My New M35 2004 Autech Axis 4wd Stagea!

[Ska]

Welcome to your new AdDiCtIoN!

[autech_axis]

It does seem that Autech's contribution to the Axis is limited to bodykit, wheels, suspension and interior specs. The motor is I believe a stock VQ25DET - LSD is optional - ATESSA system standard. I decided on this car as I thought the 'regular' Stagea looked very dowdy, and the Axis factory body kit looks very classy. I still can't believe what Nissan was thinking of when designing the wheel arches: even a set of 20" wheels would look puny in those huge chasms!

I guess my rationale was that, for similar or a bit less money than a Liberty/Legacy GT or 3.0R wagon of similar year, I have a very unusual, head-turning car that is quicker, bigger and more comfortable than the Subie. Resale may be a worry, but these cars are rare even in Japan - about 1 in 30 M35s that come to auction are Axis or Axis S. However, there is no cruise control (even as an option) on this model, which I found amazing. And the sat nav system is useless, so I'll have to come up with some ideas for dealing with that. My car has an aftermarket DVD player which I think may work on the TV screen - we have much to learn!

3 years ago I though of buying a Stagea but (and I hope I don't upset you guys here!) I couldn't live with the styling. Each to his own I guess. So when I discovered compliance had become available on the M35 I started looking, after spending a lot of time test driving new Liberty GTs, Passat 3.2V6 etc etc. We've bought several cars at auction in Japan (UZZ31 Soarer, Delica PE8W, Celsior etc etc) for family and friends, and have done very well out of them, largely avoiding the big costs of depreciation. I've also bought a couple of large boats, but that's another story...

[mcnamg]

Congrats on your purchase that thing looks awesome

[munchstagea]

Hi Matthew,

Might be worth getting in Chris Rogers' ear about the Nav/Electronics side of things, look for him in the car audio section of SAU, his user name is actually "chris rogers" from memory... He will be able to tell you what can and can't be done with the factory stuff and he is in Brisbane so might even be able to help you out some more.

[Ska]

Yeah Chris is an awesome bloke, his work is the best, he is like the god of auto electrics!

[autech_axis]

Thanks guys - yes I had noticed Chris in the forum, and will definitely talk to him when the car is ready in around 6-8 weeks hopefully. I'll be looking to install a really good cruise control system (not even an option on these cars, can you believe), and unravel the mystery of the audio system. As well as the stock 5 disk in-dash CD changer, there's an MD changer (which will get the chop) and some kind of mystery DVD box in the boot.

I suspect the satnav system is in the too hard basket, and the dash design does not readily lend itself to an aftermarket solution.

Some of these cars (but not mine) have a Bose system with the subwoofer in the spare wheel well! A really neat solution.

See attached pics...

[Rezz]

these cars are rare even in Japan - about 1 in 30 M35s that come to auction are Axis or Axis S.

I realise you can only go by what people tell you as far as whats common is Japan and what isn't, but regarding the Axis Stageas... I wouldn't say they were rare by any stretch of the imagination. Heres an example:

Iwent walking to a near by airport in Kobe, Japan yesterday, and the distance probably would've been 2.5km. Within 500m of my house I saw this:

...and then 20mins later at the airport I saw this:

Not sure exactly of the spec but I'd say they would've been Axis/Axis S 2.5L's. I didn't go out looking for these, I just happened upon them as I was taking a short cut through a carpark. I remembered this thread and took the pics.

Anyway, I guess the moral is that you can't guage whats on the road in Japan by what comes in at Auction. Theres thousands of cars that get sold privately daily. But as far as Axis models in the entire Stagea line up, yes, obviously they're less common.

[autech_axis]

Well one of them's mine. The other one is my brother's ...

Fair comment though - I can only go on what I spotted at auction, and to find good a 2.5 turbo 4WD Axis with leather and all the fruit is not easy. You can't tell from the exterior whether they're 3.0NA, 2.5NA, 2.5turbo, 2WD or 4WD.

Maybe one in 30 NM35s fits my bill.

