Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans

475 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz 350-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans - This is exactly why we gathered this group of sport sedans. That is, to find out if the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, 2008 Lexus IS 350 or 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport can topple the Bavarian champ — the 2007 BMW 335i. In the spirit of the segment, each car in the test is outfitted with sport package hardware — usually a stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and tires — and an automatic transmission. (more)

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#417 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [bamaroads] by habitat1 Jan 13, 2008 (9:26 am)
Replying to: bamaroads (Jan 12, 2008 7:33 am) I'm not sure how popular the 335i is now, but your best negotiating power on very popular or hard to get non-M models (thinking 3 series convertible) is via European Delivery. The ED cars do not come out of the dealer's stateside allocation but do add to their sales bonuses. If a dealer is only getting a certain number of "popular" cars allocated to them, they try to maximize the profit on each one. But if they can pick up a "bonus sale" that they wouldn't otherwise get, many are more willing to take a limited profit. A couple of years ago, I was quoted as low as $1,000 to $1,200 over ED invoice. The ED invoice is about 7% less on the base car than the US invoice. Also the only thing that the Euro/dollar ratio matters on is the expense of your trip over to Germany. You are buying the car in US dollars. That lead time for a custom order sounds about right, but again, you probably wouldn't have to wait much longer for an ED car. May be worth trying to beg, borrow or rent another car for an extra 2-4 weeks, if you can save, net-net $2-3k+. You might also want to check with your dealer and ask him if you could get that February build car as an ED car. And would he take $1,200+/- over ED invoice. Many dealers claimed ED pricing was not negotiable, since you are already getting 7% off the base car. B.S. - And you can tell anyone that I told you so. If you are going to buy stateside, I would think you have a better chance of negotiating the best deal by finding a car that's already taking up space on a dealer lot. But that may not be the case with the 335i if it is still a relatively hot seller. The local dealer tried tempting me last month with a 550i 6-speed that had been sitting on their lot for 60 days. I have a feeling if I had walked in with a certified check on December 31, I could have gotten it for well under invoice, probably as much as $7,000 under MSRP. Good luck, whatever you decide. Replies to this message: bamaroads (Jan 26, 2008 6:54 am)
#418 of 475 Re: Consumer Reports/Guide info [poorstudent2] by 150mphclub Jan 18, 2008 (6:35 am)
Replying to: poorstudent2 (Dec 10, 2007 2:06 pm) I don't have a horse in this race yet (I own a 2006 Passat 3.6l and a Pontiac Vibe), but I am looking to buy a horse for this race. Having checked them all out, I find myself in agreement with the folks at Consumer Guide.
#419 of 475 Re: I did the homework/analysis for you [nizzo] by 150mphclub Jan 18, 2008 (6:58 am)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 08, 2008 8:24 pm) "Here's a partial listing, and these are the categories that don't even have anything to do with performance/drive/feel, lol: Exterior design: BMW #1 [Purely personal preference] Interior Design: BMW #1 [Purely personal preference] Interior materials: BMW #1 [personal preference] Instrument Panel Layout: BMW #1 [personal preference] Interior Control Tactile Feel: BMW #1 [personal preference] Squeaks and rattles: BMW #1 [wide variance among same make & model] Panel Fitment and Gaps: BMW #1 (tied) [I agree] Visibility: BMW #1 [I agree] Cargo/trunk space: BMW #1 (tied) [impossible--12 cubic feet can't be tied for 1st]" [] contain my personal observations, which I have added to the quoted material. Everyone, including the experts, come to these comparisons with preconceived notions and it is really hard to do impartial analysis. Take all these opinions with a grain of salt, and make own personal check list of what you want in a car. Take your check list for a test drive in each car, and make up your own mind.
#420 of 475 Re: Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans [KarenS] by rag133 Jan 18, 2008 (10:29 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 05, 2007 8:54 am) Funny I read the article and they said the G35 interior was one of the worst. I just bought an 08 G35X Sport. I drove the 335i also. Great car, but I thought the inside of the BMW was plain and boring. I really like the G35 interior, much nicer with more features than the 335i, yet they call it plain and boring?? Edmunds seems like the most hypocritical site I have seen for reviews. Amazing how one sentence they slam a car, then the next they love the features... Drive what YOU like, not what Edmunds says you will.
