm) Replying to: jeff721 (Jul 27, 2005 8:53 pm)
Is anyone else noticing small nicks on the front nose of the car? They are not bad, but I do not like them and don't want this to continue. anyone else have this issue?
I've picked up a few nicks as well and they are not limited to the front nose. Unfortunately, while finishes seem to have become more resilient in some ways and certainly more rust resistant, the newer finishes seem to nick and chip more.
A friend commented on the nicks that I had picked up on my G35 Coupe and thought that it was a sign that Infiniti had done a poor job. I showed him my '03 MB SL500 and pointed out that it was every bit as bad. The SL500 is black and you can see every little white nick that shows up. The nicks and chips are even present on the roof of the car.
In contrast, I have an 87 MB sedan that has some paint imperfections and a little rust that has begun to peek out at a few spots but not a single chip on it to be found.
Other than a nose mask or a product such as 3M's transparent applique, which is not always as transparent as you'd like, I'd recommend keeping a paint stick handy. I find myself using it every month.
What is a paint stick? Do you mean dealer touch up paint? If not where do I get one?
Can it be used on the front bumper material as well as the body?
I didn’t mean to create a blog here, but here’s chapter 2 . . . .
Thanks to those who replied to my concerns about the potential downsides to the M45 Sport. All your comments are helpful. In terms of the tradeoff between handling and comfort, I can understand "rrob" 's choice to go with the M45 basic, but of course "Sdiver68" is right in saying only I can really make that decision since it's a subjective decision. (Yet, I was worried too about unknown potential extra problems with the wheels and tires and anything else associated with the Sport version.) And thanks, “Sdiver”, for relating your 10+ years of experience with low profile tires. This substantially decreases the concern I had with this issue.
I particularly appreciated "jassen" 's comments since he's in the San Francisco Bay Area, has driven roads in the Coastal Mountains I know well, and did some research on the care and maintenance of performance/low profile tires. Also, by the way, "jassen", there must be something about Marin dealerships. I purchased my Range Rover from RAB Motors there (long before they set up a separate Land Rover facility), and the sales professionalism and service was so outstanding I kept going back there during the warranty period from San Mateo County for service. I would appreciate any contact names you have for the Infiniti dealership there, as I will ask them for a quote.
I guess I did a poor job explaining my feelings about driving in the Sierras, and probably deserved "Sportster" 's comments as a result, though not the snide 2nd paragraph about California (chill out). Based on driving my wife's Honda Accord with it's 6 cylinder engine up to the Sierras, I would be the first to agree that a V-8 is "not required to deliver a carload of people" (in his words) to any part of Tahoe from the Bay area. What I said precisely was "the extra reserve power of a V-8 is very comforting" . . . "at 7,200 feet in elevation trying to pass an 18-wheeler." What I had in mind, but failed to explain, was not driving past a slow truck while I stayed in the fast lane (I-80 is mostly just two lanes in each direction in the Sierras), but, for one reason or another, getting stuck behind an 18 wheeler at 25 to 30 miles per hour, while the fast lane's flow of traffic passed by at 70 miles per hour, and trying to jump out into the fast lane under those circumstances to pass the truck (and to remain in the fast lane), with cars coming at you at very high speed. Is there anyone in this forum who would contend that: (1) seeking some peace of mind by having the M45’s V-8 for reserve power isn’t a valid goal in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 6 to 7,000 feet -- sometimes on a significant grade -- for the purposes stated?; or, (2) that the M45 V-8 would not provide noticeable additional power for acceleration around these trucks as compared with an M35? I doubt it, but I may be wrong, so I’ll just welcome everyone’s comment on this.
I agree with “Sportster” ’s comment that a V-8 would be preferred in Colorado, though I’ll leave to members of this forum to evaluate his implication that one can’t take a “real” road trip (however one defines that) in the State of California . (He seems bitter about California.) I’ve driven about 25,000 miles in Colorado, have been to Aspen, etc., and in the summer and fall have been over Independence Pass (over 12,000 feet, ) more than 10 times. (It’s closed in the winter, or was when I lived there for a while.) The road and the driving challenge I am concerned with in the Sierras – fast Interstate freeway traffic in one lane, very slow trucks in another, do not compare with the mountain road over Independence Pass or other two lane slow mountain roads in Colorado. (It’s been 5 years since I was last there visiting, but I assume there’s not a new Interstate freeway going over Independence Pass, so no one is trying nor expecting to drive up the grade at 75+ miles per hour.) Oh, and I’ve certainly seen imported SUV’s there – Range Rovers, for starters. “Sportster” implies that by the alleged absence of imported SUVs there, an allegation I do not agree with, this is evidence that there isn’t an imported SUV that can handle elevation and/or the snow, which, again, I’ll leave for this forum to evaluate.
All I can say is that my old Range Rover – with its adjustable ride height air suspension feature and weight – works extremely well in snow country (one of the reasons I purchased one in the first place). There have been many times that I felt like a snow plow on county roads in Placer and Nevada Counties here in California. So, I would respectfully disagree with the implication that imported SUVs are not seen much in the Rockies because they are in some way inadequate for mountains. (I’m speaking of serious SUVs – not the ones built on minivan frames.) By the way, you sure see more “foreign” SUVs than American SUVs in the Swiss Alps, where I’ve driven extensively, and where I think it’s fair to say there are “real” road trips.
One more thing, Sportster: I think in your rush with snide comments about California (2nd paragraph) you missed my point (while at the same time stereotyping me and my neighbors without knowing a thing about us): I won’t be driving as much as the average American, let alone the average Californian, so the small difference in fuel efficiency between the M35 and M45 isn’t a big factor. The point is how much gas you consume in a year, based on two variables: the number of miles you drive and the rate at which you consume the fuel to drive those miles. If I get an M45 but drive it half as much as a guy with an M35, I'm consuming less gas in a year than he is, and, if my mileage is low enough each year, I'm consuming less than most everyone else is, including folks with Honda Civics who have to drive 50 miles round trip each work day. So I don't feel the need to buy a golf cart.
