mini cooper works to G37 coup or 135 coupe

[jrr]

I have loved the 212 hp rocket ship for 6 years. Now at 65, wife says grow up. I love the concept of the G37 coupe. Know it fast but I how does it handle. The N55 engined BMWs are great but they seems to be big into understeering. Coming from a Mini, the G seems voluminous.
Live in SW Va so closest are Greensboro NC. Looking at a 10 G37 with premium, sport, navigation. There appears to be just usual car issues with Infiniti, all reasonably acceptable.

Guide me past the sales stuff to where I should be headed. The deals seem a reasonable start since there are a ton a stock 10s around.

I agreed since my alter life has a little toy 2200# and 460hp in the garage,Shelby Replica.

Us old guys are into instant gradification.
Thanks

[Fezzik]

Start with www.zag.com and do the american express route. This will give you some pretty good prices, sometimes the prices some nissan employees pay (the VPP program) I did zag and got better than VPP. You can also go to truecar.com You can even sometime find some used 2010's for sale. Check ebay as well as sometiems there are good prices from dealers who post on there. You call them up asking about the car and the price that its listed for on ebay. Hope this helps you start off.

As far as power... You can get a supercharger from GTM or stillen and get the car near 500bhp which is about 430whp.

[jrr]

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions. I have some places to do my homework. No more Mini's, tough to get the golf clubs in and out these days. Not sure about the M's, not really into big cars and the G already has more creature comforts. I am just hoping that the G is less sled than the BMW. I will probably pop back on with some more questions. Again appreciate the help.

By way if she who is the boss says grow up re the mini, can only imagine the comment re Viagra

[Kendahl]

Do you want an automatic transmission or a manual? The manual version of the G37 comes with the sport package. With the automatic, you have to specify it.

For other options, I suggest premium and navigation. The premium package has a long list of highly desirable items. Without it, the car is rather plain. The navigation package includes a rear view camera which is a big help when backing up. Personally, I don't like the technology package or the four-wheel-steering; too much interference by the computer.

The trunk is quite small in the coupe. If you follow the instructions posted inside the trunk, you should be able to fit two golf bags.

How long do you expect to keep the car? If it is just until the warranty expires, buy whatever you want and can afford. If you plan to keep it for a long time, the G37 will be cheaper to maintain than any German car.

I like the size of BMW's 1-series. However, I think they are butt ugly. The 3-series coupes have gotten pretty good looking again. But they are still not as elegant as the E46s made between 1998 and 2005. I also don't like BMW's choice of run-flat tires and oil change intervals that are too long for engine survival. Their marketing seems to be aimed at people who lease or buy and trade when the warranty expires. Neither BMW nor their intended customers seem to care about the condition of the car at 100k miles.

[jrr]

Kendahl' thanks for the info. I think I am finally at the non rowing stage in my life. I still have the alter life toy to play coordinated movements in. I thought Premium and navigation as well. Good point on the trunk since frankly until you mentioned it, I had never given it a thought what with the overall size increase of the car in general. The 1/3 both have the split folding seats and make is very convenient. Not sure if a sedan would make more sense, unless it really detracts from performance and handling.

Not sure how long I tend to keep a car. last year an 09 VW Rabbit lasted 6 months just. Last BMW was a 99 M3, nice car but your point re upkeep is right so I doubt seriously keeping one beyond four years.

Today I am testing an 08 335 with Dinan at 400hp, it will be interesting and an an 11 135 with the new 7 speed dual clutch. I hate run flats. Mini came with them and I yanked them in 200 miles. Been running naked with only a can of run flat for 35000 miles.
Will post impressions and questions later.

[jrr]

Well back from the dealers. Drove an 135 and it was slightly bigger than the Mini and a little faster but didn't handle as well. The 08 335 with the Dinan stuff. 400hp/430tq, front springs and under warranty, was a blast. Went to see the G37. Salesman was a non listener. i threw him a curve and asked to see the coupe and sedan trunks. Kendahl, you are so right, its one bag unless small carry bags. The sedan trunk is not huge but I can get bags and luggage in.

The comfort of the G37S coupe was fantastic, the navigation system/info center is first rate, all the little things make it a pleasure to be in. The handling was level and firm but not jarring. From a standing start the thing is quick as all get out.

Now the negative. On the highway when you step on the gas it goes 1001. 100_, contact. I can't believe they programmed that into the transmission. To me its a deal breaker unless there a fix or something. It makes a bad turbo lag look good. Can't believe the engineers who designed the wonderful everything else, let this happen.

[kmckis1029]

the transmission on the 2010 will get quicker in highway shifting once it learns your driving habits, but not lighting fast. did you try manual mode? thats what i use when i want a quick shift on the highway... occasionally the 7 speed "thinks to much" in regular D. also the g37 has DS "drive sport" mode which will keep the engine in its power band and shifts noticablely quicker than regular D... overall i like the 7 speed on the g37

[jrr]

kmckis
Good to know it has an intuitive learning program. Wish the sales guy had opened his mouth. What "sport mode" and how do you activate it?? Where was the salesman's head as I was vocal about how this almost 2 second delay was not good. The ONLY complaint I voiced, well maybe the trunk size but gave him the alternative of the sedan.

I am by no means taking a shot at the Infiniti, like I said I thought is a great car other than this.What interesting the steptronic in the BMW 3 was very quick and the 7 speed dual clutch in the 135 was instantaneous, almost too quick. My thought/concern is you pull out to pass someone in a passing area and you would have to anticipate big time.

