For those wanting a full '05 Maxima SE VIN to use with ordering '05 brushed aluminum/titanium interior replacement parts for their '04, here is an official '05 Maxima SE VIN:

1N4BA41E65C804242 ('05 spirited bronze at Nissan of Union City)

That dealer now has TWO '05 Maxima SEs and TWO '05 Maxima SLs. As he is not one of the bigger Nissan dealers in the Atlanta area, I would expect to see the '05s on many dealer lots by now.

In looking at the '05 SE interior, the trim does not look greatly different than the '04 SE to me. In fact, the round bezel at the base of the shift stalk looks exactly like the one on my '04 SL. Those thinking of converting to '05 parts might be wise to take a really close look at an '05 before ordering. JMHO.

 

You Are The Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty sure its a different material used for the trim. looks more like a metal instead of a ghetto plactic lookalike. theres a post here of the interior on the 05 looks alot better. how did the seat material feel. the new softer leather?

 

Just put a call into my nissan dealer with the vin# for pricing and he will be getting back to me. i get discounts through nissan because of the friends i have that work there. will keep people posted. MAY Even get a group deal together for some conversion parts from 04-05.

 

I'd love to know how different the manual shift is in the '05. Nissan promises a "shorter" throw.

Right now, it's like rowing a boat.

 

6thGenMax , lightonthehill if you guys go ahead with a order/ and or find out good info, would you mind possibly going in on a group deal like you saidm because my dealers in the area arent too helpful. they laugh at me, think im silyl for wanting a scratch free interior. i have a info screen replacement paid for and on order at 2 places, for 3 months now, and still despite calling to check on it every week, i have no part.

I would love to order with you guys since you get faster turn aeround times.

Also, lightonthehill you said theres brushed aluminum trim? thats so awesome! i wonder how it looks, i bet nissan chrages an arm and leg for replacement. Any pictures???

thanks

 

Theres pictures in one of the threads here already posted. 05 black leather interior with the brushed aluminum trim peices. LOOKS NICE!!!!!!!!!!

 

I won't be going in with others for a group order, as I have an SL, which is wood trim, and there is not a scratch anywhere inside or outside of my car.

My wife and I went by our dealer's again tonight, and were able to get inside the SE (which was supposed to be locked, as it is way back in the storage lot still covered with white plastic sheeting and foam bumber guards).

We parked our SL right beside it, opened both our door and the '05 SE door and examined both closely. The '05 SE definitely has a more mottled finish on the console and the vertical dash portion directly in front of the console. To us, it looked more like 'antiquing' than 'brushed aluminum'. For that reason, I would advise those switching to the '05 parts to please look closely at an '05 SE before you order. Some will love the new finish, but I suspect a few will not.

IMPORTANT: The round bezel at the base of the tranny shift stick HAS NOT CHANGED in appearance. I don't know if it has a tougher surface on the '05 (I suspect not), but it is baby-rear smooth, and looks absolutely EXACTLY like the one on our '05 SL. I would strongly urge that one not order the '05 round bezel thinking it has improved.

One more note - The shift stick on the '05 looks to be half an inch shorter than the one on our '04. Is this what they meant by a 'shorter throw'?

 

1/2 inch shorter throw. now instead of rowing a dam ship your rowing a small jon boat. all in all. pretty much the same thing. Apears to be shorter.

 

what about the "tooth grille" on the '05?

Is it the same on the '04?...I'm thinking Trenz Polished Grille.

Thanks!

 

The grille is the same - love it or dump it I guess...

 

ocuihs - Looking at the outside of the car, there is no way to tell an '04 from an '05 without either looking at the VIN or peeping thru the window and seeing the added power outlet at the right front corner of the console.

The changes have been listed in several threads here, and they are mostly very minor. I like that the new outside mirrors have auto-dim. I like that the new SE console/dash finish may not mar as easily. I like the additional power outlet. Not much else to differentiate the '05 from the '04.

 

light,
Are the Black brake calipers easy to notice?

 

VQ35DE - To be honest, I didn't notice them. Maybe that is a good sign. I think the object of making them black was to help them 'disappear', so the wheels would look better. I will look at this closely next trip thru the lot.

 

auto dimming outside mirros sound VERY nice

 

VQ35DE -

I just came back from examining all 7 of the '05 Maximas on my dealer's back lot, and all 7 had DULL OLIVE brake calipers. This is a good color, as it tends to make the calipers disappear when glancing at the car. Had they been black, they might have 'stood out' against the silver rotor surface a little too much.

The funny thing is, my late '04 SL has EXACTLY the same dull olive calipers, as did the two '04s sitting near the '05s. I see no change whatsoever with the brake calipers from '04 to '05. Maybe there was a change from silver to olive during the production cycle of the '04s?