Nissan Murano is not just a crossover, but a real symbol of style and comfort. But even the most advanced production car can be made better. Tuning Murano allows you to reveal its potential: from aggressive appearance to sporty dynamics. In this article we will analyze all aspects of modernization - from budget modifications to complete remodeling to suit individual needs.
It is important to understand that tuning is not only about aesthetics. The right modifications can improve handling, reduce fuel consumption, or even increase engine power. But here lies a danger: illiterate changes can ruin the car. We'll tell you what modifications really work?, and which ones are better to refuse.
The article will be useful to both owners Murano Z50 (2003–2007), and more modern versions Z51 (2008–2014) and Z52 (2015–present). Each generation has its own characteristics, and we will take them into account in our recommendations.
1. External tuning: how to make Murano recognizable
The first thing that catches your eye is the exterior. Nissan Murano Initially it has a bright design, but even this can be improved. Let's start with the most popular improvements:
- 🔥 Body kits and spoilers - give an aggressive look. Popular sets from Stillen And Nismo, but universal solutions from Erebuni or Kamei.
- 🎨 Screws and eyelashes - inexpensive but effective ways to change your appearance. This is especially true for headlights and radiator grilles.
- 💎 Window tinting and armoring - not only aesthetics, but also protection. Optimal tint density for Murano — 20–35%.
- 🔄 Replacing optics — LED or xenon headlights transform the car. But remember: uncertified xenon is prohibited in Russia!
One of the most noticeable elements is the wheels. Standard 18-20 inches can be easily replaced with more stylish options. For example, disks Nismo LMGT4 at 22 inches they look amazing, but require some work on the arches. Alternative - Varrstoen ES2 or Work Emotion CR Kiwami.
Body color - another way to stand out. Popular options for Murano:
| Color | Benefits | Difficulty painting |
|---|---|---|
| Matte black | Stylish, hides scratches | High (requires a professional approach) |
| Deep blue (eg. Nissan Midnight Blue) | Emphasizes body lines | Average |
| Gold metallic | Unique, luxurious look | High (expensive pigments) |
| White mother of pearl | Visually enlarges the car | Low |
⚠️ Attention! When installing wide rims, check compatibility with the brake system. On Murano with factory brakes, the maximum disc width without modifications is 9.5J.
- Sports (aggressive body kit, low landing)
- Elegant (chrome, premium parts)
- Offroad (protection, body lift)
- Stock-plus (minimal changes)
2. Interior tuning: comfort and technology
Salon Nissan Murano initially spacious and comfortable, but can always be improved. Let's start with the most popular improvements:
- 🪑 Sports seats - for example, from Recaro or Sparco. Not only do they look stylish, but they also provide better support when cornering.
- 🎛️ Multimedia system - replacing the standard radio with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay with a large screen (eg Pioneer AVH-Z9200DAB).
- 🔥 Interior lighting — LED strips under the dashboard, in the doors and trunk. RGB strips controlled from a smartphone are popular.
- 🛋️ Upholstery and finishing materials — replacing fabric with leather or Alcantara. For Murano actual kits from Katzkin or Covercraft.
Don't forget about the little things that create a premium atmosphere:
- 🚗 Steering wheel — sports or covered in leather with perforations. Popular models from Momo or Nardi.
- 🔊 Speaker system - replacing speakers with component ones (for example, Focal PS 165) and installing a subwoofer.
- 💨 Climate control - if your version does not have it, you can modify the air conditioning system.
One of the most effective ways to transform your salon is full reupholstery. For example, the combination of black leather with red stitching and carbon fiber inserts looks futuristic. The cost of such work in Moscow starts from 150,000 rubles.
Before purchasing sports seats, check to see if they are compatible with your car's airbags. Murano. Some models require turning off the side airbags!
3. Chip tuning and increasing power
Standard engines Nissan Murano (For example, VQ35DE 3.5L V6 or QR25DE 2.5L) are reliable, but their potential is not fully realized. Chip tuning allows you to increase power by 15–30 hp. without mechanical modifications.
The main ways to increase power:
- 🔧 ECU firmware — changing the control unit software. Popular firmware: Ecutek, Cobb Accessport, OpenECU.
- 💨 Turbine installation - relevant for naturally aspirated engines. For example, a set Stillen Supercharger for VQ35DE adds up to 100 hp
- 🔥 Cold intake — replacing the air filter with a zero filter (for example, K&N 57-6024) improves throttle response.
