Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 335i vs Infiniti G37
216 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 12:35 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
After much hand wringing, pacing, rationalization, I have decided to go with... Not so fast! Let me first say that anyone who has to decide to choose between these two amazing cars is a very lucky person and I feel blessed to be stuck with such a hard decision. I haven't posted for quite some time but I can tell you what I will not be buying. Currently I have a 2005 Mustang Gt and a 2007 XC90. One for me, who drives to work and back, sometimes bring the kids around for errands (6 and 4yr old) and the XC90 for her where we do most of our driving as well as my 6 week old baby. yes I am tired! Anyways, I really wanted another coupe but I did entertain a few sedans. I said no to the: 1.C350 - a very nice looking car to my eye and a nice engine. I felt that the interior was not up to par for what a Mercedes should be. the engine is nice but simply didn't feel quick. I wasn't terrible impressed with the auto tranny either as I did prefer a manual. Bottom line: pretty but pretty cheap. 2. 335i sedan - something about the car just did not feel comfortable. I don't know if it was due to the door pillar being in my peripheral but I felt cramped and honestly was not in love with the styling of the car inside and out. I drives extremely well, however. Bottom line: a great drive but somehow claustrophobic? 3. IS350 - fast little beast with the most coupe-like feel. Too bad for the transmission while equipped with paddles was embarrassingly slow in shifting. Best materials of its class by far. Bottom line: love it but hate the tranny 4. Chrysler 330 SRT8 - I know, I know, but I couldn' t help myself. I still can't beleive how fast that car accelerated. When I sat back in my Mustang, a high 13sec car, it felt like a V6. Wow. Bottom line: I was never going to buy a Chrylser. So, the 335ci was the car for me. The delaership is a stone's throw away and I was excited to finally enter the BMW family. I love how it drives and it feels like a V8. Torque everywhere, as instant a throttle response as you can expect out of a turbo setup. Reasonably spacious. What's not too like? The interior isn't the greatest, a little bland to my eyes. But comfortable and correct anyways. I enjoyed driving this car a lot, the transmission was very good, but I have sampled less rubbery shift linkages but it would seem to be impossible to stall with a buttery smooth clutch. the sound system was very good to this audiophiles ears. Nothing more, but nothing less. The G37 is a pretty car. While I like the prior coupe, I strayed away from this coupe because it simply did not feel much better than the Mustang GT in 2005. Although the materials were obviously better, it was put together better and my test cars were always buzzing or rattling from the shifter to the upper console. the ride was simply punishing and while I do have a wonky back, still, I felt beat up with the 19 inchers on the prior coupe. Also, it didn't sound nice and didn't feel fast enough to me. This coupe has managed to correct all these issues. From the exhaust sound to the ride to the much better fit and finish, it is light years ahead form the previous version plus it has a lot of nice features and toys. In the end, I would be lying if price was not a factor. The truth of the matter is I can afford whatever I want. However, I would feel slightly guilty owning the 335i because the only way I can exploit its goodness is autocrossing it. In my mundane life of simply driving to work and running errands, it just was not a justifiable purchase. However that was not the most implrtant factor which swayed my decision. The 335i as great as a car it is...it looks simply boring. It looks like a sedan that has lost two doors. A coupe should be a car to be seen in, to stick out, to look the part of a coupe. Because I love cars, I can spot a 3 coupe and admire it, but it is a bland design that only true enthusiasts can enjoy. the G37 has curves, it has so much more aesthetic appeal that looks like a sport coupe. I rememeber my Mustang the first few months and the incredible reaction from all people. I think that a coupe should be about style, and the Infiniti has it inside and out. Sorry for the long post, I am just making up for time lost! Again two fantastic cars and I will never say anything to anyone who purchases either because they are amazing cars.
|
|
|
Replying to: cmnott (Jan 24, 2008 1:00 pm) Congrats on your new ride. I have to say one mans bland interior is another mans extremely functional interior. The interior is high quality and I appreciate the fact it does not draw attention from the road and everything is extremely easy to find.
