I'm looking to upgrade my high mileage 145K 96 BMW 328is to either a pre-owned 2005+ BMW 330 sedan or a 2007 Infiniti G sedan. Does anyone own either of these two vehicles and if so what are your thoughts? My wife purchased her car through her credit union and they literally took care of EVERYTHING from finding her car, getting her desired monthly payments, paperwork, and DELIVERING her car to the house - NO dealing with dealerships at all. I'm thinking of doing the same and now it's basically down to selecting the vehicle. I know there are a lot of bimmer owners here in the city...so all of you understand my loyalty to the brand but I'm considering infiniti now since my wife and father in law have swayed me over to the Nissan side. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks

Not that I'm an expert, but I recall reading in some Consumer Reports guide that the 300-series had some problems, and that Infinitis are really great.

I've rented the Infiniti G series several times and have been very happy each time.

Well, what are you looking for?  The G is the all around better car, plus it'll be spankin' new in the sense that a) it won't be used (duh), and b) it'll be a part of the current generation while the 3-series has received a facelift since the 330 days.

Choose the Bimmer though if the BMW yuppie badge is important to you :)

luis m. says:

I've rented the Infiniti G series several times and have been very happy each time.
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Is that b/c it's chick magnet, Luis?  Where's Jeff T?  He has an G.

I actually had a dream last night that I owned an Infiniti G 35 Coupe and was driving around with a big happy smile on my face.  I would have bought one last year if it wasn't for the fact that I already own a sports car.  Is it a chick magnet?

I'd take a new G over a used BMW as my daily driver - just on the reliability and cheaper maintenence alone.

Infiniti all the way...my mom has owned about 3 of them, and they are fantastic cars. Customer service at the dealerships are fantastic too (for repairs, etc).

infiniti!

Performance wise, they're pretty close.  But I always prefer new over used for the same money, so I say go for the Infiniti.

That said I used to work for BMW.  And if I were to buy one, I would LEASE a new one.  I like the free maintenance deal.  If you do go used make sure you get a warranty.  It can get expensive if you want to have a long term relationship with the car (ie 5+ years or longer).

BTW... don't be afraid of the dealers, go through the internet department.  Most of the time you can probably get a better deal than going through your credit union as they are "middlemen."  Plus if something goes wrong, you have a finger to point to, not the case with a credit union.

Larry A. says:

Performance wise, they're pretty close.
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Not necessarily.  The G has 80 more horsepower (306 to 225) and will reach 60mph and the 1/4 mile mark nearly a second faster than a 330i.  

The new G is a beast :)

hmmm.... old german car or new japanese car.... seriously, that's not a tough one.

I have a Nissan Murano and my hubbie an Infiniti RX35...we love the service we get at both dealerships for maintenance, etc.  and very cool cars!  There are way too many BMW's out there...we wanted something stylish but not something everyone else has!

I've had my 96 BMW 328is for quite some time now. Let me tell you, I LOVE it for its pure driving pleasure but just HATE maintaining it. I think over the past few years of all the money I spent on things (brakes + rotors, 02 sensors, brake switches, radiator cracking TWICE, cat converter being burned by faulty 02 switches, gears in seat motors braking, weather stripping coming loose, auto windows not working etc etc) and it just doesn't make sense to keep it any longer. It's like I'm just waiting for the next thing to go wrong and have to keep writing checks for someone to fix it. All along I see my father in-law's old Nissan Truck keep running and running and running and running...you get the point. He does have a BMW 5 series but it lives in the garage and he drives it only about once a month to vegas. Even then, there's STILL problems with it. After reading this article and all the comments, I'm going with the 07 Infiniti.

Nissan has great value for the money and reliabiliy vs maintenance cost. I have a Nissan. Performance like how fast a car will go is silly, My SUV always pass people with sports car, they don't ever use the horse power, just a status symbol.

I'm going down the road myself.  The G35 has gotten rave reviews.  But for some reason I just don't like the G35 that much.  I was only looking at the coupe however.  I think the sedan went through a restyle for 2007.  Alot of the G35 interior seems a bit old skool clunky.  Well compared to a Lexus.  The G35 did not really impressed me.  BWMs are nice.  But expensive and the cost of maintenance is high after the 4yr/50k miles.  The handling of the BWM did impress me but it's just that high cost, if I had money to burn (which I don't), it'll be the BMW.

I'd rather push a BMW than drive an Infiniti.

The BMW is more pricey, requires more maintenance, etc. etc.  But I'm a driver, not a commuter. Point A to Point B is not my concern. If you feel the same way, go Bimmer.  If you just want to commute comfortably, get the Infiniti.

Both, like all cars, are an immediately depreciating purchase, so a car's a money hole regardless.  Get one that makes sense for what you want out of it. Pure driving pleasure? Or somewhat cushy with power and reliability? For me the maintenance headache of German cars is worth it.

The 07 G35 sedan does sound promising:
edmunds.com/insideline/d…

Of course, the only way to tell what you prefer is to drive them both.  As for service, be prepared to leave SF and go to Weatherford or East Bay for better dealer BMW service in my opinion.

