LexFather

http://carreviewsonline.auto123.com/...tid=34638&pg=1

A nice read. We've already covered though.

saabfan

Thanks for the link.

A very basic comparison done without touching either car. But, it seems no one has been able to touch the GS as of yet.

But the real story behind both sedans isn't the refined power available under their hoods, but rather just how much more competitive each is to their main rivals, the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class [emphasis mine].

Obviously a typo or a sign of a not-so-qualified automotive journalist.

LexFather

Yeah, I saw that too! Good catch.

DrewSRX

Another mistake:

The M30 wasn't FWD. The M30 was RWD, and based on the JDM Nissan Leopard.

LexFather

You should get a trophy b/c I don't think anyone knew the M30 even existed, let alone any facts about it. Good show!

flipside909

M30? What's that? hehe. jk. The M30 was a flop, along with the G20, J30 and the I30.

BaLLzZz

The g20 was not sold as much as they anticipated but it was also not a flop.

mooretorque

Another error: the older M45 was not based on the Q (as our hero states in his review) but was essentially the older Nissan Cedric with a V8. Big on the outside, small on the inside, unloved by many.

Glad to see someone else remembers the old Leopard based M30; there are still a couple floating around this area. And the G20 wasn't a flop but it really was probably a mistake for Infiniti. I don't think a luxury brand really wants to establish a foothold down in the econocar segment (and obviously, neither do they since there are no more 4 cylinder Sentras......I mean, G whatevers).

Credit where credit is due: no more of that sort of nonsense since Ghosn hit the scene.

jrock65

March Motortrend Comparo.

1) M35 (Non-sport)
2) RL
3) 530i sport
4) STS V6
5) A6
6) S-type

M35 stats:
0-60: 6.3
60-0: 118 ft
1/4 mile: 14.7@92
slalom: 64.4
skidpad: .86g

I guess the GS300 was not available for testing. Dunno why the E320 was not included.

Lexusfreak

An upcoming sport sedan comparo should be intresting in the major auto mags that's for sure!

biker

MB didn't want to provide an out going model (E350 right around the corner)- actually I'm surprised BMW didn't hold off and provide the MY06 model coming in a couple of months.
I guess the sport setup on the M makes a diff - the skidpad numbers on it were .91. The M will win the performance numbers in all of these test - although the 7Gmatic E350 might be close (6.9s 0-100kph from MB) - it should be close - it's only down 8 HP from the M (272 vs 280), but it's lighter and has one extra cog.

Lexusfreak

I will wait & reserve judgement untill a fair test can be conducted on the GS 300 & 430. Those numbers onre only a small slice of an overall evaluation of a vehicle. Let's say the GS 300 goes from 0 -60 in 6.5 seconds (for the sake of arguement) & like you stated, the M35 does it in 6.3......what that is telling me is if I'm driving on a 350 mile trip......I will get there .2 seconds quicker in the M35 over the GS 300 which is a bummer because that means if I choose the GS 300......I get to enjoy the car .2 seconds more then lol It dosen't mean anything really!

biker

Very true for informed educated consumers, but todays' marketeers want to have big HP and low 0-60 times to brag about.

Lexusfreak

Agreed! However the vast majority of Lexus customers are well educated with their vehicles.....& understand this point. That's why it dosen't bother them much as they know that chances are......they will be able to install factory performance options (L-tuned parts) under warranty for a boost in performance. More than performance, Lexus owners car about things like reliability, build quality, styling & luxury appointments......with performance lower on the list.......major auto magazines are the ones for the most part that put irrelevent performance numbers at the top of their list when evaluation vehicles. Lexus may not be at the top of the list in performance, but they are always in 'the thick of things'.

biker

The only problem I see - as good as the Lexus name has gotten, even an L-tuned badge is not as good as having AMG on the rear deck lid.