I have an 06 M45 with Tech & Journey package. I have been having a problem receiving incoming calls in my car when the phone Moto v710 is paired up with the car. I am only receiving calls from one person. Any time someone else calls other then him, it wont ring and wont come up on my screen. Unless they leave me a voice mail then it will ring and come up on my screen as if that person is calling me at that moment but when I look at my phone it's really a voice mail. When someone calls me my phone see the call, but the car doesn't. Asked the dealer and they said they needed to contact Tech Support, haven't heard back. Anyone got any Ideas?
I bought my M35x blk/blk journey, tech, splashguards, spoiler, on Saturday in NY for $1,967 over invoice ($2,511 off MSRP), and I kicked off price negotiations by simultaneously bluffing 2 dealers that the other had offered me the car for $2500 over invoice. One matched it. I then contacted a third dealer who in turn beat that with the number listed above.
They'll deal. You just have to get them to commit time to dealing with you (test driving, going over options, pricing, etc.) The more time they spend with you, the more they get it in their head that you are going to buy the car from them. The idea that you might buy it from someone else is enough to make them negotiate, to compete for your business. Funny thing is, is that the best deal came from a guy who I called up and asked if he could beat existing offers. Ah, capitalism at it's most useful.
------------------ Can the two fobs be set to different positions? ------------------
Yes they can, but two things to note.
1) The key fob must be explicitly linked to a particular memory position. 2) The key fob will only activate that memory position when the unlock button on the key fob is pressed. You might do that, eg, when approaching the car.
The following is from page 3-28 in the manual: ------------------------- Linking Intelligent Key to a stored memory position The Intelligent Key can be linked to a stored memory position with the following procedure. 1. Follow the steps for storing a memory position. 2. While the indicator light for the memory switch being set is illuminated for 5 seconds, push the unlock button on the Intelligent Key.
The indicator light will blink. After the indicator light goes off, the Intelligent Key is linked to that memory setting.
Push the ignition switch to the LOCK position and press the unlock button on the Intelligent Key. The driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors will move to the memorized position. -------------------------
I enjoyed your post. I leased an M45 Sport from West Houston Infiniti and they threw a bluetooth phone into the deal as they do in all cases as I understand their practice. I have seen a couple of M's on the road in West Houston.
I hope you enjoy your M. I too have been a consistent Q owner. I like the M better than any of the Q's I have owned. Ive had mine for nearly 2 months now and it is more fun to drive than any other car I have owned. Hope your experience as good as well.
I work up near N. Houston and have found them to be a good new dealer, but thus far have kept my business at W Houston
I went to Ray Catena, Circle and Duane Salerno. I went with Ray catena. Hopefully they will find the car soon. I agree that negotiating with all the dealers and spending time there is important to getting the best price. But it's hard to find the time to drive all over the state. I used my local dealer Circle to test drive and check out the colors/options. I never even stepped in Ray Catena until I put down the order but they were the most aggressive in terms of lease. I am by no means a great price negotiator but the other dealers did go down a bit in terms of price when I gave them Ray Catena's numbers. I have a feeling that I would have gotten more leeway to bargain if I involved the sales managers themselves. (I didn't try to produce ficitional numbers to bluff any of the dealers either) I didn't have too much time to wait/ negotiate because my Acura's lease is up in May and I was worried that waiting too long would have left me without a car or a car that I wanted! It was odd that Circle's manager called me the day after I bought from Ray Catena (I emailed the other dealers that I purchased so I wouldn't keep getting calls). Probably wanted to check out RC's prices and salvage some business in case things didn't go smoothly with the purchase.
So far, I have spent the last 3 nights up at N. Houston Infiniti. I have put them thru the ringer. I had forgotten my stuff in the trunk and called asking if I could get it last night and talk about getting a different car! I had them find me one w/ technology, and I waited an hour for the Little Rock guy to call back saying he really had it. Meanwhile, they talked me out of it (presumably since mine will arrive today or Monday from Alabama).
Makes no sense for us to buy at W. Houston since it is 40 miles over there. I ride the bus downtown, and N. Houston is right there by where I catch the bus. Just too convenient.
I didn't drive the car too long, so I am anxious to see what it feels like. It felt a lot like my Q, whereas that M35 did not at all. I've been enjoying the G35 loaner, although the steering is stiff.
Did you activate your blackberry? I JUST got this sidekick II, so I guess I'd have to guy out of that contract.
