I sold my 2002 330i (silver) and got brand new G35 coupe (Ivory Pearl) last year. I only had my 330i for about 14 months and loved it every day of it. I had Step, Xenon, 18” wheel/tire package and only aftermarket options I did were M steering wheel and clear lights. When I first saw the G35 coupe spy photos back in late 2002, I got very interested. After test driving it at the local Infiniti dealer, I was sold instantly for its smooth power and handling, but most importantly for its exhaust sound. I bought my 330i for $37K (with $2,300 dealer discount) and sold it for $35K cash to a guy after only 9K miles (I had 2nd car), so I didn’t lose much money at all.

I know G35c is not a perfect car, as any other cars, but it certainly has one of the best value in the market today. For one thing, it has so-so looking interior compared to 330i but after while I got used it. If I had 330i performance package, which wasn’t available in 2002, I would probably kept it, just for its carbon looking interior alone. I got my G35c for only $33K but only thing missing is Navigation and it has every options already, including leather, sunroof, heated seat, 18" wheel/tire, limited slip diff, Xenon and etc. A similarly equipped 330i or 330ci would cost at least $10K more. From my past experience, Infiniti’s (Nissan) long term reliability is equal to, or better than, BMW. Oh, the Infiniti dealer/service level is FAR superior to BMW, hand down. I’m not sure about the resale value, but current prediction from Edmunds seems pretty good for G35c, so I’m not worry too much about it.

Both 3 series and G35c are great cars, so there is no real winner. Even performance wise, they are pretty about the same according to many car magazines, but I swear that my G35c is at least 1 sec quicker to 60mph compared to my old 330i. You guys can disagree all you want but I know my G35c can beat any non-modified 3 series out there, both straight line or cornering. No flame here, I just say what I see and feel. It depends on your taste of automobile and G35c was for me. And another big reason that I switched was that there are just way too many 3 series in this Silicon Valley, like the Britain’s CAR magazine once said about the downside of 3 series, quote “every man and dog has one”. When I first got my G35c, my car stood out and almost everyone looked at it everywhere I went. There are lot more G35c on the street now, but nothing compared to the 3 series that virtually cover the roads in Silicon Valley.

If I can summarize both cars, 330i is a luxury car that is very sporty but G35c is a sport car that is very luxury.

Well, I might go back to 3 series after looking at the next generation E90 photos, which look pretty nice, especially the new M4 coupe. Also the new S4 looks damn good too.

so the G35 does 0-60 in the low 5s?

 

I swear that my G35c is at least 1 sec quicker to 60mph compared to my old 330i.

You guys can disagree all you want but I know my G35c can beat any non-modified 3 series out there, both straight line or cornering.

1) Your step Bimmer is already ~1sec slower than a stick Bimmer

2) 330Ci 0-60 rated at 5.8sec (magazines) with only 225hp.. G35C is rated about the same speed at 280hp (I think German Engineering is more efficient)

on the flip side.. I really like the G35C... I wished I test drove one before my 330 purchase :banghead:

 

depense on the person.. i took 330ci over g35c, i didn't like infinity, but everyone got its own taste

 

It was a tough decision for me as well. I drove a G35 coupe with the 6-speed and pretty much all the drivetrain permutations of the 3-series coupe. The G35 was faster in a straight line, but the BMW felt more agile (the steering on a BMW has much better feel). I ended up buying a pre-owned 2001 Topaz Blue 330Ci (might as well have the real thing).

I agree with FSJ about BMW 3-series being too common in Silicon Valley (I think all of the E36 M3 sedans ever made were sold there ). The same thing can be said about Orange County (with the exception of the M3 sedans). I could have sworn there are more BMW dealers in Southern California than I can count.

