95 LS400 Owner....how about the Q's?

[Jesda]

If you're going to go German, get an older 3 or 5-series with an I6 and manual. You avoid mechanical issues and gain the fun of shifting it yourself. If you're into DIY, working on an I6 BMW is MUCH easier and cheaper than working on the Q.

Still, the Q and LS give more for the money.

If you're in the 'relentless pursuit' of luxury, the E38 V12 long wheelbase 7-series puts the LS and Q45 to shame.

[Falkdesigns]

IMO, the 2nd gen (Y33) Q45 has the sleekest, sexiest body, it's interior is on par with the F50's, but the F50 has some things that are nicer inside, plus the F50 has all that power. But to me, the Y33 offers the best looking body, an amazing ride (they all do), supremely quiet at speed, and now, they're just cheap. A pristine 01 can be had for like 17-18k now, which is what I paid for my 98 just 2.5 years ago.

Although, this beautiful 99 which I've seen is being sold in a 75 mile radius of me for $19300

[pito11213]

first gen LS vs first gen Q- Q wins- better performance, better technology and cheaper... except maybe in styling (especially with 90-93).. The 90-96 Q45 actually compares better to the 2nd gen LS or the GS series....

I cant agree with better technology. I dont see a 92Q45 with heated seats let alone a cup holder. The Q is a drivers car meaning that you feel the road more. The LS is a cruiser but it gets up when you ask for it. With a little suspension mods ie H&R springs or JIC coilovers the LS feels pretty good.

I like the F50 styling. It gives the Q a whole new look, very aggresive yet sporty.

[maxnix]

I cant agree with better technology. I dont see a 92Q45 with heated seats let alone a cup holder. The Q is a drivers car...

A cup holder is evidence of technology? Quick, someone call Bernie Ecclestone! F1 is totally remiss!

Think I'll stick to low tech cars. Now where's my Fiorano?

[pito11213]

Yep you should do just that.

Whats the evidence of superior technology between a first gen G50 and a first Gen LS400?

[pito11213]

Is this it?

[pito11213]

The above is one of my favorite pictures by the way.

Sorry Nitpix but I didnt see a clear definition of technology. Apologies are in order. I will strip all my cars of HID's in your honor.

LOL

[maxnix]

Whats the evidence of superior technology between a first gen G50 and a first Gen LS400?

Chain driven camshafts, VLSD, multilink front and rear suspension design, LED rather than failing in high heat or unreadable with polarized glass LCD displays, forged alloy wheels available and without chrome plating! Optional semi-active suspension.

Then there is the coup de grâce, powered headrests!

[pito11213]

"Chain driven camshafts, VLSD, multilink front and rear suspension design, LED rather than failing in high heat or unreadable with polarized glass LCD displays, forged alloy wheels available and without chrome plating! Optional semi-active suspension."

By the way my 92 LS400 had power headrest AND power seatbelt height adjustment.

I agree with the suspension setup since the LS has heaps of body roll. Uh as far as display's go the Q45 is far from a reliable readout.

LS did have optional air bag suspension. But remember the LS is geared for a different clientele all together. The people at infiniti new that, thus the changes in the 94+ Q. Heated seats, power headrest and all the other little goodies that the LS already came with.

[pito11213]

Hopefully Q45 tech can help me with this.

I notice when you turn the wheels on the LS they seem to have what I would best describe as a tilt to them. I notice this also on German cars.

What is the benefit, if any, of this?

[elwesso]

I think most would admit the design was more advanced. Less drag, better suspension design, and a stiffer chassis...

A Q45 with VLSD and no TCS does better in the snow than an LS with TCS!

I dont consider useless features like cupholders, power headrests, power seatbelt thingies, and so on evidence of technology....

As far as the tilt, its because the suspension doesnt have the kind of camber gain that the multilink has.. so it gains camber as you turn and as the body rolls...

[pito11213]

Well Wes you could ask JT Money how well the Q does in NYC snow. It was hilarious watching a toyota corolla go up a little incline while we were stuck. LOL

By the way arent the first gen Q's notorious for power steering leaks?

[Jesda]

Well Wes you could ask JT Money how well the Q does in NYC snow. It was hilarious watching a toyota corolla go up a little incline while we were stuck. LOL

By the way arent the first gen Q's notorious for power steering leaks?

Yep! At 140-150k. Starts with hoses, sometimes moves on to seals.

The first-gen LS is nice, but its not nice in the "driving a sophisticated piece of high-performance engineering" sort of nice. Its nice in the "going to park at the office and make my coworkers think I'm on my way up in the world" kind of nice. It makes Lincoln and MB owners jealous, as it should.

BMW and Infiniti owners are somewhat different people with different intentions.

[elwesso]

Well Wes you could ask JT Money how well the Q does in NYC snow. It was hilarious watching a toyota corolla go up a little incline while we were stuck. LOL

By the way arent the first gen Q's notorious for power steering leaks?

yeah theyre notorious for those who dont think changing the fluid is necessary... Youll never see a Q PS system leak if the fluid has been regularly changed.

[Q45tech]

You are seeing camber gain caused by high caster..........the more you turn the wheels the more negative camber is introduced.Why setting camber and caster exact equal side to side is so important otherwise the car misbehaves and handles differently depending on which way you turn.

Unfortunately this design wears tires [in slow city driving] more but yields better curvy handling. Why feathering occurs with directional tires.

When you lower or change to larger wheels you end up being overcompensated thus the increased tire wear..........the system was optimized for oem wheel size!.............reducing body roll with stiffer springs bars can help deal with different tires as long as you reduce the static camber that lowering causes............new suspension design or camber correction arms/plates and bump steer correction is required.

[pito11213]

Wes - I agree it was not geared for the performance side of things. But I know for a fact with the Falkens I put on with 16" OEM's I can out turn a Civic Si going 80+ without touching the brakes.

A friend of mine has a 2006 Si and had to slow down on a curve that I passed him on and kept going. The next day he called me and asked how fast was I going, in which I replied "I didnt look." The LS is pretty smooth in that respect. Now yes I did have alot of body roll but the car gave no indication of understeer. He told me that he was doing 90 when he had to slow down and said I must have been doing 100 as fast as I went by.

I would like to start with a Front strut bar and then go with a possible H&R spring with tokico setup. The rear end feels pretty planted on the road so I dont think a rear sway bar is necessary.

So Dennis would you agree that with the setup I am going for, that would greatly decrease body roll with minimal wear?

I must say that the LS has impressed me on the handle especially on curves but the body roll is so noticeable.