Anyone know if this is possible or has been done before?
Just for ****s and giggles.

 

it's been discussed lightly before....bottom line is that it would cost many thousands of $$, as it would require extensive fabrication of components and alteration of the rear subframe. If you want a maxima with IRS, get an Altima 3.5

 

i dont understand, how is altima cheaper, the same engine, considered lower class than the max, and it HAS independent rear suspension.....

 

Beam-axle suspension was put on the 5th gen maxima for a few reasons:

1. NOT because it's "cheaper"...it costs just as much to do a beam axle setup as it does for IRS. This is a common misconception.

the real reasons:

- Beam axle is a better suspension for highway cruising comfort. It doesn't have the handling aspect of IRS, but is much better at absorbing rolling highway pavement.

- Alot of FWD sedans with a beam axle are given the beam as a means to try to "simulate the feel" of a RWD car. Does it work? Of course not...but a nice theory.


There are other aspects of the maxima that make it the higher car than the Altima. Originally, the Maxima was a larger, V6 sedan. The original Altimas were smaller and 4-cylinder....

Now that they've made the decision to "juice up" the Alti, there are many many rumors that the Maxima will be discontinued, since it doesn't really have a "place"....it's not "sporty" any more, and it's getting reallyl expensive...but it's not luxurious enough to bring it to the level of, say, a G35. Basically, the 6th gen maxima is a "tweener" car

(oh, and the 6th gen maxima does have IRS)

 

Matt and other 3rd gen's may disagree but I'm finding the beam not to be a performance stopper anymore. Once you get the spring bias, sway bars, and some tire stagger correct, the car get's pretty good on the edge. Heck, bend the beam and add some shims and it looks like you can even play with camber and toe a bit too

 

Once you get used to the swing arm feel of the beam, I don't feel that it adversely affects performance at all.....I've never lost the tail of the car, even on bumpy high-speed highway exits.....

bend the beam....also could box the axle (don't think anyone on the org has done it, but that "Maxima Racing" 5th gen had it done...)

note that the Sentra SE-R SpecV has a beam rear axle too...and those things are fast in autocross, let me tell you....

 

I enjoy the beam. I find it to be quite entertaining at times. Why would anyone ever want an IRS. (ha ha!) The beam on the 2000-2005 Sentra doesn't feel the same, probably because the wheelbase is smaller. The ride on the Sentra could be characterized as transmitting too many sharp kicks into the cabin. The beam was definately made for a vehicle with a longer wheelbase, like the Maxima.

 

Another reason for the beam axle. It’s a general rule that for better handling ( less roll) the non driven axel should be stiff. Beam axel is stiffer with softer springs. Independent suspension with the same springs would roll much more than the beam axel.

 

cool. i would really like the 7th gen max (if they continue it) to go the way of infinity M sedans. i think more people would start buying them again, instead of the v6 altimas.

 

altimas handle so much worse than our cars stock it's ridiculous

 

They say that the 6th gen's rear suspention is derived from the skyline GT-R.

 

The 6th gen is far more luxurious than the G35 sedan. I hate the 6th gens as much as the next guy, but there is one undeniable fact that the G35 is a tight fit; I think my 5th gen is more comfy when it comes down to interior space.

 

At the same rate, interior space and size doesn't always equal luxury. Look at Jaguars and then look at most American boats.

 

Perhaps we will be lucky and they will turn the maxima into RWD like the M45. It wouldnt be too difficult.

Would they have the market though?

Oh, and my new progress sway bar has relieved my issues with the rear solid axle.

 

ditto with the progress rsb. a few years ago, before the 5.5 gen came out, i was at a nissan dealership, and they told me they were considering going to a v8 platform. but they went to the vq35 instead. i think if they made a top of the line nissan a v8 rwd, it would be no worse than now, since nobody buys them, but goes for altimas instead. and if they offered it in v6 and v8 configs, i think even more people would get the max.

 

Yeah

The problem being with that is, they will be eating into their market segment covered by the M45.

 

i dunno. they have been doing it with the max and i30/i35 forever. same with lexus es300/330 and camry. honda has been doing it with pilot/mdx and accord/tl. i think people would still buy the m35/45 for the infinitry label. sure, some people would get the cheaper max, but i don't think it would hurt either brand that much.