330 / G35

sly · Dec 25, 2003

I test drove both cars and about the only thing that BMW has going for it is its reputation. The G35 sedan nicely equipped has an MSRP of around $35K, and the 330 similarily equipped goes for around $40K. The G35 has a really nice 6 speed, great brakes, superior handling, and a great fit and finish. I personally like its styling, but I guess some don't and that's strictly subjective.

So I guess it's going to be hello Infiniti and goodbye BMW. High quality, great performance, and low price are a tough combination to beat. I wonder when Infiniti will drop their 8 cylinder engine into the G35 like Audi did in their S4 and do batlle with the M3 and S4. I bet Infiniti could sell a G35 with 8 cylinders for the low $40s.

codex57 · Dec 25, 2003

G35 is a good car. Interior materials aren't the best though. That's been the main complaint. I wouldn't say it has superior handling though. I could take turns faster on my little 325 than on the G35 coupe I was playing around with.

donmbmw · Dec 25, 2003

I also test drove both the g35 sedan and the 330i. To me it was a no contest win for the bimmer. The G35 has awesome power, but the "feel" was different, and in my opinion vastly inferior. The bimmer just made me feel like I was in rock solid quality machine, the g35 had what I call a "nervous" suspension/chassis. I just did not have the feeling of confidence putting it through its paces like I did with the 330i. But like you said, this is purely subjective. good luck, with it.

sly · Dec 25, 2003

I wouldn't say it has superior handling though. I could take turns faster on my little 325 than on the G35 coupe

I didn't mean to imply that the G35 had superior handling to the 330. I should have used the word "excellent" instead of superior. Not that it's conclusive but if you check out the slalom MPH tests in Car & Driver and Road & Track, the G35 averages over 2 MPH faster than the 330 in the Magazines' respective slalom courses. Since the cars were new, I didn't push either more than around 80% of their max, but I think the drivers for the mags drove both cars at their max.

The 330 is certainly a fine car but IMHO, it's not worth $5K more than a G35 coupe. The only area where the BMW clearly excells the G35 is in the subjective prestiege category. But if the airplane propeller means nothing to you, than the G35 is a much better value than the 330 IMHO.

MrElussive · Dec 25, 2003

sly, are you looking at the G35 Sedan or the Coupe? Because the Coupe has a firmer suspension setup and 20 more horsepower than the Sedan, and the Sedan's rear end isn't so nice. The G35 Sedan is certainly a great value, but if it was between a BMW 330i and a G35 Sedan, my money would go to the 330i in a heartbeat (and this is coming from a G35 Coupe owner).

jonnyz16 · Dec 25, 2003

does the infinity hold its value as good as the 'ol propeller ? you know like resale and trade-ins ?

MrElussive · Dec 25, 2003

Hell no. Residual value after 3 years for a BMW 3-series is 60-65%. Residual value after 3 years for an Infiniti is 50-51% (which is the same projected value for the G35). That's why even though a 330Ci is $7,000 more, their lease prices are the same.

Beemerworld · Dec 25, 2003

BMW

Yes because the BMW in the test didn't have a sport package. Infinity is cheap car.

outpost22 · Dec 25, 2003

When we looked at buying (2 months ago) the Infinitys' looks just didn't do anything for us. We liked the Bimmers' looks much more, along with many other items. Thats why there's so much to choose from out there. Everybody's different [8]

sly · Dec 25, 2003

but if it was between a BMW 330i and a G35 Sedan, my money would go to the 330i in a heartbeat (and this is coming from a G35 Coupe owner

I'm looking at the coupe, and why would you go for the 330 in a heartbeat?

As far as the resale value of the G35 coupe, we won't know what that will be until at least three more years. I can't argue looks, that's subjective, but when you look at the objective categories like acceleration, braking, and cornering, the G35 coupe beats the 330 in each one. At least that's what Road & Track, Car & Driver, and Motor Trend report. As I posted earlier, the 330 only beats the G35 coupe in the image category. But I have to admit that to many buyers this may be the most important category.

codex57 · Dec 25, 2003

he meant between the 330i (sedan) and the G35 Sedan. The G35 Coupe is much more desirable than the Sedan.

sly · Dec 25, 2003

he meant between the 330i (sedan) and the G35 Sedan.

Now that I've reread the post, I think you are right. I think the sedan is also a fine car but not for the car enthusiast. The sedan is for a different market.