A couple I met when I was getting my stuff out of my Q45T asked why on earth I sold it for 12k. I am wondering that, too. They have one at SW Infiniti for 15k w/ 81,000 miles on it, and mine had 45k. No looking back now. I work 19 hours a day almost every day, so I didn't have time to mess w/ it.
W. Houston was arragant when we bought 2 cars for cash same day w/ them. These guys have been nice (although a BIT disorganized).
Nobody has that bluetooth phone advertised on the website except N. Houston, and the GM asked the sales manager last night why they were giving it to me. I said it was on the website and if they hadn't given it, I would not have bought the car.
I just bought a 2006 M35 AWD umbri gray with wheat interior. I have the journey package. I love the car. Bought it in Lisle, IL and got the car for $2500 under sticker. Not a bad deal at all. The rest of the dealerships offered me anywhere from $1000 to $2000. My favorite features are the voice controls, the keyless system and the airconditioned seats. My least favorite...the ride is a bit bumpy. Good luck to those purchasing the new M. Can anyone list a website where I can get car sales by month? I'd like to find out how many M's have sold.
I didnt get the blackberry yet as I am not too familiar with them. I am fairly low tech but love the high tech M45. Mine is a sport with Tech, Journey as well as MES. I currently have a G35 couple, a 1995 Q45 and have had 5 other Q45s. I prefer the M45 to the Q's I have had even though it rides slightly stiffer and is slightly nosier than the 2002 Q I just gave up.
I have had no issues with the M45 other than ruining a tire. I love the way it runs and handles. It feels like a very refined luxury sedan when I just cruise in it along the freeway. But when I step on it, it is the fastest car I have owned or driven. I really like the room in it and the looks of it as well, both inside and outside. I have the Black exterior with the stone interior with the aluminum trim that comes with the sport. I am extremely happy with the color combination.
I have had good experience with West Houston and they take very good care of flats or dead batteries my wife has experienced over the years. I too work long hours and appreciate the fact my wife can get attentive help with great courtesy at Infiniti. The general manager at W. Houston moved to run the N. Houston dealership a month or two ago, Marti is a very nice guy and will have that dealership humming in no time.
I think you will love your M45. Let me know how it goes.
For the bumpy ride, make sure your tire pressures are 32-33 psi cold. And for the sales, check out the Infiniti news website at http://www.infinitinews.com/.
You should always bring the tire psi to what it says in the manual. I don't know why, but we've been getting a lot of reports of Infiniti dealers being negligent in deflating the tires to proper levels.
I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the test cars have overinflated tires, leaving potential buyers with the impression that the ride of the M is way too rough. Nissan should better keep their dealers in line about this kind of stuff.
I used the Costco Auto Program and ordered an M35x for $2,500 off MSRP. Ordered it at Motorwerks in Barrington. They have the same pricing for M45s. You might want to check them out if you haven't already done so using the Costco Auto Program. My delivery is slated for end of June/early July - can't wait!
Easypass: two factors would make the decision easy for me. First, if it's a coin toss between the two cars, is the MB worth 20% more? Second, the last few years have seen some serious quality control issues with MB. Ergo, to me this is a slam dunk ... Infiniti.
Drtravel: Cars aren't designed to make noises like that and I wouldn't wait another minute before taking it in. I doubt it will go away and it may be symptomatic of a serious issue that could leave you high and dry in some very inconvenient place.
Shop around ... you can do better. $740 is way too high. $600 is more like it. If you're out the door with zero down it's still a bit high. Infiniti Financial was offering $499/month for the base M35 with $2,500 due at signing; mine is a sport/tech/journey and is $600.
. . .for no matter how many reviews there are, some folks [like me perhaps?] will always be quick with the comeback "Oh yea? Says you!"
My new Road and Track came yesterday -- yet another comparison test report, this time the new Lexus GS V8, the BMW 5 V8 and the Infiniti M V8. The results -- and these were all the newest offerings, BTW -- the M finishes first once again.
I wonder why the Audi A6 4.2 S-Line and the STS V8 were excluded? Maybe they just wanted V8 and RWD vehicles?
In any case, my hope is that with the sheer poundage of positive reviews, folks will stop saying that those who choose (in this case the Infiniti) are "settling."
Very important in this review, IMHO, was the claim that the three cars are close to each other in many ways. Kinda like Gold, Silver and Bronz when the differences are close, very close.
One more M is on top for the naysayers.
Cheers.
Nice write up, too, same issue, on the new BMW 530x-drive.
