M56 Test Drive by an 2004 M45 Owner

[myother45isalesbaer]

Went to my local dealer for service. Looked at the M56. Took it out for a test drive. Sorry guys, I was not impressed. Too many fly by wire stuff. Did not have that much more kick in the pants then my old 2004 does. Not as big as my old M. Seats were too tight. New internal design was not that impressive. Hated the lane changing technology. I liked the warning system but not like it braking for me to get me out of a lane. Normal, sport, snow modes all were pretty much the same.

Its small, looks good. Did not impress the wife one bit and she loves the old 2004 M. Inside colors were less than desired. Should have put quality leather and real wood all around the inside. Way too many gadgets.

Overall, for $68,000 plus there is no way I would buy this car. From a dead stop or a 40mph roll out I still contend my old 2004 M45 can beat the new M56. There is no way that car has 420+ hp or much more torque than the original M45's.

I read the reviews. But then they are just fluff reviews. The new M56 just does not offer much, except bells and whistles over the 2003-2004 M's. I wanted to buy one, but after a real test drive, there is no way.

Infiniti has to do better than this to get my juices going and lay down that much money. This car is trying to be a sport sedan with Lexus qualities. If I wanted a Lexus I would buy one. Infiniti missed the mark on a true sport sedan.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Went to my local dealer for service. Looked at the M56. Took it out for a test drive. Sorry guys, I was not impressed. Too many fly by wire stuff. Did not have that much more kick in the pants then my old 2004 does. Not as big as my old M. Seats were too tight. New internal design was not that impressive. Hated the lane changing technology. I liked the warning system but not like it braking for me to get me out of a lane. Normal, sport, snow modes all were pretty much the same.

Its small, looks good. Did not impress the wife one bit and she loves the old 2004 M. Inside colors were less than desired. Should have put quality leather and real wood all around the inside. Way too many gadgets.

Overall, for $68,000 plus there is no way I would buy this car. From a dead stop or a 40mph roll out I still contend my old 2004 M45 can beat the new M56. There is no way that car has 420+ hp or much more torque than the original M45's.

I read the reviews. But then they are just fluff reviews. The new M56 just does not offer much, except bells and whistles over the 2003-2004 M's. I wanted to buy one, but after a real test drive, there is no way.

Infiniti has to do better than this to get my juices going and lay down that much money. This car is trying to be a sport sedan with Lexus qualities. If I wanted a Lexus I would buy one. Infiniti missed the mark on a true sport sedan.

[dvan]

Im sure the complaints about the acceleration can be fixed in the future by an UpRev tune

[fiveliterbeater]

you know there is alot of mixed performance reviews on this car. on paper it looks awesome, but i believe a few reviews in the past mentioned that somewhere between paper and the actual car, the xtra 100+ HP seemed to vanish.
surprised that you didnt seem to think much of the interior though, i think its the interior our M should've came with to begin.

[Y34GLORIA]

I have to agreed with u on the 03-04 Y34. the accelaration was brutal on the car but however I have not yet test drive the new M yet so I cant commont. As far as interiors, I tho the older INFINITI has too much plastic pieces and this new interiors got alot nice leathers and higher quality materials as far as I am concern. However u missed the point, this car dose not just target LEXUS GS in mind. it putty much target BMW 5 series so I think INFINITI trying to do is combine the performance of BMW with LEXUS quiet interior. its really on eyes of the beholder.. Its prob not for u but someone else might be more appreciated the effect and refinement they are trying to creat this time around.

[rgb129]

Sounds like you are looking for a G not an M. G: Less gadgets, less refinement, more sporty.

[zozoka1212]

I don't know man. The 03 m45 does 0-60 at 6 second and the new m56 is under 5. Full second is a lot. Also the interior looks much better than the older M. Of course it is my opinion and it probably differes from others.

Infiniti has to keep up with other competitors. I personally love the look inside and out. Also love the performance #'s.

[Y34GLORIA]

I don't know man. The 03 m45 does 0-60 at 6 second and the new m56 is under 5. Full second is a lot. Also the interior looks much better than the older M. Of course it is my opinion and it probably differes from others.

Infiniti has to keep up with other competitors. I personally love the look inside and out. Also love the performance #'s.

trust me bro, the 03-04 Y34 dose 0-60 in less then 6 seconds prob more like 5.7. u need to turn the VDC off. of course the M56 still faster but i think he is talking about the pulling feel on the car itself. the Y34 dose feel like muscle car and that big motor sounds when it accelarate. I think he didnt like the new M peroformance feel is prob due to a much quiet interior noise and lost that "raw" ub refined sport feel on the Y34

[myother45isalesbaer]

Well, to be honest guys, it was only one test drive. The quality of interior is a step up or two from my old M, but it has not hit BMW quality. I had a 540 BMW and traded it for the M. I think its trying to be a 5 series BMW and a Lexus. It seems to be an attempt to blend the two.

