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Up To The Task of Taking On BMW? TTAC Infiniti G37 Coupe Review

Agent009 submitted on 11/19/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:05 AM
from: www.thetruthaboutcars.com

[53] user comments | category: Report Cards

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Up To The Task of Taking On BMW? TTAC Infiniti G37 Coupe Review

Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Cadillac, Lincoln. Any automaker with dreams of glory in the upscale midsize sports sedan market has tried to beat the BMW 3-Series– and lost. Too big, too small, too crude, too expensive, too front-wheel drive, too ugly, no stick. Of all the contenders, only Infiniti has mounted a credible challenge. Some say the last G35 [more or less] usurped the 3-Series’ throne. And then BMW dropped the turbo bomb: the sublime 330-horse 335i. Infiniti has countered, sending us the normally aspirated, equally-horsed G37 coupe. Does the new car hit the G-spot?

You’d be forgiven for not seeing anything new about the new G37. The styling changes are only slightly more evolutionary than what’s happening with your baby toe. The biggest difference: in their Infiniti wisdom, stylists have traded the “you got me by surprise!” vertical headlights for more organic amoeba shaped lamps. Otherwise, we’re looking at the same sleek, low-slung two-door sports car whose side profile is ruined by the inevitable 25-year-old “son of stock broker” with gelled back hair sitting far too low behind the wheel.

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farabira1 - 11/19/2007 11:34:59 AM

+10 Boost

awesome review. The BMW 3 series is a legend by it's own rights, make no mistake about that, but certainly G37 is up to make challenge to the king. I think it will boil down to buyer's instinctive preference, like some might have a weak point for one of these cars, or they might prefer the design of any single one over the other; because i think that from all the reviews that i have seen so far, performance, and driving dynamics wise both cars are quite top notch and quite similar.

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M35MT - 11/19/2007 12:57:24 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

who deboosted you?

Very objective post. I agree!

ThierryHenry14 - 11/19/2007 11:39:53 AM

0 Boost

I don't like the article for only one reason...

in the end, it suggests that BMW's selling point is the 3er's iconic name, and that is, by no means its main selling point. Its main selling point is the top notch performance.

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Kinger - 11/19/2007 11:45:06 AM

+1 Boost

The article makes the point that BMW can rely on the 3-series name to project sales. What the article fails to mention is that BMW don't just rely on the iconic name, but are consistently improving the 3-series to keep it ahead of the pack. It earned its iconic name and won't let it go easily.

M35MT - 11/19/2007 1:00:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Yes, and...no. When you become an icon, more of your sales will be because of the reputation. Only the enthusiasts pay attention to performance (and they're arent that many of them).

The G had to start from the bottom, so it had 2 things to go on...(1) Looks (2) Performance. BMW has 3 attractions (1) Looks (2) Performance (3) Reputation.

ThierryHenry14 - 11/19/2007 5:24:47 PM

0 Boost

Do you think that their name is their main selling point? I would think that if their main selling point is living with its "name and image" then it would be like Jaguar, who has lived on its name, and has sunken far beyond repair.

Yes, I do think that its performance. btw, this just means that you do not know very much girls with BMWs. Most "teenage girls" will more often than not know about its performance and buy it based on that. I agree with you about the grocery moms, but thats why they do not buy a 3er.

by the way, you think price has anything to do with why 328 outsells the 335? I mean, I don't know about you, but if they were the same price, I would get a 335. But if I had 40k to spend, I wouldn't get a 55k car.

M35MT - 11/20/2007 8:26:28 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Also, even though the 3's rep helps, it still has to MAINTAIN that good image with PR, which, in your example, has hurt Jaguar, little by little.

AdmiralT20 - 11/19/2007 12:16:00 PM

0 Boost

I wonder when the BMW 335i power was upgraded to 330 HP?

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/19/2007 11:54:39 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

It's underrated.

r15mohd - 11/19/2007 12:32:38 PM

-2 Boost

personally i think the price gives the winner in this comaprison.

the 335i is a great vehicle but delivers everything at a costly price...$53k (nav/park assist/bluetooth/etc)

the g37S comes in at about $43k for the same features.

numbers themselves are very good on both and for $10k less and the fact that it is RELIABLE (there's that word again). the G37S is hard to pass up.

