Ask the Car People.SM


Infiniti M35/M45 2006+

6008 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 7:10 PM

You are in the Infiniti M35/M45 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti M45, Infiniti M35

Messages Page 597 of 602

#5952 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [classic124] by jo2

Oct 27, 2007 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: classic124 (Oct 27, 2007 11:32 am)
Classis124,
 
Thanks so much for all the info. I will take it all to heart. It is tough for me becuase I really do love the handling and acceleration of my 530i, also the new twin turbo engine is out of this world. I have found that the BMW drives and handles better, but the infiniti has more creature comforts. What do you find to be the major differences between the two cars?
 
I am leaning heavily toward the infininiti because of the price. It will be considerably less per month. Are you planning on getting the infiniti as well? If so which one and with what options?
 
By the way if you also live in LA, where did you rent the M35? I would like to rent it just to make sure.

#5953 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [jo2] by classic124

Oct 27, 2007 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: jo2 (Oct 27, 2007 1:22 pm)
The M35 has great acceleration and really how often do you need the power of the twin turbo? What happens when you have to replace the turbos? BMW's are very expensive on maintenance once out of warrenty (I know from owning one!).
 
Regarding handing I have the BMW sport suspension and find it very rough which diminished the handling in my opinion. Also, I have "active steering" and find the car "twichy" on rough surfaces. How often do you really need to "ultimte handling" the BWM provides in you average commute?
 
I rented the M35 from Hertz at LAX. You have to insist on the M35 or they will try to substitute a G35 instead.
 
However, in the end you have to decide what is best for you. If you have LOTS of money and multiple cars (a reliable one when the BWM is in the shop) then I can make a case for he BMW. Having owned two BMW's the 1996 was a joy to drive (although the 1996 was not very reliable).
 
The 2006 I HATE as instead of me driving the car, the car make me "comform" to what it wants. The car is not supportive of the driver, but makes you do things the way the cars wants you to drive (examples: iDrive, turn signal, slow startup of the electronic computer screen, twichy steering, run flat tires are TERRIBLE noisy rough riding and you have no choice regarding runflat).
 
The Infiniti M35 which I spent an entire weekend with supports the driver (much like my 1996 BWM). Everything is well located and you have buttons for radio/nav/trip info). Also, you are not forced to have runflat tires. The Infinti is less expensive and if you plan on keeping the car for a long time has above average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. In fact if I am not mistaken Consumer Reports gave the M35 the highest rating they have ever given a car.
 
Sorry for the long answer, but hope it is helpful - good luck!

#5954 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [classic124] by selvapp

Oct 28, 2007 (8:18 am)

Replying to: classic124 (Oct 27, 2007 5:57 pm)
I am going to throw my two cents in. I live in the Houston area and just bought a 07 M35 with tech and journey package after comparing 535i, GS350 and A6. I took an extended test drive on both the M and the 535i with the sport package. The BMW accelerates really well but I felt a faint turbo lag, it was noisier than the M, handling was comparable and I don't like to do donuts anyway!!
The bluetooth in the 5 was excellent. It paired up well with my verizon LG8600 and transferred my contact list all within a few seconds. In the M, you have to enter it manually or transfer it from your phone one at a time. The voice quality in the M was excellent according to the people I called and you can set individual volume controls for ringtones, incoming and outgoing. On the other hand my BMW salesperson had troble using the Idrive and showing me how to make calls from the contact list!
The interior in the M feels more luxurious and had more room. the cooled seats are great for Texas weather and I am told that the M's navigation system is much better.
The 2008 has a hard drive with partition for a juke box if you are into that kind of stuff. It also has the touch screen nav but you still can't input any info while driving.
The M also uses regular fuel and does not require synthetic oil, but the BMW comes with 4 year free maintenance which they say is worth around $1000.00
One other interesting thing I found, atleast here is that the local BMW dealer will not give me a loaner car unless I buy it from here whereas it is Infiniti's policy that regardless of where you buy the car, loaner is included.
And since I could get the 07M35 for invoice which is about $15,000.00 less OTD compared with the 5, for me it was a clear choice.

#5955 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [selvapp] by classic124

Oct 28, 2007 (10:21 am)

Replying to: selvapp (Oct 28, 2007 8:18 am)
Thanks for your thoughtful and well researched comments. To follow up on my prior emails I did want to let say I am planning on purchasing a 2008 M35 with technology package and advanced technology package as I need real time traffic living in LA. I think it will be a great car to own for many years.
 
I hope you enjoy your 2007 M35 and wish you well!

