C&D November - M45 vs. 550i vs. E550 vs. GS450h(performance stats pg.4)
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
![Lightbulb](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon3.gif)
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.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The BMW 550 was 15k more than the M45. This ain't even the large luxury class!
![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
#5
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
#6
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
Trending Topics
#10
Pole Position
#11
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
#12
![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif)
BMW did not win? Then again, I think the 3 series is their true darling. The GS gets no love anywhere, huh?![](http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/ed/urg.gif)
I am definetly going to have to put the M on my next shopping list ...
![](http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/ed/urg.gif)
I am definetly going to have to put the M on my next shopping list ...
#14
The Green Grundel
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
#15