M Model Comparison: Buying next month

[spamcop]

Hi all:

My lease on the Altima is up in March. I am looking for a replacement and have settled on the M. The challenge is deciding on a model. Here are some points for input:

- I am 6'4" and will have people in the back seat (clients)- I will be driving it a lot (high mileage)- Gas mileage is a small issue, not major- Performance & handling is appreciated, but not necessary- Does the AWD help in snow & ice?- Resale will happen in 3 to 5 years with high mileage (unless I love it, then look for longer)

What are some must have and must avoid options?

I want DVD Nav, Sirius/XM integration, full sound system (OEM vs. aftermarket?), and bluetooth.

I'd love to buy tomorrow, but it is looking like the end of January '07. All input (good and otherwise) is appreciated.

[mclaren55]

To answer your first question, I am 6'1"-6'2". I find the interior to have more then enough room for myself and my friends (5'10"-6'4"). This is with all four seats occupied. The fuel mileage on my M45 is decent, stay out of the go pedal and you will get pretty decent mileage for a larger V8. The handling on it reminds me a lot of my old 540i Sport (2001) as does the pull. AWD is always better in snow and ice, however I haven't encountered a problem yet that the M45 didn't get out of. As for resale, I have no idea.

I have XM in mine, however I haven't hardwired it yet. The stock Bose 308 watt stereo seems pretty damn integrated into the centre console, and I would hate to hack it up with an aftermarket stereo. It provides decent enough sound anyways. The DVD system is nice, however it is not touch screen. The bluetooth works flawlessly with my Samsung phone.

Hope this answers your questions. Keep in mind I have only had my M45 since Friday and I have only put on about 800 miles so far.

[spamcop]

Thanks for the reply. Your input is very helpful.

Touch screen is nice, we have it on the Lexus; it isn't a necessity though.

I am leaning toward the M35 to save some cash. I'll probably opt for either the AWD or the sport.

With the high mileage prediction, I'll likely opt for an extended warranty. With the non M45 savings, this should make the pricing about equal.

Thanks again and enjoy that week old car.

[TXSJaybird]

Forget that extended warranty...spend it on an AERO kit....youll be glad you did.

Ive had my M (2 of them actually) and they are excellent client cars. Reliable, luxurious and impressive.

Im 6'2" and have no issues, plenty of headroom as do my passengers.

End of the year (which is NOW) is surely a great time to negotiate. Good luck!

[elohim.45]

after a while i would recommend putting a full kit on your M. Maybe an element 114 or auto couture.

[mkaresh]

AWD will help snow and ice traction, but if these are frequent you'll probably want winter tires. Probably not that frequent where you live. For infrequent snow and ice, my guess is that the combination of stability control and all-season tires (are the Sport tires all-season?) should do fine.

Stability control and a reasonably balanced weight distribution, plus better tires, make winter driving much less of an issue with RWD than it used to be.

[bamaSAAB]

I am 6'2" and 290#...there is no lack of space for anyone in this car! I did a high mileage lease 36 mos/75k...I think they will go to 100k. This makes the resale their problem!! Based on comparable lease cost, the M residual is about the highest out there. $39k Chrysler 300c and 39k Saab 9-5 were both slightly ($30-40)higher than my 47k M! Similarly priced 5 series was $200 more!I just had the wheels off and checked my brake pads for the first time...they look unused. I change oil (mobile1) at 4k..that's it so far.I have had a loong line of Saabs over the last 15 years. This M is rapidly becoming my favorite car of all time. I'm 61 and have worked "out of"a car since I was in my twenties.Buy or lease an M, and ENJOY!