Winding Road - The Best Coupes. BMW 135i vs. INFINITI G37S

the infiniti definitely LOOKS better

— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 11:19:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 12   

The G37 looks HOT. This 1-series should be compared with the Z. The G37 does a good job of taking on the 3-series.

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 11:39:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 12   

You can't compare the G37 with the 1-serie. The G37 is the size of the 3-serie.

— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 12:07:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 13   

Just let the these fanatic German fanboys do what they want. They feel good to compare those two cars. They could also compare Infinity G37 with Audi A4 or C classe coupe later but they wont.

— EL44 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 12:20:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Nissan's are too trendy for me. Compare them with Nissan's from 10 years ago and see what I mean.

BMW's no matter how old with the new have a family resemblance. I like that :-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:09:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -10   

Did they test these cars, or just drive them around and use the factory numbers?

Shouldn't it be the 335Ci or were they trying to give the advantage to BMW with a nimbler and lower priced car?

Once again though, another car's suspension is faulted for being too sporty when it beats a BMW.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:52:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

first thing i immediately noticed is how much more beautiful the G37S looks compared to the 135i. I would definitely get the G over the 135i instantly

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 2:02:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

The 135i is an amazing car. It is so much better than the G37.

— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 2:13:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

for starters, i'd prefer the 350z over the g37. i find the nissan styling to be far less trendy than the infinit's (though i like it).

i can't say i'd compare these cars if i were comsidering either.

that said, i would prefer the 135i. it weighs almost 300lbs less. i prefer the styling, quality, and refinement that you can only get from Munich.

i'd have to live on a street that every car was a 3-series before i would get the g37. it's a great car, but not great enough to turn my back on the original.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 3:30:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I would definately choose the G37. It's more powerful(we get 350BHP version) and looks far better. And not to mention it's interior is times better than the ordinary interior of 1 series.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 3:34:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

As far as size, the G-Coupe is more rivaling the 3-Series.
But as far as price, the G-Coupe is more rivalling the 1-Series.
Just clearing things up.

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 3:39:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

@1995e34

The G37 is a nissan the skyline V36.

— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 3:44:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I like the BMW better than the girly G-Car.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 3:50:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

g37 is a real waste of money considering the cons X money spent! it has more rattlesthan the previous model not to mention the cheap interior materials.

— fatboi (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 4:12:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

I find it funny that they compare the G37 with the 1-series...but when they test the G35 sedan the same people compare it against the 3 series. I felt like this article was german biased from the beginning.

— sholemon (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 5:00:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The 135i will do 0- 60 in 4.7 secs..
Who the hell do they have test driving these cars?

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 5:33:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

For sure seemed German Biased...Maybe BMW is buying more ads in their magazine....

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 5:35:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

And therefore the winner by 26 miles is the BMW 1-Series.

Thank you kthor :-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 7:20:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

And the G-car looks like the rubber doll you've been playing with for the past 5 years.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 6:59:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

There's a reason I don't visit this site much anymore...

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 6:56:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Can't argue with the 135's performance. But you can argue that it's overweight and awkwardly styled. The illusion of a sagging mid-section just isn't attractive on any car. Even a BMW. Overall, the 135 is a nice idea, but far from perfect. That said, the G37 is a bargain with great power and a nicely improved interior, but personally, I prefer the styling of the previous G35 coupe.

— fuelfool (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 11:13:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

kthor,
The G comes with a spare tire in the trunk, the 135i doesn't. The G37S also comes with 19" wheels vs the 18" ones on pudgy there.

The G looks sleek and sporty, the 135i just stubby and downright awkward, typically BMW as of late.

Both cars have crummy interiors, but atleast the G adds a touch of upscale with a LCD display and better dials.

The review also didn't seem to care if anyone is in the back, only the passenger seat. I guess they remembered these are supposed to be driver's cars.

Read page 77 where they say Nissan out engineered the Germans by giving their car a proper differential, even though the 135i is better on paper, its performance was neutral and no better than the G at the limits.

G37's looks as described by the reviewers.
"perfect Japanese form of two-door fastback coupe".
There's no debate about the Infiniti's design theory, as opposed to Bangle's garbage work ("now being toned down and re-channeled", never admitting any mistakes of course).

EL34,
From experience?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/7/2008 12:11:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I don't see why everyone is complaining about these two cars being compared to one another?

