I need some owner's experience on the two cars below. I've narrowed down my car purchase choices down to two contenders:
a) bmw 330i 6MT w/ Performance Package and
b) G35c 6MT

I'm moving out of my pickup truck to something sporty. For driver's who have owned both a 330i/330Ci and G35c, in your opinion, how do your rate each car or which car wins for the following categories:
1) Power
2) Handling/Agility
3) Ride quality as daily driver
4) Overall ownership experience

It's hard to get the overall driving experience when you only have 15 minutes for a test drive. IMO, the power in the G35c is amazing, but the balance and steering feel of the 330i is exceptional. Will I get tired of the 280+ HP after a few months and long for the well balanced 330i?

This is my last chance to own a small and agile car since I've got baby to haul around in the back seat that will outgrow the car fast. I expect to drive this car around for about 2-3 years before I will move to a larger car such as the upcoming Infiniti M45/M35. Currently the 330i has a $2400 dealer incentive that ends this month. The Northern California Infiniti dealers want MSRP and they stuff the cars full of profitable options like LoJack, leather protectant, etc. So price wise, they come out even.

Your opinions are appreciated! Thanks in advance for your post.

 

having owned both vehicles, and owning another G35 now, I would take the 330i or 330ci for a more practical every day car. Its a little slower than the G35 but its built alot stronger and the full maintanence that comes with it is always nice. My next vehicle will be a 545i or new M5 when they finally come out again.

Good luck with whichever vehicle you decide to buy, they are both great machines.

 

If you decide on the G35 try Grubbs Infiniti. They will ship the car to you. They have plenty in stock so you can probably find what you want without all the usless extras. I paid $1500 under invoice no hastles. LOL

 

Oops, that should read $1500 under MSRP.

 

I thought the G35C-6MT had a 50-50 dynamic balance, where the 330i had a "near" 50-50 static balance? Wouldn't the G35 be the better "balanced" vehicle? Also, wouldn't the balance issue only be thrown off by the amount of understeer they dialed into the factory specs?

Can anyone comment?

 

bascially for the 330, you're paying for the overall quality and the interior features like the rear windows opening, rain sensing wipers, auto movment of the passenger mirror when parallel parking etc etc. not so much the power of the 330. As for me I got the g35 for the power and handling. i felt that the g35 had a bit tighter feel to it. I didn't need all the features of the 330 compared to the g35 so i felt the g35 was perfect.. but the thing is that the overall quality feel isn't as good as the 330 but much better then your average car

 

I have a g35 coupe and my sister has a 330ci.

1)G35 will beat the 330 any day. I pull on my sisters 330 by 3+ cars pretty easy. Don't get me wrong, the 330 is a great low end torque car...It pulls pretty hard, its just weak at high rpms...

2)Both cars handle similar to me, nothing dramatic with either cars, but I would probably choose the g35.

3)Ride quality, I would have to say bmw hands down. Infiniti just isn't smooth...

4)If the bmw was maybe 10k less, then it would be a tough choice. I would still choose teh g35 because of its looks. The bmw is so outdated, their exterior and interior designs are pretty much still the same. I would wait for the redesigned 3series...

 

I agree, the bmw is the more practical car.

 

Agree on the dated comment. Id steer clear of any 3 series BMW. All the other models have recieved significant changes so the 3 series is due within a year or so.

 

[ BMW BMW BMW QUOTE]Originally posted by jacka55
I need some owner's experience on the two cars below. I've narrowed down my car purchase choices down to two contenders:
a) bmw 330i 6MT w/ Performance Package and
b) G35c 6MT

I'm moving out of my pickup truck to something sporty. For driver's who have owned both a 330i/330Ci and G35c, in your opinion, how do your rate each car or which car wins for the following categories:
1) Power
2) Handling/Agility
3) Ride quality as daily driver
4) Overall ownership experience

It's hard to get the overall driving experience when you only have 15 minutes for a test drive. IMO, the power in the G35c is amazing, but the balance and steering feel of the 330i is exceptional. Will I get tired of the 280+ HP after a few months and long for the well balanced 330i?

This is my last chance to own a small and agile car since I've got baby to haul around in the back seat that will outgrow the car fast. I expect to drive this car around for about 2-3 years before I will move to a larger car such as the upcoming Infiniti M45/M35. Currently the 330i has a $2400 dealer incentive that ends this month. The Northern California Infiniti dealers want MSRP and they stuff the cars full of profitable options like LoJack, leather protectant, etc. So price wise, they come out even.

Your opinions are appreciated! Thanks in advance for your post. [/QUOTE]