not quite a bmw ...but a better value

[mfn1194]

I bought my 2003 G35 with 40Kmiles for $16,100. I really wanted a BMW 330i, but any '03 with 40k miles was $5k to $8K more than similar G35.

I've been very impressed with the G35. But i've driven 330i's.. and they seem a little tighter, handle a little better, seem to have a higher quality interior materials, better stereo(harmon) and much better leather used in the seats.

I'm glad i did not spend the extra money for the BMW, but there is something special about the BMWs that Infiniti can't duplicate.

Any other former BMW owners notice there is just something "missing" with G's. ??

[G_whizz]

I have never owned a BMW (not my taste)... but keep in mind ... you bought the beginning year for the G35... all, if not most, of the kinks have been worked out by now and refinements have been made.

Wayyyy better choice IMHO. The G is much sleeker and nicer to look.

Congrats... any mods planned?

[zozoka1212]

^+1 first model year had some minor issues.

G is more of a unique style.

zozo

[G_whizz]

Where you been hiding lately Zozo???

[SVTCOBRA]

Any other former BMW owners notice there is just something "missing" with G's. ??

superiority complex??

We've owned one, but it was a long time ago: 318IHave driven several since - mainly M3's . Great cars, but I prefer a G.

[abdoman]

I've had quite a few BMWs and your absolutely right - there is something about a BMW that the Infiniti doesn't have but you can't be the value of a G35.

[gwoods]

Spent a year car pooling in a 2001 BMW 328I, whats missing is that heavy feel in the steering and the way the doors close. Everything BMW reminds you that it is a luxery car.

That being said go test drive an 07 or 08. OMG is the 2007 a different car from a 2006 expecially the interior!

I had a 2006 loaner last Wednesday and missed my 2007 every second.

Jeff

[Kendahl]

They are certainly quite different cars. Even though I can afford new 328i or 335i, I chose a G37 on its merits independent of price. One advantage BMW has with the 3 series is that they have been refining it since the early nineties. (Except for the original 2002, I don't like the models prior to 1992.) A BMW feature you will be glad to do without is the expense of keeping one running after the warranty has expired.

[gwoods]

A BMW feature you will be glad to do without is the expense of keeping one running after the warranty has expired.

The 2001 that I carpooled with had the transmission fail completely at less then 60k miles.

The owner traded it on a Chrysler 300 (not Hemi) and she never looked back.

Jeff

[zozoka1212]

Where you been hiding lately Zozo???

Ah bought a house and sold this place. Also been working crazy on couple of new projects at work. It is killing me.

zozo

From next week I'll be back as normal. I shouldn't say that.

[CoppellStereo]

if i bought the first year model of a BMW 3-series, i wouldnt like it either

[itgogitrev]

It's weird that I came across this post...

I got a chance to test drive an E46 328 and 330 as well as 2 different G sedans. You're right, there is a bit of a difference. I just started up on this board a little while ago, I'm actually a big BMW/VW/Audi guy. However, I need something newer for work that can comfortably seat 3 adults, plus myself. A 3 series won't do that.

A used 3 series is in my price range but not a used 5 series, unless I go back to the E39s. However, I can get a fully loaded 2005 G35 Sedan and it fits my budget well. Sure, the interior materials might be a bit cheaper, but honestly, I really do like the G. Maintenance and aftermarket stuff for bimmers just cost way too much.

On top of that, I don't like the stigma attached with driving a new BMW. My hearts been with the old E30s, E24s, and E39s. I don't really like where Bangle is going with the design. German cars used to be about subtle presence; you couldn't really point out why the car looked so good.

Now, Bangle has come up with marketing strategies and clever phrases like "flame surfacing" to justify the new look. I agree that companies need constant evolution and sometimes revolution, but not when you're taking cars with fantastic chassis, making them look overweight and disproportioned, and to boot, installing iDrive.

iDrive is getting better, but it defeats the purpose of buying an 'M' car. You can adjust the shift settings, the throttle response, the suspension settings, nearly everything in the car. But what purpose does that make? Aren't people buying these cars because they're already supposed to be set up well? Why would I want to dumb down the suspension on an M3? If that was the case, I'd buy a 330... or a Buick.

Sorry, rant over. I will not buy a BMW made after 2005. That sucks too, I used to be one of their biggest fans.

[torbach1]

I had an '06 BMW 330i. I agree that there is something very special about BMW's, and I agree with Jeff that a big part of that is the heavy steering and the doors. the doors in the bimmer have a nice, solid thunk, and they just feel more solid and better built. Same with the trunk. The steering in the bimmer is more progressive and is tighter at lower speeds than the '07 G35 sedan.

Having said all, that I sold my '06 330i because I was having a lot of problems with it, and the nearest dealership to me is terrible. It took me 8 weeks and 3 trips to the service dept of driving on bad bearings before they finally acknowledged the problem and managed to resolve it. In each case, not only did I not get a loaner BMW, but the enterprise car rental actually ran out on one occasion despite their knowing ahead of time that I would be there. I had to scramble to make my work meeting.

With (several) experiences like that, I decided I couldn't deal with BMW any more. I'll take the G35 with lighter doors and not quiet as solid a trunk, not to mention much, much better value for money. The layout in the Infiniti is far more logical in my opinion. The bimmer's window switches are too far forward, and every time I tried to open the driver's window, I would open the rear passenger window. The radio screen is invisible if you're wearing polarized sunglasses. A lot of the controls are not the most logically placed. And frankly, the G35x that I have is far quicker and much easier to drive quickly than the 330i. Can't say the same for the 335i - different story there, but it costs between $8k and $13k more than the G...

As for service, I have one service center that is pretty good near by and I always get an Infiniti loaner there, and can typically get my car in within 3 days of calling (BMW took 2 weeks minimum and 4 weeks was not unusual!!), and the dealer I bought the car from is awesome (but 1 hour away) and always gives me an '07 G35x loaner, and in general treats me very well. One other example - the Infiniti dealer always washes the car at no charge (without my asking for that), while the BMW dealer never had enough time to wash my car even when I asked and offered to pay...

CheersTamir

[itgogitrev]

^^^ That's a good point. I remember walking into Kings Auto Mall Infiniti a few years ago and I was actually greeted by people. I told them that I just started working in the area and unfortunately wasn't in the market for a new car. I just really wanted to see the G35 up close. They handed me enough info on the G35s to keep reading about it for a good couple of weeks.

Walking into the Cincinnati BMW Store, hehehe, good luck. I was passed by 5 employees, 3 of which were salespeople. When I asked where I could get some information on the 3 series, the person I asked just pointed to a rack. Apparently, it wasn't worth his time get them for me, let alone even speak to me.

I remember things like that. That's why I'll have an Infiniti shortly.