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Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 vs BMW 335i

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM

You are in the Infiniti G35 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 10

#17 of 88 Re: Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 [rascal99] by spi5

Apr 18, 2008 (11:37 am)

Replying to: rascal99 (Apr 18, 2008 6:28 am)
OK, the reliability might not be a problem. The resale value might be a problem despite I really love the car.
 
One of reason I got A4 is I had a super deal. It is 2007 Audi 2.0T Quattro w/ 3,800miles on it. 6 months old. It come with premium, Convenience package, bluetooth, Beige Birch wood decorative inlays....just without NAV. Car condition is pristine. Feel 99.99% new car. Invoice (Not MSRP 36,000) on a new car like this is $34,200 and I paid $25,500. If I talk about OTD price, it will be around $10,000 difference.
 
Which all seems good. However, its price drop like rock. That is why I'm worry about its reliability. I would like to keep it more than 5~10 years because it really not easy to sell these used Audi.
 
OTOH, A4 is such nice car and I really enjoy it.

#18 of 88 A4 reliability by waygrabow

Apr 19, 2008 (7:35 pm)

I keep reading comments about questionable Audi reliability which really is counter to our experience. We have an 2003 A4 1.8T quattro with 60,000 miles. It has been problem free; not one tiny issue in all those miles. We have changed tires and windshield wipers, but that is to be expected. We take it in every 10,000 miles and the dealer services it for free; then we drive it problem-free for another 10,000 miles. Couldn't be more perfect. We live in snow and mountain country; so quattro (awd), handling and climate control are important. This is the only Audi product we have ever owned. We are considering replacing the Audi, simply because we are now financially able, and, of course, a new Audi seems to make a lot of sense to us. Our other two vehicles are domestic and Japanese respectively (we are also pleased with both of them), so we are not tied to any one brand. I stop by this board to see what other vehicles we should be considering.

#19 of 88 Re: A4 reliability [waygrabow] by sjaieve

Apr 19, 2008 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: waygrabow (Apr 19, 2008 7:35 pm)
If you are considering the G & the A4, take a test drive over 2-3 days, thats what I did, the first clears a lot of misconceptions about lack of refinement & noise levels, these are myths (for the auto, not sure about the manual), the second & third clear any additional questions you might have.
 
One thing I have observed about G owners is they dont post on these comparison threads a lot, except for comparisons to the 335i. I guess we have a "meet you on the interstate" approach

#20 of 88 Re: A4 reliability [sjaieve] by spi5

Apr 19, 2008 (10:39 pm)

Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 19, 2008 9:19 pm)
Too bad that I cannot get a chance to test drive both for 2~3 days.
 
However, something won't change even you drive both extensively.
 
What shine G is its powerful engine and handling. Again, I was a Rx-8 owner, not that kind of stop light running king person. I love 335/328 Inline 6 and rotary's smooth and linear power curve. So a hop liking start is just not my taste. I guess this won't change even I drive G for 1 year. Besides 335i now is more powerful than G.
 
G's handling is OK. However, it transfer bump and holes from the road without filtering much to you. I understand that stiff suspension is a factor of sharp handling. But BMW and Mazda mix these two dilemma very well. That is what I call - refinement. And this cannot be found on G and I also don't think it will change for longer driving experience.
 
That said, if I never drove RX-8 or BMW before, I will definitely think G is excellent. But the truth is - few others just do it better.
 
Anyway, I'm A4 owner now. Let me said something for my own car. I found that A4's handling is interesting. It is very light when the speed is low- almost as light as my the other car - RX300. And it became sensitive and heavier when you driver faster. I understand that most car has this setting. However, A4 just push those two further apart.
 
Went to Muir Wood today, a lot of curve road. Quattro really shine! No over steer.

#21 of 88 Re: A4 reliability [spi5] by sjaieve

Apr 20, 2008 (4:01 am)

Replying to: spi5 (Apr 19, 2008 10:39 pm)
What interests me with your posts is you compare the G with the 335i and you bash it for the lack of refinement and "hop like starting". What you forget is the fact that the "hop like starting" was an issue with the 07 model, there is a fix for that now and the 08's, I own one, do not have the issue. Did you see the Accolades post I included. Here it is again
 
http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120626
 
I can understand when you say the G is not as refined as the 335i in perfomance, I think it will be difficult for me to argue with that, and I wont even try. Thats a good comparison. Now this is where you lose me, you then conclude that because the G is not as "refined" as the 335i, the A4, I think you have the 4 banger is therefore the better car. I have to disagree profusely with that. I think the first thing you need to consider is handling for a 200hp engine cannot be compared to a 300hp engine. I used to have a 200hp engine and I can assure there is nothing like the thrill of having 100 extra horses just available for you to use at your will. On the link above, most of the reviewers, there is over 10 of them will tell you the G handles very well, only the 335i beats it in handling. Also, the G comes with AWD if you need that.
 
Now, I wont even start with you on the other stuff that comes with the G and not offered on the A4. BTW, I think the Lexus IS250 is a better car than the A4 4 banger. It offers a whole lot more, maybe except the handling. However since you are wrapped up with handling, then I guess the A4 is for you.
 
At this stage I will say congratilaions on your A4.

#23 of 88 Re: Quattro [sjaieve] by spi5

Apr 20, 2008 (7:28 am)

Don't worry. I don't know if A4 is better than G or not overall. And I have no doubt that G can run fast. If you saw my first post, I had a detail explanation on why I choose it. I just do not need a car for race track.
 
I've passed that age like - my car is fastest, my car is coolest, my car is the the best....
 
Now I choose the car base on the taste of it, fun to drive and again - "refinement".
 
For example, for the fun to drive - RX-8 > 335 > 328 > A4 > G > IS350 > IS250
The looks - IS > A4 > 3s > G
The refinement - 3s = RX-8 > A4 > IS > G
The speed - 335 > IS 350 > G > RX-8 > 328 > A4 > IS 250
 
Of course, the above is just my personal rating. If someone ask my wife, she will simply turn down 3s and G because of looks which I do like those two cars. BTW, she hate the looks of my RX-8, too.

#24 of 88 Re: Quattro [spi5] by sjaieve

Apr 20, 2008 (10:59 am)

Replying to: spi5 (Apr 20, 2008 7:28 am)
Glad you love your car. From your rankings above I can clearly see where you are coming from. I think you already know what I value.
 
Do you know what my solution was with the wife. I convinced her I know a lot about cars. Now I make all the car buying decisions

#25 of 88 Re: Quattro [sjaieve] by spi5

Apr 20, 2008 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: sjaieve (Apr 20, 2008 10:59 am)
Right! That said; If the G has sleek or classic looks as IS or A4, my wife will take it. ;OR; If the G has refinement as 3s, A4 and RX-8, I will take it.
 
Unfortunately, G have neither of it.

#26 of 88 Re: Quattro [spi5] by sjaieve

Apr 20, 2008 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: spi5 (Apr 20, 2008 5:24 pm)
Right, as long as you are happy man, thats all that matters.

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