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Definitely so. But for me personally, having read some of the horror stories on this board over the past week or so has given me pause. I used to think that reliability was the main issue in the way of my buying MB, but now I really have to think about the dealer experience and how any potential problems are dealt with (or not dealt with). I'm sure that some MB dealers are better than others, but I think that survey data suggest that my probability of having a bad experience are greater with an MB dealer than with say a Lexus dealer. Something I'm going to keep in mind for the future.
This is one harsh review.
The ethnocentric (bordering on racist) commentary is reminiscent of the British mindset from the days when they had an empire.
And what does this guy expect the reaction to "British cuisine" to be other than revulsion?...that poor girl.
"As soon as the system senses the front tires sliding, which happens when you're driving a car quickly, the system basically shuts the car down. A few times during one particular canyon run the car actually came to a literal stop in a few very slow, very tight corners. No fun." -Edmunds
That was from one of the few reviews that was generally positive about the GS430. Most of the others have been either mixed or negative. In the "sports" part of sports sedan, the M45 walks all over the GS.
Rich, I've seen that article. He spends literally the first half of the article literally saying "I HATE JAPAN". I'm willing to bet he would hate the M45 just as much.
I'm okay thanks. Training my replacements now. It is a huge mess over here. I hope the rest of the troops get to return soon.
I can't wait to go look and test drive cars when I get home. I have been told by my wife, that I need to get something that gets good mileage. That sort of puts a damper on this but I can fudge a little by using EPA estimates. They always seem to be better than what the cars really get.
Capt. Phil
I have been to England many times -- they say (whoever they are) that the Brits and the Americans are 96% the same, but that the 4% is huge (this article surely demonstrates that.)
Now, since I would not personally say I thought this was in any way intentionally "racist" (besides aren't we all members of the HUMAN race?) I also must say that I thought some parts of this review were hilarious.
I have nothing against the Brits or the Japanese -- but can't we have a laugh from time to time and not jump to the conclusion that things like this are anything other than "quirky?"
I did not sense he was saying "the west is best" or that the east is somehow lame. I did sense he was saying things are different and that he, personally, may prefer mashed potatoes to sushi. One of the folks I work with won't eat anything that ever had "eyes" -- I asked her if that included potatoes; she certainly seemed to think that was silly (and she laughed).
She's from India.
Her husband, on the other hand, can't seem to get enough meat regardless of where it once inhabited (land or sea).
I focussed on his comments on the car -- in his own way, he echoed the sentiments of Car & Driver.
The GS handles very well and most people would be quite satisfied with its power, very good steering and cornering. As a BMW owner, I was impressed. If you drive the autobahn and take curves at 80 mph, then the GS is not your car since its electronic aids will kick in and prevent you from achieving your goals. This car was my favorite of the 3.
The M45 sport handled great too but its raspy engine noise when accelerating hard proved annoying. I also found its suspension quite jolting. It was a lot of fun to drive. I took a curve quite fast and was impressed at how quickly the car recovered and achieved stable straight line motion. But I think as an everyday vehicle, the novelty would quickly wear off.
The 545 was least impressive probably because it had the annoying active steering. Its acceleration and suspension were great but I could corner better with my 325. I also found the dash intimidating.
I drove my brother-in-law's 2003 530i(the car CR gushed as being as close to perfect a car as their measurements allowed) last year and also came away unimpressed-the steering wasn't sharp and I didn't find the car very stable through the turns.
I will drive the new 330i next and as long as I don't look at the rear end, I should be okay. This one may be the answer but given BMW's decline in reliability, who knows what's in store with this new model.
G-d help us!
In closing, let me say that both Infiniti and BMW have very high residuals and decent money factors for the M45 and 545 for those who lease. Not so for Lexus and the GS. One can get a better leasing deal nowadays on the LS since one can negotiate 10-12% off MSRP.
r2d2
What do you think of the 2006 IS350?
I would like to try the IS 350 also but I only have 'til the middle of July to make a decision.
The salesman showed me the tire pressure data(which I thought was pretty neat) for the M45 I was driving and one tire was slightly under, the others were fine.
