Infiniti World Takeover continues with steer-by-wire

[850CSi]

I have perfect steering. No thank you.

[Lebowski]

I'm not sure about world takeover, the only desirable product in their lineup is the G, which is basically just the cheaper compromise vs. a 3er.

[SVT666]

I'm not sure about world takeover, the only desirable product in their lineup is the G, which is basically just the cheaper compromise vs. superior to a 3er.

[MexicoCityM3]

No brand has been able to get EPS feel 100% well, not even Porsche. This is even tougher. So Infiniti wil go from best to maybe last in class in steering feel. Word.

[Raza]

Hard Drivin' by Atari. My favourite arcade game ever. It's how I learned to drive stick.

I liked the one where you drove and shot a gun with a partner who would also shoot a gun. 

[Raza]

Nissans suck. 

[SVT666]

Nissans suck. 

You suck.

[TurboDan]

A number of boats are now "steer by wire" (Mercury Verado DTS engines, for example) and the "by wire" part really just makes the response faster, which in a boat is very useful (unlike, in my opinion, a car). It's still driven by a power steering pump like before. If the alternator goes, or there is some other type of loss of power, it reverts to a traditional hydraulic power steering application.

My assumption is that the same would apply to a car.

[GoCougs]

You suck.

BMWs, esp. 3ers, have become a caricature of a caricature of snobbishness; $40k+ for a 4-cyl compact??? BMW simply couldn't build a G sedan if it wanted to.

[Laconian]

YES

I fucking HATED that game! When you'd crash it would do replays that would chew away at your tiny-ass playtime quota.

[850CSi]

BMWs, esp. 3ers, have become a caricature of a caricature of snobbishness; $40k+ for a 4-cyl compact??? BMW simply couldn't build a G sedan if it wanted to.

[hotrodalex]

BMWs, esp. 3ers, have become a caricature of a caricature of snobbishness; $40k+ for a 4-cyl compact??? BMW simply couldn't build a G sedan if it wanted to.

If it wasn't for the 3 series, the G wouldn't exist.

[850CSi]

If it wasn't for the 3 series, the G wouldn't exist.

I have no idea which car I'd buy in that segment right now. I don't like turbos, but I just hate the way the G looks and how heavy it is. Not really a big fan of the VQ in general when I've driven it.

I'd probably get a used E90. Surprise!

[hotrodalex]

I'd get a CTS-V wagon. Does that count as the same segment?

[cawimmer430]

I have no idea which car I'd buy in that segment right now. I don't like turbos, but I just hate the way the G looks and how heavy it is. Not really a big fan of the VQ in general when I've driven it.

I'd probably get a used E90. Surprise!

Get a Mercedes C350 - non-turbo V6 and a smooth and excellent 7Gtronic automatic transmission! 

[sportyaccordy]

A number of boats are now "steer by wire" (Mercury Verado DTS engines, for example) and the "by wire" part really just makes the response faster, which in a boat is very useful (unlike, in my opinion, a car). It's still driven by a power steering pump like before. If the alternator goes, or there is some other type of loss of power, it reverts to a traditional hydraulic power steering application.

My assumption is that the same would apply to a car.

I mean they said right in the article if the system failed a clutch would engage a traditional steering rack. But the frenzy began long before folks got to that part of the article

BMWs, esp. 3ers, have become a caricature of a caricature of snobbishness; $40k+ for a 4-cyl compact??? BMW simply couldn't build a G sedan if it wanted to.

3er gets 98% of the performance of the G37 with 50% of the complexity and 120% the fuel efficiency

Also has the dynamic advantage of a 200-300lb lower curb weight

And loses the price disadvantage when you compare the 3 closest in performance to the G37.... 335i is out of the G37's weight class

Not to mention, Infiniti itself was essentially selling rebadged Sentra SE-Rs w/half the HP of the 328i and FWD for an equivalent of $30K base (compared to the BMW's $34K base price)

Wouldn't be surprised if the agrarian N20 turbo had better NVH than the space age VQ37... which itself doesn't even make the torque of its stoneage by comparison, smaller displacement ancestor, the OG VQ35... which itself is coarse as hell compared to the OG OG VQ30

I like both cars but you're being silly

[Laconian]

And Consumer Reports reliability is all :excellent: for the G, and all :poor: for the 3.

