In late June, we travelled to Watkins Glen, NY from Lansing, MI and back. Our route encompassed interstate-type roads, secondary highways and tertiary Ontario back roads. The trip was ~ 480 miles one way. With vicinity miles, total trip mileage was ~1300. We stayed in the new Harbor Hotel on Lake Seneca (highly recommended!).
The M35x was a new car to us (total mileage at end of trip was 2800). My wife and I were both hugely impressed by the car's seats and ride comfort. I did all the driving and found the car very relaxing in all circumstances.
Initially, one gets the impression of the car having a lack of directional stability. This impression faded for me as my experience grew. Driving down the centerline of an Interstate highway (driving down the very center of the two lanes), the car tracked straight ahead with the steering wheel perfectly centered. On most roads, it was necessary to hold a slight amount of pressure on the steering wheel to compensate for the pavement camber built into most roads for drainage. The steering, IMHO. is pure poetry. It provides excellent feedback and is well-weighted.
The suspension does an excellent job of damping out the worst of the rough stuff while avoiding float on undulating roads. This is the first Japanese car that I've driven which has seemed to get the shock valving just right! My impression is that the car drives like our prior E39 BMW, but with much more power. At one point, we suddenly encountered a BIG object in our lane on an Interstate highway in the dark at 75 mph. I did a huge swerve, the stability control intervened disengaging the cruise control, and we missed the mystery object.
The powertrain is wonderful: The transmission seems to intuitively find just the gear I'd choose manually, and the broad torque curve of the engine makes passing on a two-lane highway a non-stressful experience. Just nail the throttle and the transmission will instantly select the appropriate gear while the marvelous engine pins you back in the seat.
It wasn't all poetry, alas! Our fuel mileage averaged just below 22 mpg on premium gas, a huge step down from our M-B E320 CDI (diesel), which would have averaged mpgs in the mid-30 range. And Consumer Reports comments on road noise are, unfortunately, spot-on, although less so with the Michelin tires I had installed to replace the OE Goodyears. If the road is smooth, this is a quiet car. If you're traversing old asphalt pavement with the aggregate exposed or concrete that's scarified or lumpy, you're going to be in a relatively noisy car!
We've done this trip 20-some times now, and the M35x provided an experience which was the best we've had. I'm delighted with my choice of vehicles!
-Karl
Modified by khaug at 11:37 PM 7/4/2009
Modified by khaug at 10:07 PM 7/7/2009
Trip Report - Lansing, MI to Watkins Glen, NY
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SteveTheTech
- Posts: 3751
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12 Infiniti G37x Coupe
-Formerly-
05 Mazda 6 L3 Sport
95 Infiniti J30
94 Nissan D22 - Location: Chantilly, Va
Re: Trip Report - Lansing, MI to Watkins Glen, NY (khaug)
That is one of the best analysis I have read about the M with a legitimate eye for comparative driving.
The M35 steering actually varies the assist fairly well by using an autonomous "off the grid" control unit and linear solenoid to regulate the amount of pressurized fluid. The road presence of the M has improved since the 06 models. Although the factory tires are not well suited for many things, it is a real shame I used to really like Goodyears and still put them on certain cars but the RSAs fail for this car.
The latest model RE5 has great software and electronic oversight, but it still somewhat limited. The adaptive will adjust to a long trip by re-learning some of the shift points to accomodate maximized fuel economy. Although a 22mpg average is nothing to brag about. That is one of the main reasons they have been replacing the 5speed with the RE7 7 speed. I have been driving an 09 FX35 and on the highway it was cruising between 30-33 mpgs at 70 with very light throttle input. The FX50 can average in the upper 20s to low 30s with ease.
However this still does not meet the new federal regulations in a majority. This will cause some kind of ripple effect. The best example I can think of is the technology behind the hybrid M37. Instead of rushing into production with a product that will not yield a return on their investment, like the Prius.
Although the 08-09 M is a great machine and in the final two I would sell my first born for. It seems like some of the things are left over. The driveline is a great example I was really surprised to hear that the 09 didn't have the 7 speed.
To be fair to the car, tires will cause the majority of the things you noted as bothersome. Although local roads also play a significant role in the ability to hear certain operating noises. You mentioned Michellins and I am thinking Primacy? The Primacy usually do the trick for the most part for road noise and instability, although that is no guarantee in the driving area you were in. The engine and exhaust emit a finely tuned note when their operation is requested, but it's not like anything Europe has available.