But to get back to the central topic . . . I did test drive the M45 Sport and M45 basic today. They were both very impressive. As for the M45 Sport, however, I have to say, on balance, there’s a “Wow” factor here. Emotionally I got caught up in it, justifying in my mind the added expense with the rationale that if you’re going to bother buying a really good “sport” luxury sedan (I assume meant to be a touring car), and get a V-8, you might as well go all the way and lean towards driving performance as the most important consideration. Again, I have a very short daily commute so I’m not stuck in a car for an hour over bad roads trying to get to work and tired of feeling every bump.
Based on a comment or two in reviews, I feared in driving the M45 Sport my teeth would fall out if we went over a bump o rut in the road. Not so. It’s just a little stiffer with less damping. The Sport gave me a smoother more comfortable ride than my BMW 328i or my wife’s 2005 Honda Accord.
I found the additional tire noise insubstantial and a minor consideration compared with the quality of the “grip” the car has on curves at considerable speed on the very twisty road in the hills above Redwood City featuring caution signs slowing you down to 25 mph. I went around curves like that at 40 with no problem at all and feeling very much in control of things. (Of course, I would have felt less in control had I been pulled over for speeding.) In comparison to the straight M45, I noticed the little extra tire noise more at very slow speeds, like turning in a parking lot, when you could barely hear the engine. In fact, the fan is louder than the incremental additional sound from the tires. But remember, I’m used to a Range Rover, so you could probably run a micro gas turbine in the back seat of the M45 Sport and I’d think it was quiet next to a ’95 Range Rover.
The test drives had one frustrating aspect: after test driving the M45 Sport on the flat land near the Bay, then up in the hills, the dealership did not have a demo M45 basic to test drive, so we took out one pegged as “new/non-demonstrator” and they didn’t want to put a lot of mileage on it so I could only drive it near the dealership on the flat roads near the brand new, now near-empty, “dot com” buildings by the water. So I never got the chance to take it up into the hills to drive on the same exact road I’d just take then Sport on. I had intended to compare Apples with Apples.
Not sure if this is okay to mention here rather than the specific forum section on pricing, but for your information, the MSRP I rec’d from two Infiniti dealers on the San Francisco Peninsula (in San Mateo County – not in San Francisco) were as follows based on my requirements:
Requirements: M45 Sport (Diamond Graphite exterior; Graphite Leather); (Second exterior choice is the silver color, the exact name of which escapes me at the moment); Journey Package for the Sport; Technology Package with XM radio; Rosewood (an individual option for the Sport, to replace the aluminum); Splash guards; Carpeted trunk mat.
Dealer 1: MSRP: “$56,000 to $57,000, plus fees, depending upon the exact equipment” (this after I specifically listed the above). However, the salesman was a good guy (if the price were right, wouldn’t YOU want to buy a “Sport” sedan from a guy who has base jumped off the top of Yosemite’s El Capitan 6 times and Half Dome 4 times! ? ) and I think he meant if I wanted one from his or another dealer’s lot I might not find everything in it – or too much in it. (I noted that there seem to be quite a few of the M45 Sport sedans with that entertainment system for the rear passengers, which I do not want.) I got absolutely no hint that the dealer would try and ask for more than the MSRP (see the thread on the premiums above MSRP the dealers were getting, at least earlier this year, in another forum section). I inferred from his answers to my questions that there was a tiny amount of room to negotiate that price downwards. If so, that’s quite a different attitude than reported not too many months ago here on the success dealers were having getting premiums above the MSRP.
Dealer 2: MSRP: $57,060. The salesman I had been dealing with the other day was out, so I met with the sales manager, who was one totally classy, non-pushy and professional gentleman.
Neither dealer has the exact car in stock. The sales manager at Dealer 2 checked his computer for all the dealers in the Bay Area and claimed there wasn’t one with my exact requirements and I see no reason not to believe him, since he could have given me the option of paying a bit more, if necessary, for them to get it sent over to his dealership.
The Infinity Web site’s “build it yourself” section indicates – without the trunk mat – the MSRP is $56,980, pretty much right in line with the above.
So what to do now? I guess I’ll send out a request for a firm quotation to several other dealers while at the same time asking the same of the two dealers above to tack them down.
What is the best Web site to use to accomplish this? Edmonds?
I think your experience is interesting, glad you are sharing it. I understand your choice of the Sport; I had a hard time deciding between the two. Regarding your experience with mountain driving, I test drove an M35x also, and the test drives I took included a 2 mile long 8-10% highway grade. Of course, I'm in Maryland, so no altitude. While the M35x certainly had excellent acceleration on the grade, the M45 was better. Either one would have worked for me around here, but the 45 had the ‘wow' factor. I've since taken my M45 on a trip thru West Virginia, plenty of mountain grades there, and it was great, very easy to quickly and safely pass anything. I know these aren't Western mountains, but they're what we got!
I talked with my dealer about Sport availability. I got the impression the wood is fairly rare in the Sports, but certainly could be ordered. Sounds like your price quote is ok, but there's the price"e section to really discuss that. I don't see any hint of premiums being charged around here, some negotiation is possible. I used the ‘get a quote' function from the Infiniti website and had several dealers to choose from who were close to me. I shopped as much on dealer as price, and already have had very good experience. My dealership experience was positive and professional. I got three long test drives in the Basic and Sport 45, and the 35x. My salesman was helpful, knowledgeable and not pushy. My car had a minor imperfection crop up (the cup holder wouldn't stay closed). I called, the part was available that day, dropped my car off, got a G35 loaner in 10 mins, my car was ready in a couple of hours, pickup took 10 mins again. Not bad at all! Everyone was very helpful and positive.
I haven't tried this and I don't have my manual handy so take this for what it's worth. I remember seeing an option in the audio or dVD setup to tell the unit to get the feed from the plugs you reference. Try looing there.
I believe rangerover has thoroughly dethroned markcincinatti as the LOOOOONGEST posts on these forums. You guys didn't have a hand in The Lord of the Rings novels, did you?
I don't know why you would be willing to pay MSRP at this time. You can get a very attractive pricing, especially if you are willing to order and wait or buy out of state and drive or have the car shipped. You should get close to invoice + 1,000-1,500.