Think about it, the G37 has just as much in common with a 135i as it does the 335i...You could say the 1er is priced closer to the G37 than the 3er but then you could say the G37 is closer in size to the 3er.

Regardless if anything the G37 has a better chance against the 1 than it does the 3-series as it (G37) projects & is supposed to be the more up-market vehicle of the two (1er & G).

To the "Jap" guys on this site I know it's a tough pill to swallow that BMW's entry level vehicle out-does the competition put in place for one of the companies more up-market vehicles, but it has so swallow it.

Don't worry however because I myself have a pill stuck in my throat...I just received my latest issue of R&T in the mail where the Nissan GT-R spanked the American & German competition being the ZO6 & 911 Turbo. Hard to except but nevertheless, something I wouldn't attempt to deny.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 4/7/2008 4:42:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

The one series is an ugly piece of crap set on top of a good drivetrain.

I am now "qualified" to give an opinion because I have actually touched one.

Anyone who thinks BMW's interiors are exceptional needs only to get into a one series, open the glove box, retain an honestly objective frame of mind, and realize that's the cheapest, crappiest material and build quality of any "luxury" carmaker. Their leather and control knobs are middle of the road (inferior to Audi of course, but better than the MB Jeep knobs).

But day-um is that thing ugly! Why choose this over a Z4 coupe?

— 09CTSVforMe (View Profile)

Posted on 4/7/2008 3:12:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Willis,
Pirelli doesn't make tires specifically for Infiniti.
Goodyear doesn't have runflats larger than 18"
Michelin Pilots (specific to G37) aren't runflat.

Also, the M3 doesn't have runflat tires and the wheels are 18".
Straight from www.bmwusa.com
"M3 Coupe and Sedan are not equipped with a spare tire and wheel. They include M Mobility System"
What's the deal with that? It must have a huge trunk though. (go Autobilde!!!)

adhominem,
From the TireRack regarding self-supporting tires and the need for a pressure monitoring system.
"Without such a system, the driver may not notice underinflation and may inadvertently cause additional tire damage"
Even then, you need to drive carefully and take it easy, assuming you even know where the pressure readout is.
According to the above site, runflat technology doesn't come in 19" sizes.

Munichbob,
You mean when the 135i actually comes with real leather right? The 135i still comes with ultra-luxurious genuine German plastic seats as standard. I mean, leatherette.

the 1's knobs and dash look cheap, plain and simple. The G's arne't much better but alteast they look more modern.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/7/2008 7:18:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

"huu76" full leather is an option on the 1-series, & I'd rather have leatherette seats than fabric. I don't know how anyone can sit inside a 1er interior & say it screams econo-car!?

Everything from the real wood or aluminum inserts in the dash, to the rich smell of the interior should divert those thoughts. Car & Driver said this about the 1's interior in their latest review..."There's no slapdash or whiff of cost cutting in the 135i."

The dashboard is made of a rubber like material not plastic, but you wouldn't know this by simply looking at pictures & guessing. Until you've actually sat behind the wheel of the car (Which I'm sure you haven't as I don't see you wandering into many Bimmer dealerships) keep your mouth shut on the subject!

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 4/7/2008 11:50:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

fyi i have an 06 g 35 6 speed the car is great and my lease is up in 10 months. Do i get another g a bmw or an s5 is my question. all very similar in raw performance numbers but price is way way different.

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 10:10:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Munichknob,
Touched a nerve did I? Sorry for pointing out the fautls in BMW's advertisting campaign.

Why does BMW put in fake leather seats if they're not pushing the poser image? Atleast cars with cloth seats aren't trying too hard.
I never said the 1 didn't have a leather option, I just stated it comes with wannabe-rich seat materials (and that's the 135i, not the bargain basement 128i).

You must be blind if you don't even see the crap look of the dash buttons etc. Straight from the 80s? I've seen better controls on a Honda civic.

Face it, BMW knows it can offer whatever garbage it wants and the customer base will buy it as long as the propellor is there.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 3:22:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

btw,
Rubberlike material just means it'll get damaged easier. I'm sure caressing the dash is all most BMW drivers do anyway.

My Jeep's arm rest has rubberlike material too, it doesn't impress me much. My standards are a bit higher though.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 3:24:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'll always spend my money on a BMW,before an infiniti.Infiniti's are cheapely built,with poor resale value.

— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 7:26:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1