Hey guys, I'm comparison shopping the BMW 328xi and the Infiniti G35x for my next car. It seems to me that the G35x is a better value: more power, more standard features, less money. But the lack of a manual tranny option in the G35x has me apprehensive. I like a driver's car and I try to run a few track days each year. I've always owned manual cars. I realize this forum is likely to be biased, but: Any thoughts?

 

you can have plenty of fun in manual mode, you just cant involve your left foot in the picture. You'll be much much much more happy with the new G as opposed to the puny little 328x
-GP-

 

At the end of the day, it really comes down to your own preference. All I can tell you is that my G35x is the first automatic car I have ever driven, and I love it. It's a blast to drive and as many others on driver have said in the past the automatic almost seems "telepathic". It shifts very aggressively when you want it to, but is also a great car for driving in traffic on the way to work in the morning. Take one out for a drive and decide for your self if the auto with manual mode is what you want or if you really need a 6MT. IMO the 5AT is so nice to drive, I doubt I will get another MT for my daily driver.

 

Personally I'm sick of manuals. I bought my first after playing Need For Speed on the 3DO (also my first car). In rush hour traffic here in the city they become a real pain in the ***.

As far as the G35 goes I can see two options. Firstly all of the automatics come with a manual shift mode. With the rev-matching on downshift this is a pretty painless operation. Note that the paddle shifters are only available on the sport model though. Secondly ask yourself if you really want/need the AWD version. I thought AWD would be cool, but around here it's hardly useful.

In the end just choose the car that's right for you.

 

Auto trany in G35 is terrible slow in shifting so I know what you are talking about. 335i with auto felt how it should be so damn quick in shifting. I have manual g35 its fun and it's my every day commuter, so you either get S model or go BMW cant go wrong with that car.

 

Disagree, I find that shifts are quite quick.

 

I have to agree, The car shifts hard and quick when the car is pushed. It seems to lunge ahead when it shifts under hard acceleration. Its an impressive transmission to say the least...

 

Me too. I know arguments about MT vs AT swirl forever, and everyone has an opinion. But on the G, it's supposed to be a tiny one tenth slower in the AT, plus with paddle shifters (Sport, not X) your hands stay on the wheel. Everyone will undoubtedly protest, but I'd guess that the AT is actually faster than the MT for about half of the 6spd drivers that don't know how to launch etc. Okay, maybe on this board, a third...

Peace

 

Coming from 2005 G35 AT and currently driving 335i AT I can tell you that BMW AT is MUCH faster shifting than Infiniti. I don't know how much they improved the AT for '07 model year, but I think they just took the same one and improved it a little.
My 335i shifts so fast, that my friend who drives manual WRX and who always spoke against AT, actually likes the AT on my 335i.

In any case, try for yourself because NO forum will give you a true feeling of the car.

Max

 

Go test drive an 07 AT. You will not be disappointed. I test drove an 06 5 series BMW with M package and AT. It did not feel any better to me than the G. Make sure you try DS mode on the G too. It is a little higher reving before shifts and quicker to downshift. If you are disappointed than I'll be stunned.

 

For those who mentioned it, yes, I absolutely 100% need AWD.

How exactly does the manual shift AT function work? I couldn't find any details on the Infiniti website.

 

When you're in drive, move the gear selector to the left to switch to DS mode then just push the shifer up to shift up and down to shift down. It takes a bit of getting used to, especially when you want to shift from 1st to second because you'll probably want to push down like you would on an MT. Over all I find the shifts are quite quick and the MT mode is a blast with all this power behind it, especially when you shift at WOT.

 

the 07 shifts sharply up or down when under pressure. The 335 is faster and more positive (once you get used to the shift pattern).

 

+1.
The manumatic box on the G is very comprehensive and gratifying.
I love mine....

C.

 

The 335i auto is phenomenal. I would say the G35 auto is merely excellent. It is hard shifting, has a great sport mode, downshift rev match, etc. Works great for me. The auto 328i sucks. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the G35x. No way would I take a 328i over the G, regardless of my MT preference. 328i is just too underpowered in comparison. The MT makes up for some of that, but not enough.