I have an m35 sport and was thinking that the car would look a lot better 3/4" to 1" lower in the front and maybe 1/2" to 3/4" lower in the back. Was curious to see some pics.
The chrome (actually brushed aluminum) covers for the door pillars are a dealer installed option. I first saw them on a white M35 on the showroom floor at a dealer here in NJ. They appeared to be glued onto the B pillars, as no other means of attachment was visible.
Will be picking my M35x tommorrow (8/4) in a somewhat different color combo - diamond graphite/wheat.
I also have a M45 here in Maryland. Was wondering which dealership you purchase yours from. I was not very happy with mine and was looking to have warranty work and service performed elsewhere. Sounds like you had a good dealer experience.
Also that WVA drive sounds like fun. What was the route?
The AUX input is routed through the DVD player. Thus to activate the AUX input you hit the disc button to bring up the DVD screen. Then, use your arrow keys to select the AUX/Settings on-screen button, and press enter. Then you can turn on AUX in the screen that comes up.
Once it's activated, you'll be able to switch from radio to AUX just by using the source button on the steering wheel, or with just the DISC button on the console. A nicer implementation than the AUX input on my Mercedes CLK, which use deeper menus and require them every time you switch from radio.
Rangerover, have you heard about the Costco Auto program? I just purchased an M35x in Illinois through the Costco Auto program and saved almost $3,000 below sticker. Each state has its own price through the costco auto program, but I'm pretty sure you should find similar pricing in California. All you have to do is be a Costco member (or become one for under $50 bucks) and then call the 800 Costco Auto Program # and they will give you participating dealers near your residence. It is simple, haggle free, and will save you substantial money.
Good luck, whatever you decide you will not go wrong with the new M. I love mine!
No we didn't, it looks like he disappeared from the board once he announced that. Something seemed fishy in his story if you ask me. All that detail and research, an order he claims he placed via the internet, and then he does a 180 and buys an Audi. Doesn't that sound fishy? Does to me..........
If you hit the lowest left button on the steering wheel, it changes modes, from radio through CD to Aux. Did you try this, or maybe you expected the system to see the iPod automatically...?
Let me know, I have a new M45 and would like to try my iPod (just busy so far!)
I had the same 'wow' with the 45 Sport. I am glad I am one of several on this board!
Infiniti Marin-Rory Kane, nice young feller, Michael Brooks, nice as well. Both were very helpful with two visits, stayed late when I made the purchase, followed up nicely over three weeks now, including a few redundant questions I have had. I did my haggling with the GM, Arthur, who is more business. I have never met him in person.
I worked on an 'invoice plus' method, rather than a sticker price downwards method. Try buying the $12 report from Consumer Union/Reports, that lists many invoice costs, and gives you the manufacturer holdback ($1412, in my case). That is money the dealer makes beyond invoice. I made a pretty good deal, but got the feeling that the 45 Sport is limited and in demand, so I couldn't get $1000 over invoice. I know I got a good deal, though.
I went to or called several dealers, and many had access to options the others didn't. So if you want a specific car, check with different dealers even if they tell you there isn't one out there. Perhaps certain dealers don't deal with others...I dont' know.
The wood/sport combo is less common, but I really wanted it. I couldn't find wood/Sirius (big NFL fan), so I even sacrificed the Sirius. I love the rosewood.
BTW, Marin was the best service department in the country last year, and also won the Infiniti Award of Excellence, given to about eight dealers. Most of their customers are 'bebacks', so they won't push you on any one visit.
Let me know if you have any more specifics. And don't rush to buy-I have not seen a single M yet besides mine, and don't want that to change too soon...
Got mine from JBA in Ellicott City. Happy with them so far. The service manager, Mike, already, he is knowledgeable and helpful and they have a great loaner car policy.
My trip to WVa was fun. Drove out I-70, the I-68 to Cumberland MD in the morning. Headed home thru WVa, often using the Nav system on 'avoid highways'. Went south mostly on WV 28 to Romney, then took US 50 to WV 340 and came back into Maryland near Harper's Ferry. Fun drive. Going to Staunton, VA next week. Can't wait. Will pass the 'magic' 1200 miles this week.
If you hit the lowest left button on the steering wheel, it changes modes, from radio through CD to Aux. Did you try this, or maybe you expected the system to see the iPod automatically...?
Let me know, I have a new M45 and would like to try my iPod (just busy so far!)
That will work, but only after you've set the DVD player to AUX rather than DVD. Please see my post above.
I've gotten my wife's iPod to work using the "AUX" setting but there was no displaying the song, playlist, etc. I assume that you just have to keep the iPod up front with you and use it to do your selecting. Is that true or am I missing something?
I sometimes notice a brief hesitation when accelerating abruptly. I think the car is trying to figure out if I just want to move or if I really want to MOVE...it then shifts accordingly. However, I don't think this is limited to the M. You may be noticing something different than what I am describing. I find this same hesitation on almost everything I have driven with an automatic.
I've gotten my wife's iPod to work using the "AUX" setting but there was no displaying the song, playlist, etc. I assume that you just have to keep the iPod up front with you and use it to do your selecting. Is that true or am I missing something?
That's true.
There's a possibility you may be able to do more in the future. Specifically, you might be able to connect the iPod Photo's video output cable to the DVD's video AUX input, to see the track info from the iPod screen displayed on your NAV screen when it's playing your ipod. There are currently two problems with that
1- The last time I checked, iPod Photo did not send the music info (which it displays on its internal screen) to the TV-Out cable, when it's in music playing mode. This could likely change on future iPod Photos, or possibly with current iPod photo's and future iPod software upgrades. I haven't checked this recently so it's possible it's already doing this.
2- The Nav screen will not display video (DVD or AUX), except when the car is stopped and the parking break is engaged. The work around for this is a modification to allow this info to be displayed while driving. Do a Web search on M45 DVD hack. Forum rules prevent us from discussing this mod in depth on this forum.
My M45 slightly "kicks" when re-accelerating at high speed (this was recently discussed in this forum). My dealer's service rep mentioned that the previous M45 model also had that problem and is a transmission firmware issue. I don't experience the problem you mentioned, but I bet it's just a variation of the same issue.