My main disappoint was the acceleration. I know the car reviews claim a full second faster for 0-60, but as one poster stated take the traction control off the old M and I think that second pretty much disappears. It just does not feel like its a 420+ hp motor. Standing start times are nice, but most of the time when you need the power you are rolling. That was where I kinda was not too impressed. Yes its quick, but not as much as you would expect for an extra 80+ hp increase.

My final disappointment was the fly by wire stuff. I liked the lane change warning system, but I do not like the car doing things on its own. Hated the braking on its own to get you back into your lane. That also goes for the assisted rear wheel steering adjustments it will make. I drove the all wheel drive model that is not supposed to have that feature, but I still detected some back end adjustments going on. Maybe my imagination.

Its a very nice car. I wouldn't want a G. Too small. I like my old M. If you like bells and whistles this may be for you. I thought for the price it didn't offer much more in performance, handling, quality than my old M. Its definately not a BMW. Maybe I need to go back and test drive it again. I was so high on buying one perhaps my expectations were too high.

If anyone else takes a drive or owns the new M I'd like to hear your thoughts. As for now I am keeping my old M45 and waiting another year to see what improvements are made on the M56.

[UpStar]

myother45isalesbaer

Ummmhmm! The wife and I went by the dealer and got the keys to the new M56 and looked inside on our own without a dealer, but before we looked inside she said, "is this it !?!" She said, "there is no wow factor with this car, but she is a Mercedes driver and kinda bias, but after look at the car very closely I agreed. The car mirrors the G35/37 sedan and that is a disgrace. No orginality at all! Personally, if I dont like what I see on the ouside...then a test drive is outta the question. And, based on your test drive experience Im glad I didnt waste my time. I'll never give this car another look. Y34 forever

[myother45isalesbaer]

Thats kinda funny. That's pretty much what my wife said too. I am still going to give it one more test drive. But I doubt I am going to change my mind about buying one. I really had higher expectations for the M56.

[kev1n]

I don't know, I thought the looks of the new one are far better then the old one. I am really surprised that the 5.6 doesn't feel better then the 04. I had an 02 Q45 and it was pretty decent off the line for a big car.

[CAUG2]

AS I KNOW , THIS CAR SUPPOSE TO HAS VERY SMOOTH ACCELERATION. THEN SMOOTHER IT IS THEN LESSER YOU FEEL IT.
INTERIOR LOOKS GOOD TO ME.
EXTERIOR NEEDS BETTER REAR OFF SET, MAKE REAR TIRES TO STICK OUT MORE, LOWER AN INCH, WOULD BE GOOD.
BUT AGAIN I AM BIG IS-F FAN.

[fiveliterbeater]

^^^^^^^^^

everything he said....but im a BMW M5 fan.

[CAUG2]

German engineering is whole another story, M3 coupe would be my choice though.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Beg to disagree. Smoother just means less acceleration. Its smooth, but not quick, like nail your back to the seat. I like G forces and you don't get them from smooth.

You German car guys are not playing fair. M5, M3....Nothing to compare. However, I will say that on the road my old M45 will knock off any 3 or 5 series not are not tricked out or running their V8. I was hoping the M56 was going to be a major challenge to the 5. Its probably close. Give it another year.

All Infiniti has to do is make it a 500hp motor and take some of the fly by wire stuff off and it will be going after the 5 series. Then I will definately buy one.

AS I KNOW , THIS CAR SUPPOSE TO HAS VERY SMOOTH ACCELERATION. THEN SMOOTHER IT IS THEN LESSER YOU FEEL IT.
INTERIOR LOOKS GOOD TO ME.
EXTERIOR NEEDS BETTER REAR OFF SET, MAKE REAR TIRES TO STICK OUT MORE, LOWER AN INCH, WOULD BE GOOD.
BUT AGAIN I AM BIG IS-F FAN.