- 🏁 Direct exhaust - systems Borla, MagnaFlow or Injen not only sound better, but also reduce back pressure.
Example of chip tuning results for Murano Z51 3.5L:
- Standard: 265 hp / 336 Nm
- After flashing: 290–300 hp. / 360–370 Nm
- With turbine: 350–400 hp. (requires transmission strengthening!)
⚠️ Attention! After chip tuning, be sure to check the operation of the gearbox. Automatic transmission Murano (RE0F10A) is not designed for constant high loads. With power above 350 hp. The torque converter will need to be replaced.
A critical mistake of many tuners: ignoring engine cooling after chip tuning. A 20% increase in power requires an upgraded radiator and oil cooler!
Engine diagnostics for errors|Checking the condition of spark plugs and ignition coils|Changing oil and filters|Transmission wear test|Installing additional cooling (if necessary)-->
4. Suspension and handling: how to make the Murano sportier
Standard suspension Murano designed for comfort, but for dynamic driving it can be modified. Main directions:
- 🏎️ Understatement - springs Eibach Pro-Kit or H&R reduce ground clearance by 30–50 mm, improving handling.
- 🔄 Shock absorbers — gas-oil KYB Excel-G or sports Bilstein B8.
- 🛡️ Anti-roll bars — thickness 22–25 mm (for example, from Addco).
- 🔧 Polyurethane bushings — replace rubber ones, reducing play in the suspension.
For off-road tuning (relevant for Murano CrossCabriolet) can be considered:
- 🚙 Elevator kit - increases ground clearance by 2-3 inches.
- 💪 Crankcase and transmission protection - aluminum or steel plates.
- 🔄 Off-road tires - for example, BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
It is important to remember: lowering by more than 50 mm requires modification of the levers and steering rods. Otherwise, the suspension geometry will be disrupted, which will lead to uneven tire wear.
What happens if you install too stiff springs?
Comfort on rough roads will decrease, and the load on the body and suspension will increase. Cracks are possible in the places where the racks are attached, especially on Murano with mileage over 150,000 km. Recommended stiffness for everyday driving: 20-30% higher than standard.
5. Light tuning: from DRL to underbody lighting
Lighting improvements not only improve appearance, but also increase safety. Let's look at the main options:
- 💡 Daytime running lights (DRL) — LED strips or ready-made modules (for example, Morimoto XB LED).
- 🔦 Fog lights - yellow or white LED lamps (for example, Osram LEDriving FOG).
- 🌈 Barn lighting — LEDs in the door cards, under the seats, in the trunk.
- 🚘 Underbody lighting — RGB strips with a control panel (for example, Oracle Lighting).
When choosing LED lamps for primary optics, pay attention to certification. For example, lamps Philips X-tremeUltinon LED have approval ECE R112, which guarantees their legality.
Popular backlight color schemes for Murano:
- 🔴 Red — aggressive sporty style.
- 🔵 Blue — futuristic appearance (but may attract the attention of the traffic police).
- 🟢 Green - a rare option, suitable for individuality.
- 🟣 Purple - popular among fans of JDM style.
⚠️ Attention! Underbody lighting in Russia is allowed only if it white or yellow and doesn't blink. RGB lighting while driving can be regarded as a violation of traffic rules (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).
6. Tuning the brake system: safety first
An increase in power must necessarily be accompanied by improved brakes. Standard brakes Murano (front discs 320 mm, rear 302 mm) cope with their tasks, but for aggressive driving they should be modified.
Upgrade options:
- 🛑 Perforated discs - better heat removal. Popular models from Brembo or EBC.
- 🔥 Sports pads - for example, Ferodo DS2500 or Hawk HPS 5.0.
- 💦 Brake hoses - reinforced from Goodridge or StopTech.
- 🔄 Calipers — 4-piston from Brembo (for example, model Gran Turismo).
For Murano Z52 with engine VQ35DE The following configuration is recommended:
- Front discs: Brembo 355×32 mm (perforated).
- Rear wheels: Brembo 345×28 mm.
- Pads: EBC Yellowstuff (for street use).
- Brake fluid: Motul RBF 600 (boiling point 312°C).
The cost of a complete upgrade of the brake system: from 120,000 to 300,000 rubles, depending on the configuration.