The service rep couldn't do anything because there's no technical bulletin (i.e. fix) for it, but he recorded my request to pass it to Infiniti. According to him, "with enough requests, they may release a fix". So next time you go to your dealer, please mention the problem.
Im all in. My M45 sport is a little slow I can get ride of the G35 coupe and get the real deal. Where did you hear this? Im serious, I would do it today
I've had my M35x for around 2 months also. I've found that the acceleration with the M35x can be very steady with light pressure but if you exert more pressure the car literally jumps and abruptly accelerates. I've found when I change from dress shoes to sneakers, I need to adjust the pressure I put on the accelerator or I'll suddenly and inadvertantly peel out. It takes some getting used to! I think there may be a split second of hesitation when you mash down the pedal but you make up for it with surge in power.
Thanks to Pete and janssen for providing useful suggestions to my request for assistance in connecting my Ipod mini to the input jacks at the rear of the front console. I was in the car a bit today and was able to enjoy using the mini and a static/interference free listen through the DVD system. I was successful in using both of their suggestions, as follows (either works):
1) I plugged the mini in using a iCable, connecting to the "L" and "R" input jacks. Then hitting the "source" button at the bottom left on the steering wheel until "AUX" was selected (janssen's suggestion). From there, you operate the iPod using its control wheel. You can adjust the volume using the M45 controls, and/or rotating your finger over the wheel on the iPod. Both work. You can't change songs, etc using the M45 controls, only the volume, and the names of the songs/artists do not appear on the screen. This is not a criticism, just an observation. It would be wonderful if the song/artist names would appear, but at this point I'm thrilled to be able to use this devise and don't want to seem greedy.
2) The alternative, equally useable, method comes from Pete. Same connection to input jacks, then hit "DISC" buttom on the control panel twice (one will get you the CD's you have in the changer, the second will put you in "SETTING/DVD" with "AUX". Once there, you can play the iPod as outlined in "1" above. Again, no listing of songs/artists on screen, no useable M45 controls, other than volume, but, hey, it works and sounds great.
Thanks to all who responded and offered assistance.
FWIW, you are right, all Auto trans will exhibit this behavior while they figure out what gear to be in and get there. To test, and when you want "right now" acceleration, use the manual shift feature, I bet you'll find the "hesitation" is gone...
I'm pretty sure he was joking as I've never seen any referance to such a vehicle, and IMHO they would make a high tech version of the 5.6L so it would be an M56...unless for marketing reasons they used 55 so they would have 35, 45, 55.
A little slow? LOL...other than tuner cars the M45/BMW 545i are in a virtual tie for fastest sedans on the planet under $75K. One problem, though, is the lack of aftermarket support for the vk45 engine, some say it is already tuned pretty well and the only way to get decent improvements is by forced induction of some type.
Infniniti needs a dealer sold/supported tuner line, I would also buy the M55-N (N for NISMO) with 415/400
Exactly right. There is a very little, typical, hesitation in my M45 when suddenly accelerating in "D". Not there at all when I use the manual shift. BTW, I now use this feature for >90% of my driving. It's just more fun . . .
The AUX input on the car stereo is an Analog only input which has both audio(red and white) and video(yellow). The iPod has only an analog audio output through the stereo jack. No analog video is available. The multipin iPod jack has many signals including digital information. In order to display something on the screen in the car you need either an analog video (as from a DVD) or something which can convert digital signals.
The simple setup of the iPod is what you, and I, have done which is to plug the iPod stereo jack into the AUX input on the car. A more complete setup is probably on its way if my reading of various iPod integrations on Japanese cars is correct. The ideal would be to plug the iPod multipin connector into a convenient jack and be able to see and control the iPod at least as well as you can from the iPod screen. It's coming.....I hope and maybe I can retrofit my '06 M45.
My present setup is also quite nice. I have a Belkin TuneBase (w/o FM) and have it plugged into my front power plug. The stereo cord then runs out a small hole in the ash tray compartment back to the AUX connector. It's mostly hidden and works great. Since the power plug goes off when the car is off the iPod automatically goes from Play to Pause and to Off in a few seconds. On starting the car the iPod goes from Off to Pause so you have to push the activate Play.
I know many of us here are new owners and the M's have the 1200 mile break-in period, where we're supposed to keep the revs under 4000. Well, my M45 just passed 1200 miles and I decided to see what shifting at 5000 or so was like. Accelerated on some on-ramps yesterday . . . oh my . . . this car is FAST. I mean, I was extra-legal in 3rd in a couple of seconds, and could easily have accelerated faster. Thirty+ years ago I got to drive a 289 Cobra a bit. My hazy memory is that the Cobra was faster, but nothing else I've driven has come close. Now I now why it is winning the comparison tests in places like C+D. You just don't get this performance without spending a lot more, or giving up your rear seat.
I've been lucky, no speeding tickets, ever. Will need to be careful to keep that record intact
Be safe and have fun everyone. For those of you who haven't turned 1200 on your M yet, good things await.
Very glad you got it working, and thanks for the report.
Unless your M has different software than mine, however, I think you're you're mistaken about using the steering wheel source button to switch the DVD player from DVD to AUX. If your DVD player is on the setting to play DVDs (rather than AUX), the source button will not get you to AUX.
However as I mentioned earlier, you CAN use the steering wheel to switch to from RADIO to AUX, but only after the DVD player has been configured to play AUX rather than DVD
On the other hand, there's a slight chance that there really is a difference in the software in our cars. Could you try using the DISC button to switch the DVD player from AUX to PLAY DVD and see if the steering wheel source button still cycles though radio and AUX, at that point?
In many of the reviews for the new M I read about how my new car rev-matches and even blips. Each reviewer writes that it's a really cool thing and that I should really appreciate it.
Of course I do. It's great.
Can anyone tell me what it means in case someone asks?!!!
I believe that the simple explanation is that the engine automatically bumps the revs to match the new gear with the current speed (without any foot travel on the accelerator).
Someone correct me if I am wrong or overly simplistic (about this, not anything else...my wife already tells my I'm simplistic...or is that a simpleton...)
