Infiniti M35/M45 2006+

undecided7

I am taking my M35x to the dealer for service tonight. Have had the dash complete go on the fritz. For the last 2 days it has worked sporradically at best, but mostly it is completely black with no power to the heat/ac/nav/radio, etc. controls. Even the NAV screen doesn't show anything.

The dealer said it is most likely the dash unit that is bad and he said he had at least one other car with that same issue. The part(s) are on back order so for that other customer he swapped the unit from a new car in inventory and will put the new unit in the inventory vehicle once it comes in. He said he would do the same for mine.

Just curious if anyone else has had that happen to them?

joe_o

We started out on a long trip in the rain before Thanksgiving. My cruise control wouldn't work! Well, it's not recommended in the rain, so if your wipers are on (no, there's no precipitation sensor ) the CC won't work.

Joe

sickntired

Thanks, Pete, for the comments. I can appreciate your perspective on the mirrors; personally, I'd prefer to have both tilt, but maybe that's just me! At any rate, the functions as is are still very useful...

Getting my XM and spoiler installed tomorrow -- oh joy! Looking fwd to breaking this baby in on my road trip at Xmas -- let the good times roll!

-Dirk

sickntired

Thanks for the tip there ~ I did check out m35forum.com and found many more useful posts and references. Yes, I know the tilt feature used to affect both mirrors in other luxury sedans (thus my mild disappointment), which is why I found it curious it was not implemented on the M. OH WELL! If that's the worst of my complaints, we've got a pretty HOT car!

-Dirk

pete_l_p

Well, it's not recommended in the rain, so if your wipers are on the CC won't work.

I agree it's good that the intelligent cruise turns off in the rain. However, you CAN use conventional (fixed speed) cruise with the wipers on.

To activate conventional cruise control: When cruise is off, press and hold the "cruise on/off" for about 2 seconds.

Pete

zindallas

Just ordered my new M45 Sport!

Dealer couldn't find an exact match in inventory, so I ordered it - I'd rather wait to get exactly what I wanted.

Black over graphite with aluminum
Journey and Tech packages
Aero

Now the hard part...waiting until it gets here!

Z

lounacl

I've noticed that the garage door opener works without requiring the ingnition to be on. This seems like a serious security exposure. I know my Audi's wouldn't work without the car at least being in accessory mode. Is there an option to turn this on or off?

tayl0rd

How is that a security problem?

purplem46

Lock your car, that oughta do it.

lounacl

If you happen to leave your car in your driveway, and forget to lock your car, then there's easy access to the house. There are several times during the day I'll park in my driveway because I'll be running out again. I just don't think to always lock the car. It's the burbs, it's my driveway, what could be safer My Audi disabled it, my friends MB disables it, I can see a valid reason for not having it always active.

docnukem

Are you sure that it is always active? I think it only works for about a minute or so after the car is turned off, just like the windows and moonroof.

rmann1

Acura also keeps the garage door opener active and Volvo does not. I find the Acura/Infiniti approach much more user friendly. As long as either the car or house is locked it's not much of a practical issue. I doubt many people took their garage door openers out of their cars every time they left their cars in the pre-Homelink days.

lounacl

Yup...tested it this morning...didn't have key fob with me, so it has nothing to do with the keyless ignition.

blov8r

Most people have the portable garage door clickers, and they're always active ... so they're as likely to get ripped off as you might be. Lock the car door, lock the door from the garage into the house. But there's never a foolproof security system (other than a hungry Rottweiler or giant Schnauzer). But I do agree, now that you've brought it up ... that another line of security isn't a bad thing. Then again, there are those who will complain that they need to start the car to open the garage door if they haven't been driving ... so it is a "pick your poison" issue. Bart

scrider

zindallas -

Waiting is tough! I ordered mine in August and it just came.

You may want to work with your dealer to see if they will monitor the cars that come into the country to see if there is an un-claimed one matching your order.

Either way - it should be worth the wait!

zindallas

scrider,

How are you liking it so far?

Any surprises - either good or bad?

Z

varix

It's been cold here in Chicago and I've been using the seat heaters lately which at first seemed a bit anemic but I've now noticed that the seats don't heat much if I have them on when the car is cold but if I shut the seat heat off once the car is warmed up and turn them back on the seats get almost uncomfortably warm. They must be tied into the HVAC as suggested before but i still don't know why they get so much warmer when I turn them off and on again after warming up the engine and getting the car's heater going. Any ideas? Has anyone else noted this?

sands1

I live on the east coast and we had our first snowstorm this weekend. Wonder if anyone had experience with the car in the snow

Am considering the M35 AWD but concerned how it will drive in bad weather.
Currently drive SUV..

