My test drive of the M45 Sport

[David00214]

My background is I have a 2003 G35C 6MT and a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE. I like sporty cars and have owned a Corvette and an Integra GSR aside from my G. From this point of view I can say the M45 Sport has an awesome ride. Those individuals out there saying it's too stiff must be coming from an old Buick with dynaride. The communication with the road is excellent and all of the electronics, well, they just work. The camera, the lane departure warning, the rear-active steer, the VDC, etc just work. You don't have to worry or fuss over them, they just aid you in getting around town safely. This is an awesome car.

My butt-o-meter tells me that my 6 speed G is just a tiny bit faster, but still, this car has truly awesome acceleration and cornering ability. I spent most of the time stuck in traffice so I can't give you a Motor Trend quality description, but I can say that I'm very impressed and if it wasn't for the fact I don't know who I'll be working for in 3 months I would have already ordered one http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The voice activation, navigation, 5.1 digital stero, are all stat of the art and very easy to use, even moreso than the nav in my G35. And if you haven't caught on to this yet, there is a SEPERATE dvd audio disc player just for playing DVDs. It's in the center console under the driver's armrest. The nav DVD rom is in the dash as well as the 6 disc changer.

The climate controlled seats work very well, but I was hoping for a little air coming thorugh the seat when cooling. Instead, it just gets cold.

The throttle blip on the manumatic is vey nice, and when you move the shifter from auto to manumatic it blips the throttle and shifts down in anticipation of your foot slamming down on the accelerator, no AUTO slushbox wait for it to happen kind of acceleration here http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I guess you could say I was impressed http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Pedro45]

I also drove the M45 Sport a couple days ago and here are my overall impressions:

Exterior: Very attractive car in darker colors, Black, Umbria, and Twilight Blue - I saw the former two. Was disappointed in Diamond Graphite. I love it on the coupe, but is not dark enough IMO for M. Sport wheels so much nicer than pictures show. I love them and will buy a 35 or 45 Sport for these alone.

Fit and Finish: This car is solid. Noticeably more solid than my 2003 G35 coupe. Doors close and open solidly, and even glove compartment opening and closing is of noticeably better quality than other "lesser" cars.

Interior: Aluminum trim in Sport models is gorgeous and classy. It is not shiny, has a texture and makes a bold and powerful statement, without being "boy-racerish."

Was impressed with dual climate having MODE setting and temp. setting for passenger. I had never seen this before. Sliding dual armrests were nice and practical touch. The nav and central commands seem easy to figure out if not self-evident. I have no experience with any NAV system or the BMW I-Drive, so I cannot compare. However, I have little doubt these controls would become 2nd nature to me within the first 3-4 months of ownership.

Lots of room in front and back. I am 6-3 and had plenty of room in front. In fact, I moved the front seat up considerably from the backmost position. My head barely touched the ceiling in back, but there is plenty of legroom back there.

Technology: I accidently made the lane departure warning go off and it works! I drifted into the other lane as I took in the beautiful cabin. I was in heaven and the car brought me back to earth. I then drifted on purpose and the system was very reliable and consistent. (I wonder if the mannered beep would become louder if stereo is blasting?)

The Drive: First, I was disappointed in the lack of low end torque. The car did not snap me back from a stop or anything under 3,000 RPMS. After that, however, the car will snap your neck. I used to have a 1999 Lexus GS 400 (300 HP) and it had much more low end torque but suffered in the middle range. Not a deal breaker, but I expected more from the standing throttle.

I loved the shifting. I would use the manual mode 95% of the time. The RPM matching when downshifting was interesting and certainly did not jerk you like downshift would in other cars. I wonder, however, if the downshifting could be used for braking as much in this car? It seems the RPM matching would not allow the car to slow down as much when downshifting (unsure?).

The suspension was very acceptable. It was firm and not too firm. The car took corners composed but I did feel like I was in a bigger car...perhaps to be expected coming out of my coupe.

