Hey All

Need some feedback. I'm looking to save some gas and move into some big time mechanical reliability. I love my 540. it is fast and has awesome torque. However it is a love hate relationship when it comes to maintenance and reliability.

So- I drove an 08 G35 sedan with sport package today with my 3 year old son in the back- he loved it too. I really think I like this car.

Has anyone departed from the Bavarian fraternity and purchased a G35 Sedan Sport?
Was it a easy adjustment?
Any regret?

Thanks ahead of time

 

Hey Bucketman, I replied to your PM, but I thought I would post in public as well because I think there are a lot of BMW folks who will at least consider the G35.

I have to say that I'm very impressed with my new G35. The E39 540 is a benchmark sedan so when I sold mine, I thought it would be nearly impossible to replace it with something I would love as much. And when I bought the G, I thought that I would like it enough. However, the moment I drove off the lot and merged onto the freeway, I could tell that this car was special. I don't just like it, I love it as much as any BMW I've ever owned.

The G has a very different feel from BMW, but in a good way. It is fast and responsive, not to mention loaded with gadgets. It will easily run with a 335, but feels much bigger inside. I actually prefer the ergonomics of the G to the E90. I also like the way it looks better!

I don't know what the long-term reliability is for these cars, but I'm on a 24-month lease so that's not a concern of mine.

Lastly, you'll see gas mileage complaints posted often here. I'll reserve judgement until mine's broken in, but so far it looks to be slightly better than the 540.

Good luck!

 

I went from a BMW 2001 740i sport to an 07 G35. Before the 740i, I had a 1999 BMW 328i. The biggest difference is "feel". The G's great but it does not feel as "buttoned down" in terms of handling. I went from a full size sedan to a smaller car but the 740i felt great at high speeds whereas the G feels a bit nervous. Here's the kicker for me, the G is the best bang for the buck and like you, I got sick of the reliability and cost to maintain issues with the BMW. I was paying $200 an oil change, $1100 services, $2500 brake jobs, ect.. The G35 was a no brainer for me. Obviously the 540 is a great car but if you're looking for some reliability, cost to maintain, cost to own, I go with teh G.

 

You guys are great. Seriously, this is a very civilized forum. Thanks for your feedback.

Any others?

 

I agree with most of the comments above. The handling of the G is not as "buttoned down" as the BMW as SactoG35 says. But the GSport has spectacular brakes, best in its class by far, and is more solid feeling than the 300 and 500 series BMWs; and the G has a heft and responsiveness that is very secure. Those who hate it refer to the G as "barge like" compared to the 300 series BMW.

One way to look at the difference is to think of the G as a Japanese muscle car: American power with near German handling.

And the G is powerful and sexy. I've noticed for my wife and for other women the G makes women feel safe and protected. It's also got a very sexy, somewhat feminine interior with the dash and door panels that gently slope away.

As to your original question, I've had several BMWs over the decades and have seen their reliability go from bad to worse. Nissan/Infiniti has a better track record. But the 07 G35S6MT did have some bugs to work out with the clutch (see the slave cylinder sticky post on the general 2nd generation G35 forum).

And there was the jumpy throttle issue for many, which two technical service bulletins (TSBs) addressed.

BUT as to gas mileage, forget it. The G, if driven as it should be, will get you as bad if not worse mileage. Seventeen to 18-19 MPGs at best in mixed city/hwy and 26 or 27 on the hwy if you drive like grandma.

When I get anywhere near 20MPGs on a tank I feel overjoyed. Confession: I did drive a taxi in New York City for two summers long ago. So my foot is livelier and heavier than most.

Finally and most emphatically, the G35Sport is an awesome car--my young teenage son loves it way over the BMW. And the G is the very best value out there. Do it, get a G!

 

I had an 08 G35X for my loaner car and boy did i love it...Great Reponse...Interior is just awesome...and power is always there! I say Get it and DONT LOOK BACK!

 

What's the mpg on the 540? I doubt a G would be much improvement.

