clarification: for anyone that needs additional info: M35 Sport with tech pkg. 

M35 7AT with a twin turbo and 400 RWHP...it would rock!  I still like the looks.

What I didn't like about my M? 

1. The exhaust note, too pale, it should have the exact same note as the FX, which is the best stock exhaust out there.
2. More adjustments for the driver seats, specially thigh support extension.
3. Integrated side windows shades (like on the Sequoia, BMW)  and auto rear window shade, (à la Mercedes).  This is only available on the Premium package still?  Even the C class has it standard with sport package.  This is a must for kids (and to better watch computer screen in bright sun light, etc.)

What I really did hate?  Nothing.  But it should have more power.

I miss my M. I wouldn't say the same about a new one. I dislike the changes they made to the front/rear bumpers, etc. I will also second Ohmster on the styling starting to be dated - I was actually going to post a comment on that today. i saw an M on the road tonight, and for the first time ever, thought 'wow... it's actually starting to look old'. I remember when it was brand new, it was a head-turner.. now it seems like it's missing something.

To me, the M35 "Sport" (vs luxury) to me is considerably more "luxurous" than the G3X(S) (and I DO like the G, so this isn't a knock against it)..  When I get into the G, it has some things that make it feel "cheap"(er) to me (but it's in the right price range).. but when you then cross shop it with the M, the M (to me) is clearly the "nicer" car.

Beyond the silly styling cues that I personally dont like, the car is just.. a really great car, especially for the money. The only things I can think of, that you don't care about - the M doesn't have the "real" brake upgrades like the G3XS does. After that, it just comes down to pricing... would I pay $10K more for an M35 over a G37? Nope. $5-7k? Maybe...

The one major feature for me would be the oil dipstick location. You need a friggin' doctoral degree from the Colorado School of Mines to find it and reinsert it and a 1 million watt searchlight to finally see if you stuck it back in the right place. 

Since I lack either, I once reinserted it right before a big trip; not. After driving for about 200 miles the engine started to smoke badly and I immediately stopped. I saw I had a bad oil leak "somewhere." I limped into Sears. We looked all over for the leak-couldn't find it-oil was everywhere!!! Finally someone decided to check and see how much was gone-they discovered the dipstick not inserted-but firmly planted right alongside the opening.

I told them I had no idea who checked the oil last...

Friggin' dipstick!!!

52K for a '35? Wow. But the $6k incentive is nice.. personally i like the aluminum-ish trim over the woods that infiniti offers. Are you set on a '35, or have you considered the 45? I think they'd be trying even harder to ditch those.

I'll ask about additional M45 incentives, but the way it was presented to me it was $6k for either or 1.9% or a mixture of both (which was the angle I was going to play).  A similarly equipped M45 would be about 56k and includes a gas guzzler tax... ugh. 

Gotta say i'm a big fan of the 7AT and I thought as far as power it held company with the G.  The only real perceivable difference in driving style of the two was it seemed the M had more body roll... but then I'd probably be dropping it anyhow, so it could be a moot point. 

I liked the aluminum (braided) too, but the african rosewood wasn't bad.