Overall: Umbria Grey is gorgeous color...I only saw it at night under lights, but I think it is the most unique and best looking color on this car....only my opinion. My M35/45-Lexus GS300/430 decision is still gonna be VERY close. I have not driven the GS, but I anticipate it will not disappoint me. In the end, the technological goodies and slightly lower ($2,000) price (loaded with Journey and Tech packages) may sway me to the M45 Sport. I look forward to driving the M35 Sport to see if paying for the 45 is worth it to me.

Lastly, I picked up brochure and the spoiler and aero package look amazing. That lip spoiler is perfect. It is fist place I have seen any pics of the spoiler or aero package. WOW.

To those who drive these cars in the coming weeks, enjoy every second....you should have a blast.

[rcf8000]

I also test drove an M45 Sport today. It was platinum with the stone/aluminum interior, which I thought were quite attractive. I was concerned that the ride might be too stiff for my tastes (I currently drive an LS430 with 17 inch wheels), but I was pleasantly surprised; the ride, while stiffer than I'm used to, was not unpleasant at all. I thought the car was a blast to drive. The noise levels seemed acceptable, but I didn't get the car out on the highway. (I did get it up to 70mph on a city street, though!) The seats are a little firmer than I'm used to, but they are nicely shaped. The front passenger seat adjustments are unconventional, but I think I could get used to it. I didn't like the nav display as much as Lexus', but it wasn't "cartoonish". The car had the temporary spare, and I thought the trunk capacity looked adequate. The dealer also had a black M35 with Tech package in the showroom. Both cars had large "not for sale" signs on them, but the salesman said they would be for sale later. The cars had audio and video jacks on the back of the console. I asked the salesman whether you could plug an ipod in there; he didn't know.

[David00214]

My salesman said you could plug an audio/video device into the console

[D_Nyholm]

Can you adjust the air coming out in the cooled seats or is it just one setting?

Also, have any of you guys seen the Bourbon interior in person? How does it look with the rosewood (a required option if you get a Sport model with Bourbon interior). I am considering the Black M45 with Bourbon interior, but I am not so sure how much I like the rosewood since I haven't seen it in person!

[xmlguy]

Can you adjust the air coming out in the cooled seats or is it just one setting?

Unlike most cars that have a rocker switch to control heating, the M45 has a knob that can be turned from degrees of cold to degrees of heat ("off" being in the middle). The switch doesn't have "click stops", so I assume it is progressive.

Also I did feel cold air coming through - the seat didn't just "get cold". I had a t-shirt on that wasn't tucked into my pants and you could definitely feel it blowing. And odd feeling for sure, but one I know I'll appreciate in summer.

[David00214]

Can you adjust the air coming out in the cooled seats or is it just one setting?

Unlike most cars that have a rocker switch to control heating, the M45 has a knob that can be turned from degrees of cold to degrees of heat ("off" being in the middle). The switch doesn't have "click stops", so I assume it is progressive.

Also I did feel cold air coming through - the seat didn't just "get cold". I had a t-shirt on that wasn't tucked into my pants and you could definitely feel it blowing. And odd feeling for sure, but one I know I'll appreciate in summer.



Ah, most excellent to know http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I was wearing thick clothing and didn't feel it, also my salesman told me the seats didn't "vent" air. I have little doubt that he was just mistaken because it is a new car.

[dseag2]

Can you adjust the air coming out in the cooled seats or is it just one setting?

Also, have any of you guys seen the Bourbon interior in person? How does it look with the rosewood (a required option if you get a Sport model with Bourbon interior). I am considering the Black M45 with Bourbon interior, but I am not so sure how much I like the rosewood since I haven't seen it in person!



I sat in an M with the Bourbon interior today and didn't really like it. I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to interior colors because I had a GS Sportdesign w/ Saddle interior and loved it. I thought the Bourbon would be kind of orange-brown, but it had a lot more yellow in it than I expected. Didn't appeal to me. The Rosewood was nice though.

[jwaters943]

Lastly, I picked up brochure and the spoiler and aero package look amazing. That lip spoiler is perfect. It is fist place I have seen any pics of the spoiler or aero package. WOW.



