M35 Sport or G35 Coupe 6MT?

[RipplingHurst]

Update: I chose the M! It is on my driveway now! Any FAQ, crash course, tips, non obvious websites I should know about?

Thanks for all the answers below!

Hi,I have two cars in mind, a 2005 G35 Coupe 6sp with 45k miles, certified, for the same price as a 2006 M35 Sport 49k miles, Journey package, 19+ wheels too, also certified.

I test drove the Manual speed coupe, didn't like the throw. I thought the BMW 325 I tested was smoother. Maybe the clutch was going bad? Maybe a short throw will cure this?

I'm interested with the M35 sport due to the following:

1. I'm having another kid coming...; I have an FX 35 already, but a bigger car can be of help;2. Short commute; so gas prices are not an issue;

3. Active Steering, standard on the M35 Sport, right? Is it worth it? Can't wait to test it. I had a Peugeot when I lived in Europe years ago, and it had the steering rear differential. Boy, was that fun to drive!

4. I'm thinking about putting the paddle shifter from the G37 on the auto M35, as somebody did with an FX already on the mp3car.com forum.

Any suggestions?

P.S. I just posted this question on the G35 forum, hope you don't mind double posting...

PS.2: Is there a way to check under the car to see if it actually has the Active Rear Steering? The dealer says it's the M35 Sport, but it has wood trim. I thought the 06 Sport had to have Aluminum trim? Can somebody shed a light on this? 19" wheels alone does not a sport car make...

Without the Rear Active Steering I don't know if the M35 is still a sport option for me...So I'd love to double check that.
Modified by RipplingHurst at 11:09 PM 12/8/2007

[paigoomein]

M35 all the way! Granted, I'm a bit biased.

Yes, the aluminum trim is standard in the sport model, but wood trim is available as an option.

[RipplingHurst]

M35 all the way! Granted, I'm a bit biased.

Yes, the aluminum trim is standard in the sport model, but wood trim is available as an option.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the M35 too.

Any idea on how to identify if the car has Active Steering or not? Preferably by looking?

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I would certainly check out another G coupe manual and automatic. If staying with the six, and given you have an FX, the G would be mighty tempting. Both handle great though. Something about the G coupe. Mileage will probably be equally horrible. Cannot go wrong.Good Luck,M.L

[paigoomein]

Both the G and the M were on my list when test driving, and for me, the G just felt too cramped inside. I also tried out the Lexus IS and GS. The IS was DEFINITELY too cramped (and back seats are useless if you've got passengers for the rear), and the GS, though a nice car, had a ride that was a little bit too smooth for my taste. I like to feel the road a bit when I drive.

[exbmwdude]

The G35 is more fun to test drive but the M35 is the better car to own. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you value style, a manual transmission and a smaller and lighter car, the G35 coupe is for you. If you want a larger more luxurious car with better accomodations, a quieter ride and room for 4 people and their luggage the M35 is hard to beat. I very much enjoy driving the G35's when my M is in for service, but I'm always glad to get back into the M.

exbmwdude2006 M35S

[RipplingHurst]

Thanks guys for all the answers...

One last question: is it possible to fit a double din unit on the M35? I'm thinking maybe a 7" screen computer, or a kenwood head unit...is it possible (like it easily is on the G35?).

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,In a word, no. While a skilled installer might be able to do something insane, there is no easy way to do this. Better off finding a M with the NAV package.Cheers,M.L

[RipplingHurst]

I have the NAV package on my FX, and I barely have a use for it (My wife loves it though). I also have a standalone GPS (Nuvi 100 I guess) that I can leave on the trunk box and use when needed in extreme odd situations)

What I'd really be interested in would be on tv/dvd and carputer functions (160 gb of music and dozens of playlists can only be managed by a computer, I guess). I'd like to able to have surround, DTS, surround sound, etc, which are easily accomplished with the help of a computer. All with a big screen, in place of where the watch/cd functions currently reside.

Okay then, now for the good news:

I just bought the M! Boy, am I happy? Uhoooo!!!

[szh]

Congratulations!!

Z

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Welcome to the fold. You were in a can't lose situation and you didn't. Congrats,M.L

[RipplingHurst]

Thanks to all, good to be part of such a fine and interesting forum. I'm gonna be reading old posts for sometime...lots of fun! Hope I'll be contributing soon, but please bear with me, lots of questions will be coming!

Cheers!