Anyone do a good 6 versus 8 comparo. My friend is asking me and I have drove a 45 but not the 35. What are the thoughts?

BadQ45t wrote:Anyone do a good 6 versus 8 comparo. My friend is asking me and I have drove a 45 but not the 35. What are the thoughts?

I do not know if anyone has done such a specific comparison per se.

However, just about everyone I know who went in to test drive an M35 and made the "mistake" of test driving the M45, ended up with the M45 (as long as the price was in their reach)! Says a lot.

I have compared the 2003 M45 to a G35 in the past (and this is not the same comparison admittedly) and came away with the feeling that I liked my M45 much more. Fit, finish and engine performance reasons.

Since the current-gen M35 and M45 are pretty identical internally and the transmission is pretty much identical, it is really the differences in engine and weight that is the issue, I think.

In my M45/G35 comparison, I felt that the V-8 had way more smoothness and easily rev'ed harder, with more balance and less effort. Whereas the V-6 had to strain a bit and was louder (only by comparison - it is a great engine in its own right!) My guess is that this will also be true when comparing the current-gen M35 to the current-gen M45.

Z

Thanks, that is basically what i told him, if he tried a 45 be ready to buy one.

i agree, the M and G are not in the same class. The G is geting pretty long in the tooth now too, it got slammed recently in a 4 wheel drive comparo in one of the car mags.

I have the M35. I did not drive the 45. I can say that I am very happy with the performance of the M35, but am NOT happy with the gas mileage. The car has 3750 miles on it and I average between 12 and 15mpg. I am 50, and according to my wife drive slower and slower with each passing day. I seriously worry what would happen if I drove it like I used to.

OK, sorry, I know this was a comparison question, not a gas mileage question

I drove 3 different Models; M45 Sport, M35 Sport and M35x.

All 3 were great cars, and I would have bought the M45 Sport if I didn't live in the snow belt. Wonderful motor, great driving dynamics, etc. In the end, I bought an Obsidian Black M35x with the Graphite/Rosewood interior. It is a very classy ride. The AWD just worked better for me up here in North Idaho. I don't miss the V8, as the V6 has plenty of power, a little better gas mileage, and still snarls appropriately when you step on it. However, if I lived about 150 miles south of here where they don't get snow, I would have the V8. Now, only if Infiniti made an M45x, that would be perfect! I'm sure it would blow the doors off an Audi A6 4.2.

Bottom line - buy the V8 if you can (why not!). If not, go for the V6, you won't be dissapointed either way.

tjp1963 wrote:Bottom line - buy the V8 if you can (why not!). If not, go for the V6, you won't be dissapointed either way.

Love your comments! And this advice is exactly right!

Z

I have been pleasantly surprised, after reading similar posts. I drive 500+ miles a week mixed surface streets and expressway...all local. I have averaged a little over 20 on every tank. I have also found the dash computer to be very accurate...within a couple tenths. I'm wondering if maybe you haven't been re-setting your mileage calculator...if you don't it changes very slowly, and you could still be suffering from a low beginning...

Incidentially, my highway has been lower than I expected ...only about 24 at 70-80. The mixed compares favorably with my old 4 cyl Turbo Saabs...only 1-2 mpg less already...but I'm accustomed to 28-30 on the highway...even at over 80...

Oh well, LOVE the M so farChris'06 M35 plat/bourb journey/nav 2.45k

Tip, just for future reference (in case there's no 45x coming downstream) I also live in a "snow belt" (Montreal), and I've owned RWD cars for the past 15 years (LS400s, E420/55/500), and now the M45 Sport. With 245x40x19 Blizzaks all 'round the car is awesome on ice and snow. I'm sure AWD would help somewhat under some road conditions I encounter occasionally, but probably mostly for maountain roads (which I don't frequent), and likely not for 'round town and highway.

Plus the AWD takes its toll on mileage, handling, highway wear & tear. So unless you're really in bad conditions often (Buffalo / Syracuse and comparable), or a frequent traveller to ski country, I doubt there'd be any advantage to giving up the fun oif the "8" and Sport.

The M35x makes the 5th straight car (1 also earlier) that I have owned with AWD, including the last one having a 340 HP V8. I had owned several rear-wheel drive BMWs before that. After driving an AWD for that number of years I can tell you that I will not go without AWD. Now, I do live in Minnesota, but I would even own one if I live in Arizona. The control on even a dry road just can't be beat.If I lived in Montreal, I would definately have one. More snow than we get in Minnesota and the hills in Montreal cry out for AWD.
Modified by scjconsulting at 9:44 PM 3/12/2006

Thanks all for the information, I have passed this along!