[ron37S]

I'm currently on my third G 6MT, and while it's in the shop to resolve the oil burning issue I have a Q50 on loan. My commute is 2/3 in the mountains (about 40 miles a day) and 1/3 on surface streets, so being able to turn is kind of important

First impressions of the Q50 (yes, I know it's not a Q50S) is that handling is noticeably worse than the G37S, and also worse than the regular G37. Over the last six months I've driven about six non-sport G37 loaners on the same roads, so I have some comparison points.

Though the car does not require constant adjustment in corners, it inspires almost zero confidence on turns at 30mph+. I initially thought I had traction problems, but the road was dry and the tires have ~1000 miles on them. Yesterday I found myself holding up a Dodge Neon in the mountains, and after letting him pass didn't feel willing or able to even try to stay with him. What I also find curious is that the steering has good feel on surface streets, but appears to noticeably lighten up and become very detached once things become more twisty - which is very disconcerting.

On a positive note, the transmission no longer emits a horrible noise when in manual shift mode (note again, I've driven six G37's in the last six months and they all sounded pretty bad), and when you shift to manual mode the display tells you what gear you are in

And did I mention that the non-sport seats provide little or no lateral support?

I hope to try out a Q50S at some point in the future. If it isn't significantly better than the Q50 this will be my last Infiniti. If any of you guys have advice on settings etc. I can try out to turn this into a real car please let me know.

Ron.

 

[equetefue]

weird... I had a G37s and a M37s and I feel the Q drives better IMO. It does feel different though since there is a somewhat lack of road feel/vibration on the steering wheel.

 

[SnowItch]

I have a Q50 on loan.

Which model? Which options?

 

[ron37S]

It's kind of a disappointment for me - though I'm still hoping the Q50S is better. I'm feeling that Infiniti may be going through what BMW have gone through over the years, where they oscillate back and forward between handling feel and comfort. I've been switching between the different driving modes also - sport mode doesn't appear to help.

What I have also noticed during the course of having numerous loaners is that there are good ones and bad ones. Some have definitely handled better than others, though none of them has been a sport model. I wouldn't expect a Q50 with 1000 miles on it to be already 'severely broken in' though...

 

[ron37S]

Which model? Which options?

Appears to be a Q50 Premium - no nav but heated seats.

 

[SnowItch]

Hmmmm... Don't know what to tell you.

I do know that my Q50 would blow away a Dodge Neon without even thinking about it.

Had it on some back country roads on Wednesday and it handled like a dream through some very sharp corners.

There have been some complaints on this forum about the non sport seats (while others seem to like them). I have the sports seats and love them.

Your experience definitely doesn't reflect mine.

 

[ron37S]

Hmmmm... Don't know what to tell you.

I do know that my Q50 would blow away a Dodge Neon without even thinking about it.

Had it on some back country roads on Wednesday and it handled like a dream through some very sharp corners.

There have been some complaints on this forum about the non sport seats (while others seem to like them). I have the sports seats and love them.

Your experience definitely doesn't reflect mine.

It's not purely a matter of straight line performance, it's having the confidence to take the switchbacks and hairpins at the same speed. With my G37S, no problem. With the Q50, I'm not so sure.

 

[andrew]

I thought I saw tests that the hybrid sport was pulling .89g.
I think maybe a hair less than a G37S.

There wasn't much testing on say a stock Q50.
The little I found I thought it was like .10g - .12g behind the hybrid sport.
It seems mainly because the tires suck.

I couldn't find any data on a Hybrid (without sport package) either.
This config has the sport suspension, but again not good tires for handling.
It might be better than a stock Q50 just because it has the sport suspension.

It's not purely a matter of straight line performance, it's having the confidence to take the switchbacks and hairpins at the same speed. With my G37S, no problem. With the Q50, I'm not so sure.

My guess is this has to do with the ride quality trade off as well as the tires mentioned above.
I have a g35 with the sport suspension.
I found the Q50S was a way better / less harsh ride.

 

[ron37S]

I thought I saw tests that the hybrid sport was pulling .89g.
I think maybe a hair less than a G37S.

There wasn't much testing on say a stock Q50.
The little I found I thought it was like .10g - .12g behind the hybrid sport.
It seems mainly because the tires suck.

I couldn't find any data on a Hybrid (without sport package) either.
This config has the sport suspension, but again not good tires for handling.
It might be better than a stock Q50 just because it has the sport suspension.



My guess is this has to do with the ride quality trade off as well as the tires mentioned above.
I have a g35 with the sport suspension.
I found the Q50S was a way better / less harsh ride.

