Comparing BMW to Infiniti

[Koroush]

Originally Posted by graider

i would stay away from audi as they are not reliable even under warranty. Nothing is worse than waiting a few days in the dealer or hours on the highway for a tow truck in a brand spanking new car.

For us men who want performance car like m or 911, then a little unreliable is acceptable because we don't mind spending time in the shop talking to the mechanic and we atleast know whatsup with the car. But for an SUV which most women tend to buy, reliability and drivability are keys.

Reliability (as in not having to repair it.. ever) and safety more like.

The most car informed girl i know likes car just because they "look nice" & probly doesn't know what an M3 is

Not to be sexist... but if you ask an average woman to check a cars engine oil they would most likely remove the Battery and put a rock in there instead.


i would stay away from audi also, Seriously those cars suck!

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

Ok...so I finally bought my M3 about 2 weeks ago and I can't be happier. However, after spending two weeks in the seat of this beast, I have been somehow spoiled and forgot that not all BMWs are this nice.

Before purchasing my e92 ///M3, I had a 2005 G35 Coupe with the factory performance suspension and upgraded forged 19" wheels; i purchased it new and had all options except for the Nav (which I later purchased aftermarket). Additionally, I also own a 2004 FX35 and my mother owned a 2005 G35 Sedan which I drove when I went to visit her.

Over the last few weeks, the dealer loaners that I have driven have been the 328 sedan, X3 and 328 coupe; all have been 2009. I must say, that Infiniti sure has the lower end BMWs licked. Here are my impressions:

Interior

- The cheap interior in the lower-end BMWs is far inferior to the standard leather equipped in the Infinitis

- No status LCD screen on BMW, the Infiniti comes with one standard or you can upgrade to the NAV...however, all Infinitis receive the nice screen.

- The trim is about equal on both with the Infiniti having a more appealing and creative design and use of materials (i.e., brushed aluminum)

Engine

- The engines and of the aforementioned BMW models are much less powerful than the standard 3.5L VQ engine....the new 3.7L is even better.

- While the engine in the BMWs are less powerful, they feel much more refined with a smoother power curve.

Transmission

- Not much to say here except that the BMWs seem to have a smoother tranny.

Exterior

- Purely subjective but I think the BMW Sedans look better than the Infiniti sedans but the coupes are on par....a hint of class goes to the BMW but sportiness goes to the Infiniti.

Options

- The Infiniti (being a competitor) is the best bang for the buck in this class of vehicle (entry level premium market); the amount of standard options on the Infiniti are much more than those included in the BMW.

Conclusion

If your budget can only get you a bottom of the barrel Beemer, then get the Infiniti.

When it comes to the specialty cars, BMW has this win hands down..Infiniti has nothing to compete at this level (i.e., anything ///M, 6 and 7 series, Z4, Z8).

Did I say that I love my new e92...

-SZ

335 will blow away g37. i know i did! and the guy new it and didnt want any part of the 335. thank goodness my fuel pump went and i upgraded to the M3

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

335 will blow away g37. i know i did! and the guy new it and didnt want any part of the 335. thank goodness my fuel pump went and i upgraded to the M3

Sorry but everyone knows that the 335 will not "blow" away anything (stock)...it does however, in some cases, outperform a G37. However, consider that the person you blew away may not have had the same driving skill as you. It has been documented by several car mags through independent tests. In my opinion, the G37s standard features and interior slightly edge out the 335.

-SZ

[Georgeair]

Originally Posted by graider

why would anyone cross shopping a g37 and m3 is beyond me. the m3 cost almost twice as much, so it better be good.

Because there aren't that many coupes out there that I liked for >$65K, and I've had great experience with an earlier G35.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by graider

why would anyone cross shopping a g37 and m3 is beyond me. the m3 cost almost twice as much, so it better be good.

this proves a good point. infiniti does create attractive car hence it caused you to test drive it in the first place. btw, the g37 is a competitor of the 328, not 335 price wise. In this respect, the g wins hands down be it look, prestige, power, performance, tech, reliablity, whatever way you slice it.

I wasn't cross shopping at that point; I just wanted to check out a G37 since I owned a 2005 G35 coupe....since the Nissan dealer was next door, I test drove a 370Z as well.

I already knew I wanted an M3 but did take a look at a GTR, 911 and an S5 before making my purchase. If you take a look at my initial thread, I was comparing Infiniti to the lower end Beemers (i.e., 328, X3, etc..).

-SZ

[adc]

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

I have not driven then 335 yet so I cannot compare them. However, I would suspect that the NA 3.7L engine in the G may have more low-end power than the TT 3L engine in the 335.

Actually the 335i has lots more low down torque than the Infiniti - it makes max torque from 1450 RPM all the way to 5500 RPM. It's a beast at low RPMs and around town.

But since BMW softened the suspension (even with the sport package) in order to compensate for the harshness of the runflats, the 335i has very little (if any) advantage on track. Acceleration-wise, it will spank the G all day long. (Ask me how I know).

FYI, the base upholstery in those BMW models is leatherette (vinyl). I'm not sure why BMW doesn't offer either cloth or leather as standard, since both are much nicer than that awful plastic...

[Heat00]

i had an 07 g35s, sedan and an 07 m35s

neither is in the same planet as the bmw period.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by adc

Actually the 335i has lots more low down torque than the Infiniti - it makes max torque from 1450 RPM all the way to 5500 RPM. It's a beast at low RPMs and around town.

But since BMW softened the suspension (even with the sport package) in order to compensate for the harshness of the runflats, the 335i has very little (if any) advantage on track. Acceleration-wise, it will spank the G all day long. (Ask me how I know).

FYI, the base upholstery in those BMW models is leatherette (vinyl). I'm not sure why BMW doesn't offer either cloth or leather as standard, since both are much nicer than that awful plastic...

I agree...the leatherette has got to go. Infiniti offers standard leather on all their models...I think it is comparable to the mid-grade BMW leather...below the Novillo for sure.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by Heat00

i had an 07 g35s, sedan and an 07 m35s

neither is in the same planet as the bmw period.

Maybe on the 335 and above but not on their lower end models (i.e. 328) IMO. My post was initially comparing the lower end models.

-SZ

[ihatepotholes]

i picked infinity M45 over the 535, but i'd take a M3 over any inifinity model

[nova_G]

^ Infiniti

The 5 series just got some serious competition!

M56 400+ HP 10% better fuel economy.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by ihatepotholes

i picked infinity M45 over the 535, but i'd take a M3 over any inifinity model

+1