Rev-matching means matching the engine speed to the transmission speed before completing the shift. This is done, in a car with a manual transmission, by double-clutching and 'blipping' the throttle half-way thru the shift. Most cars with automatics just use the slippage inherent the mechanism to deal with downshifts. Evidently the M transmission actually matches engine and transmission speed automatically before completing a shift.
This is most useful when downshifting and cornering. In a hard corner, the suspension needs to be stable and the tires need to be loaded so that all of their traction is being used to generate cornering force. If the engine is at a different speed than the transmission when the shift is completed, the force on the driveline can upset the stability of the suspension and will cause the tires to exceed their traction capability and lose grip.
So . . . the M's should be more stable in fast corners. This effect is probably only noticeable at 8/10ths+ driving.
I recently swapped my rims. I took my front left rim whihc got damaged by a curb and swapped it with the full size spare (same exact rim), which came with my Infiniti M45. After I did that the Tire Pressure Minotring shows "**" (asterisks) for the Front Left Tire. According to the manual it says to reset the system you have to drive the car at least 25mph for 10 minutes - which I did. Yet it still shows "**". I am wondering if anyone can shed light on this. Does the spare tire NOT have a tire pressure monitor - even though it is the exact same type of wheel not the T-Type? Or could the sensor be bad or am I missing something?
4087 of 4089 Tire Pressure Monitoring on Full Size Spare Sport Package by taharaja Aug 07, 2005 (1:44 pm) I recently swapped my rims. I took my front left rim whihc got damaged by a curb and swapped it with the full size spare (same exact rim), which came with my Infiniti M45. After I did that the Tire Pressure Minotring shows "**" (asterisks) for the Front Left Tire. According to the manual it says to reset the system you have to drive the car at least 25mph for 10 minutes - which I did. Yet it still shows "**". I am wondering if anyone can shed light on this. Does the spare tire NOT have a tire pressure monitor - even though it is the exact same type of wheel not the T-Type? Or could the sensor be bad or am I missing something? Replies to this message:
I have been to dealer on the tire pressure monitor already. I do not know if the spare has a sensor. I do know that the dealer has to calibraste them if they do not read. My front passenger tire shows ** most of the time. The sensor will be replaced when I go for my first service. Good Luck.
There has been some discussion before on the tires and how long they last...but I wanted to add some info I found out Saturday (6 Aug).
I went to one of the local Big 10 Tires stores to have my tires rotated (not an M) and while I was there I asked them about the tires on the M35.
The manager said that if you were lucky, you would get 20,000 miles from a set of tires and that is it. I asked about replacing the tires with a different (speed) rating and he said the tires for the M only come with one rating. In other words you cannot replace the tires with some that will last longer. The "w" rating is for 150 mph...now how many of you are going to drive "basically" a constant 150 mph at all times. I know I never will.
Anyway the price he had on the 19" was somewhere around 340 per tire. (every 20,000 miles)
Price for the 18" ranged from a low of $180 per tire to around $340 per tire. (every 20,000 miles)
Now I know some of you are going to jump in and say if you are buying a $50k car the price of the tires should not matter...
Well...maybe not to you, but to some of us it does. Yes I could afford to replace the tires every 15 - 18 months, but I would prefer not to. I have other things that I would rather spend my money on.
Anyway...just wanted to let everyone know (especially the newbies) about what to expect for the life of the tires on the M.
Each buyer or potential buyer can then make up their own mind if the cost is worth it.
One other thing, I would hope since the M is new that the tire manufacturers will eventually produce other tires that have a longer tread life.
Comments
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Sounds like you want performance and you also have a second car when needed for off-road or winter months. I think, in your case, the advantages of sport definitely far out weigh the any negatives.
Nothing against M35 & M45 (Non-sport). Its all matter of personal preference. All Ms are great cars. Based on my initial impressions, Infiniti has done its home work and these cars will also prove to have excellent reliability.
Replying to: jeff721 (Jul 27, 2005 8:53 pm)
Is anyone else noticing small nicks on the front nose of the car? They are not bad, but I do not like them and don't want this to continue. anyone else have this issue?
I've picked up a few nicks as well and they are not limited to the front nose. Unfortunately, while finishes seem to have become more resilient in some ways and certainly more rust resistant, the newer finishes seem to nick and chip more.
A friend commented on the nicks that I had picked up on my G35 Coupe and thought that it was a sign that Infiniti had done a poor job. I showed him my '03 MB SL500 and pointed out that it was every bit as bad. The SL500 is black and you can see every little white nick that shows up. The nicks and chips are even present on the roof of the car.
In contrast, I have an 87 MB sedan that has some paint imperfections and a little rust that has begun to peek out at a few spots but not a single chip on it to be found.
Other than a nose mask or a product such as 3M's transparent applique, which is not always as transparent as you'd like, I'd recommend keeping a paint stick handy. I find myself using it every month.
What is a paint stick? Do you mean dealer touch up paint? If not where do I get one?
Can it be used on the front bumper material as well as the body?
thanks
Thanks to those who replied to my concerns about the potential downsides to the M45 Sport. All your comments are helpful. In terms of the tradeoff between handling and comfort, I can understand "rrob" 's choice to go with the M45 basic, but of course "Sdiver68" is right in saying only I can really make that decision since it's a subjective decision. (Yet, I was worried too about unknown potential extra problems with the wheels and tires and anything else associated with the Sport version.) And thanks, “Sdiver”, for relating your 10+ years of experience with low profile tires. This substantially decreases the concern I had with this issue.
I particularly appreciated "jassen" 's comments since he's in the San Francisco Bay Area, has driven roads in the Coastal Mountains I know well, and did some research on the care and maintenance of performance/low profile tires. Also, by the way, "jassen", there must be something about Marin dealerships. I purchased my Range Rover from RAB Motors there (long before they set up a separate Land Rover facility), and the sales professionalism and service was so outstanding I kept going back there during the warranty period from San Mateo County for service. I would appreciate any contact names you have for the Infiniti dealership there, as I will ask them for a quote.
