When comparing the '04 and '05 Maxima SLs side-by-side on an overcast day back around August 8th, I did not see any change in the interior metalwork. I have said that here many times in many threads over the past two months.

But after seeing varying opinions here as to whether the interior metal might have indeed changed on the '05 SL Maxima, I began to feel some uncertainty as to whether I had overlooked something.

I just returned from my dealer, where I used a magnifying glass on an '05 SL. I have been wrong on my previous statements. THE METALWORK ON THE '05 MAXIMA SL DID INDEED CHANGE to the same new metalwork as on the '05 SE.

As the finish in the SL is dominated by woodwork, I had overlooked the subtle difference in the appearance in the metalwork. Instead of a flat smooth look, it now has sort of a mottled, brushed look.

I had not been impressed with the new metalwork when I first saw it in an '05 SE two months ago. But after a very close examination in full sun, it looks clearly better than I remembered it looking last month.

In a complete reversal of my previous stand, I can now say the '05 interior metalwork on BOTH the SE and SL is an improvement over the sensitive '04 metalwork, and actually looks rather nice.

I deeply regret any problems my incorrect info may have caused.

 

lightonthehill, you crack me up, just a visual of an older gentleman whipping out a magnifying glass like Sherlock Holmes just struck me as funny. I checked out the new trim waiting for an oil change one day. There are black flecks in the new trim. Wonder if it is as fragile as the old ones are? I'm looking for replacements for the doors.

 

Maxzma - I had the spats and knickers, but left my Sherlock hat at home. other than that, you described me rather well. I will don my white smock tommorow, and, with microscope in hand, do my best Louis Pasteur imitation in an effort to spot the black specks of which you speak.

The '05 interior metalwork is very difficult to distinguish from the '04 unless one gets very close. The '04 was an extra smooth-looking surface, and any tiny scratch or nick was immediately apparent. The '05, having a brushed finish, should not show nicks and scratches as easily.

But we will have to wait until several feisty young Maxima aficionados 'have their way' with the '05 and report back here before we will know anything for certain.

 

to be honest with you, i test drove 1 2004 SE, and several SL models and i didn't know myself if it was the same brushed metal as the 05 SE. I kinda prefer the smoother looks of the 04, but it did have quite a few scracthes on the surface.

 

Who is Mea Culpa? And what does she have to do with this?( )

 

Light is the man. Rock-on Light!

 

For more info on Mea Culpa - go here: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=mea+culpa

And you are right - Lightonthehill is GREAT! Love to read your posts, but word of caution - leave the Sherlock Holmes Pipe at home



...most dealers won't let you smoke in their cars as you gather the evidence...

 

Ha ha, love the pipe! Light, you are a better sleuth then I am. I thought it had black flecks on it but I was at the dealership today having them look at my scratched trim (which they are going to replace under warranty) and I got a close up look at an 05 in the showroom. It has more of a brushed metal look to it and it has more of a shine to it than the 04's which are more of a flat finish. Keep up the good detective work!

BTW, the service guy told me to replace that one door trim piece would cost $50.

 

LightontheHill...Don't you mean plasticwork. The only metal trim I see is the door rockers. It's too bad they continue to us ethis cheap plastic interior IMHO

 

Don't you mean "plasticwork" ?? The only brushed metal I see in my car is on thr rocker panels. If the Max is teh flagship....Nissan should jettison this cheap interior finish altogether IMHO

 

I have demanded that Nissan replace my so called brushed metal dash with the 05 dash material. They have told me that it's not their policy to replace a non-defective, non-damaged part. But I could purchase the material and pay to have it installed in my car. I told them that I would never buy another Nissan product. I have owned 5 Maxima's over the years and have a Infiniti M45 currently along with my 04 Max. I am going back to Lexus when my Infiniti lease is up without hesitation. I have had far to many problems with my 04 Max, been in the dealer for TSB's or major fixes 30 times since I purchased it 1 year ago!

 

I can't think of any dealer that would do something like that.