Wish I could have more confidence in the QX 56, but reviews have not been good.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

docnukem

I have the M35x and live in western MI (lake-effect snow). The car handles reasonably well with the stock all-season tires. It is not quite as stable as I hoped. The rear-end swings out on slick roads (must be the torque and the tires). I am using "snow-mode". It starts from a stop very well (I routinely take-off better than cars in the other lanes). It also has no problems ascending slick slopes. Is it significantly better on icy turns than my previous FWD V6 Galant in terms of holding the road? Not really. It is better from a standstill and going up icy hills. I am still thrilled with the car.

I am one of those lazy types who does not want to switch-out tires every season. I am sure it would be better on turns with snow-tires.

valuebuyer

06 M35x here, with only 4500 klicks (3000 miles). Mfr spec on the mileage is about 13.3 litres/100kms for city. I drive mostly city (there's some dispute about using lower than realistic speeds on these tests for hwy stats). I don't need the fuel economy computer to tell me I'm going through gas faster than any other Infiniti I've owned. But it's telling me 19.6 litres/100 km - for the US readers - that's about 50% worse than the published spec for this car. And yes - that's 91 octane going in. Can anyone think of any reason (other than the dealer's 'well, it's a new car') to explain why Infiniti math is so far off reality?

cdnpinhead

As I'm sure you've noticed with past cars, gas mileage takes a big dive when it gets cold, especially Canada cold. When I lived in Edmonton, I sure saw it. Infiniti's of late are not known for fuel efficiency at the best of times, but with a tight engine (break-in will help -- it'll continue to improve until 15K (km) or more), cold weather and short trips. . .

I noticed once driving across Nevada at high speed with a car with an instantaneous fuel mileage readout that it took most of a half hour before the mileage quit going up, and that was with a morning temperature no lower than 40 deg F. It'd probably take an hour or more at 40 below.

Next summer, take your car out somewhere warm and drive it at a continuous 100 - 120 kph until it's fully warmed up. Your mileage will have varied.

scrider

zindallas

Bottom Line - The car is great and I made the right choice!

But here is some go the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:

GOOD - The car drives great - just like I remember from the test drive many months ago. Not that you care (assuming you are actually in Dallas) but I picked up the car on the day it snowed a few inches and I took it out on some unplowed streets. All I can say is WOW! The M35x can take snow filled streets and do turns at 30+MPH with out leaving the lane. You can really feel the computer adjusting the brakes, transmission, and engine to keep you in control. My wife has an all wheel drive car but without all the added stability systems - this is truly the next generation of control! WOW!
If this is the first car you have without a key - you will love it. Easy in and easy out - I never take it out of my pocket - this is an example of worthwhile technology. I set up one key with all the seat and mirror positions for me and the other for my wife (if I ever let her drive it) and this works perfectly!

BAD - The tire pressure monitor is a pain thus far. Since it is cold, the pressure goes down naturally and this damn thing is beeping. Ignorance was bliss before they invented this technology - now I need to pay attention and deal with the issue. I guess this is safer - but this has become such a constant bother!
Also, I like to put my briefcase on the front passenger seat. It is not large or heavy - less than 20 lbs - but it is setting off the seat belt alarm.
As reported in these forums, gas mileage has been really bad - about 12 or 13 MPG even though I am driving very conservitivly- I assume that it will get better as the car breaks in.

UGLY - Make sure the dealer orders your car right. Go in there and look at the order - make them give you a document. After waiting since August, my car came in with the wrong sat. radio. Also, make sure the dealer is checking inventory coming in - these cars constantly come in and unless you ordered some really off the wall configuration - they should be able to find the car sooner. My dealer has lost a lot of points with me because that said they would do this but they did not. They ended up finding me the RIGHT configuration in stock at another dealer to fix their order error. I feel I could have had the car much earlier than I got it.

Hope this helps!

jshattner

Scrider

Good point on the seat belt. I don't have my M45 Sport yet (looks like a 2-3-month wait) but does the M continue to nag you re seat belts (my E500 only shows a warning light but I've been in other cars that "shout" at you every minute)? If yes, there must be a way to get the dealer to disable the dinging or passenger sensor...

garyh1

there must be a way to get the dealer to disable the dinging or passenger sensor...

