Did anyone that purchased an A6 or would like to purchase an A6 also look at and test the just released 2006 Infiniti M35/45? I have seen quite a few people that were considering an A6 switch to the Infiniti on the Edmunds forums. Comments on your A6 decision? Reviews/comparisons of the two cars??

Following some background is the text of an e-mail I sent to my Infiniti dealer, after seeing the 2006 M35 in the flesh.

Some background is that I came from owning / leasing 7 BMWs, mostly 7-series, including 2 750iLs, to Infiniti in 2002. I leased a G35 sedan for 7 months, followed by a G35 coupe for 6 months, followed by an FX45 for 22 months. The FX45 was a great car, but a gas guzzler, and poor visibility when changing lanes. Decided I wanted a car, which led to my quest. I discounted BMW 5 series immediately due to its styling and price ($20,000 Cdn more than the M45 sport).
In January, I put a non committal deposit on a 2005 A6 3.2L, with most features, e.g. NAV, Partronic, Premium sound, 18" wheels, etc. I also talked to my Infiniti dealer who was obviously anxious to keep me as a customer, and promised me the first M45 Sport he was expecting in early Feb. When I saw an M35 in the flesh in Feb. 4th, I went back to Audi for a final look and decision. What follows is my e-mail to the Infiniti dealer explaining why I was choosing the Audi over the M45:

After much soul searching and analysis, plus a revisit to the Audi dealer today, I have decided to proceed with leasing the Audi.

This has been the hardest decision I have had to make regarding a car, and it has not been taken lightly.

What tipped the scales in favour of the Audi over the M45 include:

- Both my wife & I much prefer the exterior and interior styling of the A6 over M45
- larger trunk space, i.e. 18.0 cu. ft. vs. 11.4
- fold down rear seats
- all season tires vs. performance summer tires
- better gas mileage, conflicting statistics, but expect A6 to be better by 2-4 MPG
- all wheel drive vs. RWD. We don't get a lot of snow in Vancouver, but enough to make AWD appealing
- 6 speed vs. 5 speed transmission
- 4 years all maintenance included with Audi
- 42 vs. 48 month lease commitment
- the monthly lease payments were essentially the same, i.e. within $5 per month

I also created a spreadsheet comparing them with a few other cars, comparing dimensions, performance etc.

I picked up my A6 yesterday, and so far am very happy with my decision. I probably would have been just as happy with the M45, but styling, and free maintenance with Audi, tipped me in that direction.

Hope this helps. If you want the Excel spreadsheet, e-mail me at a3b12498@telus.net

Well I for one am buying the M35X. Don't get me wrong, I love my Audi <2001 2.7T> and I really loved the new C6, but having driven both of them and also seeing what comes standard, and in packages, I decided that the M35X was a better buy. As far as I was concerned, there was negligible difference in the way that they both performed.

In the end, drive both cars back to back. Make an appointment with a factory trained Audi Brand Specialist (every dealer has one), so they can go over the features with you.

Do you plan to keep the car for a long time (ie. out of warranty)? If so then advantage Infiniti or Lexus.

Do you want AWD with a V8? If so then A6 4.2 is the only choice.

Do you like the styling of one vs the other? To me they are both "fine" but expensive given the lack of excitement. To me the GS looks the best of the bunch and the M/A6/RL are all about equal. But that's personal preference.

I think dissecting minor differences in AWD systems is a waste of time.

If you want RWD then your choice is made!

After owning an Acura Legend, Lexus SC300 for 7 years and an Audi A6 4.2 for 5, there are definite maintenance differences. I am also going through the exercise of looking at the new A6 4.2 and the Infiniti M35AWD, the new GS300AWD and the Acura RL. Even though the Audi looks much better on specs, HP, etc. the maintenance has been a nightmare. 2 mass air flow sensors, 2 sets of brakes, tie rods and various other odds and ends that I never encountered with the Lexus or Acura. I do like the Audi "personality" better but the maintenance compared to the above Japanese brands is a killer. Also, the Audi service is not up to the Japanese luxury brands IMHO.

(which as drop 3 points since last year, as Audi has increased by 8 points).
There has been a huge increase in reliability over the past 5 years.
You will be suprised.
My dad's 99 A6 was pretty much flawless, that is why he is now in a new 2005 A6 3.2.

Can't speak for the Lexus, but I've driven the RL and the M35. Neither can compare the A6 in driving "feel". The RL does not feel like it has 300hp under the hood until you are well up in the rpm's. Handling of both is soft compared to the A6.

In spite of the initial quality "look" of the Japanese cars, after a couple of years you WILL be disappointed. Audi interiors hold up better than anything else in the industry while Japanese interiors use inferior materials (cheap plastic components.....I happen to be in the plastics business and work with a couple of Japanese automakers on interior components). The leather in the Japanese car will have creases and scratches while the Audi leather will still look new.......provided you clean it from time to time.

Here is how I would put it. If you want a lot of "gee whiz" electronics and like to RIDE in a car, but a Lexus/Acura/Infiniti. If you like to DRIVE a car, but an Audi. I don't care how long they try, the Japanese manufacturers will never capture the driving experience you get in a German car.

One report doesn't mean much. We're talking about statistical significance.

Lexus has topped JD Power quality for 10 years straight. Audi happened to get highly ranked in one consumer report. There's a big gap between them.

<center><img src="http://www.jdpower.com/presspass/pr/images/2004055b.gif"></center><p>

<center><img src="http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2003050b.gif"></center><p>

<center><img src="http://www.jdpower.com/presspass/pr/images/2002141a.gif"></center><p>

My pics are directly from the jdpowers website.

Refute away!

it's the Consumer Reports Rating- Luxury Models
Problems per 100 vehicles.
(2004)
Acura: 10
Lexus: 11
Infinity: 11
Audi: 12
AVERAGE: 15
Cadillac: 16
Saab: 16
Volvo: 17
BMW: 21
MB: 25

In 2003,
Lexus: 9
Infinity 10:
Acura: 13
Saab: 15
AVERAGE: 18
BMW: 19
Audi: 20
Vovlo: 20
MB: 22
Cadillac: 25
Jaguar: 30

Not to start a war, but, the following was seen today:

Here is a preview of the upcoming 8 car comparison in the May issue of Car and Driver. The M45 Sport (a pre-production unit) was up against the Acura RL, Audi A6 4.2, BMW 530i, Cadillac STS V8, Jaguar S-type 4.2, Lexus GS430 and the Mercedes E350 in its first major buff book comparison test. The vehicles placed as follows (with a possible 250 point maximum score) with the M45 Sport coming out on top:

1. M45 (219 points with 24 of 25 points in the "fun to drive" category, along with 3 other "bests")
2. RL (215 points)
3. GS430 (208 points)
4. E350 (202 points)
5. A6 (199 points)
6. 530i (198 points
7. STS (191 points)
8. S-type (181 points)

I have the pdf article, but not sure how to post it.

I guess you meant consumer reports.

But like I said, one year anyone can get lucky.

Audi needs to build a multi year track record before they can be in the same stratosphere as Lexus.