Rob L

Taken from a post at ToV these are the test numbers for the M35, RL and 530 from that comparo:

M35/RL/530i
0-60-6.3/6.7/6.8
60-0-118/122/118
1/4 mile-14.7/15.0/15.2
slalom-64.4/65.5/67.1
skidpad-.86/.88/.89


4' diff in brake distance. Sorry, but that hardly backs up the criticism that the RL has lousy braking ability. Slap performance tires on the RL and I bet it would beat the BMW in braking. Obviously, slap performance tires on the M35 and it'd do better than the 118 it got with its all seasons.

It would seem the RL was the 2nd best in slalom and skidpad next to the sport packaged BMW.

Pretty impressive if you ask me for a 4000lb AWD luxury car.

8-)

Forgive me for I am not a gearhead - higher numbers on the slalom and skidpad are better?

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

DownUnder

I think if the RL came with the A-spec package and the M35 with sport package their numbers would've been a lot close or maybe even a little better then the 530i Sport. I dunno why they didn't use an M35 Sport against the 530i Sport.

Rob L

well, to me it seems like the RL's numbers are close to the 530i sport...except slalom.

frainc

I just received the new Motor Trend with the 6 cars being compared. I didn't read it in these posts, but the M35 was the RWD version that they tested.

I want to see someone test the M35 with the AWD and then compare numbers with the RL.

And the slalom and skidpad were faster in the RL than the M35. Plus what would the price be on the M35 with AWD and getting it up to RL specs. The M35 was 215 pounds lighter than the RL, so yes, it should be faster in 0-60, by .4. With the M35 having AWD, I bet it will be about the same as the RL.

Again, it will be up to the person buying a car on which they will get, not by who is faster, etc.

Rob L

It would be nice if one of these mags will eventually do a test of the M35x with the RL. I understand why they used the M35 in this comparo but I personally am more interested in the M35x.

With similar equipment level the M35x there in the U.S is around the price of the RL. Here in Canada the M35x is priced quite a bit lower than the RL and every other car in the segment. Up until the M35x, the RL here was the best valued car in the segment. Kudos to Infiniti for the CDN pricing of the M.

As for slalom and skidpad, yeah the RL did an impressive job in these tests and it is equally impressive considering the tires the RL uses arent performance tires...they are just grand touring type all seasons. You slap better tires on the RL and it'd do even better in these tests. This of course (meaning its skidpad and slalom numbers and how they are accomplished with conservative tires) gets glossed over by those who don't care for the RL.

Anyway, here's hoping a mag runs a 50K AWD comaprison one of these days and is able to get similar equipped models from the companies. I want this test done rather than base M35x or base A6 quattro compared to the loaded RL.

phile

Now the tides have turned. That Japanese article posted somewhere here before, about the Nissan Fuga and Honda Legend, showed the Nissan outhandling the Legend. This new comparison in the US shows the RL outhandling the Infiniti. Just surprised no one has brought that one up yet

jrock65

We'll see how the M35x does. Usually, AWD slows down the 0-60 times, but enhances skidpad and slalom numbers.

phile

Yes, we'll have to see. Although I wish someone would test the RL with A-Spec package and see how it does with better tires.

Rob L

RL critics won't bring this up beause it in a way hurts their opinion. If the M35 had got better numbers in those two areas than the RL you can be sure you'd have heard them mention it.

I too would like to see the RL's numbers with better tires.

EZZ

The FUGA had the sport package...this M35 was the non-sport package.

larryka

Maybe this has been mentioned already and I missed it, but isn't the M45 the only model that's going to have Rear Active Steer? The M35x won't have it, correct? If so, I wonder what type of differences we'll see in the handling department between the M35, M35x and M45.

DownUnder

M35 Sport has RAS but the M35x doesn't.

larryka

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

phile

Makes it even more interesting to see an A-Spec RL go up against an M35 with sport package.

