I have to disagree about the 3-series being better as far as leather is concerned. My neighbour has an '03 330Ci convertible, and I've enjoyed driving it a few times. The leather definitely feels more 'hard', and she's had wear patters in it twice. The first time they replaced it free, but the second time, they were going to make her pay for a new seat (she had only 20,000 miles on it - just 9,000 on the new seat!). Needless to say, she can be VERY convincing when angered and got the second replacement at no charge, too :-). The seats in her car felt like the leather in my old Altima. The convertible has leather standard, but a regular 330Ci will set you back another 1500$ for leather. Maybe the non-convertible coupe's leather is better quality (or is this possibly a defect in the seat itself versus the leather???). Hopefully, the 05's have addressed that problem :-). I definitely like the BMW's interior better overall - it is more refined and is rock solid (besides those leather seats, of course!).

 

BMW is falling behind. But wait a few years, the germans (including Mercedes and audi) will own the market all over again.

 

I totally agree, and as I said G35 dont have projector lights that make look less luxurious.

 

im not saying that the 3 series (as in the E46) is a bad car, its not, but it has serious flaws (specifically its price again 45k for a similarly loaded 330i to a loaded G35 is crazy). what angers me most is when people realize that i am not a fan of the 3series and that i am picking the next best thing for reasons such as that i cant afford a beemer. thing is the G35 is not im my opinion a "default cheap replacement" for a 3 series. im sorry engine noise, communication, great braking, and im my opinion (minus the interior quality) it is a FAR superior car. the price is just a icing on the cake. I LOVE this car and i dont even own one.

 

Ok, I think it is almost a no brainer in deciding whether to get the G35 coupe or BMW 3 series. The G is faster and probably handles just as well as the BMW. As for the exterior, the G is just drop dead amazing looking while the styling on the BMW is just plain! The only view I like of the BMW is the front with the headlights. Other than that, the side and back of the car is just "blah blah", nothing to get excited about really. As for the interior, I really thought the 2003-4 G's interior was cheap looking with all the plastic and the yellow lights. The BMW's interior was little better but I was not totally happy with the weird ergonomics. The 2005 G35 is a different story! I think Inifiniti did a heck of a job with the interior and it feels a lot more luxurious now. Nice leather, aluminum touches through out, and cool looking orange lights. This is the main reason I purchased the 2005 and you won't hear any complaints here! The 05 G hands down win the comparison and we are not even talking about prices yet. I love my car and I cannot believe it is actually mine. Gets looks and compliments everywhere!

 

I decided to see how the other half lives(LOL) as I own a 2004 G35 Sedan, premium package, A.T., non sport suspension. I love it. And yes the 3 series seems to be the main topic of competition. Here in So Fla., they are everywhere although I would not say affordably unless you are talking a lease. I think 10 -15 years ago, Beamers were more prestigious as they were more rare. Now, the roads are bombarded with 3 series. My wife wanted a beamer and we drove the 3 series but the BMW dealers treat you like they are the only ones that have a car for sale. She ended up buying a 2002 Audi A4 in cherry cond, certified preowned with 1.7 years of original factory warranty and then 2 years of certified pre-owned. She got her German car and I got my G. Ain't life grand !

 

I guess as an owner of a now RIP'd 3 series I can throw my .02 in the bank.

I wanted a 3 series and when I got it I was estatic. I loved the way it felt and hugged the road. The way if felt while driving it. I compared the feel of my C320 sport and it felt soft around corners and it had too soft of a steering wheel. My Bimmer felt solid. The interior was nice the way the dash was angled toward the driver and there's just something to be said for german engineering.
After I totaled my Bimmer, I started looking at the G becuase the look was more aggressive and honestly for the MONEY, the G wins it. I still have my G wishlist such as bluetooth and voice command controls like in my MDX but seeing how the new bimmers are planning to start around 40K and with options will prob. run near 47K, I'll take the G please.
Now I don't own one but for as many times I've been to the dealers, this site, and infiniti.com, I feel like I own one.
Mine's a comin'!!! Prob. in a month or so!

 

TrueG.....

You're telling my story... :-D

I traded my 02 325i for the g35C cuz it was just not doing it for me. I too wanted a "BMW" and even though it was tough letting it go.....I have quickly gotten over it. As I have said many times on this forum, I LOVE THIS CAR...and before you say get a room....we did :-D J/K

Anyway, yeah, I enjoyed the ride of the BMW but the ride of this car IMO is just a good and the power really makes up for the little advantage the BMW might have over the G. $ for $....this is the best car on the market. You probably have to spend M3$$ to get the combo of power and luxury of the G. To me...the G is the ultimate driving machine.

 

I agree Jaay.. I am turning in my 325i for a G35 as well.. I just cant pay the money for the BMW... As you stated it will be hard to let go but I feel it will be worth it..

Funny enough I think the real differance im looking forward to is the more of a cockpit feel to the G35 as opposed to the Beamer.. I still think back to my 240sx days and to this day I really haven't had as good of a feeling as my 1998 240sx.. I think I may finally get it back with the G35...

 

I wonder why none of the major auto mags (Road & Track, Car & Driver, MotorTrend) never did a direct comparision between the G35 Coupe and the 330Ci? By the way, Infiniti offers a 4year/60k mile basic warranty and a 6 year/70k mile powertrain warranty. versus BMW's 4 year/50k. You'll have to buy an extended warranty to match that of Infiniti. So which manufacturer is standing behind their product more?
BMW may give you free maintenance, but I would rather have the longer warranty. Fast forward 6 years and tell me which vehicle comes out on top when you consider out of warranty repairs and resale value.

 

I need to drive a G35 and then I can make up my mind. I proudly own a BMW at the moment, but I'm not a brand loyalist. I can only make up my mind by driving the cars and not from what a magazine or some person tells me.

 

Whatcha waitin for!?! go drive one!

 

HA!
Have you ever had to have a BMW serviced? $$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!
My first service wasn't bad - about $700
My second service wasn't bad - about $900
You get the pic.