I guess I did a poor job explaining my feelings about driving in the Sierras, and probably deserved "Sportster" 's comments as a result, though not the snide 2nd paragraph about California (chill out). Based on driving my wife's Honda Accord with it's 6 cylinder engine up to the Sierras, I would be the first to agree that a V-8 is "not required to deliver a carload of people" (in his words) to any part of Tahoe from the Bay area. What I said precisely was "the extra reserve power of a V-8 is very comforting" . . . "at 7,200 feet in elevation trying to pass an 18-wheeler." What I had in mind, but failed to explain, was not driving past a slow truck while I stayed in the fast lane (I-80 is mostly just two lanes in each direction in the Sierras), but, for one reason or another, getting stuck behind an 18 wheeler at 25 to 30 miles per hour, while the fast lane's flow of traffic passed by at 70 miles per hour, and trying to jump out into the fast lane under those circumstances to pass the truck (and to remain in the fast lane), with cars coming at you at very high speed. Is there anyone in this forum who would contend that: (1) seeking some peace of mind by having the M45’s V-8 for reserve power isn’t a valid goal in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 6 to 7,000 feet -- sometimes on a significant grade -- for the purposes stated?; or, (2) that the M45 V-8 would not provide noticeable additional power for acceleration around these trucks as compared with an M35? I doubt it, but I may be wrong, so I’ll just welcome everyone’s comment on this.
I agree with “Sportster” ’s comment that a V-8 would be preferred in Colorado, though I’ll leave to members of this forum to evaluate his implication that one can’t take a “real” road trip (however one defines that) in the State of California . (He seems bitter about California.) I’ve driven about 25,000 miles in Colorado, have been to Aspen, etc., and in the summer and fall have been over Independence Pass (over 12,000 feet, ) more than 10 times. (It’s closed in the winter, or was when I lived there for a while.) The road and the driving challenge I am concerned with in the Sierras – fast Interstate freeway traffic in one lane, very slow trucks in another, do not compare with the mountain road over Independence Pass or other two lane slow mountain roads in Colorado. (It’s been 5 years since I was last there visiting, but I assume there’s not a new Interstate freeway going over Independence Pass, so no one is trying nor expecting to drive up the grade at 75+ miles per hour.) Oh, and I’ve certainly seen imported SUV’s there – Range Rovers, for starters. “Sportster” implies that by the alleged absence of imported SUVs there, an allegation I do not agree with, this is evidence that there isn’t an imported SUV that can handle elevation and/or the snow, which, again, I’ll leave for this forum to evaluate.
All I can say is that my old Range Rover – with its adjustable ride height air suspension feature and weight – works extremely well in snow country (one of the reasons I purchased one in the first place). There have been many times that I felt like a snow plow on county roads in Placer and Nevada Counties here in California. So, I would respectfully disagree with the implication that imported SUVs are not seen much in the Rockies because they are in some way inadequate for mountains. (I’m speaking of serious SUVs – not the ones built on minivan frames.) By the way, you sure see more “foreign” SUVs than American SUVs in the Swiss Alps, where I’ve driven extensively, and where I think it’s fair to say there are “real” road trips.
One more thing, Sportster: I think in your rush with snide comments about California (2nd paragraph) you missed my point (while at the same time stereotyping me and my neighbors without knowing a thing about us): I won’t be driving as much as the average American, let alone the average Californian, so the small difference in fuel efficiency between the M35 and M45 isn’t a big factor. The point is how much gas you consume in a year, based on two variables: the number of miles you drive and the rate at which you consume the fuel to drive those miles. If I get an M45 but drive it half as much as a guy with an M35, I'm consuming less gas in a year than he is, and, if my mileage is low enough each year, I'm consuming less than most everyone else is, including folks with Honda Civics who have to drive 50 miles round trip each work day. So I don't feel the need to buy a golf cart.
But to get back to the central topic . . . I did test drive the M45 Sport and M45 basic today. They were both very impressive. As for the M45 Sport, however, I have to say, on balance, there’s a “Wow” factor here. Emotionally I got caught up in it, justifying in my mind the added expense with the rationale that if you’re going to bother buying a really good “sport” luxury sedan (I assume meant to be a touring car), and get a V-8, you might as well go all the way and lean towards driving performance as the most important consideration. Again, I have a very short daily commute so I’m not stuck in a car for an hour over bad roads trying to get to work and tired of feeling every bump.
Based on a comment or two in reviews, I feared in driving the M45 Sport my teeth would fall out if we went over a bump o rut in the road. Not so. It’s just a little stiffer with less damping. The Sport gave me a smoother more comfortable ride than my BMW 328i or my wife’s 2005 Honda Accord.
I found the additional tire noise insubstantial
I found the additional tire noise insubstantial and a minor consideration compared with the quality of the “grip” the car has on curves at considerable speed on the very twisty road in the hills above Redwood City featuring caution signs slowing you down to 25 mph. I went around curves like that at 40 with no problem at all and feeling very much in control of things. (Of course, I would have felt less in control had I been pulled over for speeding.) In comparison to the straight M45, I noticed the little extra tire noise more at very slow speeds, like turning in a parking lot, when you could barely hear the engine. In fact, the fan is louder than the incremental additional sound from the tires. But remember, I’m used to a Range Rover, so you could probably run a micro gas turbine in the back seat of the M45 Sport and I’d think it was quiet next to a ’95 Range Rover.
The test drives had one frustrating aspect: after test driving the M45 Sport on the flat land near the Bay, then up in the hills, the dealership did not have a demo M45 basic to test drive, so we took out one pegged as “new/non-demonstrator” and they didn’t want to put a lot of mileage on it so I could only drive it near the dealership on the flat roads near the brand new, now near-empty, “dot com” buildings by the water. So I never got the chance to take it up into the hills to drive on the same exact road I’d just take then Sport on. I had intended to compare Apples with Apples.
Not sure if this is okay to mention here rather than the specific forum section on pricing, but for your information, the MSRP I rec’d from two Infiniti dealers on the San Francisco Peninsula (in San Mateo County – not in San Francisco) were as follows based on my requirements:
Requirements:
M45 Sport (Diamond Graphite exterior; Graphite Leather); (Second exterior choice is the silver color, the exact name of which escapes me at the moment);
Journey Package for the Sport;
Technology Package with XM radio;
Rosewood (an individual option for the Sport, to replace the aluminum);
Splash guards;
Carpeted trunk mat.