Some time this upcoming week I will visit my friendly inflated money factoring BMW dealer to try the new 330i.
The 545i might be faster than the 325i... but, not better handling.. The only way it can run rings around a 325i sport, is in a straight line...
regards,
kyfdx
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If you read enough of the posters comments you can quickly discover what motivates them to post. You'll also discover that some people are completely biased one way or the other while still others just don't seem to have a clue : (
I have posted messages regarding the strange noises but then again I'm far more sensitive to noises than your average Joe. But I have found out that I'm the exception rather than the rule. If you consider any exceptional issue to be "alarming" - well that's your choice. My Lexus sedan also had minor noises but I just turned up the radio. Check out the RX330 forum for even more Lexus noise issues. The smell issues you are referring to are normal burn off of packing oils - they go away. The gas mileage - yes I wish it was higher.
Drive all the cars and buy the one that fits your personality.
2) Handling.. not acceleration.... that is where the "big pig" term comes in..
3) Just because the 545i will get through a turn faster, doesn't mean it has better handling... That is due to the better acceleration coming out of the turn.. You had the right idea: "545 is heavier, but it more than compensates for that with about 100+ more HP"...
The key word is "compensate"... Just because it can "blow away" a 325i does not mean it handles better... You could probably say the same thing about a Mustang GT...
regards,
kyfdx
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That said, I saw a 545 sport yesterday getting down. He did some serious weaves and the car's gait looks good. Haven't driven the M yet but am very curious because of the reviews. We'll see. The FX got good reviews too but it doesn't beat the X3 IMO.
Giving up this vehicle in early August will not be easy. The new 330i had better be as good or better than my 325i, because if it's not, hpowders is going to be really pissed off!
When were you last in a British eating establishment? For me, it was 3 weeks ago, and prior to that, five journeys over the past two years haven't left me disappointed.
The car may not be so good, but food is (as always) a subjective thing.
Sitting in an establishment that has been in business for 300+ years and still serves what I consider very enjoyable food (bangers & mash w/ a pint of bitter) is a good thing, at least for me.
The vehicle, however, may not be around long enough to endure the same examination.
I continue to follow this board to see if the Infiniti M is good enough to make me abandon my position -- never own another automatic transmission. Mark's (to come) inputs will be interesting.
Hmm... bangers and mash... gettin' hungry. Already on the back end of me third pint.
;-)
Edward Everett, credited with being the country's greatest orator of the time, gave a speech that rambled on for about 2 hours. Then Lincoln hit the bulls eye in less than 2 minutes.
Said Everett to Lincoln: "I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near the central idea of the occasion in two hours, as you did in two minutes."
Based on my experiences with Audis and Subarus I am a big fan of AWD for driving on any road in any weather. I have been eagerly looking forward to the new crop of AWD versions of RWD cars. Based on the RWD and AWD versions of the Infinity G35, I expected the differences between the RWD and AWD models to be subtle. But this may not be the case. I have come to realize that you have to consider the AWD version to be a different model than the RWD version.
Since I was comparing the RL, GS, M35, 530 etc., I decided that I should go back for a refresher drive of the less-expensive 300C. This reminded me that the Chrysler is not even close to being in the same class. But it also made me realize that the AWD 300C (which I had not previously seen) is an abomination. To fit the front drive shafts under the engine they have had to jack the car way up. What a strange beast!
Some interesting comparisons (AWD vs RWD versions)
GS AWD: 223lbs heavier, .4 in more ground clearance, .4 in taller. Stiffer run flat tires
M35 AWD: 176 lbs heavier, .5 in taller (no specs on ground clearance),
55/45 weight distribution (vs. 54/44), 17/24mpg vs. 18/25
BMW 330I: 66 lbs heavier, .6 in taller, 20/29mpg vs. 20/30. Narrower tires
taller final drive ratio. No "Sport" option.
Moral: these are clearly different models. Maybe the difference is subtle. Maybe it isn't. You have to drive the AWD version to know how it will ride, steer and handle.
