Very Disappointed with my 2015 Q70

[emillio]

This is the 4th M35x,M37x, or Q70 that I have leased, and while I love the new exterior styling and the new color choice (Hermosa Blue with Java interior), I have to say that, in my opinion,there have been some corners cut.The interior and features are almost exactly like my 2012 m37x, but the leather seems to be of a slightly inferior quality.I am not sure, but it also seems that areas above the doors which used to be leather are now vinyl. Perhaps that is why the MSRP is even slightly lower than the 2012.

What is the most disappointing for me, however, is the very noticeable INCREASE in road noise. My Infinitis have always been a little on the loud side, particularly on the highway, but each successive model was quieter. That is, until this one. I think it is much louder than my 2005 m35x was.I drive 80% of my miles on the highway so it is very disconcerting and downright annoying. Even when not using the bluetooth hands-free (which has always been on the weak side), it is very difficult to hear people on the phone.

I guess like anything else, I will get used to it, but I expected better. Perhaps I shouldn't have ordered or taken delivery until I tested it, but I assumed it would be quieter. One other issue that I have had in the 10 days that I've owned it, is that on two occasions, the settings defaulted to factory settings after I had set them. For example, the GPS guidance voice appeared after I had turned it off, and on another occasion the audio settings defaulted as well. Not a huge deal, but hopefully it doesn't continue.
Obviously, I have loved the previous cars, as this is my 4h one. My wife says I am crazy to continue to get the same car, but I told her that she should be lucky that I don't tire of the same thing!

If you drive more than a few highway miles I would make sure to take it on the highway to see if the noise level is tolerable before purchasing/leasing.

[TheMajesticKing]

Interesting. I too would assume that it would have been quieter as Infiniti's quality tends to get better over the years. Do you have 20" wheels on the Q70? If you had 18s on your old M, that might explain the increase in road noise.

[emillio]

No, the wheels are standard. I thought at first that it may have been the tires (Michelins, which are all that I ever had on the old ones as well), but the increase in road noise is noticeable not only under the tires, but also on the sides when either passing or being passed. I know that Michelin made two varieties of tires for my most recent M37, one of which was more for "touring" and one of which was "sportier". At various times I had one or the other and found the touring model to be preferable, but both were MUCH quieter in my old M.

[SwissCheeseHead]

I would imagine that tires would be a big factor in the amount of road noise you hear. Also if it's been more windy or not, that will have an affect also. Sorry to hear you're not 100% happy with your new ride.

[Mjkkb2]

did you order any packages with your Q70? If you got the base model then you don't have leather seats.

[Mjkkb2]

well, I may have made that up about the leather. But they do offer an upgrade which is Premium Aniline Leather. Maybe that's what you had previously and now you just have the standard leather ???

[Debonair]

I am not sure, but it also seems that areas above the doors which used to be leather are now vinyl. Perhaps that is why the MSRP is even slightly lower than the 2012.

I think I read somewhere (looking for source now) that the only genuine leather in the 11-13 M-series is the seats, shift (gear select) knob, and steering wheel. All other leather-ish materials are synthetic.

I know on my 2011 I initially thought the door panels were a very soft, almost lamb like, leather. Once I read that they were not I took a closer look and feel. Now that i know I can see and feel that it is synthetic.

If its that obvious on you 2015 perhaps they got a cheaper synthetic or maybe the color make it stands out more.

[Larz]

Regarding road / wind noise, I have always used Michelin tires on every vehicle until recently. As we all know, Michelins have the best dependability, most precise handling, and have the best over-all performance of any tire at any price. However, Michelins are NOT known for low noise. On my previous M, I had the Pilot Super Sport AS and although it was a brilliant tire, it did not score well in the road noise area. I now have a 2009 M35. (I'm not a fan of the newer body style). I did some quick research on wind noise and found some very interesting figures regarding drag coefficient.
Turns out most cars average drag coefficient is between a low of 30 Cd and a high of 35 Cd.

2007 M35: 28 Cd
2009 M35: 28 Cd
2011 M37: 27 Cd
2014 Q70: 35 Cd

So, more noise is not likely your imagination. The Q70 has about 25% more drag than previous designs. Perhaps a member who is also an engineer can elaborate on whether this is as significant as it seems.

[emillio]

Very intersting replies, particularly about the drag coefficients. I am curious to know what effect that would have, but unfortunately, I think I already know. The car has the equivalent packages that my M37x did, that is to say, the premium and touring packages.There is supposed to be "softer" leather and sueding, but as a previous poster stated, since it is synthetic, perhaps it is more obvious with the Java color, as all of my past interiors have been light.
In any event, my salesman ( who is a great guy) test drove another 2015 that they had, and confirmed the loud noise on the highway. He suggeststed that I could possibly go to an audio place to have more soundproofing put in. Any one have any experience with this? I would hate to have to do it,and don't think I should have to, but if it could reduce noise and not be prohibitively expensive I would probably be game.
I think I also mentioned the "defaulting" issues that I was having with the guidance settings, and my salesman tells me that there might be an issue with my EZ Pass transponder and compatibility. I have the same transponder that I had in the M, but thus far it is not mounted on the windshield as I am waiting for new velcro. Anyone else experience this?

