If You Can Beat The 3-Series You Win The Game- So WHY Can't Anyone Do it?

Three series is good but i wouldnt say it is the champ.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:01:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -20   

Man. Not you again!!!

Agent 001. Are you comparing the G37 to the 328i or 335i? For the price range, the G37 should be compared to the 328i. The G37 has 100 hp up on the 328i. I have driven both cars extensively, and honestly, I don't see how you can make the proclamation that the 328i is the better car! The G37 is by far the superior car to the 328i in every way.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:10:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The 335. And YES it does have a price advantage for sure and that is one of its strengths.

But do people want 95% of a 3 for $5k less or is the better strategy to BLOW the 3-Series away for the SAME price?

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:14:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Not just my opinion...how many times has the 3-Series been picked the best across the world?

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:36:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

If you're going to compare cars price to price like that read consumer reports and park it next to your relaible maytag. In the development of anything it is the last 5% that seperates the men from the boys and it is the most expensive to achive. If you want 95% and save a few bucks then the G37 is your car. If you want 100% refinement then the BMW is currently it for this catagory, the gold standard and demands a premium. G37 targets the price shoppers 335i the performance shoppers.

— mcpercr9 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:41:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

what a lame topic. each car has its strength and weakness, if 3 series is the best in every single aspect, then we wouldn't see any other car in its class sold in U.S. (i.e. you won't see G, TL, IS, C, CTS, A4...). the fact that you do see other cars on the street is more than enough to prove your foolish comment is totally wrong. the 335 (assuming that is the one you are referring to, because 328 really has nothing to show except a badge to badge whore like you) is the best in term of performance, but it is really not impressive in term of interior fit and finish (CTS, A4, IS). the sedan exterior is also not class leading (the coupe, however, is great). the the cabin is not as quite as, say , Lexus (there are people prefer performance and quietness). the ban for the buck for 335 is horrible (yes, no shit money matters, or else everyone would fly a jet plane).

— ghosthunter (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:50:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The BMW 3-series is always going to be in my garage. I'm on my 4th one, and they keep getting better and better. I'm well aware the G37 is a fantastic car, but I will always pay a premium for the 3'er, it's just so damn good. And without a doubt, it's the best car BMW makes.

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 2:52:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Oh Jesus, a BMW fanboi, and a Lexus Fangurl, and both cars are smaller, more expensive, have worse warranty coverage. What price a badge.

— Dodgeyaussie (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 3:42:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -11   

Nothing will ever touch BMWs, they are like the bestest pieces of machinery available. They are absolutely fabulous, just like me! Lexus who?

— BMWGino (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 5:59:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -24   

Gotta love bmw fanboys!

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 6:55:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

If G can command a price of $15000 more and spend 1/4 of that on interior, and put in a twin turbo RB26 engine, believe me, it would've beat 535, not a 335.

I was amazed how well the new G35 drives. The engine, though not as smooth as an I-6, reminds me of that of E46 M3. I prefer it to the turbo 335 engine, which lacks character other than being able to go fast. I guess that's an inevitable loss of going faster, like what the GT-R did.

NA rules!

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 3:34:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

The reason the BMW has done so well over the years is because it's really good at a lot of things. You can't take much issue with that. The magazines that have given the 3 series top billing have focused more on performance than they on just about every other buying motive. For this reason, the car usually finishes first year after year. Not to mention, with the factory support BMW gets, you can lease a $40k car for what a $30k car usually leases for, making it all the more popular.

— Kthorn (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 3:37:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

The 3 series is a really good car, no, it's a great car. I would never take that away from it and there was a time when it was light years ahead of anything in it's class. But these days, to get to the same level of equipment and power as the G37, you will pay a significant premium on the 3 series for a "5%" better car. As someone who can afford either, I don't think a 5% improvement in refinement that wouldn't be noticed by most, or a 5% advantage in performance which could never be exploited by an amateur driver and never on public roads is worth it. I know everyone on autospies thinks they can driver better than Lewis Hamilton, but the fact is, like it or not, less that 1 percent of 3 or G owners will ever be good enough drivers to even come close to exploring the limits of either of these cars, you will chicken out or do something stupid and crash, sorry. The 3 is slightly better if you get the N54 and a manual tranny, but it is not 10K better.

— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 3:45:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

thinkers not tinkers-lol

— mcpercr9 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 4:06:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Agent 63. I've lost confidence in you as an objective reporter/writer. If you're going to talk about the 335i, then at least be honest about it. The BMW 335i with comparable equipment with the automatic transmission (the majority of 335i sold) is $50,000 compared to the $40,000 Infinity G 37 with automatic transmission. That's $10,000 more than the G37, not $5,000. The BMW 335i cost 25% more than the Infinity G37. That is significant.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 4:20:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The reason other manufacturers can't beat the 3-series is b/c BMW keeps beating itself---continually improving their models year in and year out, model change after model change. It's hard to beat a moving target.

— SimonS (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 4:27:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The 3 series is a great car but i would not call it king just yet Audi and Cadillac has cars that are neck and neck with the 3 some outshine it in many different ways performance being one and styling is up to the individual.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 4:31:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

Agent001, in January 2009 Germans bought 6.365 units of Audi A4, 5.498 units of Mercedes C-Klasse, 5.116 units of VW Passat and, finally, 3.212 units of BMW 3er, twice less than Audi. In 2008 sales of Audi A4 surpassed BMW 3er as well. Since both cars cost actually the same, this is a clear statement Germans consider A4 as a better vehicle, in fact the best in the mid-size class and since they manufacture best cars overall, I think they know what they claim. You should try the Audi A4 Avant quattro 2.0 TFSI with the S-Tronic gearbox. Put simply, this car beats 3-series in just everything. Drives as well as bimmer does and everything else is better provided by the Audi. You can say the same about the Audi A5/S5. Just try the A5 3.0 TDI S-Line. It kills BMW in everything and if you mean the looks... there's just no comparison with masculine and strong A5 with some sport packages.

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 5:10:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

When you’re the car everyone else compares theirs to (for the last 30 years), you are the king. Others are getting close but their compromises have not been sufficient to de-throne. The competition and variety is awesome it makes them all better. This segment would not exists if were not for BMW. The other manufactures are looking for their niche below, super quite, super reliable, really nice interior and all the various combos. It's a performance sedan, it is about dynamic driving, even not at its limit the driving experience in the BMW is currently the best. Yeah some people would rather have quieter etc. but measured as a performance sedan the 3-series has the best priorities as a small performance sedan and has for the last 30 years. It takes being consistently better over an extended period to change the gold standard, not one hit wonders.

— mcpercr9 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 5:26:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

"But it's still NOT as good as a 3-Series"... I think this statement has far more to do with your (oft displayed) BMW bias than any credible/measurable criteria.

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 5:31:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The mere fact that nearly everyone of the comments, even the negative ones, show familiarity with the 3 Series demonstrates that this is the target. It has been for 30 years. The reason no one can beat it is they keep aiming at the target. The competitors are going to have to aim quite a bit higher than where the 3 series is right now in order to surpass it when their new version is released. This is the advantage of being at the top of the heap. All your resources can be spent wisely improving your position while eveyone else continues to play catch up.

Infiniti's G Series is a prime example. It good enough to beat previous generation 3 series but fall short of the mark compared this the current generation.

I don't buy the "you have to compare it to the 328 due to price argument. I'm pretty sure Infiniti wasn't saying to themselves, "Let's build a competitor to the 328 and ignore the upper end of the line up. Infiniti has made it clear they have set their sights on the 335 and M Series.

They should be aiming higher.

— kuvakas1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 5:50:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

another round of applause for lexusfuglyqueen's retarded comment. This post is kind of like asking the question, "Why is F430 the best $200k sports car" or "Why is s550 the best luxury sedan?" Some cars are just created perfectly for their jobs, just like Lexus is for making people fall asleep on the road.

