330 vs Infiniti G35
- Thread starter dpnguyen
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I own a 2003 330i SP 5-speed, and have driven a G35 sedan extensively. The G35 handles and goes very well -- chassis and engine dynamics are true sports sedan caliber. It has lots of room inside and is cheaper than a 330i. Despite many people's complaints, I personally I thought the interior was OK. The perforated leather seats are superficially nicer than the 3-series. The top-mounted seat controls didn't bother me. However the driver's left armrest was very hard and uncomfortable -- like vinyl over metal.
However overall it's not as refined as the BMW. On paper the G35 automatic sedan is roughly as fast as a 330i 5-speed. Actually driving them feels very different. The G35 has an exaggerated throttle tip-in, making it initially feel very fast. Then progressing to full throttle, not much else. Then at about 4500 rpm, a big kick. At higher rpm, engine is much louder than the 330i, and a little rough. At low rpm there's a V8-like exhaust rumble that's either cool or irritating depending on your viewpoint.
By contrast the 330i power delivery is very smooth and linear. It's torquey down low and smooth as silk at the redline. It takes more throttle angle, plus engine is quieter so may viscerally feel slower than the G35, but they're about the same. I wouldn't choose cars based on acceleration this close.
Handling-wise G35 has good turn-in and grip. Nice, fast steering response, yet not darty. The brakes can feel grabby, but you get used to that. However chassis isn't as communicative, and above 8/10ths in corners you're not as secure. But the highway ride is better and it tramlines less than a 330i SP. Infiniti did a great job on chassis and engine dynamics. Overall it's a very nice driving car.
But here are some G35 missing refinements: no telescoping steering column, no fore/aft adjustable headrests, no lighted steering wheel buttons, no self-leveling xenons, no adjustable thigh support, seat heaters slower and less coverage, nighttime instrument illumination either too bright or too dim, instrument lights can make distracting reflection on windshield. Individually these seem small, but collectively they make the G35 cockpit less nice than the 330i.
Another example of better 330i refinement is in traction control. If the G35 VSC detects wheel spin, it just kills engine power. Feels like someone turned off the key, it's so invasive. By contrast BMW's DSC uses automatic differential braking (ADB) which individually brakes the slipping back wheel. It's much less intrusive.
But despite any G35 flaws I highly recommend anybody in the market drive it. It's a good car and you get lots of bang for the buck, and plenty of interior room, esp in the back, plus good trunk space (sedan only). I think it's the best 330i sports sedan competitor, excepting maybe the new RX-8, a much smaller car. But if you don't need much back seat leg room, drive the RX-8, also.
However overall it's not as refined as the BMW. On paper the G35 automatic sedan is roughly as fast as a 330i 5-speed. Actually driving them feels very different. The G35 has an exaggerated throttle tip-in, making it initially feel very fast. Then progressing to full throttle, not much else. Then at about 4500 rpm, a big kick. At higher rpm, engine is much louder than the 330i, and a little rough. At low rpm there's a V8-like exhaust rumble that's either cool or irritating depending on your viewpoint.
By contrast the 330i power delivery is very smooth and linear. It's torquey down low and smooth as silk at the redline. It takes more throttle angle, plus engine is quieter so may viscerally feel slower than the G35, but they're about the same. I wouldn't choose cars based on acceleration this close.
Handling-wise G35 has good turn-in and grip. Nice, fast steering response, yet not darty. The brakes can feel grabby, but you get used to that. However chassis isn't as communicative, and above 8/10ths in corners you're not as secure. But the highway ride is better and it tramlines less than a 330i SP. Infiniti did a great job on chassis and engine dynamics. Overall it's a very nice driving car.
But here are some G35 missing refinements: no telescoping steering column, no fore/aft adjustable headrests, no lighted steering wheel buttons, no self-leveling xenons, no adjustable thigh support, seat heaters slower and less coverage, nighttime instrument illumination either too bright or too dim, instrument lights can make distracting reflection on windshield. Individually these seem small, but collectively they make the G35 cockpit less nice than the 330i.
Another example of better 330i refinement is in traction control. If the G35 VSC detects wheel spin, it just kills engine power. Feels like someone turned off the key, it's so invasive. By contrast BMW's DSC uses automatic differential braking (ADB) which individually brakes the slipping back wheel. It's much less intrusive.
But despite any G35 flaws I highly recommend anybody in the market drive it. It's a good car and you get lots of bang for the buck, and plenty of interior room, esp in the back, plus good trunk space (sedan only). I think it's the best 330i sports sedan competitor, excepting maybe the new RX-8, a much smaller car. But if you don't need much back seat leg room, drive the RX-8, also.