Just have to ask, what happens if you connect the seat belt and leave it connected across the back of the seat when there is no person in it? Too simple a solution?

m_pilot

No buzzer on my M for no seat belt. And I thought that was mandatory??

hawk1eye

No buzzer on my 35x either. Just a red light right in front of me in center of dash between tach and speedometer.

s54

Moman,

I also have the DVD and moonroof rattles. I believe there are fixes for the latter from your infintihelp post above, but have you had luck with your dealer fixing the former? In addition, I also have the ticking in the rear and the squeaking of the dash after sitting in the cold.

Any one of the above is not really enough to warrant a trip to the dealer, but this thing is a symphony of creaks and groans...

Any light you or anyone could shed on this would be great.

S

varix

I thought I had a roof or sunroof rattle too. It would seem to come and go. Then I noted that it only occurred on cloudy days or at night, turns out it was my sunglasses rattling around in the sunglass holder. DOH! It's gone now...

zidecar

Same for m M35x. If the front seat occupants (driver or passenger) do not engage their seat belts, the penalty is visual only, a red warning light on your dash - no audio!

s54

Sands - we just had 3" - 5" of ice and snow in Cincinnati, and my M35 with Dunlop WS M3's cut right through. I saw a number of AWD and RWD cars with "all season" tires slipping and sliding.

With a few data points this winter, IMO this setup handles better than previous FWD cars I have had with all seasons on.

I am a believer in snow tires.

S

mikesm

Hi guys,

I've had my M35 Sport with Journey&Tech for about 6 months and I definitely can't complain...well I guess I CAN complain a little.

Not that it's that big of a problem but every now and then when I start the car it sound like my speakers give this weird feedback noise. I tried taking it to the dealer but it wouldn't make the noise (go figure huh?)

Any suggestions? It seems the noises are becoming more frequent and I'm considering making another trip down to the dealer.

dashooter

Got my JD Powers survey (and my dollar) today. I was able to truthfully say I love the M. Was interested that they focused on what else I was looking at and what I replaced. For me, the Cad STS / CTS were under consideration til I got my hands on the M. IMO - no comparison. 4500 miles on the car, and I've enjoyed every one of them.

jeff721

Can the 35X owners please let me know what your experiences are driving in snow with the stock GY all season tires.

Thanks

howardk111

That's good to know. I went through much agony deciding whether to buy the AWD or the RWD and, at the suggestion of my salesman, bought the RWD. Although we haven't had a lot of snow so far this winter where I live, I had no trouble with my RWD vehicle in the two to three inches of snow that fell, and that was without snow tires. For me, the jury is still out, though, until we have a real blizzard.

saxman911

Hi all,

My dealer on Long Island (Atlantic Infinity) had a difficult time searching for my M35x (Premium Package)
He did call me to give me a Vin number for the exact vehicle (Sand with Wheat interior) but had to go to another dealership. After making inquiries about the Vin number with Infiniti Corp, (1 800 662-6200) they informed me that the car left Japan on December 6th 2005. Here are my questions: Can this car be tracked as it crosses the pacific and heads for the east coast? (any website for this?) Also, the car is coming with the high polished Chrome wheels (18 inch) which I told my salesman I didn't want. Do you think infiniti will let the wheels slide or replace them with the standard 18 inch titanium hubs?
Finally, if it left on December 6th from Japan, can anybody approximate a date when It would arrive at my Infiniti dealer on Long Isalnd NY?

Anyway, glad to be a new member here

TIA for all replies.

Alan Russell

m_pilot

Had about 5 inches this week. My 35x did fine, but I did notice a bit of sliding and less grip with the stock tires. I'm sticking with them b/c we only get snow a few times a season.

I did experience severe wobble above 45mph due to the snow behind the wheel that I couldn't remove.

saxman911

I ordered my M35x with the Premium Package and got it for

........ $51750 without tax.

Was this a decent price?

Alan

cheerioboy26

AFAIK, there is no website for tracking transit. IIRC it's about 30 days to the east coast - probably the Elizabeth NJ port. After that, it's about a week to the dealer. IIRC (it was 2002) by G35 was sent off on its journey in early/mid May, and I took delivery on June 24th (in DC metro area).

varix

Drove my M35X with the stock Goodyear's in 7" snow in Chicago last week. The GY's do seem to slip a bit in sharper cornering but otherwise traction seemed OK. Didn't notice much difference between running in snow mode and regular drive mode however...but much better than my old FWD Volvo s80.

jsorof

Hi All,

I have a M35X with ~5000K. I have been lurking on this forum since July and have found it very helpful. Headlight adjustment instructions was a tremendous tip!

