Infiniti FX35-45? New SUV?

[Beekbmwm3]

I was thinking about getting a new SUV and wanted your advice...

I currently have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and my pops has a 4.4 X5. Therefore, I would want a BMW X5, but I would want the powerful 4.8, that's a touch too expensive!

Also, I was thinking about the FX35, anybody have any comments. I know Tom has one...what do you think about it?

Any other options in the $30-40k range?

Thanks

[bmwdance]

 

[Tom]

The FX35 is a great car and with plenty of horsepower. I personally love the design, but to most others it's either I love it or hate it.

I made this review awhile back, perhaps you can find it helpful.
Pro's:
1) Gobbles of power and lot's of luxury amenities. I love the fact that I can unlock and start the car without touching the keys in my pocket.

2) The Intelligent Cruise Control is wonderful for long distance trips since it can slow down your car to avoid hitting vehicle in front of you. You can also set your cruising distance any where from 30-150 Feet. The only problem that I've heard is that this may affect your radar detector.

3) The back up camera is one of those features that you can never live without once you've used it.

4) The navigation system is very easy to use and offers tons of features. The down side is that you can't input a new destination while driving, it requires that you come to a complete stop before enabling this option.

5) The Bose Audio system is by far one of the greatest systems I've owned.

6) The back seat is very comfortable and the rear offers good cargo capacity.

Con's:
1) Harsh ride. The 20" wheels are great to look at, but offer very little cushion on bumpy roads.

2) Leather is too soft and prone to wrinkles.

3) Minor noise from a few cheap plastic interior parts.

4) The clock is set too far down which requires you to tilt you head just to look at it.

5) The radio and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel are not backlit and will require some getting used to. The plus side it that you can fully operate the audio system from the steering wheel. This means switching bands, CD's, and volume controls, etc.

6) The roof rack can only support 100 lb., this makes me very weary of putting my bikes up there.

7) Seat warmers take to long to reach operating temperatures.

8) Cheap fuel door.

Any other questions ask away.

 

[Big Daddy]

I think that says it all. I like the looks of it, but have never driven one. I would trust Tom's opinion.

 

[tool fan]

I think those FX series are very nice....I don't think you could go wrong with either one. The X5 3.0 is ALSO quite a nice ride, with plenty of power. Good luck and post pics when you make your desision

 

[MrElussive]

The FX has more cargo room than the X5 and a very tight ride. But in the $30K-$40K price range, I think you should look into an X3 3.0i.

 

[bmw046series]

Just get an X5 and be done with it.

 

[codex57]

I love it other than what is a puny cargo area. However, the X5's space looks like a briefcase to me. I think I'm just not a fan of SUV's cuz there's not much "utility" in them to me.

 

[Beekbmwm3]

The FX35 is a great car and with plenty of horsepower. I personally love the design, but to most others it's either I love it or hate it.

I made this review awhile back, perhaps you can find it helpful.
Pro's:
1) Gobbles of power and lot's of luxury amenities. I love the fact that I can unlock and start the car without touching the keys in my pocket.

2) The Intelligent Cruise Control is wonderful for long distance trips since it can slow down your car to avoid hitting vehicle in front of you. You can also set your cruising distance any where from 30-150 Feet. The only problem that I've heard is that this may affect your radar detector.

3) The back up camera is one of those features that you can never live without once you've used it.

4) The navigation system is very easy to use and offers tons of features. The down side is that you can't input a new destination while driving, it requires that you come to a complete stop before enabling this option.

5) The Bose Audio system is by far one of the greatest systems I've owned.

6) The back seat is very comfortable and the rear offers good cargo capacity.

Con's:
1) Harsh ride. The 20" wheels are great to look at, but offer very little cushion on bumpy roads.

2) Leather is too soft and prone to wrinkles.

3) Minor noise from a few cheap plastic interior parts.

4) The clock is set too far down which requires you to tilt you head just to look at it.

5) The radio and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel are not backlit and will require some getting used to. The plus side it that you can fully operate the audio system from the steering wheel. This means switching bands, CD's, and volume controls, etc.

6) The roof rack can only support 100 lb., this makes me very weary of putting my bikes up there.

7) Seat warmers take to long to reach operating temperatures.

8) Cheap fuel door.

Any other questions ask away.

Thanks a lot for the help Tom! I appreciate it!