Settling? Is that what's being said on the Bimmer, Audi, MB etc. boards?
I suppose my M would be "settling" if what I really had wanted was a 911, 750, Aston Martin, CLS or something like that. But, as is my custom, MO and disease, whichever you'd call it, I researched the absolute hell out of all of the cars in the same segment as the M, drove nearly all of them, could have afforded any of them, could have obtrained substantial discounting on a couple of them due to friends within the industry (Audi, Cadillac, Volvo) and still came away wanting the M, which I fell in love with the first time I sat in one at the Detroit auto show. All of this, plus a pre-disposition toward BMWs (I really hoped I would drive the 530 and it would knock my socks off compared to the M, but it worked the other way around for me--I made a careful point of driving both vehicles within one hour), and the M came shining through at the end of my process, as it had at the beginning. If that's "settling", I'm guilty as charged.
Under that analysis, I "settled" for my wife, too--since Catherine Zeta Jones was taken.
I will say this--I remain a BMW fan, and I will give BMW another shot when I turn the M in. Maybe BMW will have its sh** together by then and the 5 series will return to it's former place as the top midsize luxury car in the world. But right now, it's no contest between these two. As a former BMW owner, I can say that there are some things I liked more about my BMW, but overall the M is my favorite car yet--hands down.
During the past two days I tried to pinpoint a more exact location of the sound. I concentrated on the exhaust manifold where it connects to the exhaust pipe underneath the rear of the engine. When I park the car and it cools down I hear alot of small crackling sounds from there (maybe metal cooling) but after 3-4 minutes I usually hear a small chuch bell chime. Wait another 4-5 minutes and I hear it again. Sometimes I hear it a third time.
I'll take it in tomorrow - I was just wondering if anyone else had heard this sound.
I've noticed a squeaking sound from the roof area over the front portion of the rear seat - especially when I drive over bumps. It sounds like it's coming from the part of the moonroof frame located there - maybe there's a screw loose?
Looking for some well-educated guesses as to what's causing this sound.
When I park my new M in the garage I listen to the car cooling down. I concentrated on the exhaust manifold where it connects to the exhaust pipe underneath the rear of the engine. As the car is cooling I hear alot of small crackling sounds from there (maybe metal cooling and contracting) but after 3-4 minutes I usually hear a clanging sound - kind of like a small chuch bell chime. Wait another 4-5 minutes and I hear it again. Sometimes I hear it a third time.
I know this isn't normal - just wondering if any of the well informed members of this forum have any ideas as to what is making the sound.
I have the same sound in my 2002 Q45 and it is coming from the catalytic converter. My service guy explained that some internal plates are attached with bimetallic welds which cool at different rates and the banging is just the consequence of uneven cooling. It is not harmful and only lasts for a few minutes (15-20) and is more pronounced in the winter than in the summer.
Every time I see a comparison with the M and GS they always opt for the V8s. How about one with the V6s? I suspect the the difference between the M35 and GS 300 is greater than that between the M45 and GS 430.
I think a subsequent poster (Richard?) stated the same as what I think it has to do with...the catalytic converter. My I30 does this once I get home and park it in the garage...as it cools down it does a crackling/popping deal (church bell? not really that) but it will last for 10 minutes or so sometimes. I believe it is in fact the catalytic converter (ask the boys at Tustin), something about some materials in the converter...not sure about metal cooling at different rates.
In any event it may be normal, but never hurts to check/ask them.
I didn't see Richard?s post but your idea makes sense. I'm headed to Tustin manana to see what they have to say. If this is normal then I wouldn't be the only one hearing this noise - so far no one else has heard it so I suspect I have a problem. Trust me, if you were near my car and church bell chimed you would hear it. Fortunately I can recreate the situation so the dealer will also hear the noise.
Marty is the one that talked me out of buying the tech (after my car was almost here from Alabama).
I am only 2 months into my sidekick II plan, and I love the sidekick, but having the car dial the phone seems cool.
We drove the car to Macaroni Grill today just for kicks. Voice recognition makes a lot of mistakes when my husband talks and only a few when I talk. We make a lot of the mistakes because we are busy giggling (lol).
It drives really smooth for me, but Todd seems to rev when starting from lights. That was more my style vs. his more conservative way, so I have zero adjustment from the Qs.
The wood is nice, but I would have liked the aluminum, too. Dark interior works best for me, just my taste. I've never messed up light interior, though. This one is just lighter than black, and the cooled seats will help (feels like sitting on ice cubes).
