C&D November - M45 vs. 550i vs. E550 vs. GS450h(performance stats pg.4)
09-23-06, 09:05 PM
#1
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C&D November - M45 vs. 550i vs. E550 vs. GS450h(performance stats pg.4)
Originally Posted by EricK
Apparently the 550i was $15K more than the infiniti at $71K...
This is how they placed:
1. Infiniti M45 Sport
2. BMW 550i Sport
3. Mercedes-Benz E550
4. Lexus GS450h
This is how they placed:
1. Infiniti M45 Sport
2. BMW 550i Sport
3. Mercedes-Benz E550
4. Lexus GS450h
I am curious if the GS had the optional active stabilizer bar?
Last edited by LexFather; 09-23-06 at 09:51 PM.
09-23-06, 09:51 PM
#4
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The BMW 550 was 15k more than the M45. This ain't even the large luxury class!
15k is literally another new car!
09-23-06, 09:58 PM
#5
whoa! $71k for the bmw. I wouldn't pay more than $65 for one. I wont need all the goodie options. IN this case, the M45 does seem like a lot better deal than the 550i. Though I just can't get over the interior of the Infiniti. It looks nice, but it just doesn't feel luxury to me.
09-23-06, 10:03 PM
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Hate to say it but I kinda agree with the placement of those cars. I've driven all but the E550 on that list. Got to drive the GS450h at Taste of Lexus today and I wasn't very impressed. The 550i is a great performer but a bit overpriced for what you get. The M45 has the perfect blend of luxury and performance and is priced just right too.
09-23-06, 10:13 PM
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Grabs popcorn....going to bed, this will be 10 pages by tomorrow, lol.
More info.....
The Infiniti had a one point advantage over the BMW overall. The BMW edged out the Infiniti by two points in the Fun-To-Drive category, but the Infiniti had a 5 point advantage in the Price category. The BMW cost almost $15,000 more than the Infiniti. The BMW was almost $71,000! The Infiniti also won the Got-To-Have-It category, edging out the BMW by one point.
More info.....
The Infiniti had a one point advantage over the BMW overall. The BMW edged out the Infiniti by two points in the Fun-To-Drive category, but the Infiniti had a 5 point advantage in the Price category. The BMW cost almost $15,000 more than the Infiniti. The BMW was almost $71,000! The Infiniti also won the Got-To-Have-It category, edging out the BMW by one point.
Last edited by LexFather; 09-23-06 at 10:41 PM.
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09-24-06, 03:24 AM
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09-24-06, 06:55 AM
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How do people get a hold of these articles so fast? I just got my October issue!
Anyway, I show the M45 at $57,300 with the wood interior trim. A comparably equipped 550 is $69,640 for a diff of $12,340. Not $15K, but not an insignificant amount either.
There was a thread on a BMW board about the M45 being a better value. After driving both cars I have to agree - the Infiniti is 95% of the BMW in terms of driving dynamics and yet 82% of the cost. Tis a screaming deal.
However, for me, a couple of things swayed the decision
1. Looks - the Infiniti seems to look like it is jacked up - big spaces between the wheels and the fenders - it "looks" almost too tall.
2. Driving dynamics. The BMW was just better.
3. Power - put a 6 speed trans in the M45 and I think it would be a different car.
4. Dash - gimmicky to me. Too much red/orange. I'm not saying the BMW dash is a thing of beauty but at least it doesn't look like a video game.
5. Color availability. You can get a M45 in black, silver and sometimes white. Want another color? Order it and expect to wait almost 4 months. My BMW was custom ordered to MY specs, with the color and options I wanted and delivered within 6 weeks.
6. Rosewood/Alum Cube trim. Both looked terrible. The alum cube looked cheap and the rosewood looked, how do I say "Old" or antique.
Those are my reasons and while I was not happy paying the extra $12K, I did it and got the car I wanted.
Personally I think the M45 is a GREAT car and has done wonders for the segment. I am however curious to see what Lexus does with GS sales now that the GS350 is out, something tells me that they are going to clean up.
Anyway, I show the M45 at $57,300 with the wood interior trim. A comparably equipped 550 is $69,640 for a diff of $12,340. Not $15K, but not an insignificant amount either.
There was a thread on a BMW board about the M45 being a better value. After driving both cars I have to agree - the Infiniti is 95% of the BMW in terms of driving dynamics and yet 82% of the cost. Tis a screaming deal.
However, for me, a couple of things swayed the decision
1. Looks - the Infiniti seems to look like it is jacked up - big spaces between the wheels and the fenders - it "looks" almost too tall.
2. Driving dynamics. The BMW was just better.
3. Power - put a 6 speed trans in the M45 and I think it would be a different car.
4. Dash - gimmicky to me. Too much red/orange. I'm not saying the BMW dash is a thing of beauty but at least it doesn't look like a video game.
5. Color availability. You can get a M45 in black, silver and sometimes white. Want another color? Order it and expect to wait almost 4 months. My BMW was custom ordered to MY specs, with the color and options I wanted and delivered within 6 weeks.
6. Rosewood/Alum Cube trim. Both looked terrible. The alum cube looked cheap and the rosewood looked, how do I say "Old" or antique.
Those are my reasons and while I was not happy paying the extra $12K, I did it and got the car I wanted.
Personally I think the M45 is a GREAT car and has done wonders for the segment. I am however curious to see what Lexus does with GS sales now that the GS350 is out, something tells me that they are going to clean up.
09-24-06, 07:16 AM
#12
Wow
BMW did not win? Then again, I think the 3 series is their true darling. The GS gets no love anywhere, huh?
I am definetly going to have to put the M on my next shopping list ...
I am definetly going to have to put the M on my next shopping list ...
09-24-06, 01:13 PM
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I can't believe the 5 lost to the only car in that list that is a little below its league. You can regurgitate numbers to me all day and I still will never consider Infiniti on the same plane as BMW, Benz, and Lexus. Hell lexus wasn’t even there untill a few years ago.
09-24-06, 02:06 PM
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