Upgrading your brakes is not a luxury, but a necessity when increasing engine power. Even a small increase in torque requires more effective deceleration.
7. Tuning mistakes: what not to do with Murano
Not all improvements are useful. Some can cause damage or even make the car dangerous. Let's look at the most common mistakes:
- ❌ Installing too wide rims without modifying the arches — leads to friction between tires and fender liners.
- ❌ Chip tuning without cooling improvement — engine overheating is guaranteed.
- ❌ Replacing springs without adjusting wheel alignment — accelerated tire wear.
- ❌ Using cheap Chinese LED lamps - poor light transmission and risk of blinding oncoming drivers.
- ❌ Installing a turbine on an automatic transmission without strengthening it — failure after 20–30 thousand km.
Another common problem is incompatibility of spare parts. For example, body kits from Murano Z51 not suitable for Z52 due to changed dimensions. Always check compatibility by VIN code!
It is equally important to avoid homemade firmware. Cheap chip tuning “in the garage” can lead to:
- Floating speed at idle.
- Increased fuel consumption.
- Check engine after 5–10 thousand km.
Critical moment: after installing the turbine on VQ35DE be sure to replace the fuel injectors with more efficient ones (for example, Nismo 550cc). Otherwise, the engine will run on a lean mixture, which will lead to detonation.
8. Cost of tuning: budget and premium options
Tuning price Nissan Murano depends on the scale of modifications. Let's look at the estimated costs:
| Tuning type | Budget option | Premium option |
|---|---|---|
| External (body kit, optics, wheels) | 50 000 – 150 000 ₽ | 300 000 – 800 000 ₽ |
| Interior (seats, multimedia, upholstery) | 30 000 – 100 000 ₽ | 200 000 – 600 000 ₽ |
| Engine (chip tuning, intake, exhaust) | 20 000 – 80 000 ₽ | 250,000 – 1,000,000 ₽ (with turbine) |
| Suspension (springs, shock absorbers) | 25 000 – 70 000 ₽ | 150 000 – 400 000 ₽ |
| Brakes (discs, pads, calipers) | 30 000 – 100 000 ₽ | 200 000 – 500 000 ₽ |
Average cost of comprehensive tuning (exterior + interior + engine) for Murano amounts to 300,000 – 1,500,000 rubles. The price depends on the brand of spare parts, the complexity of the work and the region (in Moscow and St. Petersburg, services are 20–30% more expensive than in the regions).
It’s not worth saving on tuning, but it’s not always wise to overpay for a brand. For example, disks Replika (replicas BBS) look no worse than the originals, but cost 2-3 times cheaper.
Before you start tuning, make a list of priorities. For example, if dynamics are important to you, improve the brakes and suspension first, and only then work on the appearance.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about tuning Nissan Murano
Is it possible to install a turbo on a Murano with an automatic transmission?
Yes, but will require reinforcement RE0F10A: replacing the torque converter, installing an additional automatic transmission oil cooling radiator and flashing the transmission control unit. Without these modifications, the transmission will fail after 10–20 thousand km.
What's the cheapest way to improve the appearance of a Murano?
Replacing the radiator grille with mesh option (from 5,000 ₽), installation of LED DRLs (from 3,000 ₽) and tinting headlights with film (from 2,000 ₽). These modifications visually transform the car at minimal cost.
Do I need to register tuning with the traffic police?
Yes, if you change:
- Wheel size (ET offset and diameter must meet tolerances).
- Body color (required to be included in the vehicle title).
- Lighting devices (xenon, LED in the main optics).
- Engine (more than 20% increase in power).
Fine for unregistered tuning: 500–800 ₽ (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).
What is the service life of the VQ35DE engine after chip tuning?
With proper firmware (without detonation) and regular maintenance, the resource remains at the level of 300–350 thousand km. But if the power is increased by more than 30%, it is recommended:
- Reduce the oil change interval to 7,000 km.
- Use oil with viscosity
5W-40or0W-40(For example, Motul 8100 X-Cess). - Monitor the engine temperature (optimally up to 95°C).
Is it possible to install the Infiniti FX suspension on the Murano?
Partially. Shock absorbers and springs from Infiniti FX35/FX45 (2003–2008) fit the seats, but have a different rigidity. For Murano Z51 this is an acceptable option, but for Z52 the fasteners will need modification.