NH Infiniti has triple the M inventory of the other 2 dealerships. I imagine I could have found something in Houston area to like vs. having a car come in had I studied these car lists more. Anyway, they didn't charge me to get it up here, and it came in 2 1/2 days.
We've now had 4 Infiniti's and as much as Todd likes this one, we will be on our way to a fifth in no time.
GARDENA, CA (April 29, 2005) – Nissan North America, Inc. today announced price increases averaging 0.5 percent on its Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.
These modest price increases are in response to rising cost pressures that have continued to increase over the past few months. The decision to increase prices at this time was made several weeks ago. The new prices are effective beginning May 4, 2005.
The MSRP increases include all 2005 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles and the 2006 Infiniti M.
What are everyones' thoughts on the Aero kit? My dealer has not had any M's come in with it, so I have very little to go on, as even they cannot give me good info.
It looks like to get blk/blk I am going to have to order my M45 from factory, so I can have it any way that I want. Is Aero the way to go?
I've lost count of the comments "he settled" for the Infiniti. The most frequent comments of this sort come on the Audi A6 town halls, here on edmunds and elsewhere.
Only one time has my question "did you drive both cars -- the M35X and the A6 3.2" been answered. And the person who drove the A6 didn't care for the rev matching feature of the Infiniti transmission. A feature, BTW, which ought to be standard in this class on all these LPS cars -- and one that I am willing to declare WILL be standard within one or two model years. If not this rev matching, then, something that accomplishes much the same thing.
I digress.
The pro German folks (and remember I am one of them, especially pro Audi) are often quick to dismiss anything from Japan (or anywhere else, for that matter). Funny, I do understand this thought process -- to this day, I can't imagine why someone would even consider a BMW over an Audi. Ooops, my wife just abandoned Audi for a new BMW X3. But I swear she did it because a $46K BMW was over $100 per month less than a $44K Audi -- but that is ancient (8 weeks ago) history.
Indeed, with my tongue in cheek during my own comment, it was precisely the difference between the $57,000 BMW that I would NOT have taken for $47,000 and the $53,000 Audi that got this whole thing started -- I cannot, or could not, ever have imagined going away from Audi until the posters here on edmunds hammered it into my thick skull to "broaden my horizons" and not look solely at Audi.
A test report between the 6 cylinder AWD Audi, BMW, Infiniti and Lexus is certainly being considered as we speak, or so one would think.
Pity, the Cadillac didn't get included in the Road and Track review -- although at this juncture, I think it is a foregone conclusion that it would have been a not-at-all-close #4 of 4.
No, I checked the mirror. It is definitely coming from over my right shoulder (behind me). My mirror does not seem to be anywhere near the window. I hear that some of the mirrors are of different sizes depending on the options.
I am looking for some car mats to go over the factory installed ones I got with my new M35--preferably some invisible clear mats I can put over the existing mats. I have the wheat interior and am afraid it will get dirty quick. I have seen some on the internet but they look like the things you put under a desk to let your chair ride smooth. Has anyone seen any good looking invisible high end mats I could purchase? Thanks in advance for any help.
I haven't seen many comparisons between the g35 and gs300 but I did do a quick informal test drive for both. The m35x has signficantly better acceleration than the GS300. I don't have numbers but the low end acceleration felt much stronger. Noise was lower in the lexus but that's not a major concern with me. I felt the gs300 was a weaker performer than my current 2002 TL S edition and I wasn't happy with its handling which didn't feel crisp at all. I didn't test drive the m45 or gs430 so I don't have a comparison there.
I am also interested in this R&T Comparo. What were the places and some of the numbers? 0-60MPH, 1/4Mile, lane-change, Skidpad, Braking, etc...what did they say about the cars? Thanks...
Trivial, yet fascinating to a guy who's not a techie. The voice commands in the nav system actually adjust for geography and I just don't know how they do it. CANADA is up north, right? North of the border, where there are places like Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, right? Well, here in Arizona CANADA is pronounced totally differently ... and that little lady in my nav console pronounces it correctly with the rolling "N". (Kinda like a thermos bottle ... keeps hot things hot and cold things cold ... I wonder how it knows that.) Barton
While the explanation seems logical I wouldn't be satisfied with it as a solution. Perhaps I'm too compulsive, but IMO if a car isn't designed to make a noise and it makes a noise, and OTHER similar cars do NOT make that noise, it's an unacceptable aberration and must be resolved. Whatever it takes to rid the vehicle of the sound(s) ... I would insist that it be done. And I would go all the way up the chain of command/authority/responsibility until it's done. If, however, the same snap/crackle/pop can be demonstrated to me in all other similar vehicles ... I'd be willing to accept it as "normal". Bart
I don't have the magazine at hand to answer, the finishing order was:
3. Lexus 2. BMW 1. Infiniti
The BMW did have some stronger performance numbers, as I recall. The general conculsion was that the Infiniti was the "overall" winner despite not blowing the other two cars away in every category. The Infiniti was the least money, but that was addressed in the article to the effect "that even if they were the same price, that would not have changed the ranking [sic]."