Well even Motorweek, you know the Mary Poppins of the Automotive world, said that the GS430's stability system was the most intrusive yet devised, making the GS430 in particular no fun at all. This was today.
Clements may have said 5-Series, but what Lexus actually did with the GS is stick to their roots of chasing Mercedes, but this time they even outdid the E-Class for restrictive electronics it seems.
M
IMO, compared to Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus, BMW is also perceived to have a greater focus on driving dynamics and speed. (Something about "The Ultimate Driving Machine.") Hence, the younger skew.
Thanks to the success of the A4, the perception and demographics behind the Audi brand is also skewing younger over the past 7 years. Infiniti is scratching into BMW's backyard, although they still have a long way to go. Acura is far more of a mix, since their product line runs the gamut from RSX to RL (with a tiny dash of NSX), and obviously skews most toward FWD. But of all of the brands, I believe Acura offers the most models with manual transmissions (4 out of 6).
Just my opinion. That and 50 more cents will buy you a cup of coffee....
We took the RL to St. Louis last weekend for the Lenny Kravitz concert, and the car was great. I averaged 80 mph and got 23mpg, with 4 passengers and overnight luggage. Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" in 5.1 Surround Sound in SACD format also sounded pretty amazing. The NAV system also helped us maneuver around an accident in downtown St. Louis so all in all it was great.
And no speeding tickets, either. A white RL doesn't exactly stand out like a black M45 Sport with shiny 19 inch dubs. I seriously wouldn't be shocked if I saw an M45 with spinners!
I just configured a 530xi as minimally as I would want it and it comes to about $55K (without extra charge paint) -- and it claims to be offered for a 36 month lease @ 12K miles per year with a $2,500 cap cost reduction @ $802 per month -- we're now back in 2005 Audi A6 3.2 territory, if this holds constant (which it probably won't). The M35X is starting to be a candidate for inclusion in the "old saying":
Mercedes - Old Money
BMW - New Money
Audi - Smart Money (past tense)
Honorable "smart money" mention: Infiniti's 2006 M's (and from where I sit, the M35X seems "really, really smart.")
Infiniti may never rise to inclusion in the German Money group, I have no clue -- but at present the Infiniti has replaced Audi as "the value leader." Now if it ever earns even a little prestige. . .well, it might happen, someday, perhaps, maybe, OK not likely, but not impossible.
You'll see what I am talking about.
and an addition to Marks observations:
Mercedes - Old Money
BMW - New Money
Audi - Smart Money (past tense)
Honorable "smart money" mention: Infiniti's 2006 M's
RL- Money Winner (Complete Package)
I dunno. I think feel is everything. Numbers are sterile. You may get to the 711 1.5 seconds faster than me. But I do believe I will have more fun getting there.
2004 330i with performance pkg pulled .86g on the skidpad, and needed 158 feet to stop from 70 mph. This car had 225/40ZR/18 front and 255/35ZR/18 rear Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
2004 530i with sports package pulled .90g on the skidpad, and needed 167 feet to stop from 70 mph. This car had 245/40WR/18 Dunlop runflat tires.
They also show a March 2005 test of a 530i w/o sports package that pulled just .82 g,and needed 176 feet to stop from 70mph.
2005 A6 3.2 , $553.00/mo. plus tax. 36 month lease
MSRP $48,870.
Downpayment of $5,178 plus taxes, title fees, unspecified dealer fees.
Purchase option at lease end: $27,367
Includes: Premium, convenience,parktronic,18" wheels,cold weather,freight.
$350.00 disposition fee at lease ending.
.25/mile over 10,000 miles per year.
Is this the "smart money" over Infiniti?
Not bad for FWD architecture.
The M45 Sport got into the low .90's with active rear steering, tighter suspension tuning, and beefy tires. Not sure what the M35x did, but likely in the .84 to .86 range?
The key is: How does it feel, and how easy is it to duplicate in real-world situations?
In the '80s, Renault got a higher skid pad number out of the Alliance GTA than GM could get with a Corvette.. That didn't make the Alliance a better handling car than a Vette..
regards,
kyfdx
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