Your point about the tires is interesting. There isn't a great deal of off-center play in the steering wheel, but the feeling when cornering is akin to losing some lateral grip. I checked today and the loaner does have RTFs.

 

[InfinitiPlusOne]

Go test drive a Q50S with DAS. Make sure to select Personal mode with the following setting: Sport Transmission, steering weight/response to Heavy/Quick or Standard/Quick (try both). Put it on manual shift.
This will give a more fair comparison to your G37S.

Appears to be a Q50 Premium - no nav but heated seats.

 

[andrew]

I've seen posts from people that have a Q50 stock and say they feel like their driving on Ice.
Probably they are exagerating a bit.
But they didn't seem happy with the tires.

There was some debate to weather Run Flats need to break in?
So it's possible that is the issue to with driving it right off the lot and flogging it in the turns.
I don't know myself. I've never had run flats before.

One thing with the Hybrid Q50S.
I imagine if it had sport rubber tires it would probably be the same as a G37S.
You still get run flats on the Hybrid Q50S.
they just switched them to summer run flats and you get 19/245 instead of 17/225.

 

[ron37S]

Go test drive a Q50S with DAS. Make sure to select Personal mode with the following setting: Sport Transmission, steering weight/response to Heavy/Quick or Standard/Quick (try both). Put it on manual shift.
This will give a more fair comparison to your G37S.

Thanks - that's useful advice. I'll keep it in mind when 'test drive' season comes up for me next year (end of my lease).

 

[SimpsonTide985]

ron,

This thread is relevant to your interests. This discussion has been brought up many times before.

http://www.infinitiq50.org/forum/new-2014-q50-general-discussion-forum/15633-non-sport-q50-rides-like-boat.html


In short, the Non-Sport Q50 has been tuned to be more refined, comfortable, and quiet than the outgoing G37. The Sport Q50 is a very different animal.

 

[rbartick]

I have a Q50s and I think it handles very nicely for a sedan. I have no issues taking spirited turns. As a point of reference I also own a Corvette Z06. I've never driven a Q50 premium.

I also have no issues whatsoever with DAS. I read all the reviews that said the system sucks, I test drove the car twice, I could not figure out what the mags were complaining about, so I bought it. My car now has 2,300 miles and my opinion is the same.

 

[bdbaity]

Go test drive a Q50S with DAS. Make sure to select Personal mode with the following setting: Sport Transmission, steering weight/response to Heavy/Quick or Standard/Quick (try both). Put it on manual shift.
This will give a more fair comparison to your G37S.

THIS!!! ..... Also changing the tires out help a lot! My Q can hold corners almost as good as my 370Z could.

 

[druhoops]

not sure if I'm on topic or not... but I'm pretty happy with the DAS and handling. I must admit I've had the car come a little loose on a cloverleaf - but I was pushing pretty hard. The chassis control kicked in and kept the rear end from coming around. I did not feel it lose grip in the steering wheel, but I could feel the car shift a little, as if all four tires were starting to lose grip. I think the run flats are the worst culprit for bad handling/grip. But like I said - it handled pretty well - and I'm happy with the results.

 

[cvipgo]

not sure if I'm on topic or not... but I'm pretty happy with the DAS and handling. I must admit I've had the car come a little loose on a cloverleaf - but I was pushing pretty hard. The chassis control kicked in and kept the rear end from coming around. I did not feel it lose grip in the steering wheel, but I could feel the car shift a little, as if all four tires were starting to lose grip. I think the run flats are the worst culprit for bad handling/grip. But like I said - it handled pretty well - and I'm happy with the results.

You would not even felt the skid If you had the AWD ( Infiniti intelligent awd).

 

[papadoc]

Coming into the Q50 fold with Hybrid sport with full options, setting personal mode to Standard/Quick, I am not disappointed when compared to my Audi RS6. Of course the power is not the same, but as the quickest hybrid on the road, I am fine with that. I was talked into the full option package by Sinecure on this board, and am happy to say that he was correct. The DAS has been more than fine, and I just grin when I feel the subtle nudges of the steering when on the highway. I have the 19/245 tires, and no issues out here in the Bay Area.

 

[Sinecure]

Welcome to the board papadoc. Glad you're enjoying the car. I got to drive mine in the little bit of snow that's left up here in tahoe. It goes well in it, even with the stock tires.

 

[vbx]

I know what you mean. I have zero confidence with this car on curvy roads. I have the non sport with DAS.

Something just doesnt feel right. It just feels artificial, there is no feedback and you are not sure what it will do. There oversteer on tight cornering.

Add to the fact that it rocks like a boat when you u make tight turns, it just doesnt feel safe so I just let off to be careful.

Again, this is the premium, non sport with DAS and 19" sports wheel.