Vs 2011 Infiniti M56 vs. 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Comparison Test

[cawimmer430]

^ And boy are they failing. What a horrible looking car! I predict around 25 sales in the whole of Europe (500 million + people) for 2010.

They are failing in Europe. I think they're quite popular in the US.

I still have not seen an official Infiniti dealership here, despite all these press releases of a "successful launch in Europe Russia".

They still have no diesels and smaller engines available in their cars and that's a big negative. Plus, their brand has no brand image. Most shoppers looking for a luxury car will drive past their dealerships (where?) pulling in at their local Audi, BMW or MB dealership instead.

 

[ree]

They are failing in Europe. I think they're quite popular in the US.

I still have not seen an official Infiniti dealership here, despite all these press releases of a "successful launch in Europe Russia".

They still have no diesels and smaller engines available in their cars and that's a big negative. Plus, their brand has no brand image. Most shoppers looking for a luxury car will drive past their dealerships (where?) pulling in at their local Audi, BMW or MB dealership instead.

Well, probably the new partnership of MB and Renault/Nissan will change that. I read in newspaper today, that Infiniti will uses MB engines in their cars then, so there will be some nice V6 diesel I hope…

 

[Human]

In the end the Germans reign supreme in this segment, overall refinement being the deciding factor. If I had to spend my money with the choice of only these two...easy! MERC and nothing Infinity, Acura or whoever tries could change the fact that my opinion and those of the majority buyers in this segment will always buy..Audi, BMW, Merc and if you did not know it already F10 will be my first choice

Simply put, though these comparisons are interesting and gives some perspective....I hate Eastern cars. I know, old news - thats just me

Why? You may ask. Simple! The German brands has been and always will be templates of engineering and technological marvels for the Eastern manufacturers to try and copy.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Reminder: The car company is called Infiniti not Infinity

Yes, I understand that some of you simply adore German cars. Thats fine, but don't be so quick to dismiss Infiniti until you actually drive one.

I can tell you from first hand experiece, their cars are no push overs. The Nissan GTR clearly showed Porsche that.

 

[MeanAffe]

They are failing in Europe. I think they're quite popular in the US.

I still have not seen an official Infiniti dealership here, despite all these press releases of a "successful launch in Europe Russia".

They still have no diesels and smaller engines available in their cars and that's a big negative. Plus, their brand has no brand image. Most shoppers looking for a luxury car will drive past their dealerships (where?) pulling in at their local Audi, BMW or MB dealership instead.

That's just your impression.

Infiniti already has two dealerships in Germany and several others throughout Europe. As can easily be observed here, Infiniti: Infiniti Händlersuche, the brand is also planning dealerships in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Cologne, with perhaps more coming in the future after 2012 (given sufficient success).

One month ago, Infiniti also released their first V6 diesel engine in the EX, FX and M range for Europe, for the first time from Renault's shelves. The powerplant is a 3 litre common-rail machine that produces more than 240 hp. Infiniti gets the diesel engine we were supposed to get ... in Europe! — Autoblog Green

Considering this, together with the fact that Nissan's luxury brand is entering Europe at very high quality standards while at the same time being virtually unknown to Europeans will provide them with a reputation of their own rather quickly. In contrast to Lexus, Infiniti does not carry the burden of first having to climb the quality ladder. Combine all of this with the, at least to my mind, very positive comments by European magazines and readers, and you've got a potentially successful brand.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Second Opinion

Executive Editor Michael Jordan says:

Maybe I've just lost my taste for German sedans. Now they've all become the same generic sausage, only cut into different lengths. Their differences in character and style seem like the result of battles fought long ago and far, far away. The Mercedes-Benz E550 sums up everything about these cars that has become irrelevant, from the unpleasant roundup of styling themes from the past to the overly processed driving experience. As always, I'm looking for the Real Thing, and this is not it.

So it's no wonder that I'm willing to sign up for the Infiniti M56S. Of these two cars, the Infiniti seems to be the one that really embraces modernity, something you can see in the way it has at last turned the styling themes and ergonomic layout of its cabin into a place that is unique to this car company, an identifiable style that Infiniti has been searching for since the original Q45 was introduced in 1990. The undulating exterior sheet metal isn't quite up to the same standard, but it tries to make a relatively new statement at least.

The M56S also drives much like I'd imagine a Q45 to drive. It has a useful amount of poise on the road, which makes it more alive than the somewhat soggy non-S example that I've also spent time in. It's a little too heavy on its feet, though, and it throws its weight from side to side and feels bogged down in wheels that are just too heavy besides. Even so, this car has a kind of toughness when it comes to fast driving that I like a lot. Like every Nissan, the M56S is dominated by its engine, and I particularly like the way this V8 seems to come on the cam and rip at high rpm, something that makes the engine far more dynamic than the industrial (although powerful) motor under the hood of the E-Class.

The German cars in this category have become downsize clones of their larger, luxury siblings, and the forthcoming 2011 BMW 5 Series shows that even BMW has given in to this influence. The Infiniti M56S tries harder to be right size, much like the BMW 5 Series has been up until now, and that's the kind of car that I want to drive into the future.

- 2011 Infiniti M56 vs. 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Comparison Test

 

[cawimmer430]

This Michael Jordan editor dude is a funny guy. Probably was born in 1990 or something and likes sporty cars. Good for him. But there is no need to make outrageously stupid claims that every other car in this class has become bland or less sporty.

Pitting the Infiniti M56S to a standard E550 was a dumb comparison in the first place: extremely sporty car versus luxury car with some sporty pretensions. Wow, great comparison! I wonder who will win the handling criteria?

Even an E550 Sport wouldn't stand a chance against an Infiniti M56. Both cars are made for different clients. Which brings me to my next argument. Every manufacturer here knows what their target market wants. The E-Class has always been a balance between comfort and sport - nowadays more than ever before. Maybe BMW has detected a shift in consumer expectations regarding the 5-Series. Maybe their market research has indicated that potential buyers want a bit more comfort at a little expense of sport?

I don't know.

The fact is, the new 5er is still a sporty car and those who want more sport can get the sport package or the upcoming M5 (or an older E60 5-Series): whatever. The facts also tell us that the number of real enthusiasts who buy BMW 5-Series is rather small. Out of 10 buyers, perhaps only 2-3 really care about sport and handling and the other 7-8 care more about the badge.

The German TV car show GRIP recently tested the old E60 530d against the new 530d. They said the new 530d was more comfortable, a little softer in the sport department but just as capable as the old E60 in that regard.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^True, probably wasn't the best idea. Might have been better if it was the regular M56 vs E550.