[khundkar]

What you should do is try other manufacturers.. We have a mercedes C300, the least driven car in our family, and the Ac fan failed, wheel bearings failed, lights needed replacing after 1 year!! Then we had the BMW X3.. head gasket needed replacing, ac evaporator or some $hit needed to be replaced, the transmission was slipping... then we got the Acura MDX.. no issues.. I had an Infiniti G35, then I got the vortech supercharger kit, still no issue, then I abused the car on the track, still no issue.. then I sold the car. and still no Issue.. now I got the Infiniti M37x, with my MDX.. and still no issue.. I got the premium package and the tech package... and after driving other premium brands, I moved back to an Infiniti.. because with my mods, and with my abuse, it still kept on running.. I know you are upset about noise, and believe me, I am also upset about the sporadic left headlight not moving as fast as the right one.. but I can live with that.. as long as it is as reliable as my older g35 coupe and my Acura..

[Larz]

EZ-PASS AND SOUND PROOFING

I use the cheap version of EZ-Pass that you peel and stick to the inside of the windscreen near the rear view mirror. I have never had an issue with it on either Infinifi M that I drive, but the 2015 model might have specific 'improvements' that could explain your issues.

Sound proofing: I dyna-matted my trunk area and it cost about $200 for just the matting if I recall properly. I was searching for the model number of my XM tuner (in the trunk) and noticed just how cheap, thin, and flimsy the factory material was. It's little more than the thickness of a greeting card, has virtually NO weight, no density, and if the factory spent more and $1 for it, they wasted their money. I remember thinking how could a $60,000 car have absolute rubbish for sound proofing?
To reduce your noise, you would need to do the same and in all honesty you will need to dismantle your doors and add matting there as well. Those two mods should make a very noticeable difference but you may want to consider yanking the carpet up and matting under that as well. I'm not sure how comfy you will feel doing that to a leased vehicle that you may not want to keep at lease end. Remember, by the time your lease ends, the actual re-designed Q70 will be released.
I reckon to cover the doors and the trunk area it will cost about $400 without installation and many hours or removing door panels, trunk liners, etc.

[gwoods]

My 2013 m37x is too quiet. I appreciate a little audible feedback from the tires and mine came with nexan 9000's or something like that that are horribly quiet.

[Altered]

This is interesting, as I read somewhere that the 2015 model had improved sound suppression. Then again, I also read Paddle Shifters were standard on Non-Sport models. I guess a trip to my local dealership is in order.

[biker]

Hi, my name is Holger and I'm from germany. So please excuse my bad english.

Are you shure that you still have the double glazed front and rear windows?
Maybe you can check that out and tell me, because I would like to replace my M35h with the new Q70h.

[insanex1]

Ordering a car without test driving it is like getting married without going on a date.

[RL15Q70S]

I went from a 2013 G37S to the 2015 Q70S and after driving both cars the Q is definitely quieter and rides much smoother. ( I don't have any experience with the older M's) I use EZ pass in California and it is attached to the inside of my windshield, no issues with it interfering with my OEM electronics, Valentine 1 radar, or front mounted DOD LS460 camera. I will say that the Summer tires that came with mine are getting louder as they wear so I will be purchasing a different set of all season tires this Fall. Waiting for the redesigned Q70S!

[lovemycarM35]

I have a 2011 M37 and It's not too loud on the Highway.. also that leather issue holds true with the Q50 as well, my friend has a 2014 and his seats are synthetic leather, you have to have the tech package for leather wow what a rip off that should be standard. it seems it's a way to make more money. and from what I can see the Q50's have a better navi then the M wtf

[RL15Q70S]

My sons 2014 Q50 came equipped with premium package, navigation and 20" wheels along with leather seats (extra $1000.00) with no tech package. If you have seen or used the navigation in the Q50 you will be disappointed with ours.....

[InfinitiAce]

Did you have the luxury touring package with your 2012 M37? The leather on the luxury touring is far nicer than a standard model. That is why you may feel like your new Q70 is cheaper. The package also includes this:

Key FeaturesWhite Ash silver-powdered wood trim Unique quilted seat pattern and additional seat bolstering Suede-like headliner Premium stitched meter hood Semi-aniline leather-appointed seating Bose® Studio Surround® sound system[*] Premium soft-touch materials Power rear sunshade

As far as road noise, I can't imagine that it would be worse than the 2012. Road noise is my biggest complaint with this car. On the rough CA highways, it is just awful at times. I switched from the Michelins to the Hankooks. They are a little quieter, but not much.

[jmissile]

I feel like the cars been noisy since I got my 11 m56s but figured it was normal and noticed a big difference when i put new tires on .I've had a couple of mechanic tell me that they tought that the wheel bearing in the rear is going bad but havenot addressed it yet since i only halfway wanted to believe them.Interesting is my 04 g35 coupe had the same sort of noise from the road went through many different tires trying to make it better and actually replaced the rear wheel bearing after owning it for 60k miles lol and voila it was the most quiet vehicle I've ever owned

[M37xfan]

bad tires, bad roads will lead to more noise