looking forward to an 2003 m45.

hello all, 

my name is nik. i'm sure you've heard this a thousand times.... i've always wanted a VIP car. i'm looking at the possibility of selling my 05 scion xB and buying a 2003-2004 infiniti m45 within the next 6 months. 

the car will be stripped of it's parts back to OEM. after parting it out, it should leave me with about $1,500 to $2k to spend on suspension/parts. i'm more worried with lowering the car then buying wheels at the moment. 

i have some experience with lowering and "stancing" out cars but i am very unfamiliar with infinitis. i have owned and lowered a nissan r32, suzuki wagonR, and most currently my scion xB. 

[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/5794999410_efe7ed4e43_b.jpg[/IMG]

i have always prefered coilovers, but from what i've read so far it looks like airbags may be around the same price for the m45 and i've always wanted to try them.

does anyone have any advice prior to purchasing an m45? any serious problems that occur more often then others to look for? rare factory items to keep in mind? some links to good information on costs/installation difficulty of air ride systems or coilovers. i saw that spindles can be an issue with the m45, and i'm not really keen on hacking up my OEM suspension and welding on coilovers... & i'll be honest, i don't want to spend $2k+ on coils/air. is that a possibility? 

thanks all!!!

here's my intro thread with more pics of the xB and wagonR if you're curious.
[url]http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24478[/url]

Welcome to VSc .. 
 
Lets see some pictures when you finally get the M .. 
 
FYI 
 
make sure your gas guage works when you buy the car if not its big bucks to fix the cluster ..
 
If you ever need any Suspension or JDM parts for the car Ming @ fizz will help you out ..

[QUOTE=kingpin;400101]Welcome to VSc .. 
 
Lets see some pictures when you finally get the M .. 
 
FYI 
 
make sure your gas guage works when you buy the car if not its big bucks to fix the cluster ..
 
If you ever need any Suspension or JDM parts for the car Ming @ fizz will help you out ..[/QUOTE]
 
thanks for the info! the gas guage on the one i looked at was on E and i figured the car was just out of gas haha.

Great choice man:biggthumpup: Yahoo japan auctions can be your best friend =)

[QUOTE=Y34-619;400165]Great choice man:biggthumpup: Yahoo japan auctions can be your best friend =)[/QUOTE]
 
i am very excited to get a y34. i liked them in japan.. and they have grown on me since! it was between the y34 and the y33 cima, and i test drove both. i just really love the power, features, and ride of the y34.. definitely a VIP car.

I have a lot of Info for you that I have put together doing my Y34. The car is a blast to have and you will not find many out at your local meets. It is a PITA to find parts for so be ready for that.

[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/wbj-james-bennett-master-of-the-web/james-vip-infiniti-m45-sport-sedan/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/wbj-james-bennett-master-of-the-web/james-vip-infiniti-m45-sport-sedan/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/y34-hdr/img_0039.jpg[/IMG]

Here is what is involved as far as the install of the AirRunner Air Suspension goes.

[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-air-runner-air-suspension-install/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-air-runner-air-suspension-install/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/air-runner-tech-gallery/IMG_9586.jpg[/IMG]

Here is what painting the sides and rear looks like:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/infiniti-m45-custom-auto-paint-bodykit/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/infiniti-m45-custom-auto-paint-bodykit/[/URL]
[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/james-vip-y34/Y34-05.jpg[/IMG]

Y34 Led License Bulbs:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/led-license-plate-lites-for-the-y34/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/led-license-plate-lites-for-the-y34/[/URL] 

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/led-tails-02.jpg[/IMG]

JDM Y34 LED tails:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/its-all-so-clear-right-now-jdm-y34-tail-lights/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/its-all-so-clear-right-now-jdm-y34-tail-lights/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/cache/9191__535x356_y34-led-tails-17.jpg[/IMG]

Make a custom Y34 Grill:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-custom-grill/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-custom-grill/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/cache/8060__580x436_dsc00390.jpg[/IMG]

JDM Y34 Window Visors and Install:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/y34-window-visor-install/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/y34-window-visor-install/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/y34-window-visors-featured.jpg[/IMG]

Here are the Y34 available springs:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-suspension-springs-guide/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-suspension-springs-guide/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/y34_top1.jpg[/IMG]