It would seem that something I took away from this review was that the Infiniti would have performed even better had it come with a 6 speed auto trans, like the other two.
Again, some folks say all these tests are bunk (except the Automobile Magazine test where Audi won). Some folks say since all the tests and comparos EXCEPT Automobile placed Infiniti #1, that Automobile Magazine is bunk.
The main thing that I came away with is that there are "8" LPS cars and that the top 5 are all very good to excellent -- and that the top 3 are just that much better than the bottom 5.
The STS's poor performance is a pity, as we can "almost" forgive the Jaguar since it is an older design/model. That neither Audi's A6 NOR BMW's 5 series (in most of these comparos) couldn't better the Acura (when it seems to be so frequently drubbed for its "weak-er" engine and smallish interior dimensions) still blows me away. No German in the top three (except in Automobile Magazine) -- when you had Audi's new A6, BMW's 530 and Mercedes new E class in the mix -- almost leaves me dumbfounded.
Just to be fair, the Infiniti-M/Fuga has won 8 out of 11 comparison tests that it has been in. Not bad considering every other car in this segment is a highly established model or well known, and the Infiniti-M is basically a new-comer.
1. Driver (02/05) - Fuga 350GT 2. Motor Trend (03/05) - M35 Luxury 3. USA Today (03/05) - Infiniti-M 4. Edmunds (03/05) - GS430 5. Detrot News (04/05) - M35 Luxury 6. Best Motoring (04/05) - Fuga 350GT-S 7. Car and Driver (05/05) - M45 Sport 8. Automobile (05/05) - Audi A6 4.2 Quattro 9. Motor Trend (05/05) - M45 Sport 10. Speed (06/05) - Chrysler 300C SRT-8 11. Road & Track (06/05) - M45 Sport
The car and driver article showed quicker numbers for the M across the board over the GS, although by the one mile mark, the M had a slim .2 second advantage.
I have given up, more or less, trying to "prove" one of these cars is better -- it almost always causes fights and harsh words. What I would hope some or all of these tests suggest is that we have some excellent choices from multiple brands and countries.
In some cases, I am certain the differences, although measurable (sometimes), are very small. The BMW 545 may be discussed in terms of its appearance and be polarizing. The design of the interior or the iDrive in the BMW may be criticized, ditto the Lexus and Infiniti and Audi for that matter. 0-60 times are (generally) measurable as are 60 - 0 stopping distances, etc. I guess you could measure the A/C system fan noise and the depth of bass of the sub-woofer, etc.
Cars, as we certainly see here in the way we discuss them, are very personal, very subjective and today we are fortunate to live in an almost embarrassment of riches so to speak in terms of the choices we have.
But I am at a point where I find it difficult to believe that anyone can "prove" the absolute supremacy of these LPS cars. The pack, at this time, apparently has some leaders -- and it appears they are from Japan. Audi, BMW and Mercedes may not be THE leaders TODAY -- I believe they have the capacity (in every meaning of that word) to be the leaders, however.
The future of this segment looks very exciting indeed.
Comments
When someone calls me my phone see the call, but the car doesn't. Asked the dealer and they said they needed to contact Tech Support, haven't heard back. Anyone got any Ideas?
They'll deal. You just have to get them to commit time to dealing with you (test driving, going over options, pricing, etc.) The more time they spend with you, the more they get it in their head that you are going to buy the car from them. The idea that you might buy it from someone else is enough to make them negotiate, to compete for your business. Funny thing is, is that the best deal came from a guy who I called up and asked if he could beat existing offers. Ah, capitalism at it's most useful.
Can the two fobs be set to different positions?
------------------
Yes they can, but two things to note.
1) The key fob must be explicitly linked to a particular memory position.
2) The key fob will only activate that memory position when the unlock button on the key fob is pressed. You might do that, eg, when approaching the car.
