I know the SL is 4 speed AT and has softer suspension. Are there any other differences other than interior. Im thinking about getting a Greddy SpII exaust but it is listed for SE only. I have a 2004 SL and was wondering if there would be any compatibility issues for preformance parts.

 

Please read the stickies

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=326195

 

The SE's have an eject button incase you are going to crash. Other than that, they are virtually the same.

 

I know I'll get some 'comments' from this...

If you 'have to' or 'like to' keep your car stock, the 18" wheels on the SE look way better than the 17" SL's. IMO obviously

 

i have a greddy sp2 exhaust on my SL, and mines a 5 speed automatic. Fits perfect.

 

4 speed auto was offered in the early part of 2004.. everything that's an auto after that is a 5 speed auto, whether it's a SE or SL. 6 speed manual was only available in the SE.

SE has 18" wheels. SL has 17" wheels.

SL's tend to be loaded. SE is more of a sport model, which means it comes standard with nothing, but you could add options, of course.

Aside from that, they're pretty much all the same. Engines are the same, as are the exhausts.

The only differences you might have with performance parts will probably depend on if you have manual or auto. (y-pipe for example)

 

i have an 05 SL auto and it came with 5 speed auto i dont know why your's is a 4 speed...

 

Like Ritz said, the earlier '04 SLs (those made before Feb 6 2004) have the 4 speed auto. All SLs since have exactly the same 5 speed auto as in the SE.

Super Mario prefers the looks of the SE 18" wheels, while I prefer the looks of the SL 17" wheels. Strictly a matter of preference.

Ritz is also correct in that the SLs come loaded, while the SEs come stripped. But you can add the options you want.

All else being equal, the SE and SL should tie in a drag race.

The real difference is in the ride and maneuverability. The slightly higher profile tires on the SL give a more comfortable (less firm) ride than the SE, while the slightly lower profile tires on the SE give more maneuverability. Also, from '04 through '06, the SE was also available with 6 speed manual.

I am glad Nissan gives us these two excellent choices, and disappointed we lost the manual.

 

Cause' u have an 04 which someon stated above... READ PPL

 

and you may never figure it out...

 

Found something interesting. As I was browsing my parts catalog, i came across the part numbers for the struts and springs on both the SL and the SE. It appears the the struts and shocks are identical, but the springs have different part numbers. Does this make any sense to any of you. I was under the impression that the car rode harder or softer because of the struts and shocks on these cars.

 

In the service manual the SE and SL have the same ride height. The 17 and 18" have the same diameter. No specs for rear spring height but:

Front spring free height:
SE model : 350 mm (13.78 in)
SL model : 360 mm (14.73 in)

 

I seem to recall that someone here checked several years ago and found the SE and SL have the same struts and shocks. It was assumed at that time that the SL rode less firmly because the higher profile tire gives a tad more sidewall flex room.

The front springs of the SL being almost an inch higher would suggest they also flex slightly more than the SE springs. That would tend to soften the ride of the SL. The SE needs firmer springs to help maintain control in the more agressive driving situations it is designed to handle.

 

IS there any difference under the 2 cars? I think the 5th gen had a difference under the car that differentiated the GLE from the SE. If so, they may have continued that design thought into the 6th gen... I am not 100%, but it may be different...

Also, when people are selling something that they don't know anything about they may put it on there just to further the description. The seller may not know the mechanics of an SL or SE and they may just say Maxima SE since they think it sounds good. I see that alot on Ebay where they will describe something as an SE or SL, GLE or SE and it may not have anything to do with it.

 

The SL has wood grain interior (at least in the 07's, not sure about previous years) where as the SE has the brushed aluminum. Very minor, but I do like the wood grain and it was part of the reason I chose the SL.

 

Not sure how you did these number conversions but 350mm = 13.78 inches which is correct but 360mm = 14.17 inches. This is less than 4/10 of an inch difference. I guess that with the extra 6/10 of an inch in sidewall on the tire makes a difference.

 

shocks/struts can only do so much... spring RATE will also make a difference.. I don't know the spring rates of each the SL and SE, but I'd be willing to bet they're different along with the spring height.. the tire profile will offer less flexing giving it better response.. also a wider tire in the SE, to give it the possibility of better traction.

another possibility is the sway bar, but from what I've seen, they seem the same.

 

You are correct about the second number but these are from the Service Manual FSU section page 10.