The only thing that bugs me about the G35 is that it doesn't have rear-folding seats. I live by Banff and I go snowboarding a lot, so the fact that I'm forced to use a ski rack (which totally destroys the G35's aerodynamics not to mention gets my snowboard dirty and dull) makes me really wish Infiniti would put a rear split in there in the next version.

It's not just for snowboarding too... but any time I want to carry something bigger than the regular boot will allow. Believe it or not, the rear split is a going to be a HUGE factor in my next car purchase.

 

I think the reason for this is structural support but I could be wrong.

 

i went to the BMW performance drive here in MASS. they always put the audi between the 330 and the G so you couldnt really compare one after the other, they would let you drive the bimmer after driving the slug audi.of course after driving audi it made the bimmer seem ALOT better. the bimmers also had wider tires in rear (a lil advantage) but the instructor i sat with said they are both pretty close, its just the name of the bimmer that shine brighter. all in all i am happy with my decision for G.

 

How do you go about registering or getting invited to the BMW event? I went to the Lexus event yesterday, and it was a good experience. For that one, they let people register online.

 

For me, it was via direct mail invitation. I don't know how I got on their list.

 

$10K more for the BMW 330i??? Not quite!
I just priced one with premium pack., sport package, comfort access, 6 speed automatic, metallic paint, satellite radio prep, heated seats, etc (all the things my G35 has and the MSRP was $43,920.
My G35 had an MSRP of $37 and change.
You may pay $5-6K more for a loaded up BMW 330i but you do get much
of that back in resale value when compared to the G35.
It might be $10K more when you consider Infiniti will sell at way less than MSRP, where BMW dealers don't negotiate much.


No hating either here, love both cars. Got the G35 because it offered more room, and since we were leasing, the payments were less. BMW didn't offer any real good lease deals at the time.
As for insurance...the BMW 330i was only $38 a YEAR more for me.


Oh and as for 0-60 times...
I'm not sure where MotorTrend tested those cars, but those times were slow
for all the cars!
Edmunds.com tested the 05 G35 with an automatic and got
6.1 seconds to 60 and usually their times are SLOW compared to others.
But this time is probably true and accurate as the pre 2005 G35 with auto
ran as fast as 6.2 to 60 in several tests.

I'd say the 6.1 time is also accurate for the 2006 BMW 330i auto.
As the prior models auto ran mid 6's to 60 and the prior model's manual
ran around 5.9-6.0 to 60 mph.

 

[QUOTE]When I said it was a $10K difference I was comparing the two sample vehicles at this event which BMW had us drive and compare. Here are the facts:

G35 sedan: $32700 (31,300 base, 750 sport tuned suspension, 650 delivery)

BMW 330 sedan: $43,345 (36,600 base, 1,275 automatic transmission, 1250 active steering, 475 metallic paint, 1600 sport package, 695 delivery)

This is a difference of $10,645.

In Miami, it's $300 a year difference and this is what I used because this event was held in my area.


Where are you going with all this? I stated that BMW stated the 0-60 times were the same. They explained that while the BMW had less hp, the car was lighter and geared better than the G35. As I stated, both seemed to have the same pull, but the BMW was smoother.

 

I listed the acceleration times because another poster asked "what did they list for the times" and then yet another poster posted the MotorTrend times.
I was "confirming" BMW's claims as that both the 05 G35 auto and
06 330i auto had 0-60 times of 6.1 seconds.