The following is from page 3-28 in the manual:
-------------------------
Linking Intelligent Key to a stored memory position
The Intelligent Key can be linked to a stored memory position with the following procedure.
1. Follow the steps for storing a memory position.
2. While the indicator light for the memory switch being set is illuminated for 5 seconds, push the unlock button on the Intelligent Key.
The indicator light will blink. After the indicator light goes off, the Intelligent Key is linked to that memory setting.
Push the ignition switch to the LOCK position and press the unlock button on the Intelligent Key. The driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors will move to the memorized position.
-------------------------
Pete
I hope you enjoy your M. I too have been a consistent Q owner. I like the M better than any of the Q's I have owned. Ive had mine for nearly 2 months now and it is more fun to drive than any other car I have owned. Hope your experience as good as well.
I work up near N. Houston and have found them to be a good new dealer, but thus far have kept my business at W Houston
I agree that negotiating with all the dealers and spending time there is important to getting the best price. But it's hard to find the time to drive all over the state. I used my local dealer Circle to test drive and check out the colors/options. I never even stepped in Ray Catena until I put down the order but they were the most aggressive in terms of lease. I am by no means a great price negotiator but the other dealers did go down a bit in terms of price when I gave them Ray Catena's numbers. I have a feeling that I would have gotten more leeway to bargain if I involved the sales managers themselves. (I didn't try to produce ficitional numbers to bluff any of the dealers either) I didn't have too much time to wait/ negotiate because my Acura's lease is up in May and I was worried that waiting too long would have left me without a car or a car that I wanted!
It was odd that Circle's manager called me the day after I bought from Ray Catena (I emailed the other dealers that I purchased so I wouldn't keep getting calls). Probably wanted to check out RC's prices and salvage some business in case things didn't go smoothly with the purchase.
So far, I have spent the last 3 nights up at N. Houston Infiniti. I have put them thru the ringer. I had forgotten my stuff in the trunk and called asking if I could get it last night and talk about getting a different car! I had them find me one w/ technology, and I waited an hour for the Little Rock guy to call back saying he really had it. Meanwhile, they talked me out of it (presumably since mine will arrive today or Monday from Alabama).
Makes no sense for us to buy at W. Houston since it is 40 miles over there. I ride the bus downtown, and N. Houston is right there by where I catch the bus. Just too convenient.
I didn't drive the car too long, so I am anxious to see what it feels like. It felt a lot like my Q, whereas that M35 did not at all. I've been enjoying the G35 loaner, although the steering is stiff.
Did you activate your blackberry? I JUST got this sidekick II, so I guess I'd have to guy out of that contract.
A couple I met when I was getting my stuff out of my Q45T asked why on earth I sold it for 12k. I am wondering that, too. They have one at SW Infiniti for 15k w/ 81,000 miles on it, and mine had 45k. No looking back now. I work 19 hours a day almost every day, so I didn't have time to mess w/ it.
W. Houston was arragant when we bought 2 cars for cash same day w/ them. These guys have been nice (although a BIT disorganized).
Nobody has that bluetooth phone advertised on the website except N. Houston, and the GM asked the sales manager last night why they were giving it to me. I said it was on the website and if they hadn't given it, I would not have bought the car.
I have had no issues with the M45 other than ruining a tire. I love the way it runs and handles. It feels like a very refined luxury sedan when I just cruise in it along the freeway. But when I step on it, it is the fastest car I have owned or driven. I really like the room in it and the looks of it as well, both inside and outside. I have the Black exterior with the stone interior with the aluminum trim that comes with the sport. I am extremely happy with the color combination.
I have had good experience with West Houston and they take very good care of flats or dead batteries my wife has experienced over the years. I too work long hours and appreciate the fact my wife can get attentive help with great courtesy at Infiniti. The general manager at W. Houston moved to run the N. Houston dealership a month or two ago, Marti is a very nice guy and will have that dealership humming in no time.
I think you will love your M45. Let me know how it goes.
Enjoy, cybersol
I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the test cars have overinflated tires, leaving potential buyers with the impression that the ride of the M is way too rough. Nissan should better keep their dealers in line about this kind of stuff.
My new Road and Track came yesterday -- yet another comparison test report, this time the new Lexus GS V8, the BMW 5 V8 and the Infiniti M V8. The results -- and these were all the newest offerings, BTW -- the M finishes first once again.
I wonder why the Audi A6 4.2 S-Line and the STS V8 were excluded? Maybe they just wanted V8 and RWD vehicles?