Although the E-class CDI is a Benz diesel, which is renowned throughout the world for its long term quality, diesel in America isn't the same. With the refinements of the new diesels they are only slightly noisier than th IC engine counterparts, although I heard one while walking through the neighboring Benz dealer recently and was surprised at how noisy it was under load from behind. I don't know if I am completely sold on it yet, plus I couldn't own a Benz.
The M35 steering actually varies the assist fairly well by using an autonomous "off the grid" control unit and linear solenoid to regulate the amount of pressurized fluid. The road presence of the M has improved since the 06 models. Although the factory tires are not well suited for many things, it is a real shame I used to really like Goodyears and still put them on certain cars but the RSAs fail for this car.
The latest model RE5 has great software and electronic oversight, but it still somewhat limited. The adaptive will adjust to a long trip by re-learning some of the shift points to accomodate maximized fuel economy. Although a 22mpg average is nothing to brag about. That is one of the main reasons they have been replacing the 5speed with the RE7 7 speed. I have been driving an 09 FX35 and on the highway it was cruising between 30-33 mpgs at 70 with very light throttle input. The FX50 can average in the upper 20s to low 30s with ease.
However this still does not meet the new federal regulations in a majority. This will cause some kind of ripple effect. The best example I can think of is the technology behind the hybrid M37. Instead of rushing into production with a product that will not yield a return on their investment, like the Prius.
Although the 08-09 M is a great machine and in the final two I would sell my first born for. It seems like some of the things are left over. The driveline is a great example I was really surprised to hear that the 09 didn't have the 7 speed.
To be fair to the car, tires will cause the majority of the things you noted as bothersome. Although local roads also play a significant role in the ability to hear certain operating noises. You mentioned Michellins and I am thinking Primacy? The Primacy usually do the trick for the most part for road noise and instability, although that is no guarantee in the driving area you were in. The engine and exhaust emit a finely tuned note when their operation is requested, but it's not like anything Europe has available.
Although the E-class CDI is a Benz diesel, which is renowned throughout the world for its long term quality, diesel in America isn't the same. With the refinements of the new diesels they are only slightly noisier than th IC engine counterparts, although I heard one while walking through the neighboring Benz dealer recently and was surprised at how noisy it was under load from behind. I don't know if I am completely sold on it yet, plus I couldn't own a Benz.
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khaug
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 7:27 pm
- Car: '09 Infiniti M35x, '07 Porsche 911 GT3, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI
- Location: Lansing, MI
Re: Trip Report - Lansing, MI to Watkins Glen, NY (SteveTheTech)
Hi Steve.
FYI, the tires are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. They substantially reduced impact noise and harshness, but made a much smaller improvement in road noise. These tires were rated #1 in Tire Rack's survey, so I'm not sure how I could have chosen better. One of my priorities was preserving the BMW-like steering response, and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires certainly do that.
Actually, I loved our M-B E320 CDI but for the frequency of repair it demanded. This car need more repairs in five years than all the other cars we've owned in the past 20 years combined! It finally got to be too freakin' much!
I've found that diesel engines are very sensitive to fuel quality (cetane rating??). Our M-B was much more quiet on Sunoco diesel fuel than with any oither brand. Same is true with our Touareg V10 TDI, and I now use Sunoco exclusively (when available). In any event, the M-B was no noisier than the equivalent gasser. It did, however, have a growly, diesel character to its engine noise. One had to adjust to this, or it could be perceived as "noisy".
Regards,
-Karl
Modified by khaug at 9:57 PM 7/7/2009
Modified by khaug at 10:14 PM 7/7/2009
FYI, the tires are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. They substantially reduced impact noise and harshness, but made a much smaller improvement in road noise. These tires were rated #1 in Tire Rack's survey, so I'm not sure how I could have chosen better. One of my priorities was preserving the BMW-like steering response, and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires certainly do that.
Actually, I loved our M-B E320 CDI but for the frequency of repair it demanded. This car need more repairs in five years than all the other cars we've owned in the past 20 years combined! It finally got to be too freakin' much!
I've found that diesel engines are very sensitive to fuel quality (cetane rating??). Our M-B was much more quiet on Sunoco diesel fuel than with any oither brand. Same is true with our Touareg V10 TDI, and I now use Sunoco exclusively (when available). In any event, the M-B was no noisier than the equivalent gasser. It did, however, have a growly, diesel character to its engine noise. One had to adjust to this, or it could be perceived as "noisy".
Regards,
-Karl
Modified by khaug at 9:57 PM 7/7/2009
Modified by khaug at 10:14 PM 7/7/2009