Buy a Hummer and make sure they install the pussy magnet option

Get the Infiniti. In my experience, BMWs are incapable of stopping at red lights.

i think you should buy a used (in the old church going grandmother sense) '06 Acura TL with 5900 miles, i guarantee it will be less expensive than either of the options you are considering

then again, given that price is really not a consideration, I'd go w/ the Infiniti

BMW + Basic Marin Wheels

i hope this thread doesn't get pulled because it's geographical now

For the same level car BMW always seems to be more expensive in the long run.  If you do, get the longest warranty  plan you can and make sure it covers as much as possible, e.g. electrical.  BMW is great to own when you aren't the one who has to pay for fixing, especially if they'll give you a loaner or you don't mind taking the bus when yours is in the shop.

So, didya choose?

If you can wait, this looks like a good option:
edmunds.com/apps/vdpcont…

Haven't been in a G35 in some time, with hope the new ones have better quality interiors then they did.  Then again, the new bimmer's interior designs leave something to be desired as well...

I just picked up the G35 sport sedan. I was really sad to let the bimmer finally go after 9 years, but I completely forgot about it when I stepped into the new car LOL. jk. Thanks everyone for the advice and thoughts

Good choice.  Now you're no longer a poseur.

I don't know, but while both cars are very nice, and a brand new Infiniti is always a good bet, I'd personally go for the BMW, since it seems to have a slightly better perceived status overall.

The new G35's are nice - good choice. Beat out the 3-series in the latest Consumer Reports like Keane said...

Buy Japanese. Sorry, love my country but they can't make cars like the Japanese.

Sorry I missed this b4...but I think you made a really great choice.  I decided on a G35 coupe over a 330i coupe because of the inherent maintenance costs associated with German cars.  The G35 had more power and it was car of the year for a reason.  What BMW has going for them is a tight suspension.  Anyone that's ridden in my car though, can attest to the fact that my car rides like it's on rails.  I like the new features offered with the new G.  I also like the styling of the coupe (from what I've seen in ads) as they've rounded the shape a little more.  The sport sedan, adds 2 more doors, so it can't be that bad. ;)

Jeff - I think you said it perfectly when you said "inherent maintenance costs associated with German cars." Don't get me wrong, like I've said I love BMW's and the driving experience but I'm no longer willing to pay so much in maintenance just for the badge status. Plus the whole Chris Bangle flame-surfacing theory of design is still not my favorite. I'm very happy with my G sport sedan. I'm glad I got all the features that I would've cost thousands wayyy more in a BMW.

I just drove by a G sedan this morning...it looks really good!  Much better than the 1st gen.

The G pretty much owns all pre-07 non-M 3-series...

Add a supercharger to the G, and it'll probably own the new 3-turbo for less $$ as well.

G35 souless japanese car.

The interior dials, look like those of cheap stereos at Target.  Very typical asian.   Yes, the G35 has more power, but it doesn't handle as well as the BMW.

Personally I dont like Beemers,  but Audis much better,  and old Benz-es.   -- Anything japanese = crap  (except the Mazda 3).

It's not about smoking for me, Andrew. It's about road feel and driving pleasure. I'll take a 4-cylinder E30 M3 over a brand new G35 any day of the week, despite the much weaker engine and lack of active safety/stability bells and whistles. I've driven several Gs and simply didn't like driving them. Same for the Nissan Z (same platform, same wonky road feel). Just. Don't. Like. 'Em.

"Add a supercharger to the G, and it'll probably own the new 3-turbo for less $$ as well."  -- Yeah, you might as well add a wing, some skirts, and rice it up.

I think the G35 has decent handling overral,  but it appeals to the "my car is bigger and cheaper than yours" kinda of target. 3s are purposely made small, so they can be more fun.

And europeans have much smaller asses in general.

You didn't know Mazda's are actually made here in the US? Mazda cars were produced at the Michigan-based plant in the United States, AutoAlliance International Inc., managed cooperatively with Ford Motor Company. So the only "Japanese" car you like is actually American built.

Then again everyone has opinions...can't expect much from someone who makes comments like "Very typical asian"

I'd check the "total cost of ownership" for both cars.

with that said, I'd get the Infiniti G...ftw!

...but don't forget to totally "rice" the shit out of that car...

ya know, slap the Injen, Benbo, comptech stickers...lower the sucker til it tickles the ground...put big ass tires at an angle...and don't forget the ground effects. Those whale tail aren't just for show...fo' sho!

and drop it like it HAWT!!!

Anyways, this was never meant to be a "which is better" talk topic. I can specifically address the topic because I've had both points of view. I've only ever had a BMW and for the first time I've driven a fine Japanese vehicle. I can appreciate the good qualities of both and I'm sure there are bad in both as well. Then again, people appreciate and make cost/benefit analysis based on differing needs/wants. Also they read a lot of media reviews and accept it as their own even when they never experienced or drove one first hand. Although I did consider the performance specs, it was not my only consideration. I'm a tech geek so I wanted more features for my money - and I found I could get more from the G35.

Not all Asians are rice rocket drivers and just because an Asian drives a Japanese car - it doesn't make them a street racer wannabe. I love classy looking vehicles and prefer all mine stock engine components with no mods to keep my warranty in check. I love dining in fine establishments with my wife and don't care too much about loud exhausts, turbos, ugly wings, etc.

sorry cary, I just finished watching "Tokyo Drift"

talk about a ricer's wet dream...lmao!