Dealer 1: MSRP: “$56,000 to $57,000, plus fees, depending upon the exact equipment” (this after I specifically listed the above). However, the salesman was a good guy (if the price were right, wouldn’t YOU want to buy a “Sport” sedan from a guy who has base jumped off the top of Yosemite’s El Capitan 6 times and Half Dome 4 times! ? ) and I think he meant if I wanted one from his or another dealer’s lot I might not find everything in it – or too much in it. (I noted that there seem to be quite a few of the M45 Sport sedans with that entertainment system for the rear passengers, which I do not want.) I got absolutely no hint that the dealer would try and ask for more than the MSRP (see the thread on the premiums above MSRP the dealers were getting, at least earlier this year, in another forum section). I inferred from his answers to my questions that there was a tiny amount of room to negotiate that price downwards. If so, that’s quite a different attitude than reported not too many months ago here on the success dealers were having getting premiums above the MSRP.
Dealer 2: MSRP: $57,060. The salesman I had been dealing with the other day was out, so I met with the sales manager, who was one totally classy, non-pushy and professional gentleman.
Neither dealer has the exact car in stock. The sales manager at Dealer 2 checked his computer for all the dealers in the Bay Area and claimed there wasn’t one with my exact requirements and I see no reason not to believe him, since he could have given me the option of paying a bit more, if necessary, for them to get it sent over to his dealership.
The Infinity Web site’s “build it yourself” section indicates – without the trunk mat – the MSRP is $56,980, pretty much right in line with the above.
So what to do now? I guess I’ll send out a request for a firm quotation to several other dealers while at the same time asking the same of the two dealers above to tack them down.
What is the best Web site to use to accomplish this? Edmonds?
Thanks again to everyone for their comments.
I talked with my dealer about Sport availability. I got the impression the wood is fairly rare in the Sports, but certainly could be ordered. Sounds like your price quote is ok, but there's the price"e section to really discuss that. I don't see any hint of premiums being charged around here, some negotiation is possible. I used the ‘get a quote' function from the Infiniti website and had several dealers to choose from who were close to me. I shopped as much on dealer as price, and already have had very good experience. My dealership experience was positive and professional. I got three long test drives in the Basic and Sport 45, and the 35x. My salesman was helpful, knowledgeable and not pushy. My car had a minor imperfection crop up (the cup holder wouldn't stay closed). I called, the part was available that day, dropped my car off, got a G35 loaner in 10 mins, my car was ready in a couple of hours, pickup took 10 mins again. Not bad at all! Everyone was very helpful and positive.
Good luck with your choice,
rrob
And I hear his kneecaps are healing rather well. :-))
Will be picking my M35x tommorrow (8/4) in a somewhat different color combo - diamond graphite/wheat.
I also have a M45 here in Maryland. Was wondering which dealership you purchase yours from. I was not very happy with mine and was looking to have warranty work and service performed elsewhere. Sounds like you had a good dealer experience.
Also that WVA drive sounds like fun. What was the route?
Thanks for sharing.
Bluzzzzman
Once it's activated, you'll be able to switch from radio to AUX just by using the source button on the steering wheel, or with just the DISC button on the console. A nicer implementation than the AUX input on my Mercedes CLK, which use deeper menus and require them every time you switch from radio.
Pete
It's for those of you who are having trouble passing big rigs with your v8 M45s
(sometimes less is more)
Good luck, whatever you decide you will not go wrong with the new M. I love mine!
Let me know, I have a new M45 and would like to try my iPod (just busy so far!)
I had the same 'wow' with the 45 Sport. I am glad I am one of several on this board!
Infiniti Marin-Rory Kane, nice young feller, Michael Brooks, nice as well. Both were very helpful with two visits, stayed late when I made the purchase, followed up nicely over three weeks now, including a few redundant questions I have had. I did my haggling with the GM, Arthur, who is more business. I have never met him in person.
I worked on an 'invoice plus' method, rather than a sticker price downwards method. Try buying the $12 report from Consumer Union/Reports, that lists many invoice costs, and gives you the manufacturer holdback ($1412, in my case). That is money the dealer makes beyond invoice. I made a pretty good deal, but got the feeling that the 45 Sport is limited and in demand, so I couldn't get $1000 over invoice. I know I got a good deal, though.
I went to or called several dealers, and many had access to options the others didn't. So if you want a specific car, check with different dealers even if they tell you there isn't one out there. Perhaps certain dealers don't deal with others...I dont' know.
The wood/sport combo is less common, but I really wanted it. I couldn't find wood/Sirius (big NFL fan), so I even sacrificed the Sirius. I love the rosewood.
BTW, Marin was the best service department in the country last year, and also won the Infiniti Award of Excellence, given to about eight dealers. Most of their customers are 'bebacks', so they won't push you on any one visit.
Let me know if you have any more specifics. And don't rush to buy-I have not seen a single M yet besides mine, and don't want that to change too soon...
Got mine from JBA in Ellicott City. Happy with them so far. The service manager, Mike, already, he is knowledgeable and helpful and they have a great loaner car policy.
My trip to WVa was fun. Drove out I-70, the I-68 to Cumberland MD in the morning. Headed home thru WVa, often using the Nav system on 'avoid highways'. Went south mostly on WV 28 to Romney, then took US 50 to WV 340 and came back into Maryland near Harper's Ferry. Fun drive. Going to Staunton, VA next week. Can't wait. Will pass the 'magic' 1200 miles this week.
rrob
Let me know, I have a new M45 and would like to try my iPod (just busy so far!)
That will work, but only after you've set the DVD player to AUX rather than DVD. Please see my post above.
Pete
Where by the way he has answered this "queston" in detail - many times
That's true.
There's a possibility you may be able to do more in the future. Specifically, you might be able to connect the iPod Photo's video output cable to the DVD's video AUX input, to see the track info from the iPod screen displayed on your NAV screen when it's playing your ipod. There are currently two problems with that
1- The last time I checked, iPod Photo did not send the music info (which it displays on its internal screen) to the TV-Out cable, when it's in music playing mode. This could likely change on future iPod Photos, or possibly with current iPod photo's and future iPod software upgrades. I haven't checked this recently so it's possible it's already doing this.