 

[Beekbmwm3]

Just get an X5 and be done with it.

You know, I love the X5 but the ride is a little harsh for me. Of course, I come from driving a M3 but for a SUV, or SAV as BMW calls it, the X5 seems to find a lot of bumps.

My dad got one of the first X5's way back when they came out. At that time, my car died so he gave it to me to take to college in Peoria, IL until I found a new car. It was crazy because in the small town of Peoria, people looked at me like I was driving a spaceship! I was looking for a car at the time and I would pull up and say "I am looking for a SUV", their response, "You already have the best one!" I ended up getting a Pathfinder, nice car, but not quite a BMW!

 

[MrElussive]

You know, I love the X5 but the ride is a little harsh for me. Of course, I come from driving a M3 but for a SUV, or SAV as BMW calls it, the X5 seems to find a lot of bumps.

It is not just you dude. I have always felt that way about the X5 with the Sport Package, but I never ever see them mention it in reviews. And if you think it's bad up front, try riding in the back seat....it's like riding in a schoolbus with leather seats.

 

[tool fan]

ooh I took a FX35 for a test drive yesteday.....just to drive one. WOW that is all I can say WOW. I was extremely impressed. Other than the a few apparent cheap plastic parts on the console....I thought it was a bad ass ride. I would definately buy one over the X5 now. Sorry.

 

[Wallie05]

Like some of the guys who posted already, I, too, was a little skeptical when the FX came out. Quite frankly, I was a huge "hater" of the car. I didn't really care for the styling at first, and I was a little jealous that Infiniti managed to build such a powerful, well-handling SUV. But I started carpooling in an FX45 with one of my co-workers this winter, and after spending considerable amount of time in it and driving it, my impressions totally changed.

First off, the V8 sounds awesome!! You have to hear to believe it; and it is super-responsive. I've read 0-60 times in the low-to-mid 6s ( that's damn good!!), but the actual feel when you step on the gas is even better. I've done a complete 180 as far as the styling--I know think that it's one of the better looking SUVs out there--and the 20s look great. As Tom mentioned, some of the interior bits looked a little on the cheap side (don't care for the huge/steep slab of plastic on the passenger side) but other than that, the ergonomics, seats, rear-seat space, overall rigidity and body control are top-notch. Most of all, I haven't noticed as squeeks or rattles in my buddy's FX (a huge pet peeve of mine).

Overall, I must say, the FX35/45 is hands-down the new price/performance leader. I don't doubt the next X5 will be plenty cool (though I'm a bit concerned about the styling direction) , I know it will likely be more expensive than both the current X5 (a la E60) and the FX. And who know's what the damn interior will look/feel like given the company's recent cheap-o Towncar-dash look-alike...

Congrats, Infiniti....you've won my appreciation....can't wait to drive the M35/45.

 

[MrElussive]

Nice review, Wallie!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

You know, I love the X5 but the ride is a little harsh for me. Of course, I come from driving a M3 but for a SUV, or SAV as BMW calls it, the X5 seems to find a lot of bumps.

As mentioned above the FX ALSO has a harsh ride... Which brings the conclusion that both the X5 and the FX and the X3 have harsh rides. I guess that takes ride quality out of the issue, what else is it that you don't like about the X5 3.0 or would like better on the FX to justify cutting one of the two?

Tom: Since you have an FX-45 are all those options you mentioned also standard on the FX-35, or is the 45 the same as the 35 with the exception of a bigger more powerful engine??

On the side note, I do admit that I like Infiniti's lineup G35 & FX especially. There just might be another satisfying option if BMW goes sour...

 

[Tom]

There are a few standard options on the FX45 that are optional with the FX35. Mainly the AWD system and the Sport Package which includes aluminum roof rails, 20" wheels, and sport pedals. Aside from all that, everything else is the same.

 

[Wallie05]

Nice review, Wallie!

Hey, just giving credit where credit is due. You know, I used to be like a lot of BMW-fanatics in that I totally discredited all other makes. During my sophomoric college years (I started posting here my senior year--03), I often looked down upon the so-called competition. I think part of the reason for that was such a huge "jump" between my first car in high school (ford escort) and car I had in college (the BMW). It was like night and day. Also, about six years back when I first got the 323, the performance/quality gap was still kind of big between BMW and some of its other competitors.