— bimmerMeister999 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 6:08:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I didn't know that the standard donut wheels for a Suzuki made for a fantastic package. A standard the 3-Series is nothing special in any department.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 12:15:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Oh here we go again

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 6:53:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Nissan goes to extremes to try to match their German competitors (see below) but you're right, they always fall a little short. The reason is that when God was giving out talents he gave the Germans a little (a lot actually) extra engineering talent. _____ From a recent EVO magazine article on the Nissan 370Z._______ "Koblenz. The sign clearly says Koblenz. My geography isn’t great (despite being quite handy at colouring in), but the last time I looked, Koblenz was in Germany. And yet I’m pretty sure I woke up at 2am this morning with terrible jet lag on North Island, Japan. Odd. We’re driving on the right, yet the box-shaped vehicle we’re in is right-hand drive. Those trees look awfully German too. My head’s starting to hurt." ______ And "As we trundle over a bridge onto the infield of the high-speed track, everything changes from Japanese to German. We really could be in the Eiffel Mountains and approaching the Nürburgring. Apparently even the conifers were specially imported to match those found in western Germany. Quite what improvement this arboreal transplant has had on the development of the 370Z I don’t know, but the effect is striking. Surrounded by the deciduous sea of autumnal colours that makes up the Japanese countryside, the proving ground must look like a dark green pool of evergreen Germanity if you’re flying over it." ______http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/231897/nissan_370z.html

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 7:19:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The issue with infiniti, and honestly most of the class by comparison to the 3 series it does 1 or maybe few things well and thats it, the 3 series does all things well is it perfect no, but it isnt bad in any regard. The G for example gets the performance part right, but its unrefined and lacks the interior quality(or real difference from regular nissan products) of the class. The 3 series is a good combination of both luxury, performance, quality, and refinement. Its fast, handles extremely well, without being harsh, or cheaply made. The only car that appears to even be close to being as well rounded as a performance luxury sedan in my opinion is the CTS. The other cars lack in big areas for the most part.

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 8:08:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Anyone who'd pay $10k premium for BMW over the faster, more powerful, better handling and more reliable G37 has the IQ of a dung beetle. 335i is not only inferior in every way to G37, but has lost the battle already to the last gen G35!... not only that but 2009 G37 ups the ante even more with 7 speed auto, LSD, stiffer chassis, 5.0s to 0-60mph, 13.5 quarter mile, 0.90g skid pad etc... this is a pure sports sedan at its finest, G37 is the champ! fact that this argument it still going on is a testament to how clueless BMW badgewhores are, it's just pure stupidity.... Like I said, BMW fanboys are like dung beetles, they're both naturally drawn to piles of dung :)

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 8:16:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

Agreed. The G37 didn't undercut anything when it was being engineered as Agent01 has suggested. The G37 was aimed directly at the 328i since both costs roughly the same, and the G37 smashed it in every category. All the Agents here and other badgewhores like the writers and editors of Car and Driver Magazines will always pick the BMW over everyone else. There is no fair comparison when it comes to these guys.

Just look at the February issue of Car and Driver. It had compared the BMW M3 to the bast Porsche 911 Carrera and unanimously picked the M3 over the base Porsche 911. They claimed that the base 911 was chosen for the competition over the 911 S because the price differences is similar. Well if that is the criteria for choosing which cars should go head-to-head competition, then why not pick the Infinity G37 and compare it to your beloved BMW 328i? They both are similarly priced. I tell you why you all and the magazines wouldn't pick a fair fight is because you will loose and loose horribly. The Infinity G37 will win triumphantly over the BMW 328i in every single category.