[Y34GLORIA]

u people need to be more supportive for the INFINITI/NISSAN. I am pretty sure they will be planing an M3/M5 or IS-F (well this car is not quite an benchmanrk yet) killer soon for much less price. drop this new VK56 motor in the G sedan/coupe maybe bored out and modified even more HP then we will see a real performer. if NISSAN can came up with GTR for under 100k and still mamaged to keep up anything up against or beat it (included recent LFA vs GTR drag race). you can search YOUTUBE for this MOTORTREND video. FYI : LFA is an 400k dollars car from LEXUS/TOYOTA and still only manage to beat GTR by 0.1 sec quarter mile (GTR beat LFA 0 to 60 time). This GTR is not even the modifed or SPEC V version(only in japan) That really said alot about this automaker's ability in performace car with less doe. This is one of the reason why I have owned NISSAN/INFINITI cars for the last 14 years straight. NISSAN/INIFINTI really do not have the ability or the money like TOYOTA/LEXUS can spend billions of dollars wasted on created car like LF-A knowning its not ever gonna sale (only 500 will be made) I hope people can appreciate this fact before even compared to other well established cars like M3/M5 for instance which INFINITI not yet have a car to be able to answer them

[CAUG2]

Gs you feels depends on the torque curve. some engine like american v8s very torquey . start at 1500 to 4000 produce the same amount of torque. in other engines toque raises gradually, may be like in new m56, i am not sure i ever seen it on dyno in stock mode. but i bet it doesn't jump straight up and stays there flat.the smoother the torque curve is then less you feel it.
thats all.
look at some dyno graphs. i hope i make myself clear.
Later,
C

[UpStar]

u people need to be more supportive for the INFINITI/NISSAN. I am pretty sure they will be planing an M3/M5 or IS-F (well this car is not quite an benchmanrk yet) killer soon for much less price. drop this new VK56 motor in the G sedan/coupe maybe bored out and modified even more HP then we will see a real performer.

"Be More Supportive!" Fcuk'em! Like all the support Infinti Corp is giving to the Y34 fuel gauge victims and oil burners on this site. Im sorry, but I had to say that. Personally, I can only support a car mfg that steps out of the box with an original concept. This bew M design has given in to the rest of the field with the over sized/stout body with little to no true styling. Its a big G37!

[Y34GLORIA]

u people need to be more supportive for the INFINITI/NISSAN. I am pretty sure they will be planing an M3/M5 or IS-F (well this car is not quite an benchmanrk yet) killer soon for much less price. drop this new VK56 motor in the G sedan/coupe maybe bored out and modified even more HP then we will see a real performer.

"Be More Supportive!" Fcuk'em! Like all the support Infinti Corp is giving to the Y34 fuel gauge victims and oil burners on this site. Im sorry, but I had to say that. Personally, I can only support a car mfg that steps out of the box with an original concept. This bew M design has given in to the rest of the field with the over sized/stout body with little to no true styling. Its a big G37!

there no such thing as "perfect car". u need to get over with whatever probs u have. if u are so unhappy with the car maybe u should consider sell it to people who actually can appreciate more. i can see u have many cars already. BMW cars burn tons oil as well and their electrical issues are horrible. I dont see people say s*** about their cars. the new M is big g37 so what? The MB E class is a big C class, and S class is big E class. whats worng with that? Can u see the direction INFINITI is heading or u just dont get it? They are following what MB and BMW trends. They clearly stated from now on their design will be based on the ESSENCE CONCEPT. In case u do not know what that concept car is, its from 2009 geneva auto show. u should google the picture online to see urself why the M look the way it look before making some very uneducated comment. I am simply stated the facts. the evidence is out there. u need to see more in depth before making anymore irrational comment based on ur own thought.

[UpStar]

Y34Gloria

I actually like my Y34 and I have no issues with it. Thank God. The 2002-2005 Q & 2003-2004 M was the last best 4 door car from Infiniti in my opinion. My concern is with the new M as stated earlier. Im glad we agree on the "BIG G37" remark. I agree! Infiniti is following the pack of Hyundaui and Lexus instead of being original and thats my problem with any car mfg. I can promise you that there is nothing uneduacted or irrational about what I said about the new M. Me and the wife saw it and thought it sucked and was un-original and that is a fact and I'm in no way interested in googling anythig about the styling of the new M, sorry but I'll never give the car another look and that remark was based on what I saw when looking at the new M

[Y34GLORIA]