G35's not bad actually
Hi,
I just test drove the G35 coupe this past Saturday. Not bad, it was the closest I've come to not buying a bmw. Lovely interior appointments, zippy with it's 280 hp and 6 speed manual. Held the road nicely, and fully loaded even with an included 6-disc cd changer. And yes, about 7 grand less than the 330i I just ordered yesterday.
Why? Because ultimately for me it wasn't about the money. The G35 did not pass the car door test. When you slam that shut it echoes with the not so solid tinny clunk rather than the zaftig THUNK of a well-built car. Also, the turn radius was horrendous. I realize that it's a tad longer than the 330, but that could not account for the fact that I couldn't pull a U over a two lane (in each direction) street. Also, the engine sounded tinny as well. I test drove the 330i the following day and the engine growled deeply and the car roared off the starting line even though it was only packing 235 hp. Felt more powerful with almost 50 less hp.
That's why I bought the BMW.
just my .02,
Kelsey
Hi,
I just test drove the G35 coupe this past Saturday. Not bad, it was the closest I've come to not buying a bmw. Lovely interior appointments, zippy with it's 280 hp and 6 speed manual. Held the road nicely, and fully loaded even with an included 6-disc cd changer. And yes, about 7 grand less than the 330i I just ordered yesterday.
Why? Because ultimately for me it wasn't about the money. The G35 did not pass the car door test. When you slam that shut it echoes with the not so solid tinny clunk rather than the zaftig THUNK of a well-built car. Also, the turn radius was horrendous. I realize that it's a tad longer than the 330, but that could not account for the fact that I couldn't pull a U over a two lane (in each direction) street. Also, the engine sounded tinny as well. I test drove the 330i the following day and the engine growled deeply and the car roared off the starting line even though it was only packing 235 hp. Felt more powerful with almost 50 less hp.
That's why I bought the BMW.
just my .02,
Kelsey
It all depends on if you want to spend the money or not. If it's 330i vs G35 Sedan, then I would go with the 330i all the way because the G35 Sedan only looks decent. I was personally deciding between the G35 Coupe and the 330Ci, but I chose the G35 Coupe because I wanted a fully-loaded car and the $45,000 330Ci was just out of my price range (G35 Coupe fully-loaded came to $37,500). So I went with the G35 Coupe and I'm not looking back.
Other food for thought.
If you need a car now then all the info above is great. Nice to be in well informed company.
You may also consider that a new three is just over a year away. This car will surely surpass the G35. (i hope) The G35 is a great car but it also has 4 years more developement than the 04 330s.
It will however be hard to make a wrong decision based on athleticism.
If the two were the same price you would buy the 3. But they are not.
Good Luck
If you need a car now then all the info above is great. Nice to be in well informed company.
You may also consider that a new three is just over a year away. This car will surely surpass the G35. (i hope) The G35 is a great car but it also has 4 years more developement than the 04 330s.
It will however be hard to make a wrong decision based on athleticism.
If the two were the same price you would buy the 3. But they are not.
Good Luck
Thanks. I'm impressed at the knowledge base of this forum. You've brought up issues I haven't considered. I'm leaning towards getting a 330 through the European delivery program. Has anyone experienced good or bad with this program?
Since we live in Colorado, my wife wants me to consider a 330xi but I'm afraid I'll lose the 'driving experience' of a rear wheel drive. Any issues with the 330i in bad weather?
thanks again!
-D
Since we live in Colorado, my wife wants me to consider a 330xi but I'm afraid I'll lose the 'driving experience' of a rear wheel drive. Any issues with the 330i in bad weather?
thanks again!
-D
I can't speak about the 330xi, but in the early 90s I had a 325ix. It is a different feel than a standard rear, but I don't know that I'd say you "lose" anything. Mine really stuck to the road and it was my choice for bad weather (this was in PA). Sometimes it did have a "heavier" feel depending on speed, maneuvering, etc.
Let us know if you do the European delivery - I'm jealous!
Let us know if you do the European delivery - I'm jealous!
Car & Driver tested identical 2WD vs 4WD cars and found the most important factor is using dedicated winter tires, not 2WD vs 4WD. Of course winter tires *and* 4WD is the best of all, but in their test, winter tires alone made the biggest difference.
They also found some downsides to 4WD, such as the greater weight causing longer slightly stopping distences.
4WD cars definitely can accelerate faster in slippery conditions than 2WD cars. It's up to you whether that's an advantage or not.