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BMW4me4ever - 11/19/2007 12:47:09 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

The G37 is the same size as the new 135 coupe coming out in regards to trunk space & passenger space. In regards to performance, the G37 is not on par with the 335 coupe nor will be even close to the 135 for the same money.

In regards to reliability, my refrigerator is reliable but isnt any fun. Which car can you have the most pure fun in?

r15mohd - 11/19/2007 1:09:55 PM

+2 Boost

lol...when have you actually compared specs between the g37S and the 335i???

INTERIOR g37 335i
Front Headroom 39.4 in. 37.1 in.
Rear Headroom 34.5 in. 36.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room 53.7 in. 55.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room 52.7 in. 51.9 in.
Front Hip Room 53.4 in. Not Published
Rear Hip Room 48.2 in. Not Published
Front Leg Room 43.8 in. 41.8 in.
Rear Leg Room 29.8 in. 33.7 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity 7.4 cu.ft. 11.1 cu.ft.
Maximum Seating 4 4

now the g37 is bigger in most aspects except for trunk room and shoulder room. rear headroom is a marginal issue as to how many people actually will ever travel in the backseat.

now tell me, have you been able drive both the g37S and the 335i? indeed the BMW is a great driving vehicle, but like this very article states...the drivers vehicle between the 2 is the g37S. i've had the oppurtunity to test drive both.

and though i loved the 335i, the g37S blew me rite away on how precise and close, if not better, and FUN its was to drive. infiniti did remarkably well with the g37S.

in case you haven't read the article...

"In short, the G37 is less mature than Old Man Bimmer, but more fun for the really determined “hands on” driver."

ThierryHenry14 - 11/19/2007 1:25:45 PM

+3 Boost

BMW dealerships were giving out this pamphlet when the G35 coupe first came out, comparing it and the 325/330ci. However, it was not comparing performance, but rather standard features and optional features.

The discrepancy of 10k could be made up with the subtle differences here and there.

r15mohd - 11/19/2007 1:31:09 PM

+3 Boost

discrepency of $10k...lol

its not a discrepency! $10k is a lot of money, especially between vehicles in the same range

ThierryHenry14 - 11/19/2007 1:38:42 PM

-3 Boost

while I will admit that the 335 is not the best BMW in the stable, for the older generation, E46 generation, was a much more in-tuned, precise, and raw of a sporty car than the E90/91/92, the 335 still gives more of a drive/feedback and is a funner car to drive than the G37S. And yes, I have driven most of the cars in this class.

BMW4me4ever - 11/19/2007 7:09:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Have you been in both R15 .. I have also and have seen and compared the specs to both cars. In regards to room and space, when is 4 cu ft of trunk not a big deal? Or when is 4" rear seat room not a big deal? You state that the G37 is $10k less and a better deal, yet I dont see how. It is smaller, slower, doesnt brake as well, has less usable room but I know. I know it has more gadgets.

" now tell me, have you been able drive both the g37S and the 335i? indeed the BMW is a great driving vehicle, but like this very article states...the drivers vehicle between the 2 is the g37S. i've had the oppurtunity to test drive both. "

That is your opinion. In every article where they have compared the 2, The BMW was a better sports car. As have I, the 335 feels more responsiv eand more powerful. It feels more sure of itself. What do you consider a test drive? Is it the up the street as fast as it goes and then a brief jaunt around town or did you Drive the car? There is a difference. The cars behave alot differently when pushed. Drive the BMW sports package 335 coupe into turns hard, get the tires moving and twitching. Then do the same with the Infiniti & the difference is huge. But then balance, performance and size do come with a cost. Hence the price difference.

The fair comparison in interior dimensions is the 135. Price will be the same. Just because they are the similar length does not make a competition. The BMW is faster, handles better, stops better, larger & costs more ... Sometimes to get better you have to pay more...

S4cabriofoxone - 11/19/2007 11:57:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"now the g37 is bigger in most aspects except for trunk room and shoulder room. rear headroom is a marginal issue as to how many people actually will ever travel in the backseat."

I love the G37, but you forgot to mention its painfully small rear seat. It sounds like it's completely useless. 29in??? I am one of those people who use the rear seat in my two-door car (and most people do, BTW), so yes, it does matter.

If I was buying based on price, as you imply, the G37 would be the easy choice. It offers 90% of the 335i experience for 80% of the price.