Here are the Y34 coilovers:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-coilovers-guide/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-coilovers-guide/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aimgain-coils.jpg[/IMG]

Here are the y34 Air Suspensions:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-suspension-guide-part-3-air-suspensions/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-infiniti-m45-suspension-guide-part-3-air-suspensions/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/cache/6472__580x349_airrunner-01.jpg[/IMG]

Here are the Y34 body kits:
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-2004-infiniti-m45-body-kits/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/2003-2004-infiniti-m45-body-kits/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/gallery/mp-y34cedric/01.jpg[/IMG]

And of course you must know how to be vip.
[URL="http://www.jadecrew.com/a-how-to-guide-for-being-vip/"]http://www.jadecrew.com/a-how-to-guide-for-being-vip/[/URL]

[IMG]http://www.jadecrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/fusa-featured1.jpg[/IMG]

thanks [URL="http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/member.php?u=9420"]JadeY34[/URL] for all of the info!!

it will all come in handy very soon! 

does anyone have a DIY for installing UAS air suspension on the Y34, I may be going that route, or Powered by MAX coilovers whenever they come out..

[QUOTE=nik;400545]thanks [URL="http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/member.php?u=9420"]JadeY34[/URL] for all of the info!!

it will all come in handy very soon! 

does anyone have a DIY for installing UAS air suspension on the Y34, I may be going that route, or Powered by MAX coilovers whenever they come out..[/QUOTE]

I would highly recommend going with the AirRunner due to the ease of installation. If you factor in that most people feel the need to use coilovers along with the UAS and the additional fabrication needed for the install it is actually the same or cheaper.

Plus I can say it rides awesome!

[QUOTE=JadeY34;400546]I would highly recommend going with the AirRunner due to the ease of installation. If you factor in that most people feel the need to use coilovers along with the UAS and the additional fabrication needed for the install it is actually the same or cheaper.

Plus I can say it rides awesome![/QUOTE]

the air runner system is an awesome system for sure! i've been eye ballin it for a while, i just don't know if i can justify spending $4300 on suspension to the wife haha

[QUOTE=nik;400573]the air runner system is an awesome system for sure! i've been eye ballin it for a while, i just don't know if i can justify spending $4300 on suspension to the wife haha[/QUOTE] at the end of the day you get what you pay for .... i was in the same boat a few years ago .. Save your money and get air runner i works awsome even in canada LOL
 
Btw Ming @ fizz sold a lot  air runner suspension last year  i suspect his pricing will be second to none ..  see my Sig he hooked me up

[QUOTE=kingpin;400633]at the end of the day you get what you pay for .... i was in the same boat a few years ago .. Save your money and get air runner i works awsome even in canada LOL
 
Btw Ming @ fizz sold a lot air runner suspension last year i suspect his pricing will be second to none .. see my Sig he hooked me up[/QUOTE]
 
 
i figured that air runner was the best way to go, but mannnn $4300 is going to take me a lifetime to save up. i live in utah, good to know it  still works well if i cross that canada border :P

The UAS pluss a set of coils pluss fab time and money will come out just about the same. I looked into it And priced it before going air runner.

[QUOTE=nik;400668]i figured that air runner was the best way to go, but mannnn $4300 is going to take me a lifetime to save up. i live in utah, good to know it still works well if i cross that canada border :P[/QUOTE]i think he might be a bit better on the pricing .. again pay to play or dont play =) sit on the bench .

[QUOTE=JadeY34;400672]The UAS pluss a set of coils pluss fab time and money will come out just about the same. I looked into it And priced it before going air runner.[/QUOTE]
 
yep, i was just looking at that ...and you are completely right! i just need to respect the advice of the VIP vets. :)
 
i was looking at coilovers as another option, i've always liked coilovers... but i think air really suits the VIP style better. 
 
[QUOTE=kingpin;400675]i think he might be a bit better on the pricing .. again pay to play or dont play =) sit on the bench .[/QUOTE]
 
i agree, i learned my lesson before with the scion xB, i spent my money in a rush buying ksport coilovers and xxr wheels, i should have saved my damn money for air and nice wheels. i'll be saving for airrunner from this day forward! and i dont even have the y34 yet! :P

Unfourtunately I'm no longer buying an M45, no nice ones have come available in my area, so I'm picking up a 03 Lexus LS430 on Monday for a great deal!