Y34Gloria

I actually like my Y34 and I have no issues with it. Thank God. The 2002-2005 Q & 2003-2004 M was the last best 4 door car from Infiniti in my opinion. My concern is with the new M as stated earlier. Im glad we agree on the "BIG G37" remark. I agree! Infiniti is following the pack of Hyundaui and Lexus instead of being original and thats my problem with any car mfg. I can promise you that there is nothing uneduacted or irrational about what I said about the new M. Me and the wife saw it and thought it sucked and was un-original and that is a fact and I'm in no way interested in googling anythig about the styling of the new M, sorry but I'll never give the car another look and that remark was based on what I saw when looking at the new M

look, its ur money u do what ever u like i can care less. This is an INFINITI/NISSAN "enthusiast" forum. Its obvious reason people whom post here like NISSAN/INFINITI in geneal. This is not a forum for bitchen and complain. if people wants to complaint maybe they should prob apprach NISSAN USA direct. I assume u have not yet to drive the M yet based on how u hate the styling. Like I said before, alot "potential M buyer" search this forum for infos. They will get turn off when they see these kind comment. u cant say a car is not ur style then its a "bad" car. Alot people hate Y34 styling and some people like the styling, so dose that make Y34 a "bad" car cause its an odd looking car with even actually drive it. I am pretty sure u know exactly what I am talking about here since u own a Y34 urself. I have some friends think like that with even go for a test drive then decide wheather is good or not. IMO, thats pretty ignorant in a way.

[Y34GLORIA]

To Y34GLORIA,

Yes, a true BMW M3, M5/Lexus IS-F competitor from Infiniti may be in the works. Maybe even more so because 2011 Infiniti M37/56 sales are up 62.5% since the last model line, which conveys to Infiniti Corporate that an interest in higher performance models are of interest toward their targeted customer base. But you must remember that the largest produced engine ever placed into an Infiniti car was in their CONCEPT car. You are more than aware of the Infiniti Essence concept car, you mentioned it in your post, and you should know the engine in that car produces a combined 590 hp (V6 - 430 and 160 coming from an electric motor). Now remember that the Infiniti M37/56 is inspired by the Infiniti Essence Concept. If they truly desired to place the engine from the Essence into the M-Series then they would have. But they didn't. That's because they aren't ready to facilitate the engineering or production of such an engine. Maybe in the future they will be, and maybe we will see a performance car like BMW or Lexus produces.

The point of what I'm saying is that you shouldn't discount people who appreciate the BMW M3/5 or Lexus IS-F for their performance and choose to purchase those cars over Infiniti's G or M-line. Until Infiniti can produce a competitor car, I personally would recommend a potential buyer to go to a BMW and Lexus dealership. However, for those who are looking for a luxury car with sport abilities, I would point them easily in the direction of the Infiniti dealership. I hope you can understand that?

u still do not understand what i am trying to say. u should read more carefully what my post said. I do not have problem with people who like M3/M5 for that matter. i am actually a M5 fan myself. i have "never" stated I do not like M5 in the post. I was close to buy a E39 M5 before my Y34. However, I do have problem when people bring out the M5 for compareson. its like apple vs orange case. Like I said in the post, INFINITI dose not have the money to do so. How are they ever gonna bring out a M5 figher when their M is not even selling. thats why they put on hold the "Essence concept". Money, economic factor, brand name image clearly are the issues with INFINITI when u have a nice car cant even sale. In this case, INFINITI has no answer to M5 at this point so there in NO POINT compared G or M to those cars. Its like trying to compare an E class to an M5. what the hell for. I hope u understand here. peace

[UpStar]

look, its ur money u do what ever u like i can care less. I assume u have not yet to drive the M yet based on how u hate the styling. This is not a forum for bitchen and complain.

What money! No one mentioned anything about money and no need to assume about me test driving the car. I said early on in a previous post "if I dont like what I see on the outside...then a test drive is outta the question" and based on what was said about the test drive from another member (MyotherM45isasalebaer) ....I'm glad I didnt waste my time test driving.

Look! I'm a typical male when it comes to cars and women. If it or she looks good at first site, then we move to phase two; a test drive or a date. Now, if it or she is not that good looking at first site, I keep it moving to the next one

Now, for your last comment about the "bitchen complain"....This is a forum. I suggest you look up the true definition of a modern day auto forum. Lots of info gets posted here and some of it isnt good in regards to the infiniti car example: oil consumption, fuel gauge, tpms system, gas mileage, squealy seats, hood alligmment, trunk struts etc... I'm on the Mercedes & Hummer forums along with this one and they all complain about one thing or another in regards to the car/truck.