The Axis models certainly go for a lot more at auction - from 1.5 to 2.5 million depending on year, spec and condition.

[autech_axis]

Anyone know where I could track down an Impul ECU for VQ25DET locally?

[Chris Rogers]

you do realise (to my knowledge) that there is no compliance for an '04. have a customer hee in brissy with one that has to get emmissons done on his (ARX4.)

[Chris Rogers]

Thanks guys - yes I had noticed Chris in the forum, and will definitely talk to him when the car is ready in around 6-8 weeks hopefully. I'll be looking to install a really good cruise control system (not even an option on these cars, can you believe), and unravel the mystery of the audio system. As well as the stock 5 disk in-dash CD changer, there's an MD changer (which will get the chop) and some kind of mystery DVD box in the boot.

I suspect the satnav system is in the too hard basket, and the dash design does not readily lend itself to an aftermarket solution.

Some of these cars (but not mine) have a Bose system with the subwoofer in the spare wheel well! A really neat solution.

See attached pics...

give me a ring (contact details in sig.) and I'll tell you what can be done. I have a M35 in bits currently for the same thing.

[Chris Rogers]

also:

look closely:

get me a VIN I can do the rest.

[autech_axis]

Um - you've got me a bit stumped there Chris! Looks like a stock Stagea RX250 M35 from here (apart from the little tweeter by the air vent).

Why do you think there is no compliance for an '04?

My compliancer tells me he has the evidence for any M35 with VQ25DET motor, also the SEVS entry at DOTARS - http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/sevs/336-01.htm - states 2001 to current.

I you know any just cause of impediment why I should not be joined with my Stagea, speak now!

(PS - will call you to do the cruise control when the car arrives, that's a definite).

VIN is NM35-320865

Edited June 3, 2007 by autech_axis

[Chris Rogers]

ring me. (details in Sig.)

[autech_axis]

OK- I have now got definite confirmation that 2004 can be complied - emissions all OK apparently, so will all happen lickety split. Christian Elliot of Japan Imports is organizing it all for me.

[Chris Rogers]

cool! that part is sorted. I'll talk to you more about it when I do teh alarm in your 'egg'

[autech_axis]

Have a look at the attached pics of another M35 (not mine) - aftermarket screen integrated into dash - there must be a replacement dash panel assembly available? Also some pics of aftermarket speakers going into the doors. But I'd still rather keep the original LCD monitor and use it as the display for some kind of aftermarket GPS system. Since there is already a MiniDisk changer in the centre console, presumably it should be reasonably easy to install an iPod in there as there must be audio feeding the stock stereo through an aux input?

Edited June 4, 2007 by autech_axis

[Rezz]

Have a look at the attached pics of another M35 (not mine) - aftermarket screen integrated into dash - there must be a replacement dash panel assembly available?

Pretty much every car sold in Japan with a 'CD player moulded into the dash' also has a 2DIN panel available to fit aftermarket navi screens (for lower spec models). Trouble is, these are usually fitted at factory, and I've NEVER known anyone to remove the factory Nissan navi screen/audio in favour of a 2DIN set up... this could cost $$$ to get working right. getting the 2DIN panel would be the easy part...

[Chris Rogers]

REZZ,

that is RIGHT up my alley. I have pulled one OUT of a M35 already and I can do the swap IF I could get the panels. that would make the whole exercise of getting the OE gear going a LOT cheaper. I do believe I can keep the OE steering controls on most cases as well.

(fire me a PM need a bit of help if you can )

Matt,

that was pretty much what I was getting at with the original images. having stripped one they are not that hard to do. all the fancy stuff is somewhat of an afterthought in the factory. only issue will (which it really is not.) is the OE rear camera.

[autech_axis]

Rear camera would be very nice (better than parking sensors surely?). Car is now booked and confirmed on a ship arriving ETA 21 June - yippee!

Hope I like it...

(BTW - can someone tell me how to change the 'RB20DE' that appears below my picture? For the life of me I couldn't find anything in the profile that relates to it)

Edited June 5, 2007 by autech_axis