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Infiniti M35/45 vs. Mercedes Benz E Class 350/550

12 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan

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#4 of 12 Re: Infiniti M35/45 vs. Mercedes Benz E Class 350/550 [mmoreno1978] by ny2nj Sep 05, 2007 (11:09 am)
Replying to: mmoreno1978 (Sep 05, 2007 6:34 am) No problems thus far. I had a 2002 C320 previously. The engine was flawless and never had an issue. I drove it HARD and it ran just as well as day one, but it had minor electrical issues. For instance, the cigarette lighter stopped working for no apparent reason. I suspect it was delivered with a bad lighter, but I didn't know until later because I don't smoke. Other times, I would get false warnings that the internal Brake Assist or Electronic Stability Control needing maintenance. Then, one of my license plate lights bulbs went out a month after I got the car and then about once a year after that. That may seem like no big deal, but ask yourself how many times you've changed the bulb for your license plate. This was a brand new $40K car.   All of these issues were minor (mainly bad sensors) and fixed quickly by warranty, but you just don't find these issues with Japanese cars as frequently. I experienced those issues within the first month of driving. The Germans seem behind when it comes to electronics and Volkswagen and Audi are two prime examples (although MUCH worse in comparison).   I'm not trying to dump on Mercedes because the good far outweighs the bad, but I tell it like it is. I’m not going to give a car unwarranted praise just to save face because I paid $$$ for it. I still highly recommend the E350 because the build, fit and finish are top-notch in typical MB fashion. The car has given me no problems thus far, but I haven't had it long so only time will tell. I would still buy the E350 even if I knew I would run into the same issues my C320 had because I like the car that much. Still, considering how expensive and computerized these luxury cars are now, the last thing a buyer should have to worry about is the expertise of the manufacturer's electrical engineers. Replies to this message: mmoreno1978 (Oct 07, 2007 5:48 pm)
#5 of 12 Re: Infiniti M35/45 vs. Mercedes Benz E Class 350/550 [ny2nj] by mmoreno1978 Oct 07, 2007 (5:48 pm)
Replying to: ny2nj (Sep 05, 2007 11:09 am) Just leased the E350 as my commuter car. Good gas mileage.   Picking up on Friday. Hope I got a good deal.
#6 of 12 Helping Mom buy a car... (she's the reason why I'm mentally unstable!) by benzrig Jan 06, 2009 (12:44 am)
Hey I'm helping my mother purchase / replace her QX4 (which replaced a Benz). I am stuck with the M35/M45 E350/E550 decision. Consumer Reports Recommends both with Infiniti having slightly better reviews. I’ve had a few quality issues with the Infiniti received HORRIBLE no ABSOLUTLY DREADFUL service from Infiniti (it now sporadically stalls while accelerating & the “Service Engine Soon” light has been on for a dismal year and a half and now the “Brake” light is aglow; all of which our local dealership tells us “It’s just a glitch; ignore it!”). I am appalled that my Mom is interest in putting up with Infiniti again. That being said the M’s look very nice and probably cheaper in the long run to operate. I honestly don’t think she’ll understand how to use the M. Too much controllable technology, but I do love how she can give voice commands to the car. On the other hand I have heard many unpromising comments on this system. I feel that the Mercedes will just do what it needs to do without consulting her, which is probably best. So where is my question to you M35/M45 & E350/E550 owners if you were selecting a car for a middle aged lady for whom technology is an evil notion which vehicle is best? I almost feel like saying to hell with it and get a Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas where there are far less menus or perhaps a Volvo where everything is controlled via knobs. Seeing that performance isn’t going to be an issue because this car will rarely see speeds in excess of 40. Any insight to the Infiniti-M / Mercedes-E dilemma would be greatly appreciated. Replies to this message: ny2nj (Jan 06, 2009 3:03 am) docrw (Jan 08, 2009 10:06 am) ny2nj (Jan 10, 2009 3:54 am) and 1 more...