Today, with the advent of the new and improved Infinitis, Lexuses (Lexi??), and even with Audi upping the ante, I think the gap has shrunk significantly, if not all together and taken a complete reversal. There are still plenty of logo-coveters and brand-fans out there that will continue to pay BMWs increasingly high premimium, but I am no longer one of those people. In fact, I wonder how many people will still want to plop down 60K+ for cars that are constantly plagued by electronic and other mechanical gremlins. The "other" cars have gotten too good (e.g. G35, FX, GS, A6) for any even mildly budget conscious buyer to not seriously consider them. Since I started working for my own money and have taken myself out of my parents "financial shoes", I'm much more aware of how I spend my money. To discount said cars because of their logo is now plain childish to me; indeed, dare I say the Lexus and Infiniti marquee's have come into a right of thier own in the past decade?? Can't wait to sit in/drive the new GS!! Oh, and in case I never said it, I'm actually jealous Tom and MrE.....

Oh, and I haven't noticed that the ride is too stiff in my friend's FX (feels about right to me). There are plenty of freeway joints on our way to work and I think the FX handles them with aplomb. The tire noise can be a little loud on concrete straights (c'mon, they're 20s though!), but that's just quibbling if you ask me...

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Oh, and I haven't noticed that the ride is too stiff in my friend's FX (feels about right to me). There are plenty of freeway joints on our way to work and I think the FX handles them with aplomb. The tire noise can be a little loud on concrete straights (c'mon, they're 20s though!), but that's just quibbling if you ask me...

Yes, but have you also driven the exact same roads in an X5? If you haven't then you cannot really discount the X5 in the ride quality department. I am not singling you out for praising infiniti, it's just that you chose to respond to one of the FX's and X5's supposed shortcomings and addressed the FX ride quality compliant without mentioning anything about the X5. It's kinda like having two crimminals in front of you and saying "but he did community service" to support one over the other without ever checking in to see if that was a valid bonus to give to one of them over the other. In other words someone can read this thread and say well the FX doesn't really have a bad ride, but the X5 does since nobody has came to it's defense, thats all.

On the side note I really would like a side by side comparison of the FX and the X3/X5...

 

[MrElussive]

Hey, just giving credit where credit is due. You know, I used to be like a lot of BMW-fanatics in that I totally discredited all other makes. During my sophomoric college years (I started posting here my senior year--03), I often looked down upon the so-called competition. I think part of the reason for that was such a huge "jump" between my first car in high school (ford escort) and car I had in college (the BMW). It was like night and day. Also, about six years back when I first got the 323, the performance/quality gap was still kind of big between BMW and some of its other competitors.

Today, with the advent of the new and improved Infinitis, Lexuses (Lexi??), and even with Audi upping the ante, I think the gap has shrunk significantly, if not all together and taken a complete reversal. There are still plenty of logo-coveters and brand-fans out there that will continue to pay BMWs increasingly high premimium, but I am no longer one of those people. In fact, I wonder how many people will still want to plop down 60K+ for cars that are constantly plagued by electronic and other mechanical gremlins. The "other" cars have gotten too good (e.g. G35, FX, GS, A6) for any even mildly budget conscious buyer to not seriously consider them. Since I started working for my own money and have taken myself out of my parents "financial shoes", I'm much more aware of how I spend my money. To discount said cars because of their logo is now plain childish to me; indeed, dare I say the Lexus and Infiniti marquee's have come into a right of thier own in the past decade?? Can't wait to sit in/drive the new GS!! Oh, and in case I never said it, I'm actually jealous Tom and MrE.....

Oh, and I haven't noticed that the ride is too stiff in my friend's FX (feels about right to me). There are plenty of freeway joints on our way to work and I think the FX handles them with aplomb. The tire noise can be a little loud on concrete straights (c'mon, they're 20s though!), but that's just quibbling if you ask me...

Great observations on your part, I completely agree. And it is true that Infiniti, Lexus, etc. offer really great alternatives to the traditional BMW at a very competitive price. BMW is typically more expensive for the obvious reasons (Infiniti uses cheaper interior materials, cheap paint job, etc. etc.) but I think they are still well worth the investment. It really takes having the "BMW alternative" for a while to realize the little things that separates BMW from the rest. The little things that will put BMW at the top of my list when it comes time to turn in the G35C. My only hope is that BMW has the right car at the right time for me.