If you keep insisting comparing the Infinity G37 to the BMW 335i which costs 25% more than the comparably equiped G37, then when you compare the BMW M3 you should do it with the Porsche 911 S and not the base 911. Just my observation. But you all are so bias and in such a singularity that you have lost all credibility when it comes to the BMW brand. You should just stop comparing BMW to other brand names. You should just say that BMW makes great cars, and no one will argue with you on that point.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 8:40:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

ok first off i want to say i was the ultimate bmw hater i use to think as good cars for cheaper thus getting an acura tl in 1999 a tl type s in 2003 and a g35 coupe 6 speed in 2006. my car went back this month and it was between the g37 and the 335. now the strongest point the infiniti has is only price and dont tell me different cause i had one and was seconds away from another. after 2 years if you drive 1000 miles a month the g is crap, it rattles the seats squeek and this was not only a problem on the g but the fx as well. i drove the g for 3 years and the g 37 better then the g35 yes but still not the 335. all i can say to the bmw haters out there and i was one was drive one. experience the handling and the work put into the car. it is worth the difference in price period. oh by the way i got an m3 convert lol so i even 1 uped the 335

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 8:51:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

almost forgot dont forget the little things like free maintenance that bmw offers that all adds up you dont even pay for inspection. if you drive 1000 miles a month thats an oil change 4 times a year 1 break job in 3 years is over 1000 bucks for everything when you add it all up this cuts the price difference. finally if your comparing the 328 to the g37 its not even close you get the g but it still falls short to the 335 even with the price advantage

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 8:55:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Why is it no one talks about the interior of the 3-series? Or any BMW for that matter. If the G is extremely close in performance (and it is very close to a 335 and humiliates the 328), then the day to day livability of the interior vaults the G ahead overall...I own a 2008 G35xS and have driven almost every config of the E90 3-Series (at the plant in Spartanburg - and several times)...I could have gotten either but as WHOLE package - the G is superior (and I'm NOT factoring in price). Really looks at the details - the switch gear, the ergos, etc...BMW sucks at this...and I didn't even bring up iDrive...a lot of cheap plastics, poor switch and button feel...Mercedes in also very overrated. For overall interior materials - BMW is a step below VW. Infiniti and Lexus both provide a far superior level of materials. Audi is okay but having owned a 2006 A4 also, the interiors wear poorly and a lot of poor design is hinges (ctr console, glovebox)...I'm off track on the driving side of things but overall - BMW = overpriced and overrated...

— klossfam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 9:09:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

What a stupid question. BMW has been beat before, its just that on the 8th day, God ordained that unless a car wears the BMW propellor, it loses.

Really, really retarded question.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 9:56:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Hmm... could it be that the BMW brand (and it's trademark, Ultimate Driving Machine) allows it to claim the performance seeking yuppy market regardless?? Great marketing baby. Neither Nissan, Infinity, Audi, Merc,or Lexus will ever stand for performance the way BMW does. Granted, the end product needs to walk the talk so to speak, but lets face it. We can all assume the next 3 series will continue to dominate, sight unseen.

— 91tempo (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 10:22:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That's because when a rival car company finally thinks that they've produced a car to dethrone the 3, BMW seems to kick it up a notch and produces something better.

People may not realize that the first 3 rolled off the assembly line in 1975, about the time Infiniti and Lexus were producing approximately zero cars. BMW has had over 30 years experience perfecting the formula, not only for the road but also for the track.

— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 10:28:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Having been forced into buying a car sooner than I would have liked (E46 3er rear ended this past week, totaled), I was test driving cars yesterday with my wife. We drove the G37 Sport sedan with manual as well as the 328i and 335i. The G37 is very nice and I would never knock somebody for buying one, but it was a bit more cramped, which is surprising since it's physically bigger. Also, the clutch/shifter were not as refined as the BMW's. It's harder to drive smooth with that clutch and there is quite a bit of vibration coming through the shifter (something I'd read about). My wife even commented on it when I hadn't said a word, so I wasn't the only one to notice. The throws are nice and short, but the 3er isn't bad in that department. In fact the BMW had shorter throws than I expected compared to the shifter originally in my E46. Of course, for those that want an automatic, none of this matters, plus Infiniti has a 7 speed auto now.