Based on a few test drives, the ride/handling/steering of a BMW does feel more natural, but you get used to whatever you drive after several months and wouldn't notice a significant difference long term. A lot of the "feel" component of a car comes from your choice of tires.

 

I never owned a BMW, but drove a bunch of them. They are more planted and handle great. You can always upgrade the suspension on the G to surpass the BMW.

My next door neighbor and his wife own a 540 and a 330. One is always missing from the garage and @ the dealer. I know a ton of people that drive a BMW and a lot of them wont admit how bad the reliability is sometimes. Weird pride I guess.

I owned a 05 G35X and beat the crap out of it for 65k miles and just recently traded it in. The only things that it went to dealer for, was a couple rattles and my shifter was making a clicking sound.

The 08X I just picked up is a great car. Still leaves a bit to be desired as far as handling, but that is in the works.

If it snows where you live I would look @ the X.

 

You will not be dissapointed with your replacement.
I agree with TXG35S 100%.
I myself am a bimmer fan even before i got my car. I am one of the biggest fans of E39 M5/540 and E36 M3s. But the 07+ g35s are upgrade in any way u look at it, due to it being new.
Whoever has driven both cars, E39 540 and the G35, hard enough and have not based their opinions from how it "feels", will tell you that both cars handle incredibly well with the edge going to the G35 due to it being a lighter car. Power wise G35 is faster in the strait line as well. I personally love the look of the 540 sport over the G35 or even my year G35.

Again it will be a worthy upgrade and like others mentioned, if u are going to enjoy the car don't be surprised to see 15mpg. BTW the only thing u might miss is the famous BMW "feel".

 

Hi Bucketman, welcome to the forum.

I have some experience maintaining and modifying German cars. My standard automotive references are the Bosch and Heinz Heisler texts, and I have owned performance models from two German brands (Mercedes and Audi) in the past decade. I considered the BMW 5-series (E34 and E39) but ultimately decided that the electrical quirks and head gasket leaks were enough for me to look elsewhere.

I suggest viewing the G35/G37 as a competitor to the BMW 3-series - not the 5-series. Infiniti offers the M-cars (M35/M45) and Q-car in that luxury segment if that is a primary criteria. Having come from smaller cars packing 250-300hp, I found myself completely at home in the G35x. It handles at least as well as my other cars and with ~$1k of engine and exhaust modifications, packs more than enough punch for legal driving and autocross.

There are some annoying rattles and cheap interior materials, but typical of Japanese brands (and nowhere near that in domestic cars).

I do not regret making the jump from German brands. Strangely enough, neither have my family friends in Europe who are rehabilitated Audi/Porsche addicts. As one of them says, "Japanese cars only need gas and oil to run.. German cars require too much love and attention" '-)

Hope that helps!

 

The bavarian beasts are knows for the road feel, and handling..but I think i read how the G35 sedan was on a "tick" a way from the 2006 330i in the slalom..pretty impressive..

SO, i dont think I will be pushing the G35 to such limits where I will notice such a small difference in handling over a 330i...

Like others said, you get so much more gadgets with the G35 over the Bimmers...I love bimmers, but you cant ignore the value in the G...306 hp and +100 mph 1/4 time in a V6 sedan..lol..craazaay..

 

I had a 2005 545i...with everything. I loved some aspects mentioned above...the road feel, damping, handling, low end torque of the 8.

But that's about it. I had the Active steering and hated it, the iDrive is the worst ever, interior had nice materials, but the design sucked, and I had so many electrical gremlins that BMW bought it back. After a only 6 months of ownership and 3 months fighting. Plus - service is less than stellar and not many dealers around here have 50 loaners like SM Infiniti.

My G is a great overall car and really should be closer to the 5 than the 3 - especially considering size, but not price. Heck..it's almost as fast as 550.
And for about 20k less, you get better reliability, nicer dealers, and more friendly, useable electronics, and a hot looking car - epsecially if you upgrade the rims/tires.

You just don't get a propeller. But i don't care about that anyway.

There is my .05.