Hi Newbie Here...Looking at M35x or M45...

[Bloodredhog]

Hello all...I am very pleased I found this site...lots of info.

I am a long time BMW owner (currently in an '04 330i).

I was going to trade in my 330 for the new 2007 335i with twin turbo 300 hp engine...man, that car is fast...

But I am approaching middle age and really did not like the cramped space of the 335. I also have three kids (one an infant). So I started looking at the 530.

As I was researching, I kept coming across reviews that showed the M35 and M45 spanking the Germans. I thought, what is this M car?

So I test drove an M35X with premium the other day...what can I say? This car was awesome!

The interior room was outstanding. The interior looked gorgeous. The power was good. Engine noise was a bit rough, sounded unrefined compared to the BMW. But the acceleration was top notch.

The nav, lane departure, active cruise- I love those tech items. The rear DVD! Rear seats that decline and are heated!

But the thing that can't be ignored- the 335 was $46 to $47k. I can get the M35x for $51. The value per dollar is incredible! I also test drove a MB E350 - nice, but lacking some features of the M35 and much more expensive.

On top of this, the money factor on a 27-month lease is .00048 (about 1%)!

So my dilemma...I am going today to test drive the M45 Sport. It is about the same money as the M35X but with only the Adv. Tech pkg...

Am I going to fall in love with the V8 and turn my back on the M35X?

[Nick240sx]

So my dilemma...I am going today to test drive the M45 Sport. It is about the same money as the M35X but with only the Adv. Tech pkg...

Am I going to fall in love with the V8 and turn my back on the M35X?

yes.....yes you are.... ive heard that most people that go and drive an M35 come out with an M45. not to mention the extra exterior touches on the sport make it so much more appealing, i LOVE those hyper silver 5 double spoke wheels.

both engines take premium, so the v8 is a power gain without having to change fuel grades.

[Bloodredhog]

I sort of expected that...I will let you guys know what happens...

Another question...is the 5.1 stereo worth the cost of buying the Adv. Tech package? Or is the stock stereo good enough? Both play MP3 and WMA from what I understand

[szh]

Welcome to NICO!

Am I going to fall in love with the V8 and turn my back on the M35X?

Yes!

Z

[tomosawa]

I just got my M45 SPORT about a month ago; all I can say is AWESOME! I had a MB E500 SPORT before, the M45 SPORT has so much more power and luxury! Your money will be well spent on getting the option packages!

[paulc]

I spent about 8 years driving german cars with 4.0L+ V8 engines before purchasing my M35 and now wish that I went with the M45 instead. The M35 performs reasonably well, but it just doesnt have the wide meaty power band of a V8.

The dolby 5.1 stereo is a great option...tough choices

[Bloodredhog]

Just got back...drove the M45 Sport...Holy Sh%t is all I can say.

The dealer only had M45 Sport's with Tech package, not Adv. Tech...I really wanted one with Adv. Tech...

what to do, what to do...

[audtatious]

They should be able to order one and get it on site relatively quickly. Why settle?

I have avoided driving a M45 at this point. I had a M35 rental for a week and absolutely loved it. While I can easily afford a M35/45 I simply prefer to keep the costs down and am leaning towards a G35 at this point and after my sprited 30-minute test drive of the 306hp G35 sedan today I am DEFINATELY getting one.

Infiniti is really providing some awesome products!

[szh]

Like I always tell people, if you go in to drive a G35 or M35 for the price, then do make it a point of NOT driving the M45.

If you do that, you are almost guaranteed to get it instead!

Z

[audtatious]

[Bloodredhog]

OK, guys, I went back and test drove both again. As crazy as this sounds, I am going with the M35x.

The lease payment for the M35X with premium is the same as the M45 Sport with Tech only.

I wanted at least Adv. Tech and rosewood. The only M45 Sport with Adv. tech also had aero kit and the dealer would have had to trade for it- plus the lease payment was $40 higher and I would have had to pay shipping.

I felt the suspension was tight on the X (tighter than the non-sport 35 and 45, on par with the 35 sport.)

The 45 sport was a bit harsh. Understand I have a BMW 330 with performance package so I enjoy a sports suspension, but BMW seems to be able to do this without any harshness.

Acceleraion off the line was good on both cars. Mid range and WOT obviously favored the M45, but the 35X was strong enough to cover all my needs. I have no plans to track the car, so the M45 can only get me more speeding tickets.

The reason I agonized over this is in Denver, at 5280 feet above sea level, engines tend to run out of oomph...

The other advantage is in this area an all-wheel drive M35 retains mucho resale value...and I was not looking forward to switching out rims and tires in my garage twice a year...although the sport 19" wheels look awesome.

I will ask the dealer to put the 18" chrome rims on...I think they look good on the black M35.

So, now the decision is...do I go with the Black with premium or the Diamond Graphite with Adv. Tech?

Is it worth the money for the rear DVD, heated and reclining rear seats, and power sunshade?

Thoughts?

[initiald711]

that was exactly what i was going to say.snow+m45=bodyshop.snow+m35"x"=

[Bloodredhog]

OK, I pull the trigger Monday.

2007 M35XBlackGraphite/RosewoodTechAdv. TechPremium: rear DVD, etc.Chrome wheels

Lease payment = $710

Not bad...