Just picked up a 2017 Maxima SR. I have been driving Altimas lately with the QR25DE and they have been really bulletproof. With all of the newest changes to the VQ35, How stout is it for long term reliability given proper maintenance?

 

If you had luck with the 2.5 the 3.5 will be better. VQ is one of the best nissan motors for a long time.

 

Of course this generation 8 VQ35 has 60% of its parts redesigned, so it may be a while before we know anything for sure long term. But so far, this new engine seems to be continuing its history of enjoyable reliability.

 

This is my third Maxima (a 92, a 95 and now a 2016) with 23K Miles and a year and half later... purrs like a kitten, drives like a dream, and fastest Maxima I've driven yet .... I also own a 2011 370Z with a 3.7VQ Series Engine with 34K miles ... Roars like a big Cat, drives like a Bat out of Hell. My 2005 Nissan Titan with 96K miles and its 5.6L VK Series engine also Roars like a big Cat and drives like a champ still....My previous 3.5L Altima SL and several 2.5L Altimas before that, with one 300ZX Twin Turbo with a VG Series Engine and one 2014 Sentra (GF's) with its 1.8L Engine, all proved to be extremely well built, reliable, and very powerful for their class...Come to think of it, I have not even heard of ANY Nissan engine with any issues... Hmmm.... that's a good pattern and an outstanding record for the Nissan family of Engines...

Note: Synthetic Oil and Premium Filter changes at about 3K miles, used Good Brand Name Gas throughout... no cheapie stuff... no issues...

 

I had an '07 Altima 3.5SE from new that went 170K miles without a single hiccup (8 yrs). Then the variable valve timing went (threw a code, and the timing wasn't variable any more); 4 weeks later, the CVT went and I barely "crawled" home. Made it to the dealer the next day and bought a new '16 Maxima SV on the spot-so far, so good. I wouldn't have bought the MAX if I didn't get such good service from the Altima (I figured I got my money's worth out of it).