#421 of 475 Re: buying G35 vs 335 vs CTS [habitat1] by bamaroads Jan 26, 2008 (6:54 am)
Replying to: habitat1 (Jan 13, 2008 9:26 am) habitat, Thanks for insight. BTW: I drove a 5 series wagon on autobahn from Hanover to Hamburg this week. What a blast. Was on snow tires so had to keep it down a bit from what coulda been doing. Audi wagons are everywhere in Germany going fast. They like wagons in Germany. VW's, Audi's and bimmers. I discussed with local bmw dealer a possible sale on the 335 he had scheduled for production and committed to them. He came off a bit from sticker in initial discussion so I know they're willing to negotiate. The ED program woulda been something I needed more time to plan for. I figure the bmw maintenance is worth $1500 or so. 335 is premium ride and performance. G35 has hard drive, nav, 20 gallon fuel tank all for less $ overall. I've been banging around town in my current 06 G35 just to really get a sense of what I like/dislike about the car. The engine noise thing... very cool when just me in car running thru gears, when traveling with others simply doesn't match overall refinement of BMW. A 550i 6-sp? Ohh mann would I love to tool around in one of those. But the dang fuel tanks are too small to cover much highway. Not issue for me 'cause well outside of what I want to pay for car right now. cheers, bama'
#422 of 475 Re: Once again, kdshapiro... [pmc4] by ukgp Mar 26, 2008 (9:03 am)
Replying to: pmc4 (Nov 14, 2007 9:31 pm) Wow , no taxi driver in Englands uses a Citroen, they need to keep on the road MB E class, Nissan Primera, Toyota Carina , Vauxhall or Ford Mondeo more likely. Citroen no way oh and Most German taxis are E Class MB's or 3 series BMW's , but the germans still buy them as their own cars as well. Audis very cool very cramped very very unreliable. Cheers UKDOC
#423 of 475 Decision Time - BMW335xi vs G35xS by shawn22 Mar 29, 2008 (11:52 am)
Ive narrowed down my search to 2 and will be test driving both the 335xi and G35xS next weekend and making my decision.. Price difference aside (Which is about 10K). Has anyone had a chance to drive both and can you give some quick comparo's between the two? Also.....would dealers consider swapping out the runflats on the Bimmer for regular all-seasons during the bargaining process? (I live in Wisconsin). - Thanks! Replies to this message: happycamry (Mar 29, 2008 1:59 pm) cdnpinhead (Mar 29, 2008 4:27 pm) klossfam (Apr 02, 2008 8:21 am)
#424 of 475 Re: Decision Time - BMW335xi vs G35xS [shawn22] by happycamry Mar 29, 2008 (1:59 pm)
Replying to: shawn22 (Mar 29, 2008 11:52 am) I came from the Bimmer to the G35. The runflats, and the cost difference, about ten grand similarly equipped were the deal killers for me and I thought the G35 interior was far more luxurious. I did talk to two dealers about swapping runflats and they won't hear of it. No place for even a space saving spare either. What a boneheaded move on BMW's part. The BMW's advantage is a smoother transmission, in my opinion.
#425 of 475 Re: Decision Time - BMW335xi vs G35xS [shawn22] by cdnpinhead Mar 29, 2008 (4:27 pm)
Replying to: shawn22 (Mar 29, 2008 11:52 am) As others have said, the run-flat/spare tire situation on the BMW is a serious issue in my world. I can't comment on either vehicle beyond that. I did have a look to see if there is an existing comparison involving the two cars you're looking at. Well, there isn't, because the 335x is relatively new. That said, have a look at the topic list for both the 3-series & the G. You may find useful information, even though the BMW is question may not be the 335. I'm sure you'll enjoy either one, once you've made your choice. I recently pulled the trigger on a car that I hadn't intended to consider in the first place -- the 3-series was on top of my list.
#426 of 475 Re: I did the homework/analysis for you [nizzo] by drtravel Apr 01, 2008 (4:43 pm)
Replying to: nizzo (Jan 08, 2008 8:24 pm) Here are the pertinent sales figures for the first quarter of 2008: BMW 3-Series 27,013 Infiniti G 18,932 Mercedes C-Class 17,141 Lexus IS 11,966 The BMW numbers include the sedans, coupes, conv and wagons Replies to this message: sjaieve (Apr 01, 2008 7:21 pm)