Nissan Murano The first generation (Z50) of the 2005 model year is a crossover that has become a symbol of the era. Combining the comfort of a sedan, the cross-country ability of an SUV and stylish design, it quickly gained popularity in the world market. But almost 20 years have passed - is this car worth considering for purchase today?

In this article we will look at all key aspects: from technical characteristics to typical “diseases” that plague Murano with mileage. You'll learn what to look for during an inspection, which parts are the hardest to find, and how to extend the life of your engine and transmission. And also - real reviews from owners and tuning tips that will help make the car more modern.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Murano 2005

Under the hood Nissan Murano 2005, a single engine was installed - petrol V6 VQ35DE volume 3.5 liters. This motor has become a legend due to its reliability and safety margin, but it has its own characteristics, which we will talk about later.

Gearbox - automatic RE5R05A with 5 steps. Four-wheel drive Attesa E-TS connects automatically when slipping, but cannot be activated manually. Independent suspension on all wheels, with shock absorbers Kayaba or Tokico depending on the configuration.

Parameter Meaning
Engine VQ35DE, 3.5 l, V6, 245 hp
Gearbox Automatic RE5R05A, 5 steps
Drive Full Attesa E-TS (plug-in)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h 8.5 sec
Max. speed 200 km/h (electronically limited)

Chassis features include: high ground clearance (210 mm), which was rare for a crossover at that time. However Due to the design of the front bumper, the approach angle is only 16°, which limits off-road capabilities.

Standard Murano was equipped with 17-inch wheels, but top versions offered 18-inch Enkei or BBS. Braking system - disc on all wheels, with ABS And EBD.

📊 Which engine do you prefer in crossovers?
  • Petrol V6
  • Turbodiesel
  • Hybrid
  • Electric motor
  • I don't care

Weaknesses and typical problems

Despite the reputation of a reliable car, Nissan Murano 2005 has several “diseases” that appear with age. The main one is oil leak from under the valve cover. The problem is associated with wear of gaskets and seals, and can only be eliminated by replacing them.

Another common problem is knocking sound in front suspension. Worn out ones are most often to blame stabilizer links or ball joints. Less often - lever silent blocks, which require attention on runs over 150 thousand km.

  • 🔧 Engine VQ35DE: oil consumption (up to 1 liter per 1000 km with mileage >200 thousand km), ring sticking, timing chain wear (lifetime ~180 thousand km).
  • ⚙️ Box RE5R05A: kicks when switching, oil leakage from under the sump, wear of solenoids (especially at mileages >250 thousand km).
  • 🔥 Electrical: oxidation of contacts in the fuse box, failure of the throttle position sensor, problems with immobilizer.
  • 🚗 Body: corrosion of sills and arches (especially in northern regions), cracks in the windshield due to a weak frame.
⚠️ Attention: If a metallic clanging sound is heard for 1-2 seconds when starting the engine, this is a sign of wear on the timing chain. Ignoring the problem can lead to valve bending and major repairs.

Deserves special attention all-wheel drive system Attesa E-TS. Over time, the transfer case wears out. differential And Haldex coupling, which manifests itself in the form of vibrations or the inability to disable all-wheel drive. Repairs cost 30–50 thousand rubles.

How to check a Haldex coupling?

1. Place the car on a lift and engage all-wheel drive.

2. Have a helper step on the gas while you look at the driveshaft - if it doesn't rotate, the clutch is bad.

3. Check the oil level in the transfer case: if it is black or smells like burning, replacement is required.

What oil to pour and how often to service

For engine VQ35DE Nissan recommends an oil with a viscosity 5W-30 or 5W-40, corresponding to the standard API SL/SM or ILSAC GF-4. Optimal brands: Mobil 1, Motul 8100 X-Cess, Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200.

Oil change interval - every 7–8 thousand km (or once a year) if the car is operated in city mode. For gearbox RE5R05A use Nissan Matic S or its analogues (Idemitsu ATF Type-J, Ravenol ATF JWS 3309). Transmission fluid replacement is required every 60 thousand km.

  • 🛢️ Engine: 5.5 l of oil (with filter replacement), filter - Mann W712/94 or Framm PH7317.
  • ⚙️ Box: 9.5 l of fluid (full replacement), filter - Nissan 31726-31X00.
  • 🔧 Transfer case: 1.5 l oil Nissan Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90.
  • 🚗 Power steering: 1.2 l liquid Nissan PSF or ATF Dexron III.
⚠️ Attention: If the gearbox appears burnt smell, and the liquid has turned dark brown - this is a sign of overheating of the clutches. In this case, diagnostics of the solenoids and possible replacement of the valve body are required.

Don't forget about replacing spark plugs every 30 thousand km (original - Nissan 22401-9M005 or analogues NGK IFR6T11). It is also recommended to clean every 100 thousand km throttle valve and check the status ignition coils - they often fail on runs over 200 thousand km.

Changing the oil and filters (engine, gearbox, transfer case)|Checking the timing chain and tensioners|Diagnostics of the suspension (levers, silent blocks, shock absorbers)|Cleaning the throttle and replacing spark plugs|Checking brake discs and pads-->

How to Choose a Used 2005 Nissan Murano

Upon examination Nissan Murano 2005, please note the following points:

  1. Engine: Check compression in all cylinders (normal is 11–12 bar). If the spread is more than 1 bar, this is a sign of wear on the piston group.
  2. Gearbox: During the test drive there should be no jerks, delays or extraneous sounds. Be sure to check oil on dipstick - it should not smell like burning.
  3. Body: Inspect the sills, arches and underbody for corrosion. Particularly vulnerable places under plastic linings.
  4. Electrical: Make sure all power windows, heated mirrors and climate control work. A common problem is a faulty comfort block (cost of a new one is ~20 thousand rubles).