#5956 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [classic124] by jo2

Oct 28, 2007 (11:15 am)

Replying to: classic124 (Oct 28, 2007 10:21 am)
All great information! I am testing the M35sport again today. I've still got some time as my lease isn't up until the end of November. The loaner car is kind of a pain, I totally agree. I took my car in the other day and they gave me a Chevroloet Malibu, being a car nut I wasn't exactly thrilled.
 
When I drove the M35sport the first time, I actually thought it was louder than my 2006 530i, however I could be wrong.
 
Any other input if anyone has anything else to say would be greatly appreciated!

#5957 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [jo2] by bruceomega

Oct 29, 2007 (8:53 am)

Replying to: jo2 (Oct 28, 2007 11:15 am)
I'm not sure if you're asking for comments on the M35, or comments on how the M35 compares to competitive choices. If the latter, I suggest posting that in the Luxury Performance Sedan thread.
 
Thanks
Bruce

#5958 of 6008 Re: 2008 M35sport is it worth the wait? [classic124] by dheller

Oct 29, 2007 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: classic124 (Oct 28, 2007 10:21 am)
On my 4th week with a 07 M35 and can validate what others have said for the M series. I've compared the BMW, the Lexus G series, and held my breath waiting for the CTS. All are nice and have various features that can sway your decision, however, on balance, I kept coming back to the practical side of ME, and the M was the clear winner. I wanted the M45 (I'm just a V8 nut) but the dealer only had the Sport Sedans which I found too rough and noisey on uneven pavement.
 
There are a few things I would have done differently. For example, the 5.1 digital surround sound only works on 5.1 formats (does not synthesize the surround effect well). I'm not a Bose fan, never have been, but the 14 speakers make up for it (on the right format of content). The esthetics of the interior night lighting could be improved, particularly on the garage door openers - I'm constantly opening the wrong door, and the side rearview mirrors only go down, one side or the other, not both sides (figure that one out - the designer of that feature must have had too manyu lattes before lunch).
 
The best part is I only have 300 more 'break-in' miles until I can open it up on a twisty road!!! I should be there by Saturday, the weather predictions are sunny and 74 degrees, and my fingers are getting twitchy in anticipation.
 
Yup, it is a great car, and just as importantly A GREAT VALUE !!!
 
Good Luck

#5959 of 6008 M35 wheels by jacky4060

Dec 30, 2007 (12:58 pm)

I have a about my M35. I have done nothing different in the last 20 years when washing my cars or occasionally taking it to the same car wash.
 
One of my wheels has turned almost completely black. Looks like the black brake dust you can get, but will not come off. It is the driver’s front wheel. One of the others has a small black spot that can’t be removed, but nothing like the front. In addition, all the wheels have gotten very scratched.
 
The dealer claims I must have done something to it when washing it. But only the one wheel? They say I must have removed the aluminum coating and got down to the black base. Never heard of such a thing on aluminum. If anything I would think there may be a clear powder coat on the aluminum. I tried everything to get the black off, no luck. I even tried to get the powder coating off of the other wheels or try to get down to the black. No luck. I went to some engineers who work at my company and our model shop guys to see if they could get the black off or at least try to do it to another wheel. They took the harshest products and couldn’t take the black off or duplicate it on the other wheels.
 
Trying to get information from Infiniti directly is almost impossible. Trying to talk to one of the regional managers is the second most impossible thing to do. This is my 4th Infiniti, from the same dealer. I was going to have the dealer refinish it for $150, but I insisted before I do that I want to speak to someone from Infiniti. The dealer could give no good explanation as to what this may be.
 
Well instead of letting me speak to the regional, they got back to me and said they would replace the wheel. But they still would not talk to me about what was wrong with the wheel. They simply said they would do it this one time because I am a good customer.
 
Have you heard of any wheel issues with the M’s? I and many of my car friends have never seen anything quite like this.

#5960 of 6008 Re: M35 wheels [jacky4060] by bocatrip

Dec 31, 2007 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: jacky4060 (Dec 30, 2007 12:58 pm)
I have heard about something similar to this happening to the painted G35 rims. There is a slight discoloration that occurs either due to the brake dust or possibly a cleaner applied by the car wash or individual. One of the pluses of buying an Infiniti is that these things can be taken car of by the service dept as a good will item.

#5961 of 6008 Re: M35 wheels [bocatrip] by jacky4060

Jan 05, 2008 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: bocatrip (Dec 31, 2007 10:44 pm)
You're right. At least this time they said they would take care of it.

Messages Page 597 of 602

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement