Infiniti G35 Sedan vs. BMW 335i...

[AZhitman]

Infiniti’s G35 and BMW’s 335i are tough competitors in the upscale sport sedan class. With its 2007 makeover, the G35 is an even better car. But is it better than the BMW 335i?

How does the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan compare to the acknowledged benchmark in luxury sport sedans? Very well, it turns out. A thorough reengineering for 2007 has addressed the few gripes aimed at the G35 in previous years. But BMW doesn’t rest on its laurels, either. So which car has the edge?

The Infiniti G35 and BMW 335i sedans are close competitors in every area but price. With an MSRP of $31,450, the G35 is a bargain compared to the BMW 335i at an MSRP of $38,900. But price isn’t everything, or is it?

Both cars are quick, sporty, and fun to drive. Both have a sport suspension and the choice of a 6-speed stick or a responsive automatic transmission. Both sport attractive shapes that project both performance and elegance. Both are technological marvels, but the BMW iDrive uber-control still requires extensive study to operate while the Infiniti G35 is a paragon of simplicity and intuitive design. The G35’s superior execution wins this comparison. The G35’s entertainment and navigation systems are simply awesome. Like a souped up iPod, the entertainment system lets you rip and store 9.5 gigabytes of music. The nav system is a mind blower – so simple, yet so powerful – it’s like you let the genie out of the bottle. Then there is the intelligent cruise control, an autopilot for the road. The Infiniti G35 wins the tech tournament.

But these are sport sedans and motivation definitely earns bonus points. BMW put a couple of turbochargers on its venerable straight six and they really boost power. The trouble is, it is “boost” power and it comes on in spurts as the turbos spool up. The G35, on the other hand, provides equally impressive power from its 306-hp V6, but it is exceptionally smooth, linear, and easy to modulate. Nissan's 3.5-liter VQ V6 drives the G35's rear wheels or, alternatively, all four. All-wheel drive can be ordered for either car.

The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual in both cars and both are highly regarded, but at least one reviewer thought the G35’s stick made the BMW’s feel rubbery by comparison. Many buyers will go for the automatic, which is a no-cost option on the G35. Both can be shifted manually using paddle shifters. Reviewers say the BMW’s manumatic is fast and smooth, but the G35’s Ferrari-style paddles get kudos too. All things considered, the G35 edges out the BMW.

Ergonomics and comfort are huge items in luxury sport sedans. The 2007 G35 makeover focused much attention on the quality of materials, fit and finish, and function. The power adjustable steering wheel and driver’s seat share a memory that is very convenient when two drivers use the G35. Both cars have sport seats with power torso, side, and thigh adjustability. It’s a toss up really. The G35 is the more comfortable seat for regular driving.

Reviewers have given raves to both cars for their race-car-like handling, but the G35 also gets kudos when in cruising or commuting mode. The G35 offers 4-Wheel Active Steer, a system that turns the rear wheels slightly in aggressive cornering. It seems the G35 offers the best of both worlds in the handling face-off.

As luxury sedans, both the 2007 Infiniti G35 and the BMW 335i can be gussied up to the nines, but it is sporting capability that attracts prospective owners. In that regard, the G35 is a natural athlete and loves to perform. At the same time, the G35 is comfortable playing dress-up, and displays impeccable manners when luxury cruising is the assignment. All things considered, the G35 is the more versatile car and a veritable bargain when you consider the price gap.

[joe603]

Well said!

[SVTCOBRA]

Good read!We love our G's!!

[G_whizz]

And now...a word from our sponsor!!

Greggie FTMFW!!!

Nice work Greg!!

[zozoka1212]

zozoka

[suby01]

my friend that had the 07 g35s just traded it in for a 335 convertible . hmm once he breaks in the turbos its moooovie time

[G_whizz]

Your supposed to help your friends stay off crack!! lol

[suby01]

Your supposed to help your friends stay off crack!! lol

ahaha why you say that whizz?? soo hungry

[wkim711]

the bmw 335i is a better car

i have driven both cars with the 6mt and if you dont order the idrive for the bmw the bmw is a better driving machine than the g35the g35 does have the better interior and is priced better but you get what you pay for the bmw engine does not have any turbo lag in fact if nobody told you it had the turbos you wouldnt noticethe bmw is alot faster from my drive of both vehicles, handles better and has a better ridethe biggest problem with the g35 is the clutchi have an 06 sedan 6mt and if im not paying attention somebody might think that im new to driving manuals (im 26 and been driving manuals my whole life) so it was a bit of a shock when i drove the 07 and found out that they have not fixed the problem

now im not being bias in fact like i told you i own an infiniti if the g35 had the clutch issue fixed, with the price difference between the two would have me leaning toward the g35 but with the clutch issue in my opinion the bmw if a far better machine

[AZhitman]

the bmw is alot faster from my drive of both vehicles, handles better and has a better ride

The stats as tested don't support this.

I'm not sure what the "clutch issue" is, I drove an 07 recently and it felt the same as my 03 (but faster)....

[zozoka1212]

how about the g37 vs. 335 ????

That will be a different story.

zozoka

[wkim711]

The stats as tested don't support this.

I'm not sure what the "clutch issue" is, I drove an 07 recently and it felt the same as my 03 (but faster)....

i was not stating anybody when i made these conclucions but was going on feel after i had driven both cars back to back

but if you want stats to back it up here you go

car and driver tested both and

335i0-60 4.8 secquarter mile 13.5 at 1050.89 g's

g350-60 5.2quarter mile 13.9 at 1030.87 g's

and the clutch issue is the engagement point is to high and i am not the only one who has this opinion as it has been talked about on forums and the new g35 has a similar feel as you stated

as i am saying again i am not trying to pick a fight this is just my unbias opinion

[Hookm36]

I understand the Post, and what you guys are comparing, but a little off topic, I just sold my BMW 325i and bought the G35 about a month and a half ago, and overall the BMW is more of a smooth luxury quit ride, while the G is more of a drivers car, louder and 100 more horses. The BMW has more features, but driving a G, you have more control of what you want the the vehicle to do. BMW handles so much better, but the G35 gets up so much faster.......needless to say I had the BMW 3 yrs, and loved it, just wanted something a little faster and plan to have my G for yrs to come...

my BMW

my G35

[zozoka1212]

nice ride man congrats one more thing I would say the interior is better in the G.

Zozoka

[AZhitman]

I dunno, I'm not a fan of the G interior.

I don't like the "feel" of a German car, especially the driver interface - steering, brakes and switchgear. Basically, anything you "touch", I don't like the feel / layout of.

But the 3-series has better interior materials IMO.

Good stats, BTW - I stand corrected.

[zozoka1212]

hm I do like the G interior especially the 07 sedan. Will see about the coupe should be similar to the sedan.

Zozoka

[AZhitman]

Oh for sure - 07 is a BIG improvement. I meant 03-06.

[soul_hfk]

i looked at the bmw's b4 buying my G....price alone u cant get even in the ball park wit the bmw's about 8k+ for the same car

[audtatious]

car and driver tested both and

335i0-60 4.8 secquarter mile 13.5 at 1050.89 g's

g350-60 5.2quarter mile 13.9 at 1030.87 g's

Interesting. Isn't the 335i factory rated at 0-60 in 5.5 sec and the G35 rated 0-60 in 5.6?

From the article, it seemed this was a non-broken in G35 sedan, so it will only be quicker with some additional miles. Great improvement over previous models. Should be interesting to see what the G37 can do later this year.

[zozoka1212]

I think you are right but I saw the article of the 335i from edmunds and that's where most people get the under 5 sec. They tested it and the way the article was you can tell the guy just loves BMW from that point......... that is one of the biggest(if not the biggest) online car data base.I could be wrong maybe it goes 4.8 i dunno.

zozoka

[AZhitman]

Edmunds is the biggest joke in the industry.

I don't trust their information on a Mercury Grand Marquis, much ess a real car like a G35 or a 330i.

[audtatious]

I wasn't calling anyone wrong.

[zozoka1212]

You are right about the Edmunds, but to be honest lot of people depends on the website like edmunds. People who actually never sit in 335i would fight for the words what they've seen on edmunds or other websites. I rather depend on the experience or if it's not possible then go on the dealers website. It is much closer to the realistic number.

Zozoka

[audtatious]

Edmunds sux. I have found so many glaring mistakes in their articles it is pathetic. Their "forums" are even worse and cater to sheeple who have no clue at all and will take any answer without question.

[zozoka1212]

I remember years ago they were ok. But you right last couple of years they think they can do whatever they want.

zozoka

[torbach1]

I just sold my '06 BMW 330i stick (on a lease) and got an '07 G35x auto (purchase). I can't comment on the manual shift in the g35, and I have read several reviews of the G35 in which the reviewers criticized the high clutch take up, and the vibrations coming through the shifter confirming what some have posted here. However, in the auto, this is not an issue obviously. I also have not driven a 335i so my point here is not so much about that car, but I will say that in my view while both are very nice cars, the G35 auto is a nicer drive than the 330i. It feels significantly quicker and comparable in most other areas. I personally prefer the Infiniti's interior and controls (I didn't have iDrive in the 330i).

In addition, the base price difference between the two while already high is actually a lot higher when you start adding options. I got a fully loaded G35x for $38k and the equivalent 335xi has a sticker of $50650 and is probably as much as $48k after negotiations - that's $10k difference. Even if the 335i is a little quicker or better handling at the limit, is it worth the $10k? If you're leasing, then it's a different story since the lease price difference will probably not be that significant.

Regards,Tamir

[G_whizz]

Good info!

Welcome to NICO!

[zozoka1212]

well said Tamir

zozoka

[torbach1]

Heh - in the last few days I've been trying to find errands I have to run in order to drive my car because I'm enjoying it so much. Even better if the errand is after midnight, and I 'unfortunately' have to go to the 24 hour supermarket which is a few miles further away than our local supermarket... :-)

[zozoka1212]

what color did you get?

zozoka