[UpStar]

To Y34GLORIA,

The point of what I'm saying is that you shouldn't discount people who appreciate the BMW M3/5 or Lexus IS-F for their performance and choose to purchase those cars over Infiniti's G or M-line. Until Infiniti can produce a competitor car, I personally would recommend a potential buyer to go to a BMW and Lexus dealership. However, for those who are looking for a luxury car with sport abilities, I would point them easily in the direction of the Infiniti dealership. I hope you can understand that?

very solid comment! ^ I look foward to the day of Infiniti matching the power of the BMW M model, Mercedes AMG, Lexus IS-F line, Chevy SS, Ford SVT, Toyota TRD, etc

[fiveliterbeater]

very solid comment! ^ I look foward to the day of Infiniti matching the power of the BMW M model, Mercedes AMG, Lexus IS-F line, Chevy SS, Ford SVT, Toyota TRD, etc

well lets keep our fingers crossed and hopefully the Essence wont be a concept anymore but a reality.

[Y34GLORIA]

To Y34GLORIA,

The point of what I'm saying is that you shouldn't discount people who appreciate the BMW M3/5 or Lexus IS-F for their performance and choose to purchase those cars over Infiniti's G or M-line. Until Infiniti can produce a competitor car, I personally would recommend a potential buyer to go to a BMW and Lexus dealership. However, for those who are looking for a luxury car with sport abilities, I would point them easily in the direction of the Infiniti dealership. I hope you can understand that?

very solid comment! ^ I look foward to the day of Infiniti matching the power of the BMW M model, Mercedes AMG, Lexus IS-F line, Chevy SS, Ford SVT, Toyota TRD, etc

NISSAN has NISMO. just in case u do not know what NISMO stasnds for. (NISSAN MOTOR SPORT INTERNATIONAL) They had dominated racing history though out the world. in case u never ever look up the dictionary. They are just as capable as any other factory based tuener on this planet has the heritage and history to back it up. I do not know TRD as an well known benchmark in racing. Chevy SS? They are not a factory tuner for chevrolet. they are factory based package. u r again show ur lack knowledge about history of racing and heritage of the factory racing. maybe u should help urself buy a Playstation and pop the Gran turismo game to learn more about cars in general. Its a pretty handy tool even tho its a video game.

[Iconic]

nissan's gtr competes very well with m3/m5 and amg anything, it is priced at $84k, within the range of M5 and E class AMG. Dont expect hi-performance infiniti anytime soon, even a GTR based infiniti is canceled.

[Y34GLORIA]

look, its ur money u do what ever u like i can care less. I assume u have not yet to drive the M yet based on how u hate the styling. This is not a forum for bitchen and complain.

What money! No one mentioned anything about money and no need to assume about me test driving the car. I said early on in a previous post "if I dont like what I see on the outside...then a test drive is outta the question" and based on what was said about the test drive from another member (MyotherM45isasalebaer) ....I'm glad I didnt waste my time test driving.

Look! I'm a typical male when it comes to cars and women. If it or she looks good at first site, then we move to phase two; a test drive or a date. Now, if it or she is not that good looking at first site, I keep it moving to the next one

Now, for your last comment about the "bitchen complain"....This is a forum. I suggest you look up the true definition of a modern day auto forum. Lots of info gets posted here and some of it isnt good in regards to the infiniti car example: oil consumption, fuel gauge, tpms system, gas mileage, squealy seats, hood alligmment, trunk struts etc... I'm on the Mercedes & Hummer forums along with this one and they all complain about one thing or another in regards to the car/truck.

umm so ur saying u date a women based on what she look on first sight? As far as i know, ur Y34 was highly regard "ugly" by many people on the first sight. why did u dated her in the first place then. Put this perspective on what u just said about new "M". u sounds like u just ate ur words. I rested my case in that regard.


as far as definition of "forum", yes u can complain all u want. this is freedom of speech, but if u seriously have an issue. My suggestion to u is why dont u just go to NISSAN USA to complain? Maybe u can keep us "UPDATE" Heck, they might fix for ya for free or it may help all us owners out here for an recall. isnt thats much more "effective" then u complain here on this so called "modem forum"? Its one thing to discusee the potential issues here on the forum and I have no problem here but its one thing when ur posts are all complain nothing constructive about or help other members. that seems something wrong on the picture. rest my case peace

[UpStar]

umm so ur saying u date a women based on what she look on first sight?

Lets try this again I'm a typical male when it comes to cars and women. If it or she looks good at first site, then we move to phase two; a test drive or a date. Now, if it or she is not that good looking at first site, I keep it moving to the next one.

maybe u should help urself buy a Playstation and pop the Gran turismo game to learn more about cars in general.

Now thats cute. Playstation! I can learn about cars from playing Playstation!