 

Hey, whatever floats your boat. The G35c is a great looking car, and has performance numbers to back up the good looks. Enjoy your ride, and where's the freakin' pics. :tsk: ics:

 

It's a tough decision, I was struggling for months whether to get a new G35 6-spd coupe or a used 3-series coupe. The G35 offered more value for the money I felt and was a bit more unique looking, but I don't think the driving experience was quite the same as a E46. The other problem was the 4+ month waiting list for a 6-spd model. I actually was at the Infiniti dealer to put a deposit down on a G35c, saw a '02 M3 coupe on their used car lot, took a test drive, and went home with the ///M

 

Oh, my G35c is auto w/ manual shift mode. I'll post pictures soon, they are in my home computer. I know all about the car magazine 0-60mph numbers, but one advise, don’t rely on their numbers too much. For one thing, we don’t know how and who tested those number, under what condition, how to launch it and so on… Too many variables..you know what I mean? Otherwise how can you explain the wide variation from one magazine to another? Those magazine numbers should be used for reference only and not to be relied on too much.

I’m not saying my G35c is low 5sec, no way, probaly mid to high 5sec when shifting manual mode. But I know it is definitely little faster than my old 330i and other non-mod auto E46s. If you want to compared it to stick E46s, then you should compare it to G35c 6 speed w/ Brembo. Compared to my old 330i steptronic, this G35c’s manual mode REALLY shifts faster than full auto mode. I once raced my friend’s 350Z stick from a stand still, I was dead even with him until we hit 70 or 80 mph, and he knows how to shift. I always thought that 350Z is hand down faster than G35c, so I was little surprised too. I’m not claiming that G35c auto is faster than 350Z stick so don't quote me on that, maybe I was just lucky. And my friend with 350Z, he raced several 3 series before and it wasn’t even a challenge, according to him.

I’m not saying G35c is better than E46, no way. My 330i was still one of the best cars I ever had and I still miss its dead-on BMW-only steering wheel feel, which my G35c lacks. I’m just saying what I feel after owning and driving both cars, hoping this maybe a good info to those who also considering both cars…

Some people have real viased opinion about their BMW, thinking that BMW is better than other “inferior” Japanese or American car no matter what. That’s fine with me because everyone has its own preference and opinion. But whether you agree or not, E46 is beginning to show some age, even after their cosmetic upgrade a year or two ago. It is a big question what the final E90 will be. If, God forbid, it follows the path of new 5, 6 or 7 series, then good luck.

I don’t like the where BMW current design is going. I know exactly what BMW design is trying to do, it is trying to differentiate from the rather conservative or mainstream designs of Mercedes and Audi by going full speed with the cutting-edge design with high-tech gadget. That is a great marketing plan because BMW knows it has to find its own ground instead of competing directly with Mercedes or Audi. But the BIG problem is that their new state-of-the-art cutting design is plain simple UGLY.

And what’s the big idea about iDrive? It is nothing more than a confusing, useless and “off your eye from the freaking road” toy that doesn’t belong to a serious performance cars like BMW. Why don’t they include the steering and throttle control to the iDrive and get it over with? I use mouse all day long at work and I don’t want to use another mouse-like device in my car to just change a fan speed!? I want buttons and dials that I can see and feel, and I don’t want to agree with BMW lawyers on the iDrive screen everytime I start my freaking car! If the new E90 has iDrive control, that’s it for me and I’m going with Audi or Mercedes next. That's too bad because although I don't own BMW right now, it always has been my bench mark for judging other cars....

 

You guys can disagree all you want but I know my G35c can beat any non-modified 3 series out there, both straight line or cornering.

you want to try your luck? i'm stock

 

you want to try your luck? i'm stock

haha Stock M3 will kill a stock G35 coupe for sure, I've driven both and it's no contest, ///M power will prevail. I'm not sure if the original poster was including the M3 in his claim that he could beat any non-modified 3-series.

 

nice.. my dads probably gonna get a g35c...
i have a question though. do the brembos only come with manuals? or do all g35c have em

 

G35 is a nice and fast car... Dammit, it's got a 3.5L displacement and 280 horsepower. I would understand if it's a lil faster than 330, which has only 3.0L displacement and 225 horsepower. Also, the 330 is a carryover from 2001 (or maybe 2000), whereas the G35 is from mid 2002. Wait for the E90... Maybe it's gonna perform better?