|
|
|
Replying to: kdshapiro (Jan 24, 2008 3:43 pm) I just wished BMW went a little further with more style. |
|
|
Replying to: cmnott (Jan 24, 2008 1:00 pm) I'd just like to note that I also share your opinion on the 335i's bland looks. I know that the following aerokit is available for the 335i which adds a minimalist touchup to the lower front and rear bumber. The option is listed at $1200 or so on bmwusa.com. I'm not sure if such a measure would be adequate to liven up the 335i. Another interesting option available for the 335i would be the Dinan ECU and Oil cooler installments which boost torque and hp safely and without voiding BMW's warrentee. The ECU and Oil cooler cost $2000 each plus say 11hrs of installment cost at roughly $150/hr..figure an additional $5500 to $6000 cost. That and the $1200 aero-kit..would run $7200 in exciting factor addons. I know, a high price tag for things that should come with a car costing this much. (things being exciting factor). With a 335i coupe well optioned running 50k..the above jacks it up to a whoopping $57k. ouch.. roughly the same as a base E92 M3 (which I don't want anyway..see blog) One's gotta ask.. is it worth it? Maybe you're right..the G37 is the best choice? Some cents, Joseph San Diego blog: http://www.carspace.com/blogs/enthusiastsdilemma08
|
|
|
Replying to: jmaroun (Jan 25, 2008 11:51 am) Why don't you try to option out the G37 so it has exactly the same performance numbers and hp/torque as a 335 with the dinan or vishnu chip. What would that cost if even doable? One has gotta ask, doesn't the 335 mods seem like a bargain for 350 hp and gobs of torque at any price? |
|
|
Replying to: jmaroun (Jan 25, 2008 11:51 am) Of course, only a poseur would up the HP and leave the suspension stock. After all, what good is all that HP if you can't put it down to the pavement? Since the standard "Sport Suspension" isn't up to the task of putting all that power on the road, you'll want to get a set of Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R springs + swaybars from Turner Motorsport for $1200. Finally, replace the "run-flat" tires with a set of proper rubber - Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires for $900 from The Tire Rack and you're all set. Or you could buy a Porsche...
|
|
|
Replying to: fedlawman (Jan 25, 2008 12:40 pm) Are you a BMW representative or sale's rep or something? It sure sounds like it. I'm just sayin. The 335i is a bit bland in my opinion and was considering how to liven it up a notch. I'm not the only one who thinks the 335i is toned down given its sporty performance. I'll probably just get the 335i with Sports Package and Aerokit. If I hear of raving reviews of Dinan mod'd 335i's...and I'm feelin like a bit more hp/torque.. I'll consider Dinan. I hear that not all 335's come with the oil cooler. What's the deal with that?? There's no negotiating on this item as far as I'm concerned. No oil cooler, no sale! Joseph San Diego blog: http://www.carspace.com/blogs/enthusiastsdilemma08
|
|
|
Replying to: jmaroun (Jan 25, 2008 3:28 pm) There's no negotiating on this item as far as I'm concerned. No oil cooler, no sale!" A couple of points: 1) I don't understand why you should worry about an oil cooler. If you're only going to be driving your car on the public roads, then you're NEVER going to need the oil cooler, regarless of how hot the OAT is. 2) Cars with the Sports Package come with the oil cooler as those are the ones that are most likely to see some track time. 3) fedlawman is one of our most esteemed BMWcentric members who does take his car to the track and drives the stuffin' out of it. Best Regards, Shipo |
|
|
Replying to: cmnott (Jan 24, 2008 1:00 pm) 2. 335i sedan - something about the car just did not feel comfortable. So, the 335ci was the car for me. I love how it drives and it feels like a V8. Torque everywhere, as instant a throttle response as you can expect out of a turbo setup. I thought all 335s come with the same turbo engine. Does 335ci really feel much better in regards to the power and torque? I enjoyed driving this car a lot, the transmission was very good, again, transmission should be the same to all 335s. I am not sure which model you refered to. I test drove only 335i sedan. It's already very nice. Thinking to get it soon. I am wondering if there is a better one except 335xi(I know the difference between 335i and 335xi). 
|
|
|
Replying to: jmaroun (Jan 25, 2008 3:28 pm) That's your second attempt to goad me into a response, when you already know (first hand) that I'm not one to mince words. So instead of responding directly (and making you cry again), I'm going to show some restraint. What I'll say in the clearest way I know is... I'm a car enthusiast who knows a thing or two about performance and vehicle dynamics. If I were in your shoes right now, here's what I'd do. 1. I'd buy out the lease on my current 330i for probably half the price of that new 335i. 2. I'd invest $900 on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. The tires alone will improve acceleration, cornering, braking, transient response, and steering feel. But if you're really looking for an excuse to spend some money... 3. I'd splurge on Dinan's excellent S1 Package for the 330i. For $4300, you get a nice boost in power (270 HP) and the S1 suspension, which literally transforms the E90 into a genuine sport sedan. The Dinan Stage 1 330i is, in my opinion, superior in every way (that matters) to a stock 335i, and you've already half payed for it. Of course, I already know you're not interested in actual performance results. You would rather festoon your car with useless aerodyanmic add-ons and overpriced computer chips and oil coolers you don't need. A fool and his money... |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 335i vs Infiniti G37
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 BMW 3 Series
2009 Infiniti G37
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
