Premium 3.5SE Altima Coupe vs. Basic 128i

[Shift_3.5SE]

If you had an option with prices relatively close, which would you choose and why.

Altima Coupe 3.5SE, CVT, Premium PackageBMW 128i Coupe, Steptronic Auto, Power Seats, Bluetooth

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Personally, I'm not too fond of the looks on the newer-generation BMWs. German cars are becoming more reliable now (with longer warranties) so that is a benefit. However, the VQ has been consistently ranked in Ward's top 10 engines since the inception of the rankings in 1994. That has to mean something. With that being said, I would probably get the Altima because of reliability and the amazing VQ35.

Furthermore, it seems like you listed a comparison between an Altima with premium package (lots of nice options) and a BMW that's pretty stock (except for bluetooth and power seats). Unless I'm mistaken, it would probably be wiser to get the Altima because it has more goodies for the price.

Another thing to consider is resale value. I would assume that after some years, the BMW would be worth more (less depreciation) than the Altima simply because of the BMW brand. That's also something to note.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Is price not part of the consideration?

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Is price not part of the consideration?

He said "with prices relatively close."

[mcheddadi]

LOL! that's a no brainer, the altima coupe is drop dead gorgeous , and the bmw 1 serie isn't. but it's a bmw. so either you follow your heart, or you follow the badge.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

You come on to a Nissan forum asking if we'd take a BMW or our own car.....the answer is fairly obvious...and its the reason we are all here and not on a BMW forum chatting it up.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

You come on to a Nissan forum asking if we'd take a BMW or our own car.....the answer is fairly obvious...and its the reason we are all here and not on a BMW forum chatting it up.

He's asking for fair advice though. Obviously it will be biased here, but if he were to ask me between an M3 and Altima Coupe, for around the same price, the answer would be obvious as well. After all, many of us are here not because we didn't want a BMW, but for many other varying reasons. Just my 2 cents.

[mcheddadi]

You come on to a Nissan forum asking if we'd take a BMW or our own car.....the answer is fairly obvious...and its the reason we are all here and not on a BMW forum chatting it up.

But there are some real nice looking BMWs though, like the new 2008 m3 and anything in the 6 serie with red leather interiors *droools* . But seriously, the ONLY reason i'd go bmw 1 serie over altima coupe ( manual both for me) is if I wanted to drift! Touge battle a la Inital D FTW!

[mcheddadi]

He's asking for fair advice though. Obviously it will be biased here, but if he were to ask me between an M3 and Altima Coupe, for around the same price, the answer would be obvious as well. After all, many of us are here not because we didn't want a BMW, but for many other varying reasons. Just my 2 cents.

m3?! that's a whole different league. 2008 m3 INSTANTLY for me lol. 4L v8 with 414hp and a OEM hood budlge with carbon fiber roof...MAN!

but now i'm too attached to my altima coupe now anyways...and the 448hp turbo kit is going to smoke the 2008 m3 :evil

[SHIFT_2.5S]

but now i'm too attached to my altima coupe now anyways...and the 448hp turbo kit is going to smoke the 2008 m3 :evil

Still going for that turbo kit, eh?

[SHIFT_COUPE]

He's asking for fair advice though. Obviously it will be biased here, but if he were to ask me between an M3 and Altima Coupe, for around the same price, the answer would be obvious as well. After all, many of us are here not because we didn't want a BMW, but for many other varying reasons. Just my 2 cents.

I agree. We are ALL here for varying reasons. I'm glad your all here! Seriously

I was just pointing out the bias of our group perhaps

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Good point, Tyler.

The bunny (above) is bringing a pancake to your 'fruit'.

[generic808]

When is that BMW supposed to be released anyway? One of my best friends has the new 330i sport package and she always makes me drive when we go out. That thing drives like a dream I tell ya! Talk about a perfect suspension. I love my Altima, but it really is a "family sedan" when compared to the 330i

[squik]

Not that I don't love my coupe, but I saw a 1 series at a car show recently and all of the pictures I have seen don't do it justice. It was a very sharp car, because of the size it has a semi aggressive stance to it. Who can argue with a 300 bi turbo rear wheel drive piece of German engineering! (I miss my audi )

[GreyZone]

BMW = Potentail (and very expensive) maintence nightmare. WOnderful when it is working, but much more prone than the Nissan to mechanical isssues.

That was the primary deciding factor for me. ANd multiple mods are then possilbe to tweak suspension and ride, get it just how you like it.

[Shift_3.5SE]

To clarify...the 128i has an inline 6 230HP and the 135i has a biturbo 300HP engine. I would be getting the 128i which starts at $29375

[SHIFT_2.5S]

To clarify...the 128i has an inline 6 230HP and the 135i has a biturbo 300HP engine. I would be getting the 128i which starts at $29375

Seems like the 128i starting price is quite close to a reasonably-loaded 3.5SE.

[Shift_3.5SE]

So it's a pretty unanimous vote for the 3.5SE Coupe over a basic 128i. But Now, what about a 3.5SE coupe vs. an Infiniti G35 Sedan (2008)

[SHIFT_2.5S]

But Now, what about a 3.5SE coupe vs. an Infiniti G35 Sedan (2008)

That's a pretty useless question. Two different cars (coupe vs. sedan), two different categories, two different platforms, different styles, different levels of quality, different price categories, etc, etc.

This can go on without end. You can keep saying: "What about Coupe vs. Mitsubishi Lancer...What about coupe vs. BMW M5....What about Coupe vs Porsche Boxter. You can't compare apples and oranges. In this case, it's like apples and watermelons. Anyway, that question simply has no answer.

[mcheddadi]

That's a pretty useless question. Two different cars (coupe vs. sedan), two different categories, two different platforms, different styles, different levels of quality, different price categories, etc, etc.

This can go on without end. You can keep saying: "What about Coupe vs. Mitsubishi Lancer...What about coupe vs. BMW M5....What about Coupe vs Porsche Boxter. You can't compare apples and oranges. In this case, it's like apples and watermelons. Anyway, that question simply has no answer.

but it does lol, always get the one with the best power to weight ratio, if your looking for performance, and always look for the one with ventilated seats if your looking for luxury, and always look for the cheapest if your low on cash, and always look for the one with 4 doors if you have childrens, and always looks for the one where you can fall asleep for the most confortable, and always look for the one you can clean with a hose in the inside if you like camping, and always look for the one where ....etc.

[adidas2go]

I actually sold my 03 BMW 330i to get this car. The one statement i can fairly use about the two is, the altima coupe has 95% of the features that my BMW did with half the maintenance price and more longevity. I mean the coupe has everything down to the orange center consol courtesy light that i had never seen in another car except my BMW. All be it the handling in the BMW is in a completely different class. But other than that, not alot more to the BMW over the A/C. I dunno ive been a BMW fanatic for years and our family has owned 4 of them. I absolutely love them and when searching for another car i went to the BMW dealerships and drove 70% of the new models. The A/C really holds its own against BMW coupes in 8 outta 10 categories. BMW also really has the MPG thing down pretty good. I got 32 MPG with cruise on 70 in my 3.0L inline 6. My final verdict. 128i < A/C . 135i > A/C.

[nismofool]

when dealt with pricing of the cars, (in my situation) where i paid about 26k for the a/c 3.5se, reason being my 3.5se is a lil bit akward (according to nissan) i have no leather seats or navi and such, its as basic as it can get. with my situation i'd get the a/c over the 128i's 29k. but if i got a loaded a/c for around 30k, i'd get the 128i. and never look at the 135i, way outta my league from my financial circumstances.