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10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 931 of 1034

#9298 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [bruceomega] by david2u

May 08, 2007 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: bruceomega (May 08, 2007 1:41 pm)
Bruce:
 
I have a m35x and a 2005 530.
 
The M is a great car if you can deal with it's "weirdness".
The wheels will get destroyed if you just look at a curb or go thru a car wash.
Because it is all wheel drive, the car tends to pull on uneven road surfaces.
 
The BMW is a great car as well...just had a ton of electrical problems with it, mainly the nav unit and anti-pinch windows that go down when they feel like it.
 
The BMW is leaving in two weeks and I decided to get a E350 4Matic.

#9299 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [david2u] by carnaught

May 08, 2007 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: david2u (May 08, 2007 6:14 pm)
..........The M is a great car if you can deal with it's "weirdness".........Because it is all wheel drive, the car tends to pull on uneven road surfaces...........
 
My 2wd M35 Sport did the same thing.

#9300 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [bruceomega] by lexusguy

May 08, 2007 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: bruceomega (May 08, 2007 1:41 pm)
So far, my short list of alternatives is the M35x in current cars, and the 08 CTS for upcoming cars (looks good on paper, and its the same size as the 5 series).
 
What about the G35x? That's really more of direct competitor to the CTS. The A6 4.2 S-line is also worth consideration. If I remember correctly from when the M launched, there isn't enough room for both the V8 and the AWD system. I've also never heard anything about plans to add an M45x. Based on how Infiniti generally operates, I would expect the freshened M to get the new VQ35HR, and some very minor interior and exterior tweaks. I don't think they'll use the G coupe's new VQ37HR V6 unless the VK45 also gets a bump in power.

#9301 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [david2u] by bruceomega

May 08, 2007 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: david2u (May 08, 2007 6:14 pm)
david2u,
 
Appreciate the feedback. Had not heard about the M35x wheel issue, and the pulling is not encouraging. My biggest concerns about it are owner's reports that it needs an overdrive gear to cut down engine revs on the highway, and the possibility Infiniti will upgrade the engine later this year if I were to buy one now (to either the version in the current G35, or perhaps the 3.7 engine in the new coupe).
 
I've read mixed reviews about 5 series reliability, so that is a concern. I've had good luck with my 06 3 series, so I'm positive on BMW at the moment.
 
I've looked at the E series at auto shows, but haven't gone any further than that.
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9302 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [carnaught] by bruceomega

May 08, 2007 (8:29 pm)

Replying to: carnaught (May 08, 2007 7:42 pm)
carnaught,
 
Did you eventually get the problem fixed of the car pulling on uneven roads?
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9303 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [lexusguy] by bruceomega

May 08, 2007 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (May 08, 2007 8:03 pm)
lexusguy,
 
Yes, I considered the G35x. I think the exterior of the new car is as greatly improved as the interior, and I like its looks. But after sitting in the car at the auto show, where I could adjust the driver's seat, I don't feel that it offers any significant advantage over my current car in rear seat leg room. It's not as roomy at the 5 series (and the 5 series is not as roomy as the M35x). I also have concerns about the lack of an overdrive gear in the auto, and some reports about road / engine noise.
 
On paper, the 08 CTS is almost identical to the 5 series in both exterior and interior dimensions, so I believe it will offer more interior room, especially in the back seat, than the G35x. It also offers a 6 speed auto with AWD, and the nice-to-have option of a folding rear seat, but it remains to be seen how good the actual car is. I'm viewing it as a value alternative rather than direct competitor to the 535Xi.
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9304 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [lexusguy] by bruceomega

May 08, 2007 (9:34 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (May 08, 2007 8:03 pm)
lexusguy,
 
The A-6 is a very striking design, but not one I personally would care to own. Its also too big.
 
I have no idea if there will be an M45x. A little while ago I posted a question in an Infiniti forum asking about the possibility of an AWD version of the M45, and the person who responded thought there was not enough room for AWD with the V-8. Maybe that was you! But then I saw a posting in one of the Infiniti forums saying a dealer told them an M45x is coming.
 
If there ever were an M45x, I think I would find that more appealing than the M35x. A V-8 is inherently smoother than a V-6, and a colleague at work liked the responsiveness of the M45 much better than the M35 (he bought an M45 sport).
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9305 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [bruceomega] by lexusguy

May 08, 2007 (11:22 pm)

Replying to: bruceomega (May 08, 2007 9:34 pm)
I wouldn't put too much faith in rumors from a dealer. A Lexus dealer told me there was going to be a new SC300 back when the SC430 launched. If there's room for the AWD running gear, why would Infiniti wait this long? Also, considering the usual V6 to V8 sales breakdown in the mid-lux segment, I don't think there would be enough of a market for them to go to the effort and expense of developing a M45x.

#9306 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [lexusguy] by bruceomega

May 09, 2007 (7:08 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (May 08, 2007 11:22 pm)
lexusguy,
 
I tend to agree with your logic on the M45x question. Could be similar to why BMW doesn't offer a 550Xi.
 
In fairness to the A-6, my comment on size may be a bit in error. When I went to the BMW web site and did a comparison between the (2007) 5 series and A6, it showed the A-6 width as 79.2", which is 6.5" wider than the 5 series and 7.7" wider than the 3 series. But when I dug into the specs on the Audi site, they include the sideview mirrors in vehicle width and BWM does not, so I can't really tell.
 
The A-6 is 2.4" longer than the 5 series, which doesn't sound like much, but the 5 series is already 12.9" longer than my 3 series. I need for any new car to fit in my garage, and I don't have a lot of extra room in either length or width.
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9307 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [bruceomega] by erickpl

May 09, 2007 (8:19 am)

Replying to: bruceomega (May 09, 2007 7:08 am)
The A6 fits in a standard garage just fine.
 
-Paul

Messages Page 931 of 1034

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