C&D November - M45 vs. 550i vs. E550 vs. GS450h(performance stats pg.4)
09-25-06, 03:20 PM
#31
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Lets not forget all that parts sharing. The M35/45 shares tranny/engine/brakes etc with other cars (and I am not saying the competiton does not). Then its PLATFORM is G35 based, which is 350Z based (FM). That is a TON of savings from an engineering standpoint.
09-25-06, 05:05 PM
#32
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This comparison was absolutely bogus.
Why are you complaining about the CVT tranmission when the GS430 has the 6 speed auto which should of been used in the test?
This test really made no sense whatsoever.
Why are you complaining about the CVT tranmission when the GS430 has the 6 speed auto which should of been used in the test?
This test really made no sense whatsoever.
09-25-06, 05:12 PM
#33
Price difference is indeed huge, and should very much matter in the comparison... Because there is no way 550i is 15k better than M45... and that was probably the whole point...
09-25-06, 07:10 PM
#34
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The chassis just wasn't meant for a sports car-like dynamic, and you know how much emphasis car mags put on sport.
09-25-06, 08:59 PM
#35
not so sure... some well respected people here loved how GS450h handled with optional A-S-S system, but I guess mags dont test sport sedans with sports options... what would they write about? :-).
09-25-06, 10:24 PM
#36
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There is no surprise with the placement of each car. It should especially be no surprise that the M still won the comparo. It has won almost every comparo in the mid lux sedan category. It really is a great car
09-25-06, 10:26 PM
#37
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And what exactly is the relevance of this bit of info?
09-25-06, 11:20 PM
#38
Absolutely none. BUT he is 1SICK and had to get that in there somewhere... lol I too am not suprised that the M45 won as I have seen this car win many other comparisons in the past. The 550i seems not to appeal, visually, to a lot of people, at least from my own personal experience. Personally, I love it, it think it looks awesome, but I can't speak for everyone. The E550 I think it just not appealing to anyone under 50, unless it's an E55/63. Having the Audi in there would have been sweet too as the newer Audi styling, IMO is better than Infiniti, BMW, MB or Lexus. As mentioned earlier, the GS doesn't seem very well equipped to compete with these other cars in the "sport" category of the tests, luxury wise, I'm sure it would win handsdown, BUT also as it was mentioned, more emphasis seems to be put on performance. I must say though, if the M45 doesn't get a refresh sometime soon, it will soon find itself in last as there isn't much separating last to first in this comparison.
With the difference in price between the M and 550i, whether you can afford a $70K+ car or not does not negate the fact that $13-15K is still a considerable amount. Think about that, you can buy loaded M then take what you save over to Nissan and buy a Versa to save gas on your daily commute... lol
With the difference in price between the M and 550i, whether you can afford a $70K+ car or not does not negate the fact that $13-15K is still a considerable amount. Think about that, you can buy loaded M then take what you save over to Nissan and buy a Versa to save gas on your daily commute... lol
09-25-06, 11:36 PM
#39
wow, big congrats to infiniti, way to go for them? i have to say, being able to take the trophy from companies like bmw and mb, that's not easy!!!! come to think about it, maybe i should go and do a serious test drive on the infiniti and see how that goes against the bmw.
on the other hand, it's a bit sad about the placement of the gs450h. seriously, with the active suspension, i would think the car probably handles better than the mb
on the other hand, it's a bit sad about the placement of the gs450h. seriously, with the active suspension, i would think the car probably handles better than the mb
09-26-06, 12:29 AM
#40
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09-26-06, 07:52 AM
#41
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yes, but don't the 5-series 7-series, 3-series, 6-series, X5 etc.. share parts, engines and platforms to some extent as well?
09-26-06, 08:09 AM
#42
they share engines/transmissions not sure how extensive the other items like brakes etc are shared. Wouldnt be suprised if its the same level of the Infiniti M series. Got to have it points is pretty stupid, that can turn the tide of 1st and 2nd place and the category means nothing from a testing standpoint more of an emotional standpoint. 5 series costs significantly more because of the prestige and blue/white rondel badge fee
09-26-06, 08:38 AM
#43
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wow, big congrats to infiniti, way to go for them? i have to say, being able to take the trophy from companies like bmw and mb, that's not easy!!!! come to think about it, maybe i should go and do a serious test drive on the infiniti and see how that goes against the bmw.
on the other hand, it's a bit sad about the placement of the gs450h. seriously, with the active suspension, i would think the car probably handles better than the mb
on the other hand, it's a bit sad about the placement of the gs450h. seriously, with the active suspension, i would think the car probably handles better than the mb
Last edited by Gojirra99; 09-26-06 at 08:48 AM.
09-26-06, 08:51 AM
#44
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09-26-06, 08:56 AM
#45
I haven't read the article, but I think the hybrid's "weirdness" is not in line with their accustomed expectations, & maybe it's too quiet to exite them, probably lost points in trunk/interior space too. As another magazine said, the GS450h is not a sports sedan & shouldn't be compared to the 5 series . . .
together with the cvt, you even lost the "excitement" when the car rev high and shifts. at least it's fast, and with the active suspension, i think it hangs very well!