MrElussive · Dec 25, 2003

sly, I can't speak for 330Ci vs G35 Coupe as I do not own a 330Ci and therefore cannot accurately compare them. I have test-driven a lot of 3-series before and I have been in them a lot (friends have them), but I do not drive a 3-series on a daily basis, so I just don't want to compare the 3-series experience to the G35 Coupe.
But I can tell you this, my G35 Coupe kicks ass. It is an absolute pleasure to drive every day and I do not regret choosing it over the 330Ci one bit. The exterior looks really great (IMO), and the interior is really nice. The aluminum trim with black buttons and orange illumination is really nice and classy. The clutch is precise and stiff and the gearbox is clear and precise and provides really short shifts. Luxury features are great as well; dual climate control, Bose 7-speaker premium audio system, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, thickly-bolstered leather sport seats, heated seats, etc. And most importantly, the drive kicks ass. Acceleration is nothing short of amazing, the Brembo brakes stop the car with authority, and it eats twisty roads for breakfast (and the very audible growl from the exhaust pipes will put a big fat smile on your face).

Bmw 325i 7803 · Dec 25, 2003

sly said:

'nothing to you, than the g35 is a much better value.......'

It's rather difficult to take your "objective test drive" seriously when you have issues with then and than, respectively.

Bmw 325i 7803 · Dec 25, 2003

Oh and prestige has no e before the g

sarahj12 · Dec 25, 2003

Mr Elusive

Here in Australia we don't have the Infiniti G35 but we do have the 350Z

Just wondering did you consider the 350Z and if so why did you go for the G35? (A quick glance of the Nissan and Infiniti USA sites suggests they are quite similar in specs and price)

Before I got my BMW I drove a 350Z but unfortunately it didn't have a good feeling of acceleration - is the G35 a lot different in this respect?

flashinthepan · Dec 25, 2003

I like em' both, the G35 has more contemporary looks, but then again BMW seems to be going contemporary lately too .. [fake]

codex57 · Dec 25, 2003

I like the G35 coupe much better than the 350Z b/c of the looks and the fact that there's a rear seat. It's not very big, but at least in a pinch, you can stuff a couple of people back there. I may be wrong but I think the wheelbase is slightly longer for a smoother ride. Plus, if they cost about the same, I might as well get the one from the luxury dealer so my dealer treatment is nicer. Warranty is longer too.

Dave8812 · Dec 25, 2003

You should get both!

MrElussive · Dec 25, 2003

sarahj12 said:

The 350Z is great, but the looks of the G35 Coupe appealed to me more, and the 350Z's interior is a bit of a let-down. The G35 Coupe also has great back seats...rear legroom in the back of my G35 Coupe is better than the Jetta I used to have !! The only issue with rear seat room is the headroom...the low roofline limits rear passenger sizes to no taller than like 5'9". On the week-ends, it is not uncommon to for me to have 3 or 4 passengers, and the rear-seat passengers never complain (some of them actually praise the rear seat room).
Honestly, I did not even test-drive the 350Z or give it much of a chance...the G35 Coupe just appealed to me much more than the 350Z did...and it's pretty much the same car, except for 7 less horsepower, softer springs (although the ride still is pretty jarring), and a longer wheelbase so it is not that much sacrifice of the 350Z's performance.

As for the acceleration, I can understand why you felt that it wasn't too powerful. The reason is torque...that is the measurement of power to the driveshaft and it is what pushes you back into your seat. A BMW 330i produces its maximum torque of 214 at a low 3,500 rpm and I believe the torque continues all the way to like 5K to 6K rpm. So the 330i feels powerful throughout a lot of the rev band. On the other hand, the G35 Coupe produced its maximum torque of 272 at a high 4,400rpm. This means that the engine doesn't really feel powerful until 4,000rpm. Basically, if you want the 350Z/G35C to go fast, you have to keep the engine in the high revs. Once you learn how the engine works, it is an amazing machine and the manual transmission really helps you bring out all the power it has to offer.

I don't mean to sort of "sell" the car to all of you, I just want you to understand how great of a car it is...I'm basically trying to justify it. I mean, I chose it over a BMW...that alone should say A LOT !!
Or, I'm just an idiot and I made the wrong choice, but it sure doesn't feel that way! [hihi]

330 / G35

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