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Acura TL vs Infiniti G35 vs BMW 330xi

247 messages,  Last post on Aug 15, 2007 at 1:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 25

#1 of 247 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi by sidpaul

Nov 03, 2005 (11:39 pm)

hi all,
  Have close to 35k in my kitty. Im either looking at the 06 Acura TL or the 4door Infiniti G35 or the 06 BMW 330xi.
   which one would be the best choice?
main features im looking for
1.comfort and low road noise
2.great performing engine and handling
 
   I'm from NY btw

#2 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by tturedraider

Nov 04, 2005 (1:10 am)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
Are you considering the G35x? That would probably be your best pick for the features you listed.
 
The TL would be a fine choice, too.
 
But, the BMW will thrill all your driving senses!! It wins handling hands down. But, it won't be the quietest because it is built for real driving and thus transmits road feel to you. I haven't driven the xi, but have driven both the 325i and 330i - hard. As Tony the Tiger would say, they're GREAT! The 3-Series doesn't have the most raw horsepower, but that doesn't really matter, because as a complete package it really is the Ultimate Driving Machine!
 
Having said that - the BMW is in its first year of production and may have bugs to work out. The G35 has three years under its belt and TL has one and they are both known for good reliability. Personally, I'm getting the BMW, but I'm waiting for 2008.
 
.02

#3 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by tturedraider

Nov 04, 2005 (1:44 am)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
Another car to consider, if you're looking for AWD handling, is the Audi A4 Quattro.
 
I had the opportunity to do a comparo drive of the 330i Sport, the G35 Sport and the A4 Quattro. For handling the 330 won by a mile. The A4 was second. And the G35 was third. I was surprised how sloppy the G35 was in hard driving.
 
There's been a lot of discussion about the winter handling of the 3-Series on the "BMW 3-Series 2006+" forum. The general consensus from those with experience seems to be that, as long as you drive for the conditions, the regular 330i should do fine with a good set of winter tires.
 
more .02

#4 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by goodegg

Nov 04, 2005 (10:03 am)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
Won't let the NY thing count against ya. But if you're over say, 5'10" and 180 lbs, you may find the 3 series and the G35 smallish.

#5 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by laurasdada

Nov 04, 2005 (10:45 am)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
Hello:
 
$35k will get you a G35 or TL with (almost?) all the toys. I don't think $35k is enough to cover the base msrp of the BMW, though.
 
I have an '05 TL, great car. I chose it over the G35 for the following reasons, all imho of course:
 
-Smoother, quieter ride
-Superior external and interior style
-Superior internal materials and layout
-FWD (I know, I know. It's not a true driver's car/sports sedan without RWD blah, blah, blah. It still handles great for my driving) over the added cost/weight/complexity of AWD. I live in Boston, ski northern New England so performance in snow is a concern. I've always driven FWD and it's gotten me where I'm going.
 
The bright side is, A4 included, all are great cars! You really have to drive 'em all and decide which one fulfills your needs/wants/desires and bank account best! Whichever you choose is the best! Let us know what you buy and why.
 
Good Luck.

#6 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by steve707

Nov 04, 2005 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
I test drove the TL and 3 series. The TL has a refined interior, comfortable, high quality material, good handling/torque off the line. Exterior is another story . . . basically OK but to me does not look like a 30k+ sedan.
 
Handling and performance of the BMW gets the edge however, the interior is disappointing. Their standard upholstery is vinyl. Vinyl in a 31-35K vehicle? If you are to take 15 minute trip when outside temperature is 90F . . . by the time you get out of the vehicle, your t-shirt, pants are soaking wet. What were they thinking? The leather is not much better. Looks like its from an elephant . . . very coarse and rough. The stitching is very crude. My god, the sound system stinks. Steering wheel looks cheap. Very basic console and dash.
 
If comfort is at the top of your list . . . BMW is not the answer. Personally i am still undecided but I am certain that 3 series is not for me. BMW cut corners on the interior and to me thats unacceptable for a car in this price range.

#7 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [sidpaul] by wvpilot1

Nov 04, 2005 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: sidpaul (Nov 03, 2005 11:39 pm)
We took a very good look at the TL, G and A4 (BMW was too high in price for the comparable options)
A4- awd but 4cy to be fair keeping below $35K....nice interior but not fantastic exterior. Main problem was the engine noise. Reliability a question also.
TL- very close 2nd, but did not like the int/ext paint combos and looked a little too much like an Accord. Great radio and would have the navi for under 35K
G35x- unique exterior (parked next to a TL today and it just solidified our impression). Great AWD. We actually like the interior very much.
One other thing which slanted us was watching the crash test videos (I think on Edmunds). The TL is so front heavy it goes way up in air on front collision whereas the G stayed fairly stable.

#8 of 247 Re: 06 Acura TL vs InfinitiG35 vs BMW 330xi [tturedraider] by feistylegal

Nov 04, 2005 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: tturedraider (Nov 04, 2005 1:10 am)
What happens in 2008?

#9 of 247 I just picked up a 06 g35x by kki000

Nov 04, 2005 (10:43 pm)

I test drove the 05 tl, 06 330i, 05 g35x, 06 is250awd.
Best handling- bmw 330i, point and drive, just felt right. I havent driven a 330xi, but im assuming that model will be heavier, more expensive and will be less peppy due to the awd. Interior was nice, but a bit cold, wife didnt like it. When added with options that the acura and infiniti both come with, price was way way over, like 9 grand or in terms of straight lease price about 300 over the price of either jap cars. I really dont understand why most ppl and publications mention the bmw as being in the same class as these others, its really not. Its an awesome car but in a completely different price bracket, imho.
 
Best interior, goes to the acura. I thought the lexus would, but the acura has the best navi, best bluetooth and overall better interior, imho. Felt torque steer, great pickup though.
 
is250 was nice, but was underpowered and had zero rear legroom. Also very expensive.
 
Audi, by the time you add the 3.2l engine and even any basic options, yer right there with the bimmer. Why bother.
 
The infiniti i wound up with doesn't win any category i guess, but it was the best choice for me.
 
1)It was the cheapest of the lot lease wise, cheaper than the acura even which dumdfounded me since that car lists for so much less than the g35x with no awd.
2) awd, big plus. It really came down to the tl and g35x and i just couldnt pay more for a car with no awd. I take alot of ski trips so this was pretty important.
 
In an ideal world i guess, if i didnt have to deal with snow and crap, id buy a 330i. The all wheel variant i feel would negate too much of the advantage that car has performance wise over the others.
 
For the money, the g35x is really amazing. It handles as well or better than the tl, and fully loaded with navi and premium package, it still msrps for less than the base 330xi. When you compare the deals you can get on the nissan vs the bmw with any kind of option package, the rift becomes closer to 10 grand. For some the price would be worth it, and i was fully willing to pay for it, but the g35x was too good to pass up.

#10 of 247 Re: 2008 BMW 3 [feistylegal] by tturedraider

Nov 04, 2005 (11:24 pm)

Replying to: feistylegal (Nov 04, 2005 10:22 pm)
I have more money saved up and BMW has had time to work out the bugs in the new model. I'm gonna do European Delivery, so I wanna have a nice vacation, too.

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