2- The Nav screen will not display video (DVD or AUX), except when the car is stopped and the parking break is engaged. The work around for this is a modification to allow this info to be displayed while driving. Do a Web search on M45 DVD hack. Forum rules prevent us from discussing this mod in depth on this forum.
Pete
The service rep couldn't do anything because there's no technical bulletin (i.e. fix) for it, but he recorded my request to pass it to Infiniti. According to him, "with enough requests, they may release a fix". So next time you go to your dealer, please mention the problem.
1) I plugged the mini in using a iCable, connecting to the "L" and "R" input jacks. Then hitting the "source" button at the bottom left on the steering wheel until "AUX" was selected (janssen's suggestion). From there, you operate the iPod using its control wheel. You can adjust the volume using the M45 controls, and/or rotating your finger over the wheel on the iPod. Both work. You can't change songs, etc using the M45 controls, only the volume, and the names of the songs/artists do not appear on the screen. This is not a criticism, just an observation. It would be wonderful if the song/artist names would appear, but at this point I'm thrilled to be able to use this devise and don't want to seem greedy.
2) The alternative, equally useable, method comes from Pete. Same connection to input jacks, then hit "DISC" buttom on the control panel twice (one will get you the CD's you have in the changer, the second will put you in "SETTING/DVD" with "AUX". Once there, you can play the iPod as outlined in "1" above. Again, no listing of songs/artists on screen, no useable M45 controls, other than volume, but, hey, it works and sounds great.
Thanks to all who responded and offered assistance.
A little slow? LOL...other than tuner cars the M45/BMW 545i are in a virtual tie for fastest sedans on the planet under $75K. One problem, though, is the lack of aftermarket support for the vk45 engine, some say it is already tuned pretty well and the only way to get decent improvements is by forced induction of some type.
Infniniti needs a dealer sold/supported tuner line, I would also buy the M55-N (N for NISMO) with 415/400
The simple setup of the iPod is what you, and I, have done which is to plug the iPod stereo jack into the AUX input on the car. A more complete setup is probably on its way if my reading of various iPod integrations on Japanese cars is correct. The ideal would be to plug the iPod multipin connector into a convenient jack and be able to see and control the iPod at least as well as you can from the iPod screen. It's coming.....I hope and maybe I can retrofit my '06 M45.
My present setup is also quite nice. I have a Belkin TuneBase (w/o FM) and have it plugged into my front power plug. The stereo cord then runs out a small hole in the ash tray compartment back to the AUX connector. It's mostly hidden and works great. Since the power plug goes off when the car is off the iPod automatically goes from Play to Pause and to Off in a few seconds. On starting the car the iPod goes from Off to Pause so you have to push the activate Play.
Hope this helps.
I've been lucky, no speeding tickets, ever. Will need to be careful to keep that record intact
Be safe and have fun everyone. For those of you who haven't turned 1200 on your M yet, good things await.
Unless your M has different software than mine, however, I think you're you're mistaken about using the steering wheel source button to switch the DVD player from DVD to AUX. If your DVD player is on the setting to play DVDs (rather than AUX), the source button will not get you to AUX.
However as I mentioned earlier, you CAN use the steering wheel to switch to from RADIO to AUX, but only after the DVD player has been configured to play AUX rather than DVD
On the other hand, there's a slight chance that there really is a difference in the software in our cars. Could you try using the DISC button to switch the DVD player from AUX to PLAY DVD and see if the steering wheel source button still cycles though radio and AUX, at that point?
Pete
Of course I do. It's great.
Can anyone tell me what it means in case someone asks?!!!
Someone correct me if I am wrong or overly simplistic (about this, not anything else...my wife already tells my I'm simplistic...or is that a simpleton...)
This is most useful when downshifting and cornering. In a hard corner, the suspension needs to be stable and the tires need to be loaded so that all of their traction is being used to generate cornering force. If the engine is at a different speed than the transmission when the shift is completed, the force on the driveline can upset the stability of the suspension and will cause the tires to exceed their traction capability and lose grip.
So . . . the M's should be more stable in fast corners. This effect is probably only noticeable at 8/10ths+ driving.
I recently swapped my rims. I took my front left rim whihc got damaged by a curb and swapped it with the full size spare (same exact rim), which came with my Infiniti M45. After I did that the Tire Pressure Minotring shows "**" (asterisks) for the Front Left Tire. According to the manual it says to reset the system you have to drive the car at least 25mph for 10 minutes - which I did. Yet it still shows "**". I am wondering if anyone can shed light on this. Does the spare tire NOT have a tire pressure monitor - even though it is the exact same type of wheel not the T-Type? Or could the sensor be bad or am I missing something?
Replies to this message:
I have been to dealer on the tire pressure monitor already. I do not know if the spare has a sensor. I do know that the dealer has to calibraste them if they do not read. My front passenger tire shows ** most of the time. The sensor will be replaced when I go for my first service. Good Luck.
I went to one of the local Big 10 Tires stores to have my tires rotated (not an M) and while I was there I asked them about the tires on the M35.
The manager said that if you were lucky, you would get 20,000 miles from a set of tires and that is it. I asked about replacing the tires with a different (speed) rating and he said the tires for the M only come with one rating. In other words you cannot replace the tires with some that will last longer. The "w" rating is for 150 mph...now how many of you are going to drive "basically" a constant 150 mph at all times. I know I never will.
Anyway the price he had on the 19" was somewhere around 340 per tire. (every 20,000 miles)
Price for the 18" ranged from a low of $180 per tire to around $340 per tire. (every 20,000 miles)
Now I know some of you are going to jump in and say if you are buying a $50k car the price of the tires should not matter...
Well...maybe not to you, but to some of us it does. Yes I could afford to replace the tires every 15 - 18 months, but I would prefer not to. I have other things that I would rather spend my money on.
Anyway...just wanted to let everyone know (especially the newbies) about what to expect for the life of the tires on the M.
Each buyer or potential buyer can then make up their own mind if the cost is worth it.
One other thing, I would hope since the M is new that the tire manufacturers will eventually produce other tires that have a longer tread life.