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2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL

41 messages,  Last post on Jun 26, 2009 at 6:24 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 41 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL by car111

Mar 07, 2007 (7:20 pm)

Hi all,
I'm in market for practical fun to drive sedan. I feel new V6 CVT altima 268Hp/258Torque is quite sporty and easier to handle whereas BMW 3 feels little stiffer. Anyway compared the two ?
Thanks.

#2 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [car111] by shipo

Mar 07, 2007 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: car111 (Mar 07, 2007 7:20 pm)
Ummm, no disrespect, but I cannot imagine most folks wanting to even bother comparing a 3-Series to an Altima. They are just so very different that I've never heard of anybody cross shopping the two before.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#3 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [shipo] by car111

Mar 07, 2007 (7:52 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Mar 07, 2007 7:39 pm)
These new cars (altima v6, camry v6) are very responsive and fun to drive. They have got more power than most BMW 3 series, except BMW 335 hence I asked for comparison. Altima's steering wheel, pedals, seating seems more comfortable and feels more light-weight to maneuver than BMW.
 
Where does the legendary sportiness of BMW manifest - is it mainly ability to make very fast turns ?

#4 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [car111] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Mar 07, 2007 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: car111 (Mar 07, 2007 7:52 pm)
Probably if you pushed the Altima hard you'd notice the dynamics just aren't up to the BMW level of performance. Since so many modern cars are now very competent, you have to stress the chassis and brakes a bit to see the difference. Just driving around the block isn't going to tell you anything really. But once brakes are hot and shocks are all warmed up and you are going fast enough to demand instant response you're going to see the Altima degrade.
 
Or maybe not--a BMW is overkill for the driving habits of some folks and the Altima is thus a fine choice and a very good value.

#5 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [car111] by fedlawman

Mar 07, 2007 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: car111 (Mar 07, 2007 7:52 pm)
The Altima has the soft gas pedal you're looking for, it has more power than the BMW 328i, and you really like the way it feels and drives.
 
Seems to me you should save yourself $10,000 and get the Altima.

#6 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [car111] by kdshapiro

Mar 08, 2007 (6:21 am)

Replying to: car111 (Mar 07, 2007 7:20 pm)
Have you driven both? Shifty makes a good point about taking the cars around the block. You have to actually drive both to the point stressing the chassis and then see which car you prefer.
 
HP isn't the be all and end all and it's important the chassis be able to absorb the hp properly.

#7 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [kdshapiro] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Mar 08, 2007 (8:28 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Mar 08, 2007 6:21 am)
No I haven't driven the brand new Altima but unless something totally radical has gone on in the past two years with the car, and they are aiming for a different type of driver, I'd expect the new one to be pretty much what I think it's going to be. Nice car but without that feel of precision and rock solid construction.
 
I always tell people that if you genuinely can't notice the difference between two cars, and one costs $10K less, well, gee, buy it!

#8 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL by car111

Mar 08, 2007 (9:05 pm)

Pardon my limited knowledge of BMW but I am trying to see what I may miss but not buying 328 or 335. Can you be more specific of stressing the car - speeds, etc ?
 
I have driven both Altima and 328/335 - and stressed them (to my level). I think braking of BMW 3 or 5 might be best in town. Taking turns at 40,45,50mph I thought new ALtima handled well, better than camry, accord. I think for years Altima/Maxima are known to be sportier cars compared to camry, accord. And my BMW friends also confirm to their surprise Nissan handles well. I think if you take 60mph+ turns BMW is needed, but that would be quite aggressive/risky driving in Northern California.
 
In normal to reasonable risk driving, would the difference be noticed between Altima and BMW 3 ? It seems aggressive driving wherein one can get a traffic ticket would be where BMW wins.
 
Also, I heard there is some place in LosAngeles where for $10, you can race cars (BMW, Audi, etc) around the track ?

#9 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [car111] by kdshapiro

Mar 09, 2007 (8:33 am)

Replying to: car111 (Mar 08, 2007 9:05 pm)
You ask a difficult question. It's like asking a steak lover what they are missing out by eating a $15.99 Outback steak vs a steak in a high-end steak house.
 
The difference between Nissan and BMW is the intended mission of the car, not the ability to do crazy and illegal stunts on the road.
 
The BMW has a balanced neutral feel, those who know can feel the difference at 10mph. If you do not covet the driving dynamics of the BMW after taking it for a test drive, there would be no reason to spend $10 grand more for the car over the Altima.
 
When I test drove a BMW it took about 15 seconds for me to understand what makes a BMW a BMW over a FWD appliance type car.

#10 of 41 Re: 2007 BMW 328/335 vs Nissan Altima 2007 3.5 SE/SL [kdshapiro] by circlew

Mar 09, 2007 (9:11 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Mar 09, 2007 8:33 am)
When I test drove a BMW it took about 15 seconds for me to understand what makes a BMW a BMW over a FWD appliance type car.
 
I knew I felt something way more valuable to me when I sat in the car before my test drive and it took me a little longer than you, about 1/4 mile on a few twisties and then I was sold. Huge difference than anything I ever drove previously.
 
Regards,
OW

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