#7 of 12 Re: Helping Mom buy a car... (she's the reason why I'm mentally unstable!) [benzrig] by ny2nj Jan 06, 2009 (3:03 am)
Replying to: benzrig (Jan 06, 2009 12:44 am) Test drive both. Infiniti makes great cars (I've owned two), but I prefer Mercedes (I've owned two of those as well). My 08 E350 has been trouble-free so I can't complain. Many owner reviews on the internet seem to echo the same. At the same time, Mercedes seems to have addressed the electrical issues that plagues them in the past by removing some features they once offered. They are pretty minor so I won't run down the list.   My wife and I considered the M, but the styling didn't suit my tastes. The dash looked pieced together and didn't flow as nicely as its Euro competitors in my opinion. The M also showed noticeable torque steer and wasn't as quiet as the E350 even though the E has low-profile tires. The E also has the edge in stability control and brake feel in my opinion. On the plus side for the M, they are loaded with standard features (like leather, keyless ingnition and Bluetooth) and have very strong and reliable engines. Many people may prefer the M's interior feeling it is more updated.   A restyled E-Class is set to debut for the 2010 model-year, so you may want to hold off until then before deciding. At the very least, you may be able to get some great deals on the 09 E-Class models. Replies to this message: docrw (Jan 08, 2009 10:06 am) ny2nj (Jan 10, 2009 3:54 am) james27 (Jan 10, 2009 8:06 pm)
#8 of 12 by ghstudio Jan 06, 2009 (7:24 am)
I looked closely at the E before leasing another M35. The deal breaker was the navigation system which is, at this point, an antique. The C navigation is actually better than the M35, but the car was too small for my needs.
#9 of 12 Re: Helping Mom buy a car... (she's the reason why I'm mentally unstable!) by docrw Jan 08, 2009 (10:06 am)
Replying to: ny2nj (Jan 06, 2009 3:03 am) With all due respect, torque steer is a problem with front wheel drive cars, where all the power goes to the front wheels which makes them harder to turn due to inertial forces. The M35 is rear wheel drive, there is no torque steer. I'm not sure what you experienced but I assure you it was not torque steer. I have driven both cars and the E350 might be marginally quieter, the interiors are completely different and I saw no gap in quality, just style, which is completely subjective.   I do think the E feels a bit more substantial. From the thunk when you close the doors to the overall feeling while driving. That being said, if money is a concern to you the M is a better deal. If you can afford both then its hard to argue with either choice as I feel it boils down more to personal preference then overall quality. Replies to this message: ny2nj (Jan 10, 2009 3:54 am) james27 (Jan 10, 2009 8:06 pm)
#10 of 12 Re: Helping Mom buy a car... (she's the reason why I'm mentally unstable!) by ny2nj Jan 10, 2009 (3:54 am)
Replying to: docrw (Jan 08, 2009 10:06 am) docrw...you're right, the M35 is rear-wheel drive, but the M35x I test drove was an all-wheel drive model where the power between wheels is transferred. Replies to this message: james27 (Jan 10, 2009 8:06 pm)
#11 of 12 Re: Helping Mom buy a car... (she's the reason why I'm mentally unstable!) [ny2nj] by james27 Jan 10, 2009 (8:06 pm)
Replying to: ny2nj (Jan 10, 2009 3:54 am) The M's all-wheel drive can't put more than 1/2 the torque on the front, and unless you have the snow-mode switch on, always operates as a rear-wheel drive car unless it detects slip, then the fronts can get some power. WHen snow-mode switch is on, it always starts out in all-wheel drive, and will revert to rear wheel once it reaches (I think it is ) 25mph, and will only power the front again if it detects slip, just like if the switch was off.
#12 of 12 Looking at either the M45 or the Mercedes E500 by cpaman Mar 25, 2009 (6:19 pm)
Everyone,            I am lucky someone started this post, i am thinking about buying either a 2006 M45 or a 2006 Mercedes E500/550. Please tell me all about your experiences with both cars, this will be invaluable towards me purchasing my new used car in the near future.   Thanks, Omari CPA

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