But then there's still that missing 10%.

And since I can afford it, I'd pick the BMW.

Rupert - 11/20/2007 5:56:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

29 inches of rear legroom????
That's smaller than a plane seat (31-32 inches)!
I physically can't fit in that!

EL34 - 11/19/2007 12:59:00 PM

-5 Boost

Get the BMW and be a happy driver :)

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ThierryHenry14 - 11/19/2007 1:35:14 PM

+2 Boost

get with it...

right now, Audi is the a la mode car.

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EL34 - 11/19/2007 2:12:59 PM

0 Boost

BMWpos, you're the most qualified here to say BMW's are overrated since you've owned a half a dozen of them.

:)

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1995e34 - 11/19/2007 2:53:23 PM

+1 Boost

he copy + pasted that same comment on like 10 different articles.

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LEXUSpos - 11/20/2007 12:52:07 AM

+3 Boost

I am BMWpos evil twin. Lexus is the most overrated car company in the world. The softest, unperformance like rides period. Go test drive one you will see yourself. Horrible. For the moment Lexus is à la mode.

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1995e34 - 11/20/2007 10:24:38 AM

+2 Boost

BMW is the most overrated car in the world. It’s also overpriced. When you read some tests, you think that it’s a fanatastic car. BUT NO. When you test drive it, your’re most of times deceived. And you ask yourself why some people praise this car all time ? Readers be careful when your read a BMW test and compaision. You can be sure that it wins always. But test in your self and you see the reality is something else. For the moment BMW is à la mode.

ewww...tricky

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LEXUSpos - 11/20/2007 9:53:14 PM

+3 Boost

STJ88 - 11/19/2007 1:12:35 PM

+6 Boost

The G37 is a legend to its the 12th generation skyline and the 335i aint a bad car but the looks and reliability let it down. And please don't start talking about the 135i its about the ugliest car around.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/19/2007 11:59:30 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

The 335i looks amazing, and the 3 Series is recommended by CR for reliability.

To each his own.

DaHarder - 11/20/2007 3:43:49 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't say the the 1-Series is the ugliest vehicle in the world, but the fact that the rear end looks remarkably (exactly?) like a 1991 Hyundai Elantra does not sit well with me at all!

http://imgcar.dcinside.com/review/elantra/36.jpg

PerformanceGuy - 11/19/2007 1:21:50 PM

+2 Boost

Good article and nice review. I have to agree that the G37 is the only car in this segment that can take it down. Nissan/Infiniti did an awesome job with this car!

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JUGNU - 11/19/2007 2:42:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

G37 is just stunning inside and out. Performance is equal to the 335i and costs less.

Guess who's the winner. Yes it's the G37.

JUGNU

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SHOWTIME - 11/19/2007 4:19:36 PM

+2 Boost

I own a G37 and I don't quite agree with you.

As far as the powerband goes, I wouldn't doubt that your S4 has a bit more pull from low to mid range but will walk on your S4 at high revs and def cannot be compared to a 95' Maxima.

The ride and handling have an equal balance. Stiff yes but not harsh, and very responsive steering. Unless you've tested this car at the track I cannot seem to find the detailed complaints you have on the handling, steering, suspenssion, ride.

I've owned a 3 series Coupe when it was stock and then modified with coilover suspension, bushings, lightweight wheels, HP tires, etc...so I do have something to compare it to as well and quite honestly I don't feel the need to do anything to my G37.

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SHOWTIME - 11/19/2007 10:52:28 PM

-2 Boost

"Nevertheless, my point remains that you have to keep this engine wound up all the time to get anything out of it."

Here's the part where I mostly dissagree with you because from 2100-3500 RPM the car pulls just fine, and mid-range from 3500 to 5500 RPM without a doubt accelerates impressively.

"90% of the acceleration occurs from idle and with the engine in the lower half of the engine's operating range."

I def agree with you on this which is why I would've never gotten the G37 if there wasn't enough low-end. But perhaps if you compare it to the S4 (V8) or 335i (6 cyl turbo)it might then seem a bit weaker on very low RPM's. But that's the trade off you get for a naturally espirated 6 scyl high revving car similar to the E46 M3 and costs thousands less.

