I currrently have a bmw 330. My lease is up next month. I have already negotiated a price on a custom ordered bmw 330 coupe with the following: xenon lights, sport package and leatherette interior. I chose leatherette because it never looks worn, you can clean it with degreaser and it takes $1500 off the price.The only catch is that you have to order the car because 98% of 330's come with leather. The total price w/o tax is $35.5K(msrp $40.5K. The g35 optioned out with bose, splash, body side moulding and rear aero is$34,180(no sunroof or premium package). That pricing is for a 2004. On the 2005, the price is going to go up possibly more than the bmw considering that the new sports suspension is going to be an option. So basically, i can have either car for the same price. Keep in mind that bmw will be introducing the new e90 sedan next year and the coupe to follow. also I have 4 bmw's in my house(x5,525,745,330) and they all have some sort of electrical problem. This is the reason I'm considering japaneese.Any input will be appreciated. p.s. today my car went to the shop again! It's almost funny, but i have now three loaners in my drive way becase all the cars except the x5 are in the shop.the three cars have the loaner logo on the rear window. Maybe I should take a snap shot and send it to bmw with the vin#'s to my cars.....

 

Definitely get the 330. After all the BMW is the best car in the world and this is a BMW forum, right?

<font color=blue>The above statements are only my take on the issue. If you disagree with anything I typed then you are 100% right!</font color=blue>

 

Neff LOL, I would say get the 330 only if it's a ZHP. You pretty much explained what's bad about BMW, they are great car's and I love them as much as my G, but performance wise only the ZHP could beat a G, and the G has a lot more top end power and just a better feel to it. I drove my friend's 330 last night and didn't like it half as much as my sedan!! But my sedan is modded for handling so I dunno, either get ZHP with possible electronic prob's, or get a great G35 with hardly any prob's and so much fun. You already have like 2914 bmw's lol, go for a change and the G is the right choice =) Good luck, post pic;s when you get your G haha. Martin


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

neff, I think you still a little wounded from the I HIT A DOG forum. Give the future G35 brother a break.
chrisbesu, I think you already answered your own question. If you're having all those electrical problems then go with the G35. You don't read people bitching about that here, do you?


"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."
2004 G35 Coupe | OB | Graphite interior | Premium and aero package | Popcharger | Z tube | Hotchkis sway bars | kinetix plenum on the way

 

Before i got a G i had a '97 328 (still have it) and a '86 325, before i got the G i test drove a 330 w/ performance Package and i decited to go with the G b/c the bmw look to simillar, sure it was differnet but i jest felt the same, the g has a more sportier look and feel thats why i chose it

 

I thought I was telling him what he wanted to hear. I mean after all, I came within inches of pulling the trigger on a 2004 E46-M3, SMGII, but the wife didn't like the "clunky shifting". Now that I've got my G35 all I can think about (day and night) is S/C-ing it so that I can have my Nissan M3.

I passed up on the ZHP because for a few dollars (no where near the price of a ZHP) you can turn the G35 coupe into a car that will eat up a ZHP car. Remember the ZHP only add some 10hp and a bunch of cosmetic and handling changes.

I say G35C-6MT, with the complete TEIN package and a S/C

<font color=blue>The above statements are only my take on the issue. If you disagree with anything I typed then you are 100% right!</font color=blue>

 

First, I find it very hard to believe that you can get a 330 w/sport package, etc., for $35k. That's incredible! Second, I was looking at a 330i w/sport package before I bought my G and looks wise, no comparison; the G coupe blows it away. Performance wise, everything I read told me the G coupe was over-all better. I do have one regret, I didn't drive a 330i so I can't speak from experience on that. Good luck!

 

Wow 3 loaners at the same time, I would definitely take a picture and send it to corporate. Also, show the dealer as a reminder for the loyal customer you've been and the patheic quality you expect to receive from the car.

Personally I would chose the BMW, but since you've already got a handful you may want to try something else.

My friend had a 3 series, but ended up getting rid of it due to the amount of maintaince costs (why I never got a bimmer). Ironically, the last straw was his electrical system that shorted out, which they wanted $5,000 to fix.

 

dpking, The price of the car is a fact. The dealer has been dealing with me for years and i always tell them,"if i find this car for cheaper you may loose a very good customer so make sure your price is the absolute lowest you can go" the trick is not to bluff and shop around with there price in hand. On another note, I posted the same thread on bimmerfest to see if i would get a different response. go check it out my screen name is bmwklr.

 

don't rationalize your options. if there is an option you really want, get it. the extra 1-3k now will make you happier later.

basically, the g is a better value for the $ but the bmw has many many pros.

04 6mtC, DG - possibly most babied G on the board.

 

I think the three loaners in the driveway should make the decision easy. The G coupe is a much more reliable car with superior performance in almost all respects. You're also getting a nice leather interior.

As another former BMW owner with similar (lack of) reliability stories, I'd say buy the G and get ready for the permanent smile...

 

I returned one of the loaners, but I still have two to go. Here's an image that really makes you think.



290164-IMG_0048.jpg

 

Fellow ex-BMW owner here too. I dumped my 2001 325CI before the warranty ran out. I've had my G35C for 18 months and the only warranty work I've had done is the driver window didn't close up all the way and I got some wind noise at 80 mph on the highway


'03 G35C, 6MT, Black, Pop Charger, 18x8.5/9.5 BBS RGR, 245/275 40 Toyo T1-S, Tein S-Tech

 

I think many of us have considered this same question regarding 330 v. G35. I chose the G price-independent. I see a ton of 3 series every single day. The numbers of G's are climbing but they're no where near the numbers of 330/328/325/323 BMW's running around all looking pretty much the same except for the badging. The shape (IMHO) is looking a bit dated and as you mentioned it's due to be replaced next year which will further diminish it's appeal.

Either get the 2005 G35 w/ the extra horsepower or wait for next years 3 series. Either way I think you'll be much happier than getting another current series 3...

04, TB/W, Nav, Aero, 6MT, etc...

 

I had a 2001 330ci sport package 5 speed. Had some problems, electrical and otherwise. At end of lease (2 months ago) I went with the G35 6mt, but not because of the problems with the BMW. Pure and simple, the G is a blast to drive and a beauty to look at. I get a charge every time I turn the ignition, in away that I never did with my BMW. I know that this is not a technical comparison (though I do think my G accellerates better and handles at least as well) but there is a lot to be said for intangibles and that basic "feel". Oh, and that beautiful exhaust note....