Marven

hey all!
As some of you may know I am looking to get a E60 545 in the next 5months or so...however I have been reading all the posts and see that quite a few people are having differant issues/problems with their 545's....the Infiniti M45 is almost $10000 cheaper and it's more powerful and has the same features...however it's not just a BMW and mine is 16 yrs old and has served me well...so my question is has anyone made this comparison? If so I would be interested in in their opinions...it's more expensive than the M45 and the Lexus GS430....with less options...I must admit my brother has a G35 and the way it sounds and drives - it's impressive..I want to stay loyal to BMW but I am having second thoughts

My second question is the price of the 545 - should I consider the 530? Is there a HUGE differance? Just a side note I plan on keeping this car for the next 10 years...comments?

Thx
Marven

JFiRB

I don't think you can buy a 545 5 months later because it will be replaced by 550 soon.

kryptokat

Either get the extended warranty or stick with the Japanese Cars.

Marven

OK well lets say 550 then..

jpalmer51

I have a friend that was gonna get a 545 but didnt want to because the 550 is coming. Basically he didnt want to wait and went with a M45. His opinion is he said its a good buy, but he doesnt get great feeling like when he drove a 545. His opinion is he wished he went for the 550. His car already had the warning lights go on, and had to be services and his wipers didnt work. Its fixed now but every car can have its problems. Ive rode in it, and I think it is nice. I think it is a great value, but both of us agree somehow its missing that feel. I really think he just got it cause his lease was up and didnt want to wait for the 550.

Hope this helps.

JFiRB

then get a 550!

(is M45 still more powerful?)

I have seen several M45 on the road. To be honest, it just looks like a Altima or Maxima especially from the side.

OK well lets say 550 then..
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aultimateE60

all in 5ser

infiniti M got no game vs 5ser

ipse dixit

First of all, realize that you are posting on a BMW 5er board, so there's going to be a response bias.

That being said, there are pluses and minuses to both cars and one is not better than the other in any sort of absolute terms. So, for example ....

550 (or 545 if you cannot wait)
Positives: handling, distinctive styling, one of the best V8s on the market
Negatives: finicky ergonomics (i.e. those stupid cupolders), iDrive is still very buggy, ride tends not to be as plush as most midsize luxury sedans, cheap interior materials, expensive

M45
Positives: Plush ride, great NAV, great bargain (i.e., good cost/quantity ratio)
Negatives: bland styling (i.e., is that Maxima hiding underneath that skein?), performance and handling tends not be as aggressive as one would want for a luxury-sports sedan

Now, as far as reliability, the jury is still out on the M45. It's simply too early.

That being said, has the E60 had it's share of teething problems during its intro years? Sure, but probably not more so than any other first year model.

Bottom line it just comes down to what is important to you I guess. Drive both cars and buy the one that brings a smile every time pick up your keys ... Good luck with your choice.

P.S. IMO there is a huge difference between the 530 (or upcoming 540?) and the 550/545 iteration of the E60.

Simple1

I Haven't driven either car but I absolutely hate the interior of the M35/45! it's has gotten alot of rave reviews about how good it's engine is and handling so it definately has it pluses! ($10,000 cheaper huge bonus ). The most important thing you've got to ask urself is after u buy either car is when u wake up in the morning and driving either car u choose along and you see the other car are you going to regret not buying it! @ least that's how i make most decisions, I usually think about how I'm going to feel the next morning. So you know, I would slap myself everyday if i were driving my m35/45 and saw a 550i drive because I like the exterior and interior much more than the Infiniti not to mention the new engine that's going into the 550i. I also personally think that the gs 430 looks much better than the m35/45 as infiniti pretty much copied the Lexus design.

mrbelk

Consider that you could do a quickie Euro Delivery and get that 550 for not much more than you would an M45.

I think the M45 just looks like a big G35, and the interior is really not that ergonomic. I mean, the control knob/buttons for the NAV are way up high, and not even facing into the cabin (they face up to the roof). And I don't think you can get an M45 with a manual tranny; that eliminates it from contention for me.

I think that the BMW NAV systems get short shrift around here, too. I find that the NAV in the 5er is perfectly adequate. I've ridden in a friend's Honda Pilot and the much vaunted Honda/Acura NAV system pales in comparison to the iDrive NAV w.r.t. color depth, clarity, resolution, etc.

-MrB