So BMW's ad budget is bigger than everyone else's and that's why they've gotten good reviews?? And the cars don't deserve it?

 

I've had both the 545i Sport and the M45 Sport.... my list

Items for the M45 over the 545 are:

Cooled Venilated Seats, not just ventilated
Plays DVD Movies on front screen and rear drop down screen
Wireless headsets with remote control
Audio/Video Aux Inputs
Plays DVD-Audio DVD's in 5.1 surround sound
MP3 6 disc in dash cd changer
Voice input of navigation addresses
Inifiniti NAV trumps the BMW NAV in ANY area
Rear Backup Camera
RDS works with navigation
Choice of XM or Siruis satellite radio
Smart Key, push button ignition
The computer system is much easier to use and much faster than iDrive
Tire Pressure Monitoring System displays PSI for each tire
Lane Departure Warning System
Rear Wheel Active Steering
Standard 19" Wheels without run flats
More milage on the warranty
Storage Space

545 Over the M45 are:

HUD
Better handling, lighter, little bit quicker
6 Speed Auto
Active Steering/Active Roll Stabilization
BMW Assist
Park Distance Control
Bluetooth Transfers phone book to car
Automatic Windshield wipers
Scheduled car ventilation
included maintenance while under warranty

 

Well, I'll have to say the M45 appears to be the better choice.....

.....on paper.

 

I've driven both, and I am happy with my choice. I love shifting the 6spd in my 5, and I love the look at it from all angles. The M35/45 is nice, but 6 years from now, or 8, what will it be, who will remember it. I plan to keep my 5 at least that long. Plus, nothing "feels" like the bmw. If you were blindfolded, you wouldn't know what car you were in with the M, the GS, etc. Once you sit in a BMW, you know it, you feel it. It is bigger than numbers on paper or reviews...it is something special and I feel it everytime I take the wheel. I made a great choice.

 

I won't have either more than a couple years.... BUT, I would defiantely know I was in the 5 series if I was blindfolded because of the uncomforatable lumbar in the seats...

 

My wife drives our 2004 BMW 530i and I drive a 2006 Infiniti M45. I find the Infiniti's seats MUCH more comfortable than the BMW's. I just can't find the correct lumbar adjustment in the 530i. I have tried the BMW sport seats and the comfort seats and FOR ME (no argument necessary) one of the selling points of the M45 was the comfort of the seats.

While I prefer the position of the iDrive wheel to Infiniti's "controller," the Infiniti responds instantly, while the BMW takes a second to engage a command. The bluetooth quality is a little cleaner in the BMW, but that iDrive delay makes it less friendly than the instant response you get with the Infiniti bluetooth. The nav screen on the BMW is better than the screen on the Infiniti because it is covered by a hood to avoid daytime glare. I can barely see the nav screen on the M45 when the sun comes in my car. However the functionality is a little better on the Infiniti.

I can say that the ride quality on both of my cars is excellent. Neither of them is a sport model, as my wife and I both prefer a luxury over a sport ride. In that respect, the BMW is a tad smoother. Of course I can't compare power as wifey's car has the smaller engine. What I will say is that with all of the options in our 530i and the options I chose in our M45, they both stickered at around $55,400. The BMW has a few options not available in the Infiniti, such as rear sunshade and folding rear seats.

All in all, two great but different cars.

P.S. FikseGTS...I love the pictures you posted on the M45 forum at freshalloy! Makes me want to buy a Canon 20D!

 

Sorry. I know this is off topic but, is there any chance you can post a link to those pics?

I'm in the market for a new digital camera and was looking at Canon's newly released EOS 350 which is the daugther camera to the 20D. A review I read showed that the quality of pictures of the two cameras were basically indistinguishable.

 

You betcha!

FikseGTS pics of M45 taken with Canon 20D

 

what is that? A Viper? OH YA... nevermind you posted pics of it and the 5er before...

WOW!!!! M45 Viper and 530!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geeeeeeeeeee

 

Thanks for the link.