I've been anxious to see what the aero kit and lip spoiler look like (as well as the splash guards, but Infinitis website sucks).

Can you tell me, does the kit/spoiler look like this pic?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jwaters943/fugaaero.jpg

[tmds]

They did not have an M45 with the aero kit on display at the dealership I visited. However, they have a picture in the brochure.

Excuse the crop region of this scan, the full photo doesn't fit on my small letter-size scanner.

http://www.tsotech.com/images/cars/m45-7.jpg

You can see that the aero kit is basically the same as the Fuga. It's a shame the rear bumper has to be so much thicker in the US market. The Fuga's bumper depth and the spoiler seem to jive so well.

It still looks excellent even on the US model, though.

[jwaters943]

Thanks for the pic! I never noticed the rear bumper on the M35/45 being different from the Fuga, but you're right, it is thicker. I also wish they would have stuck with the two slightly oval shaped exhaust pipes that the Fuga has. The exhaust they are using on the M35/45 looks a little overdone and too much like the Maxima IMHO.

[rayainsw]

I drove an M45 on Saturday AM - briefly 12 feb 2005

Briefly, because I did not expect to buy one that day. And I would drive one for much longer, before decision time, assuming the M45 Sport is on my final “short list”. I did want to drive their only M45 Sport before anyone places a deposit on it, as it looks like 3 weeks or so before ‘stock’ units will start arriving. (Right now, based on my brief seat time, it certainly looks like the M45 will make the cut . .)

I have read every review posted here and in some other forums – thanks to all for posting.

Here are my impressions.

Context: Current vehicle (at approx. 19,000 miles) 2003 Lincoln VS Sport (3.9L V8 – 280 HP approx. same TQ, 17” wheels w/50 series OEM Michelins – biased somewhat more toward comfortable ride and long tread life than ultimate handling). Published tests suggest that this car is capable of approx. a 14.8 sec SS Quarter. The M45 SS Quarter times I have seen are: C+D = 14.2, R&T = 13.8.

I have also recently driven: A6 4.2, S4, STS V8 (1SE & 1SF), G35, S-Type R

I did not even consider the M35. I similarly reject the A6 3.2 and new RL (other nice cars, certainly), as I simply want more acceleration performance from my next car. Even the A6 4.2, while not exactly ‘slow’, is significantly slower than the M45. (C+D: M45 = 14.2 at 101, A6 4.2 = 14.8 at 97) And this means the A6 4.2 is quite similar to what I drive now. And I am looking for ‘quicker’ this time around . .

Dynamically, I was very impressed with the ride and handling. With 19” wheels and low profile tires (40-s), Infiniti has done a very impressive job with the ride / handling compromise. At lower speeds (35 – 55) it struck me as stable, nimble, with well damped / muted response to bumps and broken pavement – impressive. Highway ride was steady, composed, stable.

I was not so impressed with the acceleration. Certainly, it was acceptable, just not quite what I had expected from reading published numbers.

[Aside: I recently spent 36 hours driving and S-Type R. An extended test drive. I mention this here not to suggest that the M45 and the R are comparable in all ways, but because both C+D and R&T published quarter mile numbers suggest that the M45 ought to be very similar in acceleration to the R. Within a few tenth over the quarter mile. And low 14-s high 13-s are very quick times for a 4-door Luxury / Sport sedan with an MSRP close to $50K. In that 36 hours (over 200 miles), I was very impressed with many things about the R – including the exhilarating acceleration – from any speed in any (of 6) gear. Now my understanding is that the acceleration times published for the R were somewhat less impressive than the weight and HP / TQ would suggest, due to early and drastically “torque managed” shifts in the 1 – 2 and 2 – 3 shifts. The acceleration in each gear was certainly ‘entertaining’. My guess in that the M45 did not ‘feel’ quite so impressive to me as I expected, as the M shifts apparently occur more quickly and at higher RPM. Thus the times are better than the acceleration in each gear might suggest – or the R times are worse, depending on how one looks at such things . . Also, the R had approx. 3,500 miles of ‘break-in’ – another possible contributing factor here.]