The car feels like it's not comfortable being driven anything less than fast. While I would probably like to drive it that way, my wife wouldn't, and traffic/police won't let that always happen anyway. The BMW can be driven normally/slowly with ease, but it's ready to roll when you want to flog it. My wife also commented that the ride felt stiffer on the G37 versus the 335, which I found funny considering the grief about the run flats on the BMW being harsh. The Infiniti doesn't have that excuse. I've lost objectivity in the harsh ride department as my BMW was stiffly set up for racing.

— Redwood (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 11:26:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The VW GTI usually wins the hot hatch tests even if its not the fastest. The Landcruiser usually wins it's group test's. The F-series wins truck of the year and most comparo tests.

All these vehicles have been built for a very long time by their respective manufacturer. If they are clever, the use the knowledge on every previous gen to improve on the next.

Its basic evolution, and its hard to disect a vehicle and try to replicate the same depth and level of engineering by attempting a cut and paste.

I think the A4 comes close to the 3-series is terms of quality and desirability, but they are very different cars aimed at different driving tastes.

I know the Infiniti's and Lexus's are great cars, but I'd never want to actually own one.

You can't copy desirability.

— elduderion (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 11:49:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

error 404: funny not found

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 12:12:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I can think on so many cars that are better then the 3...

Very strange to hear that this car is any close to be a "king" of it's class.

— DoctorC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 3:09:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

yep they say bmw fan boys are not snobs...

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:37:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

BJS470, please excuse Crappy, he only posted that because he's racist and irrational.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 3:01:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"That’s the worst thing about being middle class. The snobbery. The need to come across as being cleverer and richer than you really are." by Jeremy Clarkson. I think this quotation suits the case of the 3-series.

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 9:17:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

3 series is the perennial yuppie wagon.

— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 9:23:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

tattedtwice - I really doubt you've compared a new 3-Series and 2007-09 G Series side by side - because if you did, you'd know you're Bimmer-smitten...You are probably thinking Gen I (2003-06) G Series...That had a straight up Nissan interior...I have no owner bias - my previous car was a 2006 Audi I bought with 12K on it from a BMW dealer...I could have bought a BMW, but why? A 3-Series handles better than a A4 but in daily driving it is irrelevant and the Audi is light years ahead of BMW in ergo and materials. If you want a REALLY dramatic illustration of the difference in quality between Infiniti and BMW interiors - compare a M Series to a 5 Series...

— klossfam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 10:55:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

P.S. I agree - This is a retarded question...Agent 001 MUST work for Car & Driver on the side...Like a reader letter in the last C & D: "You guys at C & D showed great restraint in not naming a BMW the winner of your all Corvette comparison test"

— klossfam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 11:00:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

001:

Maybe you should restate the question but drop the "heritage" aspect that's weighed with each brand.

IF both the G37 and 3-series were introduced 1-2 years ago, which vehicle would be better? Which car would you feel more confident about in any driving or interior convenience situation?

The Infiniti just might be the solid leader in the comparo.

— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 11:24:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

The 3 series is just a marvel and a Icon and something all manufacturers are trying to beat

— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 11:35:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Come on guys think about this for a moment and admit the BMW is and has always pretty much been the champ in the performance arena. You know, like "The Ultimate Driving Machine". Like Agent 001 said, the new G37 is a remarkable machine for the money and is a great, really great performance sedan. As much as I like the Lexus brand I'm not oblivious to who the real champs are in whatever segment/category they win hands down. I must agree the 335i is a bad ride and I would choose it over the IS350 in terms of performance.

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 11:38:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I dare say the Audi A4 2.0T Quattro would beat the BMW 328xi. The BMW is 2.3% less weight and 9.0% more hp, but 29% LESS torque and 7-19% worse gas mileage (highway/city EPA). Equipped with the sport suspension, the Audi would match or possibly surpass the BMW in the corners. In addition, the Audi has more interior room and a nicer interior.