I really do not understand what you mean when you say, "Unless you've tested this car at the track I cannot seem to find the detailed complaints you have on the handling, steering, suspension, ride."

At the track, you would have the advantage of driving the car to the limit or beyond its limits and are able to feel it more freely when loosing and gaining control, decelerating and accelerating on turns, etc...so since your opinion differed from mine and the journalists, and was very detailed, I was concerned if you fully explored this car by doing some extreme driving just like they did.

"My Audi requires significantly greater steering effort, and with greater steering effort, you get better steering feel."

Sometimes but not always...2007 Acura TL has greater steering effort than both 335i and G37 but certainly does not have greater steering feel than neither.

"While driving the G37, I also noticed a very slight tendency for the vehicle to wander, which required slight corrections at the steering."

This occurs on uneven pavement, but most sports cars do that.

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BMW4me4ever - 11/19/2007 8:13:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Als, this review is based on dethroning the 335 coupe, when every comparison test out there the BMW 335 coupe has bested the G37. The writer of this article is basing his observations not on a direct comparison but from what his memory tells him that the 335 coupe felt like. This is an opinon of what the G37 and his experience in the car as a subjective as he can get. But to make reference to the 335 is absurb. No one knows when the last time he acutally drove the 335 coupe. a week ago, a month, a few months. That would have a bearing on the point of view, dontyou think? Anyways, it is a nice article for the G37. I have driven both very aggressively. In my opinion, the 335 coupe is better buy of the 2. Larger, faster, maint included, better resale, more solid. Up to you though to drive and decide?

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BMW4me4ever - 11/20/2007 2:01:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

That was the article comparing a 2007 335 coupe to a 2008 G37. That was before BMW put a intercooler on to help with heat on the turbo's. Also, Infiniti brought the BMW test car to the track, not BMW...

BMW was still quicker, handled better ( FACT ) ...

Edmunds.com ... BMW 335 coupe vs G37 coupe .. BMW wins ( Fact )

"And by most standards, the Infiniti G37 is an impressive car and a lot of fun. But it isn't as quick as the BMW 335i, nor does it engage its driver with equal commitment.

Due to its higher price and shorter features list, the 3 Series won this test by only 2.3 points. But contained within those points are all the details that make it a more intimate and involving driving partner.

"Nearly every aspect of our drive feels more natural in the 335i," one of our editors recorded in the notebook for this comparison. "I'm not sure what the price difference is, but the BMW feels $15,000 better.""

Road & Track .. BMW still king of hill ( Fact )

"The combatants in the around-$40,000 luxury sports-coupe segment are sensational, if few. But the BMW 335i still rates as king of the hill. Now if Cadillac would just build a 2-door version of the CTS…"

Automobile magazine ... BMW 335 still reigns supreme .. Fact

"Answers in hand, we blitzed the top half of Kentucky, all of Ohio, and lower Michigan to speed the trip's conclusions to your attention. With its highly entertaining dynamic aptitudes, near-BMW speed, and hot appearance, the Infiniti G37S easily tops the value chart. Anyone seeking a passionate fling will be well served in this seat. Those more interested in a long-term relationship should dig several thousand dollars deeper into their wallets for the 335i. Thanks to BMW's fanatical pursuit of driving excellence, not to mention increased pressure from the likes of Infiniti, the 335i has a death grip on Automobile Magazine's back-road crown."

LEXUSpos - 11/20/2007 9:52:49 PM

+2 Boost

0to60 - 11/20/2007 8:48:23 AM

+1 Boost

Im so tired of these two cars being reviewed. Isnt this old news yet????

reply to this comment

4x4rules - 11/21/2007 7:57:44 PM

+1 Boost

every car mag/internet blog/poser rag has been comparing these two cars........why?cause we talk about it for hours.

wtf with ala mode anyway?

LEXUSpos - 11/21/2007 7:19:42 PM

+1 Boost

LEXUSpos - 11/21/2007 7:20:00 PM

+2 Boost

4x4rules - 11/21/2007 7:58:42 PM

0 Boost

I think the g 35 looked sportier.....not sure why but this is looking more like the M's to me

any one else?

reply to this comment

bmwpowerf1 - 11/22/2007 8:10:55 AM

+1 Boost

why is the article g57 taking on the 3 series. whats wrong with mercedes or audi. is this article trying to say that the 3 series is the best in its range?

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