Confirmed 2300 rpm at 60. So – the engine was turning about 15% faster than I am used to. The engine is essentially silent at any steady speed I drove – up to about 80 on the Interstate. Meaning whatever noise it does make blends in unobtrusively. During acceleration the mechanical and exhaust noises blend into a rather muted but pleasant and expensive sounding hum. I could appreciate a bit more V8 heterodyne beat from the exhaust on acceleration – but that’s just me. And I’d prefer a deeper overdrive ratio in top gear – for improved highway cruising MPG – but that’s about my only real criticism here.

In deference to less than 30 miles on this M’s odometer (and expectation that some consumer will eventually own this car), although I did accelerate at WOT several times, but I did not exceed approx. 4,000 RPM. ( = TQ peak)

The Manumatic (I currently run in this mode 95+% of the time – and have both in my current car and 2 priors) worked quite well. The rev matching on downshifts appeared better sorted than in the G35-s I drove late last Fall.

Noise. I almost always drive with the Sunroof in the full vent position. Somewhere between 70 and 80 I began to notice some wind noise from the roof. Probably not a large issue – but interesting that the R had absolutely no wind noise up to over 85 . . .

Impressions M45 - Part 2

Interior: Comfortable and supportive seats. Plenty of room. Glad they moved the seat adjustments from the top of the seats (G35 and ‘concept’ M) to the sides. There appears to be more head and leg room in the rear than in the STS or Jag.

I was more impressed with the interior layout that I expected to be – particularly the center stack / top tier - sloped away from the driver. Odd – or at least different. In daylight, it certainly works OK for me. I will need to check nighttime illumination / visibility . . .

I did not particularly care for the aluminum trim. The only other M45 (a Non-Sport) had the rosewood w/ Graphite. Much more to my taste.

I was disappointed to learn that the specific interior combination that I would prefer (Stone / Gray) is not available with the Rosewood on an M45 Sport. Black / Graphite is not the best interior color for the Hot-Lanta area. Bummer . . .

So – with an M45 Sport, at approx. $50K, that has everything I’d want - except the Rosewood substitute for the aluminum.

It includes the suspension tuning I’d prefer and performance tires, cooled / ventilated front seats, appropriate gearing (one important reason I’d need to have the significantly more expensive 1SF or 1SG versions of the STS V8 is that 1SD and 1SE versions have a noticeably less aggressive final drive ratio) – and it does not include anything of significance that I’d not want to pay extra for. The interior and exterior size is appropriate for my needs.

Nice that if 23 MPG is all the highway MPG the M45 can achieve, at least a 20 gallon fuel tank is included. (I still find it v. odd that the STS V8 has a 17.5 gallon tank, the S-Type R, 18.5, and the S4 is similar – I do like to at least have a reasonable cruising range . . .)

All I really want / need is included in the M45 Sport – so $50K seems like a (relative) bargain compared to some otherwise similarly equipped vehicles. None of the additional options or available packages particularly appeal to me. By comparison, the STS V8, for instance, equipped as I’d buy it (1SF, for several reasons), lists for approx. $58K. Interesting that the S-Type R (if one could be found without the Nav System) would also list in the v. high $50-s. And the A6 4.2 as I’d buy it looks like it would list at $53 – 54K.

Exterior: Well, styling is clearly an individual / taste thing, but it certainly looks acceptable to me – particularly in black, where the curved front bumper to fender seam is not so obvious.

I am pleased to see that display of fundamental trip computer information such as MPG and DTE is available on the M without requiring purchase of the $2K Nav System – a point against the G.

“Bargain” may not be an entirely appropriate word to describe a $50K car – but in the context of several cars I see as competition, it certainly seems “value priced” for me.

Summary: Refined. Spirited. Comfortable. Solid. Competent. Fun.

Good job, Infiniti.

Cheers,
- Ray
Admitted acceleration junkie . . .