Granted, Audi does not currently have an A4 model in the U.S. market that can beat the BMW 335i or 335xi. However, when Audi releases the S4 in the U.S. this fall, BMW will have a real fight on its hands. And when the RS4 makes its debut - watch out, M3 owners!

— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 12:10:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

The 3 has been the one to beat for so long it has gained the right to determine the scale used to measure itself and others that pretend to be similar. How could any car be more like a 3 then a 3?

Use a different scale, maybe one leaning more towards reliability and value, and you would get a different answer.

— Krazeeddd (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:16:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Actually the when the Infiniti G35 first came out it beat the BMW 3-Series and took it throne. And than the new/current 3-Series took it back when it first cam out, and than the the Infiniti beat the current 3-Series on a comparison test as well.

I'm at work right now, but I google the results and posted later with the link to back up my claim.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:26:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

corretion, Infiniti G37

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:27:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Beating is a relative term. As some may believe the G37 beats the 3 series and some may belive that it has not. It is all a matter of opinion and which one someone thinks is better. I don't plan on buying either one in the near future. However, I did test drive both because this battle seems to always come up and I have a leased 3 series that my company provides me with for trips. In my opinion, the G37 has already beat the 3 series. In the end, the winner of this battle will always come down to which one the individual views as better.

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:31:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody's got one. Not one you could drive one a 335 better than a G37 to warrant a 7k or so price difference. It's all about preferences and how important you wanna look. That's the truth.

— r_driver04 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 1:58:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Of course you'll buy the BMW, by the sounds of it, you're just the type.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 3:05:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The BMW 335i is a superior car, but it's more expensive than the G37 as well. The Infiniti's principal competition, therefore, is the BMW 328i, which is more involving to drive and a few steps ahead in interior materials quality, yet considerably less muscular under the hood than the broad-shouldered G. If you can live without the Bimmer's unmatched combination of sporty handling and a comfortable ride, then the Infiniti G37 should make an excellent addition to your garage.

— BM3W (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 2:26:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

January US Sales #'s prove what is really happening out there. In this horrible economy the 3-series is still the champ, outselling its nearest competitor (volume) by 42%. I do note that the A5/S5 is up 76% to sell 603 cars in January.

3 Series - down 27% - 5,013 cars
G37 - down 29% - 3,509 cars
C-Class - down 35% - 3,032 cars
IS - down 26% - 2,400 cars
A4 - down 29% - 2,058 cars
A5 - up 76% - 603 cars

Its obvious that price is irrelevant in this market.

— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 3:35:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

how many people at this level want options like navigation? then how many people want to actually be able to use them without needing advanced engineering degrees? I sell both cars infiniti and bmw, and no matter what the infintis navigation is leaps and bounds better then the BMW you alos never have your car drop into safe mode and limit you to some rediculous low speed until you get your car back into the shop to get reprogrammed. I'd say these 2 things inch the G's closer to 100%. Sure the bimmer is a little better drive, if you are a pro, but the G is easier to drive and you have added functionality and reliability. if BMW woudl have a japanese company do there electronics and nav they'd be a hands down winner but they dont :)

— chris357 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 3:36:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

thats exactly what I did when I traded my acura cl with nav a few years ago for my 325i and some how my 184 HP 325 was as fast as my 260 hp cl type s

I love both cars and I'm lucky to sell (or seel) both of them. It is funny, how different people decide which they think is the better value.

— chris357 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 7:14:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The market proves out which car is best and that car usually commands a price premium. The 3-series cost more because they are better. Its that simple. The G37 is cheaper because Infinity knows that they can't demand more than a 3-series if its not a better car, so its priced accordingly. That's not to say that the G37 isn't a good "value" but its just not as good as a 3. Just like a Corvette and a Ferrari. The Corvette is a fine car, but its not a Ferrari and the pricing reflects it.

— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 5:54:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

An equally good question is: Why can't anyone beat the Prius? 45mpg wrapped in an ugly tin can can't be THAT hard, can it?

— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 5:56:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The Infiniity is a great buy for the price. Its amazing how many configurations and options and styles the 3 has. The G37 is a good car but infiniti still lacks the prestige the 3 has. The 3 is like bread and butter, every kid, every entry level exec, every woman wants one. Its a "BMW".

When you look at the price of a G37 and a 328, I mean its a no brainer to me, the G37 trumps it. That 2-5% "feeling" doesn't compesate for losing 100hp, a bigger interior and more standard features.

— BarackBush (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 8:07:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

3 Series sets the overall bench mark. Other makers can do better in certain categories but not overall. I personally think the C Series looks better and the G37 gets better track times. BUT looking at all the aspects of the cars and 3 Series is the true champ.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/9/2009 10:26:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Agent,

I really appreciated if you band buttmonkey or Buttdonkey whatever the hell he call himself, after reading his post it sickening to think you haven't yet deleted his post.

Buttdonkey,

please keep the website clean and watch what you write on the forum.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 1:45:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Wow so many BMW fans on here i am one also but I look at all brands not just one.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 2:57:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Crappy, the reason you like BMW is because is it non-Asian...and you are racist.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/02/2008-cadillac-cts-shortcuts-that-try-my-patience.html

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 12:07:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Crappy, you're an interesting case study. I'd like to know more about your condition.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 3:22:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Didn't the Acura TL SH-AWD beat out the 335 a few weeks ago? Now you don't hear squat about the Acura. LOL!!!!

FWIW the BMW is nice but it isn't the best at everything. I traded in a BMW 330i for an EVO X MR and the BMW isn't anywhere near as precise as the EVO X. Even compared to the 335i the EVO offers a much better drive and is a much better performer (except in a straight line). I should know. I've had 335 loaners for weeks. There are a few cars out there that are offer sharper handling than a 3-series. It’s just that the 3 offers more luxury and is a better all around package than the competition.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 2:36:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

vman013,
You forgot to mention the ES sold 2900 units inJan 09, it also competes agains the 3 series. That means Lexus' entry lux cars outsold BMW's poser mobile and they didn't need low financing or backloaded leases to do it.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 7:56:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Again, after reading all the posts above, it boils down to preference. Car enthusiast A would buy a BMW because he likes BMW and has probably never driven other marks with an open mind or has read a lot of good things about it. Same as with Car enthusiast B who bought an AUDI because he simply liked the way it looked and handled. Or car buyer C who bought a Lexus because he wanted peace of mind when it comes to "check engine" lighting up or better value for features or whatever reason he may have. PREFERENCE.

— woood (View Profile)

Posted on 2/10/2009 10:48:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

How old are people on this site?

— BarackBush (View Profile)

Posted on 2/11/2009 1:09:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Okay, I'll throw in my two cents worth. I know this is a really long blog and I didn't even read any of them yet before writing this so if I repeat anybody, oh well.

First of all, the auto manufacturers don't really look at it as a competion. Yes they want to sell more cars. Some brands already outsell the BMW 3 series by a large margin so in some respects, they have already beaten it. Performance comes at what cost? Most vehicle platforms have a budget to stay within. Yes, even the 3 series has one, a really big one mind you, but a budget none the less. The vast majority of that budget is spent on rotating hardware. Engine, transmission, suspention, brakes, etc. So much is spent on those items to ensure the ultimate driving machine remains so, that other things are short changed. Do we really need to talk about the weaknesses or does everyone alreay know them? Safety? Realiability? Fit and finish? Ease of use? Style? Practicality? There are other brands out there that far outperform BMW in these areas. So is it lack of engineering competence or simply a business and identity decision? I prefer to think the latter is more acurate.

— Neverfollow (View Profile)

Posted on 2/11/2009 4:09:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Alright, I'm not sure how many of you have actually driven the 3-series and its competitors. I just got done shopping for cars in that segment and ended up with the Lexus IS250 6mt.

