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Are there no G owners that had a choice to buy an M3 but opted to get a Gcoupe instead? This was the decision I made... sometimes I feel kind of stupid about it. But I like the overall styling of the coupe better...



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I used to own an SMG M3, but it was an early model that had the infamous "blown up engine" problem. I only put about 7K miles on it before it went BOOM, but that was enough to know that I wasn't entirely happy with the car.

Before that, I had a 99 M3 5 speed (E36), and I LOVED that car. The E46 was okay too, but the ride was incredibly harsh compared to the E36, and I felt the handling was a step backwards for the E46 as well.

I should have gotten a true manual trans instead of choosing the SMG, because once the novelty wore off I was wishing that I had a clutch pedal and shifter again.

Anyway, for me, the G35c 6mt is a much better car than the M3 and should prove to be much more reliable too.

Plus, the looks of the G35c are killer! No more 3 series for me.

 

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Performance (new / 40,000):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec / 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.2 sec / 12.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph 20.1 sec / 21.2 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph 5.2 sec / 5.5 sec
Standing 1/4-mile 13.1 sec / 13.4 sec


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Interersting... the M3 got slower as the miles went up.... Most cars post quicker times as they get some miles on them.

 

Hey Moog,

You know that the American version of the SMG II doesn't have launch control, right? That's a Euro only deal.

However, there is some pseudo-LC version, but it is not nearly as brutal as the true Euro LC.

BTW, using LC is limited. After XX (don't remember the exact amount) launches, the warranty is null and void.

 

Yeah I hear ya on the warranty thing, as my friend has told me about it. He's only used it a few times, but he's pretty loaded. Money isn't really an issue for him. He hasn't had the car but maybe six or seven months. Already has gone through two sets of wheels, moteck titanium exhaust, gruppe-m intake, bilstien coilovers, etc..

Ivory Pearl coupe

 

damn.
does anyone know if you supercharge a g35 and make about 350 hp. can it hang better with a m3 at higher speeds. like from 90 mph and on the numbers start to get very behind. how come it takes m3 35 sec to reach 150mph and it takes the g35 55 sec.

[image][/image]

 

I could have easily bought the M3. But didn't even consider it after the G came out. Key word here is VALUE. That is exactly what the G is all about. Do you think that the G would have been car of the year if it were priced the same as the M3? The answer is a BIG FAT NO! There are too many M3s running around for my taste. If I spend that type of $ I want some exclusivity. Apparently that's not enough $ to buy the type of exclusivity I'm looking for. So in the mean time I'll continue amassing hoards of real estate. When I am filthy stinking rich I'll spring for the Italian car with a little horse on the hood.

Now with several thousand dollars left in my pocket I can hook up my G make it look unique, mod it, AND hang with the M3's impressive stats, AND STILL have a few grand left in my pocket. Let's not forget resale value. I could go on and on.

Next is cost of ownership. BMWs have gone down in the area of reliability. Parts and service are a fortune. Service is actually non existent. BMW of San Diego treated me like crap and I had bought a brand new fully loaded 330ci from them. It was always in the shop and they would send me out in a Corolla while it was in. That dealership made me feel like never owning a BMW again.

Every time I see an M3 on the road I feel great about my decision. I smile and think to myself, Infiniti could have made a car that blows away the M3 for less $ but they decided not to. Yet.

They just have a long term strategic marketing plan. Gain market share and brand loyalty now, by delivering a ton of value and LATER, when we are a little older and wealthier they will give us the M3 killer, and much more. We just aren't ready for it yet. Timing is everything in this complex competitive market place.


Black on Black 6MT W/Clear Corners & PIAAs
Borla TDE
Hyper Grounding Kit
19s on order

 

i wanted to get the m3. but i couldn't afford one. but after i test drove the g35. i wasn't sad anymore that i could'nt get the m3.

[image][/image]

 

Well, thanks for all the replies to my comment. I do feel a lot better about it. The interior of the M3 though... I guess one car can't have it all, and the M3 definitely wins on interior, no matter what.

It just has some cool touches that I like. Projector lights, true mounted fogs, really good HP/L output, 19" wheels, and the side grills that make it an M. BUT.. I have .. Brembo's, better looking seats, LED brake lights to die for, better styling IMHO, a hell of a lot better engine sound / exhaust... and 25k left over for my parents? =)

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

Similar to others for a long time I wanted the M3. After I bought my house and had some money saved up, I was looking for a new car. If the G35 coupe did not exist, I would own a M3 right now (there wasn't really any other car I was interested in, briefly considered Sti, but wanted more luxury). If the GTR was out, I would probably have waited. In the end there were several factors:

1. like G35c styling better, the M3 although still looks good looks dated, and the M4 is "right around the corner"
2. In Washington and there are plenty of M3's here, so the G35c is actually rare (there's only 1 Infiniti dealer here)
3. Infiniti reliabilty is way up there compared to BMW. I used to frequent the M3 boards when they first discovered the engine blowing up issue
4. Even though I could afford the M3, the price difference is too great to ignore (price/perf)
5. Even before I found out I qualified for VPP, I was sold on the G35c and waited the 3 months for one

 

Its funny how this topic gets brought up every couple month. Same cycle, same reaction. :-) Admin should just make a sticky out of it.