 

Yes, the G35 is a very nice car and its fast as hell - I just cannot stand how the exterior looks. Sorry, just my humble opinion. There I said it. I feel better now. Ahhhh!

 

Does it feel like the ultimate driving machine?
Did you buy the car because you wanted to be the only one with it on the road? I never buy a car worried about how many people have it. I buy it because I like to drive it. I'm glad you like your car. One of our support guys bought one and he's in love with it. I think it looks nice on the outside but the interior looks like one of those space age JVC radios,(just my opinion) which to me is like a passing fad. Bimmer interiors have always been refined, unlike a lot of the other manufacturers.
Peace.

 

haha Stock M3 will kill a stock G35 coupe for sure, I've driven both and it's no contest, ///M power will prevail. I'm not sure if the original poster was including the M3 in his claim that he could beat any non-modified 3-series.

How about me?

Are you in the Slicon Valley???? HEHE JK JK.... No need to race to prove anything.

I've ran a few auto g35's coupes and sedans and needless to say, they got a nice surpise.

I don't think I've ever encountered a stick g35 before. Unless some of the ones I ran were infact sticks. :eeps:

 

How about me?

Are you in the Slicon Valley???? HEHE JK JK.... No need to race to prove anything.

I've ran a few auto g35's coupes and sedans and needless to say, they got a nice surpise.

I don't think I've ever encountered a stick g35 before. Unless some of the ones I ran were infact sticks. :eeps:

So how did go? I'm sure its pretty close.

 

i would never trade my 330ci for a g35. But in ur case a 330i to a g35c i guess is okay. What you shoulda done was get a bmw coupe in the first place. Atleast you didn't get the gray lo0king g35 sedan. I dunno about silicon valley but 'round here theres a bunch of g35cs in that funky blue color EVERYWHERE. okay bye.

 

So how did go? I'm sure its pretty close.

From the a stand still to like 70mph, its pretty close, I took them by about 1 car length. The freeway, I raced a sedan, most likely auto from 50-xxx and he was at least 2 car lengths behind by the time I hit 120.

My friend was in his mustang crusing with his 315hp while me and the g35 were going at it. He gave me the judgement. I was just paying attention to shifting and the road. No cars were out.

 

be on your way to G35 forums...
nevertheless, nice car, but everyones moms drives one.

 

be on your way to G35 forums...
nevertheless, nice car, but everyones moms drives one.

now that you have mentioned it, I have seen mostly ladies driving the G35.

 

I test drove a G35c before buying my 330i. It had tons of power but it just felt HEAVY, not light on it's feet like the 330i. Plus I didn't care for the cheap interior, rubbery steering, and size of the car. But I think it's a beautiful car and loved the exhaust tone.

 

I test drove one of the G35 too before buying my 330i, I know in performance, G35 is probably a little tougher, but overall I love my 330i more, I just don't know why, when I drive my BMW, I always feel so happy.

To me, the 330i has a better handling especially cornering, and also for the automatic transmission, in G35, I feel more lag time when shifting the gear in manual mode. Also, in the freeway, I feel BMW is more stabilized than G35.

Well, it's just my own opinion, like some people said, everybody gets a different taste.

I just love my BMW.

 

1) Your step Bimmer is already ~1sec slower than a stick Bimmer

2) 330Ci 0-60 rated at 5.8sec (magazines) with only 225hp.. G35C is rated about the same speed at 280hp (I think German Engineering is more efficient)

on the flip side.. I really like the G35C... I wished I test drove one before my 330 purchase :banghead:

R34GT-R with 270 (well, maybe alittle bit more) has beaten the m3 in all the Bestmotoring videos i've seen.

 

I'd run you too. I've never raced a G35.

 

-=)

i choose 330i over g35

 

Good choice.... but for me it was between a G35c and Z4 3.0...and the 3.0 won...picking her up next weekend impin: ....