There are about 30 hp difference between the 540i and G35s. HP wise the difference is not that great but the torque on the 540 V8 really makes the difference in the class. 540i drive effortlessly and super smooth and ultra refine in every catagory. If I didn't get my ML500 last year, I would go for the 540i but since I'm on a buget due to over spending there is no other car that I would get for the bang for the buck then the G. Espcially the GT-R its always been on my list ever since the introductory of the R32.

~ GT-R the Ultimate Driving Machine ~
- 2004 G35 Ivory Pearl/Black Leather
- Auto/Nav/Premium/Sports/Aero
- 6 wire grounding kit

 

If money weren't an issue, I'd be in an M5. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] I almost picked a 330i over a G35 (before the performance package came out). If it were just me by myself, I probably would have. However, I've got a family.. a 9 yr old and a new baby. The G35 is a hair bigger than a 5-series in the back seat and trunk. Money was an object, and I couldn't afford a 5. The 3 is more refined and has more creature comforts compared to the G35. Also of note is that, because of residuals and promotions and such, if you plan to lease the car and turn it in at the end, a 330i can actually cost you less than a G35.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

rajab the power difference is significant, regardless of HP listings on paper. BMW states 282HP out of the box but many dyno their stock cars and pull 270-275 at the wheels..so we all know it's higher. Torque is listed 320 or so depending upon year. I sold my 540 6MT to a friend so I drive and ride in it frequenlty and I can tell you that car is way faster...especially from 60 mph up where weight is mitigated on the 540..that car pulls very hard at 100mph. When I owned the car I beat a G35 coupe pretty bad, so don't think it's because I have a G sedan now that I think it's faster. Also BMW's tend to get quicker over time: Car and Driver did a long term test on a '97 540/6MT and at 30K miles got 0-60 in 5.3, so don't think that BMW's "listed" time of 5.9 is accurate for comparing to G35's. Japanese cars don't seem to get faster over time to the same degree, at least that's my observation.
In my earlier post I expressed a problem with BMW dealers, but I really should not have blanketed ALL the dealers. My dealer was horrible and the problems on my car were many-thus the reason for me dumping the 540. At the end of the day I am much happier with the G35...what's the point of having a car that's a few tenths faster if it I can't get it out of the garage?????

 

My opinion after driving G356mt and BMW 3 sport package:

- BMW Steering sucks; Not meaty enough, very light compared to the tight steering of G35 (very good at high speeds)
- DCS in BMW sucks. Does not let the wheel slip even a bit; In my G35, every corner is a tail slide (not as sideways as in the impreza) even with the VDC ON, but still the system wont let u go offroad - there is no match to the G in this regard
- the 3 series is an outgoing model; Not as modern as the G35 interiors, navigation etc.,
- During down shifts the engine roar of the G when the throttle is tapped can be heard (felt) even with Michael Jackson at Volume 18 on the Bose; BMW is not even close
- Upwards of 3000 rpm, the torque and hp rush in the G35 is so freakin great. I love the fishtailing/wheelspin during launch, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to third which i doubt can be done in the BMW (not just the engine, the DCS wont let that happen and if u switch it off, u are afraid of running into opposite traffic!)
- The understeer/wheel scrubbing in the G is the only thing that sucks compared to the BMW but that may be cos of the big tires on the BMW for its size. Also i have all-season tires on the G, the BMWs i drove had performance tires
- After 10k miles, i think the G's build is still solid whereas the BMW feels less tight; but by the time you reach 30k miles, you would have spent not more than 2 hours in the service shop for the BMW (15k mi frequency, but the G35 would have been there for almost 20 hours (3750 mi frequency)

Even if money and brand do not matter, i would still choose the G - i recommed black on black, 6mt. So classy and understated that all those NO FEAR stickers in the next lane will last only till the light turns green!!.

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

- DCS in BMW sucks. Does not let the wheel slip even a bit; In my G35, every corner is a tail slide (not as sideways as in the impreza) even with the VDC ON, but still the system wont let u go offroad - there is no match to the G in this regard

<hr></blockquote>
That's an interesting opinion. I would think that with the system on, you'd want that behavior. The VDC system actually gets complaints because you can't turn it 100% off. The BMW system can be completely shut down.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

There is no doubt about 540i being much better than G35. we're compare 330i to G35 here.

 

Correct.
Now many have mentioned that they would take the BMW if money were no object.
I don't know if this will help your decision or complicate it, but I have a feeling you could lease a 3 series for about the same price as a G35 due to BMW's residual value.
So now you really have to decide!!!

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

- DCS in BMW sucks. Does not let the wheel slip even a bit; In my G35, every corner is a tail slide (not as sideways as in the impreza) even with the VDC ON, but still the system wont let u go offroad - there is no match to the G in this regard


<hr></blockquote>
Yeah, I'll have to disagree with this one as well. But everyone's entitle to their own opinions of course.

The BMW DSC has three settings. When fully armed, as Ryoken said, does exactly what such a system should be doing. That is to prevent wheel spin and any drama durring any driving conditions. It delivers in a very progressive and transparent manner. The Nissna/Infiniti pales in comparison; it is a choppy affair and an absolute nightmare in the wet when driven beyon 85%. The intermediate mode on the BMW is closer to what the G35 is set at and would be the setting I would use had I owned a 330 durring a normal day-to-day cruise. It allows you to play harder and still get out of most troubles. Finally, when fully off, the car's all yours!

In essence, the Nissan/Infiniti system under *certain* conditions will make things worse for an experienced driver. The BMW system is near flawless, although I should add any such system is never *perfect*, which is why there should alway sbe a *full OFF* setting.

my .02

THX723<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by THX723 on 12/12/03 01:58 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Two things, first for residual values, according to KBB, they expect the G35c to beat all other coupes in retaining value over the next 5 years (source: http://www.kbb.com/kbbmedia/releases/2003/10-15.asp).

Second, people often overstate BMW's WHP. They think that BMW gives their numbers at the wheels instead of at the crank, and that is simply not true, just FUD. Search Google and you'll find that the stock 330 dynos around 188 RWHP. BMW advertises crank HP at 225. This is ~16% drive train loss, which is about the same as the G35 drive train loss (235 rwhp).

 

The BMW may be a better car but why drive a car that everyone elses has? The G35 does have a better navi that can turn into a dvd player.