In any case, my hope is that with the sheer poundage of positive reviews, folks will stop saying that those who choose (in this case the Infiniti) are "settling."
Very important in this review, IMHO, was the claim that the three cars are close to each other in many ways. Kinda like Gold, Silver and Bronz when the differences are close, very close.
One more M is on top for the naysayers.
Cheers.
Nice write up, too, same issue, on the new BMW 530x-drive.
Which R&T issue was this? Any other details/rankings of this comparo?
I suppose my M would be "settling" if what I really had wanted was a 911, 750, Aston Martin, CLS or something like that. But, as is my custom, MO and disease, whichever you'd call it, I researched the absolute hell out of all of the cars in the same segment as the M, drove nearly all of them, could have afforded any of them, could have obtrained substantial discounting on a couple of them due to friends within the industry (Audi, Cadillac, Volvo) and still came away wanting the M, which I fell in love with the first time I sat in one at the Detroit auto show. All of this, plus a pre-disposition toward BMWs (I really hoped I would drive the 530 and it would knock my socks off compared to the M, but it worked the other way around for me--I made a careful point of driving both vehicles within one hour), and the M came shining through at the end of my process, as it had at the beginning. If that's "settling", I'm guilty as charged.
Under that analysis, I "settled" for my wife, too--since Catherine Zeta Jones was taken.
I will say this--I remain a BMW fan, and I will give BMW another shot when I turn the M in. Maybe BMW will have its sh** together by then and the 5 series will return to it's former place as the top midsize luxury car in the world. But right now, it's no contest between these two. As a former BMW owner, I can say that there are some things I liked more about my BMW, but overall the M is my favorite car yet--hands down.
I'll take it in tomorrow - I was just wondering if anyone else had heard this sound.
Anyone else have this problem?
When I park my new M in the garage I listen to the car cooling down. I concentrated on the exhaust manifold where it connects to the exhaust pipe underneath the rear of the engine. As the car is cooling I hear alot of small crackling sounds from there (maybe metal cooling and contracting) but after 3-4 minutes I usually hear a clanging sound - kind of like a small chuch bell chime. Wait another 4-5 minutes and I hear it again. Sometimes I hear it a third time.
I know this isn't normal - just wondering if any of the well informed members of this forum have any ideas as to what is making the sound.
I think a subsequent poster (Richard?) stated the same as what I think it has to do with...the catalytic converter. My I30 does this once I get home and park it in the garage...as it cools down it does a crackling/popping deal (church bell? not really that) but it will last for 10 minutes or so sometimes. I believe it is in fact the catalytic converter (ask the boys at Tustin), something about some materials in the converter...not sure about metal cooling at different rates.
In any event it may be normal, but never hurts to check/ask them.
Thanks
I am only 2 months into my sidekick II plan, and I love the sidekick, but having the car dial the phone seems cool.
We drove the car to Macaroni Grill today just for kicks. Voice recognition makes a lot of mistakes when my husband talks and only a few when I talk. We make a lot of the mistakes because we are busy giggling (lol).
It drives really smooth for me, but Todd seems to rev when starting from lights. That was more my style vs. his more conservative way, so I have zero adjustment from the Qs.
The wood is nice, but I would have liked the aluminum, too. Dark interior works best for me, just my taste. I've never messed up light interior, though. This one is just lighter than black, and the cooled seats will help (feels like sitting on ice cubes).
NH Infiniti has triple the M inventory of the other 2 dealerships. I imagine I could have found something in Houston area to like vs. having a car come in had I studied these car lists more. Anyway, they didn't charge me to get it up here, and it came in 2 1/2 days.
We've now had 4 Infiniti's and as much as Todd likes this one, we will be on our way to a fifth in no time.
These modest price increases are in response to rising cost pressures that have continued to increase over the past few months. The decision to increase prices at this time was made several weeks ago. The new prices are effective beginning May 4, 2005.
The MSRP increases include all 2005 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles and the 2006 Infiniti M.
It looks like to get blk/blk I am going to have to order my M45 from factory, so I can have it any way that I want. Is Aero the way to go?
Fast---
Don't know of any override for the DVD while car in motion. If you find one, please let me know!
It seems to come from the right (passenger) rear corner of the moonroof.
Only one time has my question "did you drive both cars -- the M35X and the A6 3.2" been answered. And the person who drove the A6 didn't care for the rev matching feature of the Infiniti transmission. A feature, BTW, which ought to be standard in this class on all these LPS cars -- and one that I am willing to declare WILL be standard within one or two model years. If not this rev matching, then, something that accomplishes much the same thing.