To be honest with you, the 3-series felt really cheap to me. Not as cheap as the a4 or c-class, but pretty damn cheap. This is coming from a guy that has always wanted a 3-series coupe ever since I've started driving. The car felt nice to drive, the gear box was slick, I could feel the engagement of the clutch nicely, but it still felt like I was driving an econo-car. That's not a feeling I want when I'm shelling out that much money. Not to mention the fact that I don't want to deal with the reliability issues (not saying that there are many, but definitely more than lexus) since I drive my cars into the ground.

The g37 was a nice car, and I even liked it better than the 3-series, I just didn't like the interior (great improvement over the g35 though). Then came the Lexus IS250. I've grown up with Toyotas, and I know how reliable they are. My mom drove 70,000 miles without changing the oil in her 90 corolla, and it still ran 90,000 more miles before she traded it in for a camry. This car felt the most luxurious, and I know a lot of you will disagree, but the steering felt the same as the 3-series. I wanted a manual transmission so I had to stick with the 2.5 liter engine, which is a bummer, but I'm using this as a daily car, not a track car. It's still enough power for me to pass people on the highway easily, and it's nimble enough to have fun while driving. Also, by far, it had the best looks. I can't say I'm a big fan with the new 3-series design. I loved the e46 style though.

So, like Woood said, it comes down to preference. However, I would think that someone who wants their car to last a long time, problem-free, have fun with class and style, would go for the Lexus.

Regarding the article though, REALLY?! YOU THINK A 328 BEATS A G37? Drive them! IMO, 3-series are way over-rated. They feel like cheap econo-cars.

— shui3000 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2009 12:35:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

My wife TL is a better all around car than my 328,the TL feels more sporty.i'm really surprised that the TL even though it's a fwd vehicle
has better handling than the 328.Reliability,i took my car back to the dealer twice for transmission problem,my engine was on 2 weeks ago,they replaced the oxigen sensor but yesterday the light is on again,i don't see myself driven a hyundai genesis,i don't like lexus,infinity.we already have the TL,i don't like the RL from Acura,i see it as a big 4wd honda accord.Once they fix the eng light,i'll it for the MDX

— wanga (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2009 10:03:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Reading all these comments is interesting to see the passion and misunderstanding on both sides. I think the marketplace has decided that the 3 series is the preferred car because it outsells the G37 and has a higher price to boot. The G37 is probably a better deal for most of the people who choose them because they cost less, have fewer repairs, more bells and whistles included even more standard HP. However, more people pay more for the 3, and more people that can have any car have the 3 and they continue to came back to these cars because they like them so much. Why is it that the Infiniti buyers get so angry over this? I think most who know little about driving and cars would rather say they have a BMW but if they had one would complain about stiff seats, suspensions, and car payments and really belong in their Accords and Camrys. Some of us just like really great driving dynamics and pay the much higher total costs to get them. Get over it everyone, I just wish I could be happy listening to the G's Camaro-like exhaust rumble and light steering. Some time ago I would have liked the G37 now I prefer the sublime feel of the 3 series.
As for 001's question why can't the other manufacturers beat the 3 I don't think they wand to duplicate the 3 they want to "improve on it" by their own definition, i.e. our is cheaper, faster, higher resale, better looking, has a bigger trunk, better nav system whatever they define. The market for sublime, polished, high status, just better in a subjective, "I wish I had one" sense is dominated by the German marques and the 3 leads the way in sport sedans and has since its predecessor 1600 model in the '60s. For those you you old enough to remember then it was the Datsun 510, the G's predecessor which was just as good blah blah blah. It was a great car but couldn't capture the imagination of a generation as the new to our shores BMW could. G fans I get it I really do, I'm a Red Sox fan boy and I know this can go on for a long time before you conquer the dragon. G37 buyers your time for universal acknowledgment will come.

— 2nynbak (View Profile)

Posted on 2/17/2009 7:35:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1