EZZ

The price would still be too high on the RL then. I believe an M45 sport will probably be the same price as the A-spec RL with the same content (both around $55k). For what its worth, the M45 did the slalom in 65.5 mph in R&T so the RL will probably handle a bit better with its AWD and A-spec. I guess if speed doesn't matter, the RL would be the better buy for some.

jrock65

- 2006 GS300 RWD -

Base: $42,900

Premium Package: $45,335
Rain Sensing Wipers
Adaptive Front Lighting System/Headlamp Cleaners
Moonroof
Power Rear Sunshade
Ventilated Front Seats
Intuitive Park Assist

Fully Loaded: $49,865
Mark Levinson Stereo
Navigation System

- 2006 GS430 -

Base: $51,125

Fully Loaded: $57,490
Mark Levinson Stereo
Navigation System
Rear Spoiler
Rain Sensing Wipers/Headlamp Cleaners
Moonroof
Power Rear Sunshade
Ventilated Front Seats
Intuitive park Assist

All prices do NOT include destination charge. The GS will not offer Lasercruise. Satellite radio seems to be an accessory.

jrock65

- 2006 GS300 AWD -
Base: $44,850

phile

What would an AWD GS300 fully loaded cost?

Rob L

The slalom for the RL in R&T was 65.1 mph...slap some better tires on the car (like the potenza RE050s the M45 uses) and I bet it beats the M45's slalom time. Not too shabby.



Jrock,

Are you sure about the GS430 not having laser cruise? On the Lexus Canada site it lists laser cruise as an option. Maybe this is a Canada only feature or maybe their site is wrong. I dunno.


phile,

just guessing but I would say the fully loaded GS AWD will be 51 and change.

catsailr

I just received my Motor Trend yesterday. I am considering trading my 04 TL for an RL, probably next year. The M35 sounded pretty good at the MT price of $41-42K. I checked on Kelly Bluebook and and AWD M35, equipped as the RL is $51,960. MT also said the RL "suffered" from the longest braking distance (60-0 in 122'). Shortest was 118'. Doesn't sound like "suffering" to me.

frainc

I laughted at that comment, 4 feet, give me a break. Better tires will fix that also. My lease is up in 13 months on my TL and I'm saving my pennies now so when the time comes up, RL for me.

jrock65

The M35 AWD (Journey and Tech), equipped like the RL, is $49,960.

Actually, the M35 AWD equipped in that way has more stuff, like rearview camera, cooling seats, lasercruise, and LDWS.

BTW, does the passenger seatback heat up in the RL? I noticed that only the passenger cushion heats up in the Accord and TL.

Rob L

haha yeah 4 feet is such a big bad distance to call it suffering...funny to me. As said, better tires and I bet it brakes in as good or shorter distance than that M35 and 530 118' distance they got.

jrock,

from the manual, only the seat bottom for the passenger heats up. Soemthing about the occupancy sensor for the airbag being the reason why the seatback doesnt warm.

Oh and I checked out the GS brochure and sure enough, we get alser cruise as an option on the 06 GS430 here in Canada. Where did you read it isnt on GS430?

8-)

Is the 430 RWD or AWD?

jrock65

The first allotment of GS's, at least for So. Cal, are not getting the radarcruise.

Thanks for the answer.

Rob L

RWD.

8-)

Thx.

dseag2

I was a "Lexushead" for quite a few years... I convinced my father to buy his first Lexus, a '91 LS400... but unfortunately I just don't find them interesting anymore. The GS, especially, is looking less and less impressive when compared to the competition. Maybe Lexus will pull something out of the bag and surprise us all, but I sure haven't seen anything so far.

Up to now, Lexus has grown their market share by producing coffin-quiet cars with top-notch fit/finish and reliability. That's great, but now other manufacturers are stepping up, and putting Lexus-like quality into a fun-to-drive package. Lexus certainly has a degree of brand prestige, but it will take more than that to continue as a market leader.

Rob L

I pretty much agree.

I am currently a lexus head but I must say I do not like the direction they are taking. The new GS doesnt do anything for me and I fear it is a sign of things to come for the brand.

jrock65

This review has some good interior shots of the M.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...infiniti_m.htm

Impressions of the interior:

"In fact, both "M" models continually surprise with their fine rendering of small components throughout the car. For example, the stitching on the seats, the aluminum gearshift base, the furniture-like wood surfaces and the carefully constructed knobs and buttons are among many interior and exterior components that receive an uncommonly high level of attention. The overall impression is one of quality, refinement and performance potential."

"Also available is a superb Studio Surround Sound Bose DVD audio system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 14 speakers including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat. This system offers such an exceptional listening experience that it will be the subject of a future article."

This is like the 5th time that a review has highly praised the sound system. I'm definitely curious.