FLAME ON!

[GoCougs]

3er gets 98% of the performance of the G37 with 50% of the complexity and 120% the fuel efficiency

Also has the dynamic advantage of a 200-300lb lower curb weight

And loses the price disadvantage when you compare the 3 closest in performance to the G37.... 335i is out of the G37's weight class

Not to mention, Infiniti itself was essentially selling rebadged Sentra SE-Rs w/half the HP of the 328i and FWD for an equivalent of $30K base (compared to the BMW's $34K base price)

Wouldn't be surprised if the agrarian N20 turbo had better NVH than the space age VQ37... which itself doesn't even make the torque of its stoneage by comparison, smaller displacement ancestor, the OG VQ35... which itself is coarse as hell compared to the OG OG VQ30

I like both cars but you're being silly

Let's check your premises.

Turbo engines are more complex.
Nobody cares about "weight" or MPG.
335i is a lot more expensive for at most 5% more (objective) performance.
The 37VQ owns on 3er motors of the class.
As Krazy Kev points out BMWs are PITAs to own.
Also, the G has a far better AWD system.

Ergo, the G is overall the better car despite being 7 years old.

[MexicoCityM3]

3 > G & Everything else.

All your base are belong to us.

/Endthread.

[MX793]

When is the last time an alternator "packed it in" while you were driving? There is probably an equal possibility of your PS pump "packing it in", w/potentially more dangerous implications.

People had the same damn freakouts when DBW throttles, ABS and ESC came out, and lo and behold, many of those very same folks are driving cars equipped with all that shit and enjoying the HELL out of them. This knee jerk boy cried wolf reaction w/every new automotive safety tech is getting so damn tired.

I had an accessory belt tensioner go on my car which in turn shredded the belt that ran my alternator.  In the short distance I had to limp the car to a safe place to pull off and call for a tow, my power steering crapped out (electro-hydraulic).

[sportyaccordy]

Let's check your premises.

Turbo engines are more complex.Than VVEL????
Nobody cares about "weight" or MPG. We will do a poll.
335i is a lot more expensive for at most 5% more (objective) performance. Fair enough
The 37VQ owns on 3er motors of the class. No, and no
As Krazy Kev points out BMWs are PITAs to own. Fair enough
Also, the G has a far better AWD system. Do you rally race your G? For 99% of drivers the difference doesn't matter

Ergo, the G is overall the better car despite being 7 years old. G has some upsides, 3 has some upsides, it depends what your priorities are. But the 3 def has some big upsides over the G

[sportyaccordy]

I had an accessory belt tensioner go on my car which in turn shredded the belt that ran my alternator.  In the short distance I had to limp the car to a safe place to pull off and call for a tow, my power steering crapped out (electro-hydraulic).

If anything, this system would have enabled you to keep the p/s while you pulled over before your battery died. I would not be surprised if they started making gear driven alternators to do away w/belt maintenance + losses.

[MX793]

If anything, this system would have enabled you to keep the p/s while you pulled over before your battery died. I would not be surprised if they started making gear driven alternators to do away w/belt maintenance + losses.

Gear driven alternators would be an absolute nightmare to design.  Not to mention vastly more expensive to produce and likely just as lossy.  There's a reason why nobody does gear driven cams anymore, especially in OHC motors.

[MrH]

Gear driven alternators would be an absolute nightmare to design.  Not to mention vastly more expensive to produce and likely just as lossy.  There's a reason why nobody does gear driven cams anymore, especially in OHC motors.

+1  Gear design is an absolute bitch.

[Laconian]

N55 uses Valvetronic, so yeah, its complexity is a superset of the VQ's.

[280Z Turbo]

BMW > Datsun w/ leather interior

Sorry, it's true.

[Laconian]

In two years, all BMWs will be FWD, steer by wire, and have special iPhone shaped pockets so the driver can seamlessly switch back and forth between texting and driving.

[Raza]

3 > G & Everything else.

All your base are belong to us.

/Endthread.

Yeah, solidly in the BMW camp now.  This car is awesome. 

[850CSi]

In two years, all BMWs will be FWD, steer by wire, and have special iPhone shaped pockets so the driver can seamlessly switch back and forth between texting and driving.

Fuck. Guess I need to hold on to mine.

[Secret Chimp]