I digress.
The pro German folks (and remember I am one of them, especially pro Audi) are often quick to dismiss anything from Japan (or anywhere else, for that matter). Funny, I do understand this thought process -- to this day, I can't imagine why someone would even consider a BMW over an Audi. Ooops, my wife just abandoned Audi for a new BMW X3. But I swear she did it because a $46K BMW was over $100 per month less than a $44K Audi -- but that is ancient (8 weeks ago) history.
Indeed, with my tongue in cheek during my own comment, it was precisely the difference between the $57,000 BMW that I would NOT have taken for $47,000 and the $53,000 Audi that got this whole thing started -- I cannot, or could not, ever have imagined going away from Audi until the posters here on edmunds hammered it into my thick skull to "broaden my horizons" and not look solely at Audi.
A test report between the 6 cylinder AWD Audi, BMW, Infiniti and Lexus is certainly being considered as we speak, or so one would think.
Pity, the Cadillac didn't get included in the Road and Track review -- although at this juncture, I think it is a foregone conclusion that it would have been a not-at-all-close #4 of 4.
How were the cars ranked? Any other details? (Test times, etc.) Thanks.
I am also interested in this R&T Comparo. What were the places and some of the numbers? 0-60MPH, 1/4Mile, lane-change, Skidpad, Braking, etc...what did they say about the cars? Thanks...
3. Lexus
2. BMW
1. Infiniti
The BMW did have some stronger performance numbers, as I recall. The general conculsion was that the Infiniti was the "overall" winner despite not blowing the other two cars away in every category. The Infiniti was the least money, but that was addressed in the article to the effect "that even if they were the same price, that would not have changed the ranking [sic]."
It would seem that something I took away from this review was that the Infiniti would have performed even better had it come with a 6 speed auto trans, like the other two.
Again, some folks say all these tests are bunk (except the Automobile Magazine test where Audi won). Some folks say since all the tests and comparos EXCEPT Automobile placed Infiniti #1, that Automobile Magazine is bunk.
The main thing that I came away with is that there are "8" LPS cars and that the top 5 are all very good to excellent -- and that the top 3 are just that much better than the bottom 5.
The STS's poor performance is a pity, as we can "almost" forgive the Jaguar since it is an older design/model. That neither Audi's A6 NOR BMW's 5 series (in most of these comparos) couldn't better the Acura (when it seems to be so frequently drubbed for its "weak-er" engine and smallish interior dimensions) still blows me away. No German in the top three (except in Automobile Magazine) -- when you had Audi's new A6, BMW's 530 and Mercedes new E class in the mix -- almost leaves me dumbfounded.
I said, almost.
Just to be fair, the Infiniti-M/Fuga has won 8 out of 11 comparison tests that it has been in. Not bad considering every other car in this segment is a highly established model or well known, and the Infiniti-M is basically a new-comer.
1. Driver (02/05) - Fuga 350GT
2. Motor Trend (03/05) - M35 Luxury
3. USA Today (03/05) - Infiniti-M
4. Edmunds (03/05) - GS430
5. Detrot News (04/05) - M35 Luxury
6. Best Motoring (04/05) - Fuga 350GT-S
7. Car and Driver (05/05) - M45 Sport
8. Automobile (05/05) - Audi A6 4.2 Quattro
9. Motor Trend (05/05) - M45 Sport
10. Speed (06/05) - Chrysler 300C SRT-8
11. Road & Track (06/05) - M45 Sport
In some cases, I am certain the differences, although measurable (sometimes), are very small. The BMW 545 may be discussed in terms of its appearance and be polarizing. The design of the interior or the iDrive in the BMW may be criticized, ditto the Lexus and Infiniti and Audi for that matter. 0-60 times are (generally) measurable as are 60 - 0 stopping distances, etc. I guess you could measure the A/C system fan noise and the depth of bass of the sub-woofer, etc.
Cars, as we certainly see here in the way we discuss them, are very personal, very subjective and today we are fortunate to live in an almost embarrassment of riches so to speak in terms of the choices we have.
But I am at a point where I find it difficult to believe that anyone can "prove" the absolute supremacy of these LPS cars. The pack, at this time, apparently has some leaders -- and it appears they are from Japan. Audi, BMW and Mercedes may not be THE leaders TODAY -- I believe they have the capacity (in every meaning of that word) to be the leaders, however.
The future of this segment looks very exciting indeed.