The G37 may be a heavy car based on previous standards. But with time, all cars start to become heavier. This is precisely why BMw is bring the 1 series to the market. The smaller cars are growing and filling a void, and the newer cars fill in that previous niche. Let's face it, the more technology and luxury you put into a car, the heavier it is going to get. This is why the Elise is so light and quick, it is a barebones kind of car, but boy does it fly.

From the looks of the G37 around willow springs, the car moves. He may take a second to get going, but once moving, the car really seems to slice the corners well. I naturally prefer a NA motor over a turbo motor any day of the week. Think about it...if BMW felt opposite to that, they would have made the M3 a turbo as well. There is something special and well-rounded about a NA car. But building a great NA motor costs plenty of money. I am extremely content with the performance that the 37 comes with considering the price tag. It is a lot of car for the money.

I would not go as far to say that the king is 'dethroned'. But, I would say that the G37 is a legitimate alternative to the 335i now. That is a large feat in itself. BMWs are and always will be special. I would rather own a BMW or a Mercedes any day of the week. Styling aside. Anyone who has ever owned a BMW can vouch...they are tough to beat plain and simple.

I ordered a 37 because I would rather get that car and save the extra 8 grand or whatever the price difference would be on the 335, and buy an even better car a few years down the road. I would definitely not consider the 37 an interim car. The car is the best value for the money in that price range. Straightline performance isn't the end all in deciding which car is better. To some people it may be, but to me...I prefer a whole package. If I can save some money in the process, then even better for me.

I love to drive. But even more, I love to drive a car that is fun to drive. The G37 definitely seems like the more fun car to drive. Obviously, this could change when mine shows up at the dealer and I test drive it before laying down the cash. I am optimistic. Watching the videos, I really like the weight transfer of the video. The lines that you are capable of following are predictible and I can see how the driver's correct kick outs.

Sorry for the long post, but I had to get it off my chest. Yes, the G37 is heavier than its predecessor, but as a whole, it is well worth it.

 

It's got the FUN-FACTOR all right. woo hoo!!

 

The regular 3 series is BMW's bread and butter. BMW went to turbos for one reason...the VQ! The E46 M3's I6 had issues early on that had to be addressed. It's not an engine intended for 50,000 units per year. The only way BMW could stay in the game was to go FI, because they couldn't build the Sieman's to output over 300 hp with decent torque in NA form, sell over 20,000 units, and then maintain reliability. That's why Lexus ditched the inline 6 and built a V6. Inline sixes are silky smooth, but not known for the huge hp and torque numbers, unless you want a astronomically high compression ratio. Rather than upset their enthusiasts and tradition, BMW kept the I6 and turbocharged it. It was the natural and most economically sound thing to do.

 

I have to disagree. The only reason Nissan is able to get these numbers is with some tech but mainly displacement.

I don't see why BMW couldn't just bump up their displacements to 3.5 or 3.7.

I have to believe Lexus ditched their I6 because it was a pretty old motor to begin with and the I6 posed packaging problems.

 

Using the 3.0's compression ration of 10:2, you get 75 hp per liter (225/3.0);. Now take 75 hp and apply to a 3.5 liter engine and you get 263 hp...not enough in this game! Of course they can bump up the compression, but not as high as the E46 M3 of 11:5, which was a 3.2 liter. To get 300 NA hp out of the I6, BMW would have to raise hp per liter to 86 with a 3.5 liter I6. Bear in mind that the E90 is 10:2 with turbos, so the NA 300 hp 3.5 I6 would need a really high compression ratio to get 86 hp per liter. The 306 hp VQ does 87 hp per liter with 3.5 liters with a 10:5 compression.

 

IMHO you don't make hp from the config of the engine. It's in the compression, head design and rpm range. Along with the usual cam phasing/lift gadgetry.

BMW made 330hp out of thei3.0 or 3.2 liter I6

 

Yes, but it took a 11:5 compression ratio to do it. I'm merely answering your question of raising displacement. Even so, 75 hp per liter at 3.5 liters won't cut it unless they incorporate alot of the M3's I6 technology like individual butterfly throttles...won't happen for an engine that will see duty in the 3, 5, 6, 7, Z and X series vehicles.

 

IBT is more for throttle response and some top end power. Making an intake to flow enough for top end/hp figures is not difficult.

 

yeah, but you have to agree going from 75 hp per liter to 86 is a huge feat for a NA engine. BMW just took the easiest, most cost-effective measure.

 

I have to agree with you Dean. Finally, an intelligent thread.

 

Not just Dean, but everyone as a whole.

 

Wow Dean... thank you very much for your post. You have a wonderful car on order. I hope to see you around here for many months to come!

 

LOL, Yimbie. I don't have a G37 on order. I'm just one of the first G35 drivers in the country. I took delivery of my coupe in December 2002. I have a 2003 Vortech'ed 6mt Coupe that's been modified beyond recognition. I'm holding out for the GT-R

 

Perhaps, but from a enthusiast point of view, how many of you would choose a factory NA route over a factory TT route? Perhaps easiest/most cost effective is something infiniti should've considered as well

 

The M3, M5, M6 are BMW performance vehicles yet they all use NA engines. Liek someone else said, if they believed the TT approach was the best, they would have used it in their performance line of cars.

The average Joe can appreciate a TT setup for the easy mods but most turbo applications (perhaps not the new 335) do not have as linear a power delivery as their NA counterparts. I don't mod cars so I'd take a nice NA car over a TT setup anyday.