[kmckis1029]

when you move the shifter to the left from D the transmission goes into DS mode. DS mode is still automatic but has opposite logic of D, as it tries to always keep you in the lowest gear and in the power band vs the highest gear for fuel economy. then if you up or down shift with it in DS mode the transmission will go into manual mode and stay in manual mode til you move the shifter back to the right into D again.

Yea that sales guy should of immediatly showed you that feature...

[jrr]

Well the fact that the transmission drove me nuts and the salesman when I asked abort Sport setting said there wasn't one, then offered me $5060 less for the Mini than BMW, heck with it bought the Dinan 335. 400hp/434tq and sport springs. Shame I really loved everything about the Infiniti. Absolutely great car, the G37S, folks. Thanks for all the support, Infiniti should really train their sales folks a lot better.

[timmy0257]

the product knowledge of the salesman falls on the dealership. the manufacturer offers programs and web based training for their salesman, but whether or not that is enforced by the Sales Manager(s) is unknown. I always have lots of questions, but when I walk onto a lot, I have already educated myself and know exactly what to ask. Often times, the salesmen has no idea.

I would try the G again using the Sport mode.

[jrr]

Timmy
Thanks and you are right. But the combination of the lack of knowledge and the $5K low ball on trade set me off. I bought the BMW. It really was a shame. maybe next time. Unfortunately where we live the closet dealer is 100 miles away.

[Kendahl]

.... heck with it bought the Dinan 335.

Congratulations on the 335.

The Infiniti salesman shortchanged the G37. It's a much better car than you were led to believe. I get loaner G37s when I take my G37S coupe in for service. No transmission lag. It doesn't shift as quickly as I would like, but it's not bad for an automatic.

Suggestion for the 335 based on advice from the independent foreign car shop I have patronized for 30 years. Ignore BMW's long oil change intervals. Use synthetic as recommended, but change the oil and filter at least every 5k miles. If you do mostly low speed city driving, make that 3k to 4k miles. According to my independent, BMW sixes are prone to sludge. If you go as long as BMW suggests between oil changes, your 335 will be full of sludge up and burning oil before 100k miles. In my opinion, BMW is focused solely on customers who lease or trade their cars as soon as the warranty expires. If you plan to keep yours past 100k miles or care about the next owner, change the oil more often. BMW won't include extra oil changes in their free maintenance program; you will have to pay for them yourself. Either do them yourself or take the car to a good independent shop.

[jrr]

Kendahl
Thank you. Being retired I may do 7K per year. So with the Mini I just changed Winter and Summer. Changing too much doesn't hurt but letting it sit, collect moisture and the like is bad. I will say the Dinan software/induction makes a huge difference on this car, I may keep this for a while.

[SVTCOBRA]

but when I walk onto a lot, I have already educated myself and know exactly what to ask. Often times, the salesmen has no idea.

+1 I NEVER rely on a salesman to know anything. I usually know more about the car than them before going to the lot.

I've seen a BMW 6 opened up that had well over 100K miles and had been on Kendal oil with changes every 3K miles. It was spotless!!!!! no sludge

Personally, I would not go more than 4K on synthetic in any car.
Congrats on your new car!!

[kmckis1029]

i wish the infiniti sales guy could see this posting... he would be slapping his self... lost one to bmw...

[jrr]

I realize I live in the south but his attitude was "no problem". This at the end of the month no less. You all know that the average dealer is sitting on a bunch of the G37s. Oh well

[audtatious]

Quite an odd sales experience but I have run across all types. The salesmen I have worked with were very good at rolling off specifications and such on the product which was far better than the other local dealerships sales teams I have dealt with who's answer to everything was "here's the keys, let's go for a ride and discuss your trade-in". Sorry, I'll take the keys for a test drive but I don't want your sorry azz in the car.....

Good luck with the 335, it's quite a nice ride.

[jrr]

It was as though I didn't meet his expectations or qualifications. Hell I paid cash for the BMW. The shame was just tell me to try it in sport mode since I was vocal about the transmission lag. Or tell me there is a learning logic which will adapt to my style. Tell me to try and sell my Mini myself. I feel bad since the Infiniti is one awesome experience. Such a shame

[audtatious]

I agree and it's Infiniti's loss.

[SVTCOBRA]

Timmy
Thanks and you are right. But the combination of the lack of knowledge and the $5K low ball on trade set me off. I bought the BMW. It really was a shame. maybe next time. Unfortunately where we live the closet dealer is 100 miles away.

In the future, you might want to question the salesman as to his length of employment with the dealership. I've found that this various between 1 week and several years with most of them closers to the 1 week end of the spectrum. Turnover is a problem with the dealerships I frequent. NOOB's are always on the lot. Ask for somebody more experienced with the brand.
Low balling trades is normal. Try to not take it personal.
Think of it more as a business transaction.

Oh, and you could always throw up some pics of your new ride!!!
We love pics!!!

[jrr]

You are right of course. The low was just the icing on the cake. The sales person was 58 and had been at the dealership for more than 5 years. Me being 65 and having bought cars for 48, in the latter years using one every 2 years. Add in the fact that for 44 years I either worked as a sales person or managed very large organizations of them. Buying a car is the ultimate game to me. I have no tolerance for bad sales people, no excuse for it.I just go somewhere else and spend. The severity of the transmission issue was such that I either got a straight answer or I needed to make another decision, which I did.
Unfortunately no pics, just your basic red sedan. Until you open the hood and see the carbon fiber and the "DINAN" name.

[audtatious]

So, what's the deal with your Shelby

I'll probably grab one in a coupe years myself, I promised the wife I would not get any "toys" like that until after I get her her "dream house" which would have happened by now if the economy had not gone to crap