Traditionally a 4WD or sophisticated AWD car can put down more power in a curve, making a spinout less likely in slippery conditions. However with modern stability control systems (like BMWs DSC), a RWD car with winter tires usually doesn't have major oversteering problems like earlier cars did.
If you're stuck in a packed snow parking lot, 4WD can get you going when 2WD can't. But I think dedicated winter tires plus RWD plus modern stability & traction control systems are probably adequate for many situations that previously called for 4WD.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3888&page_number=1
They also found some downsides to 4WD, such as the greater weight causing longer slightly stopping distences.
4WD cars definitely can accelerate faster in slippery conditions than 2WD cars. It's up to you whether that's an advantage or not.
Traditionally a 4WD or sophisticated AWD car can put down more power in a curve, making a spinout less likely in slippery conditions. However with modern stability control systems (like BMWs DSC), a RWD car with winter tires usually doesn't have major oversteering problems like earlier cars did.
If you're stuck in a packed snow parking lot, 4WD can get you going when 2WD can't. But I think dedicated winter tires plus RWD plus modern stability & traction control systems are probably adequate for many situations that previously called for 4WD.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3888&page_number=1
I'd never discourage someone from a 330i because it's an awesome car and you can't go wrong. That said, I'll just share some of the thought process that led me to a new 330xi about 6 weeks ago...
I do a fair amount of long distance driving for work through hilly parts of New York and New England including during the winter. I love to drive a car with incredible road feel and responsiveness - but I'm not a racer. The xi gives me the best balance of performance and winter confidence, period. One uphill or downhill skid is all it would take to ruin your day so I'm hedging my bets. The bimmer all wheel drive system adds comparatively less weight than many others so those negatives are minimal. The 330 engine is just beautiful and I get full enjoyment out of that and - at least so far - have yet to take the car anywhere near its limits around winding roads, on ramps or otherwise. While I may have lost some performance on paper, I just don't find any material loss in my real world. It drives like it's on rails and I love it. Add to that the need for a sedan with a reasonable backseat for kids and I drive away thinking I've got the absolutely perfect car for my needs. Your needs or thought process may be completely different. Hell, some people even buy American cars!
I do a fair amount of long distance driving for work through hilly parts of New York and New England including during the winter. I love to drive a car with incredible road feel and responsiveness - but I'm not a racer. The xi gives me the best balance of performance and winter confidence, period. One uphill or downhill skid is all it would take to ruin your day so I'm hedging my bets. The bimmer all wheel drive system adds comparatively less weight than many others so those negatives are minimal. The 330 engine is just beautiful and I get full enjoyment out of that and - at least so far - have yet to take the car anywhere near its limits around winding roads, on ramps or otherwise. While I may have lost some performance on paper, I just don't find any material loss in my real world. It drives like it's on rails and I love it. Add to that the need for a sedan with a reasonable backseat for kids and I drive away thinking I've got the absolutely perfect car for my needs. Your needs or thought process may be completely different. Hell, some people even buy American cars!
The BMW 330xi is a great car. My only problems with it are that you lose the suspension (even Sport Package gives you the regular suspension, which sits 0.8" higher) and you get these 17" all-season run-flat tires that (size 205/50-17, rather than the 330i's low-profile 17" tires) just suck. So basically you can either get the 330i and get snow tires for the winter, or you can get the 330xi and lose the sport suspension and low-profile tires. Either way, you have to sacrifice. Why don't you check out the Audi A4 3.0 Quattro? You get sport suspension, performance tires, and an AWD system that is second to none. And the A4 is an extremely energetic German sport sedan, second only to the BMW. And you'll save a few grand over the BMW just like you would in the G35.
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Wait, let's go back to the Audi comment...
My cousin had an A4 with heated seats and steering wheel and was driving down the highway one day when the steering wheel caught on fire. My father had an A6 that he bought new and had in the shop about once a month for the year he had it. (He got rid of it and got a 540.) The gas gauge never worked and Audi finally told him that it was a problem with the A6 and he was just going to have to deal with it (in so many words). I once considered an A4 or TT, but these stories make me wonder. Anyone else hear these kinds of things?
![[confused]](/images/smilies/confused.png "Confused [confused]")
My cousin had an A4 with heated seats and steering wheel and was driving down the highway one day when the steering wheel caught on fire. My father had an A6 that he bought new and had in the shop about once a month for the year he had it. (He got rid of it and got a 540.) The gas gauge never worked and Audi finally told him that it was a problem with the A6 and he was just going to have to deal with it (in so many words). I once considered an A4 or TT, but these stories make me wonder. Anyone else hear these kinds of things?