Cost Murano 2005 on the secondary market ranges from 350 to 600 thousand rubles, depending on mileage and condition. Cars with mileage up to 150 thousand km in good condition can be found for 500–550 thousand, but such examples require careful inspection.

Be sure to ask when purchasing service history. If it is not there, be prepared for additional costs for replacing oils, filters and worn parts. Also check the car through services Autocode or CarVertical - this will help identify hidden accidents or traffic police restrictions.

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If the seller refuses to provide the car for diagnostics at a service station, this is a reason to be wary. This is often used to hide serious problems with the engine or gearbox.

Tuning and modernization

Nissan Murano 2005 is an excellent base for tuning. Most popular destinations:

  • 🚙 External tuning: installation of body kits (Stillen, Nismo), tinted headlights, replacing the radiator grille with mesh option.
  • 🔊 Audio system: replacing the standard radio with Android-auto with support Apple CarPlay, installation of a subwoofer and amplifier.
  • 🔥 Engine: chip tuning (up to 20 hp increase), installation exhaust manifold 4-2-1, replacing the air filter with nulevik.
  • 🛞 Suspension: replacing springs with H&R or Eibach (lowering by 30–40 mm), installing shock absorbers KW or Bilstein B14.

One of the most effective upgrades is Replacing stock headlights with LED ones (For example, Morimoto XB LED). This not only improves the lighting, but also gives the car a modern look. Also, many owners install rear view camera And parking sensors, which were not included in the basic configurations.

For those who want to increase cross-country ability, the installation is suitable spacers to increase ground clearance (For example, Daystar by 20–30 mm) or replacing the wheels with 18-inch ones with off-road tires (BFGoodrich All-Terrain). However, it is worth remembering that an increase in ground clearance by more than 30 mm will require modifications to the steering rods and CV joints.

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Before any engine tuning (chip tuning, exhaust), be sure to check the condition of the catalysts and lambda probes. On runs over 200 thousand km, they often fail, which can negate all efforts.

Owner reviews: pros and cons

Having collected reviews from the forums (Drive2, Nissan-Club) and social networks, we have highlighted the main pros and cons Murano 2005:

Pros Cons
Reliable engine VQ35DE with a large resource High fuel consumption (14–16 l/100 km in the city)
Spacious interior and large trunk (450 l) Expensive spare parts (especially for the gearbox and all-wheel drive)
Comfortable suspension, absorbs potholes well Poor sound insulation (especially at speeds >120 km/h)
Stylish design that never loses its relevance Frequent electrical problems (sensors, comfort unit)

Many owners note that Murano ideal for family trips thanks to spacious interior and high seating position. However, in the city it loses to more compact crossovers due to its large dimensions (length 4.8 m) and turning radius 11.6 m.

Frequent complaints include: inconvenient location of climate control buttons (they are too low) and poor seat ergonomics (the back gets tired over long distances). Many also complain about poor quality paint, which fades over time and becomes covered with a “cobweb”.

Aftermarket Alternatives

If Nissan Murano 2005 is not suitable for you, consider the following alternatives in the same price range (350-600 thousand rubles):

  • 🚗 Toyota Highlander (2004–2007): more reliable, but less dynamic. Engine 2AZ-FE (2.4 l) or 1MZ-FE (3.0 l).
  • 🚙 Honda Pilot (2003–2008): spacious interior, but problems with the gearbox 5AT on runs >200 thousand km.
  • 🛻 Mitsubishi Outlander (2005–2007): cheaper to maintain, but less comfortable. Engine 4G69 (2.4 l).
  • 🚘 Ford Explorer (2002–2005): powerful V8 4.6 l, but very voracious (18–20 l/100 km).

Compared to competitors, Murano stands out more modern design And better dynamics thanks to the motor VQ35DE. However he loses Toyota Highlander in reliability and Honda Pilot — in the spaciousness of the cabin.

If you care low fuel consumption, pay attention to diesel crossovers, for example, Volkswagen Touareg 2.5 TDI or BMW X5 3.0d. But be prepared for higher maintenance and repair costs.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the 2005 Nissan Murano

How much oil should I put in the VQ35DE engine?

When completely replacing with filter, it is required 5.5 liters oils 5W-30 or 5W-40. Recommended brands: Mobil 1, Motul 8100, Liqui Moly.

What is the service life of the RE5R05A box?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 60 thousand km), the gearbox runs 300–400 thousand km. The main enemies are overheating and dirty oil.

Is it possible to install an LPG on a Murano 2005?

Technically yes, but not recommended due to the risk of valve overheating. Engine VQ35DE sensitive to detonation, and gas aggravates the problem.

Which tires are best for winter?

Optimal choice - Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 (17-18 inches) or Michelin X-Ice North. Suitable for snowy regions Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2.

How much does an engine overhaul cost?

The price depends on the scope of work: replacing rings and seals will cost 80–120 thousand rubles, complete overhaul with block boring - 150–200 thousand rubles.