With the arrival of snow, I am wondering what people's recommendations are about which driving features to turn on/off when there is fresh snow or ice on the road. The manual isn't very helpful. Should snow mode be on? Should VDC be off? They seem to do the same thing but in the opposite direction.

Any advice appreciated,

Jon in Philly

pete_l_p

I believe that in snow, you should generally have both the "Snow" button on and VDC on.

Here's what the manual says:

For driving or starting the vehicle on snowy roads or slippery areas, turn on the SNOW mode switch and the indicator light on the switch will illuminate. When the SNOW mode is activated, engine output is controlled to avoid wheel spin. The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system on for most driving conditions. If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the VDC system reduces the engine output to reduce wheel spin. The engine speed will be reduced even if the accelerator is depressed to the floor. If maximum engine power is needed to free a stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.

IMO the car is intelligent enough to work with both and take advantage of both.

They're both intended to detect slipping and respond accordingly. The snow mode sounds like it adds additional protection. So my guess is that driving with both in snow will generally be the safest approach.

Pete

re_chi

Hi Varix,

I am new to the site as far as replying but have been following several forums for some time now. Haven't seen to many people posting that have bought in Chicago. I am interested in where you purchased your M35 and what kind of deal you got. I need opinons and feedback on deals on either the M35x or the M45, best deals and easiest dealer to do business with.

Thank you....

aas5

Pete,
from what I understand the snow mode is there to make sure that your AWD is engaged, i.e. the power to the front wheels is there right away. I don't have the snow button on my M45 sport so I gotta believe it's only for AWD cars.

moman

s-
As I write this there is a G35 loaner in my parking spot because my car is in the shop for oil/filter change and the headliner/sunroof/DVD rattle. I hope the tech who works on it today isn't the Beltone Customer of the Year, a problem I've had in the past, where they say they can't hear anything. My wife and kids admit to hearing it and they think I'm way too aware of the rattles. We'll see what happens.

Otherwise, the snow in Chicago has allowed me to see how this (M45) baby handles, and i must admit, it was better than I had expected. When I get back from vacation I think I'll throw some snow tires on. The dealer likes the Blizzaks but I had great experience with the Michelin Pilot Alpins on my 2000 S500. Apples to apples (no snows) this handles MUCH better than the Benz in the snow.

edspider1

I bought my 35x Premium in Chicago. We don't have many dealers. I went to Motorwerks, Lisle, Libertville and Glenview. Back in June, Lisle had the biggest selection by far. Lisle and Libertyville would both deal. Libertyville is more professional, but I ended up taking delivery from Lisle since they had the combo I wanted in stock. I didn't have a good experience at Motorwerks. They play hard to get. They made me feel like they were doing me a favor by selling me from their meager inventory. Glenview and Libertyville are the same owner. They seemed the most professional, generous in test drives, and willing to deal and work hard to find locate what you want.

pete_l_p

I don't have the snow button on my M45 sport so I gotta believe it's only for AWD cars.

Right. I believe it's only on AWD cars, and was answering with that assumed.

Pete

zidecar

I just picked up my M35x following a second servicing for the headliner creaking/rattling problem. I mentioned that there was a tech bulletin on the headliner rattle to the first service rep. He apparently decided that wasn't the problem. When I picked up the car after the 1st servicing, the headline creaking was still there, just not as pronounced. This time, I printed the Technical Service Bulletin from the Infiniti site link title and left it with the service rep (different person than the first rep!) This second service rep asked to go on a test ride so he could hear the creaking himself. Needless to say the problem is now fixed and I am 125% pleased with the vehicle after 3500 miles!

varix

Hello re_chi! Fellow Chicagoan I assume!

I purchased my M35X at Fletcher Jones on LaSalle St in Chicago, they dealt a bit off the list ($2000) and were extremely pleasant, low-key, to work with. I had a bad experience at Infiniti of Lisle, they wouldn't deal and were pushing hard the colors they had not the one I wanted so I left. This is my second bad experience with Infiniti of Lisle but I can certainly recommend Fletcher Jones. Service department at Fletcher Jones is average though.

moman

Glad to hear that your problem was solved. They did the same with mine this week (some moonroof track shim) and for now I'm ok too.

scoop4

I just checked again with my sales rep from the Infiniti dealership regarding the snow mode button. She says that it is only to be used to get out of snowy driveways or snow banks and shouldn't be used at over 12 MPH. It creates a 4 Low gear for situations when the car is stuck.