[Biostockman]

I've had my 335i since Dec '07, it was an exec car with 12k on it. I loved it, and still do. I had the premium package but no sport. The 335i handled like no other car I had ever driven, I really felt as if I was one with the car (corny I know, but true). The performance was fantastic and the minimal (non-existent) turbo lag was phenomenal.

The cons... Durability... practically non-existent. Within 19 months I've been at the dealer over 10 times with various problems. The latest being a faulty steering wheel lock module which, luckily my dealer covered even though I was over mileage. The largest repairs were for a crankshaft and fuel pump replacement both done at different dates. After countless half-engine lights and other orange and red warnings, once I hit 50k each morning I would break into a cold sweat wondering which light would illuminate next. I didn't opt to purchase an extended warranty because I knew that I was getting something else. Also, run-flats... over 40k miles on the car = 4 sets of run flats for me...

I picked up my Infiniti last Thursday, I have every option but the navigation. The ride is silk smooth and the finish inside has much better quality and appearance when compared to the 335i, IMHO. I also opted for the AWD version which proved outstanding this past Sunday when we received over 2 inches of rain here.

Of course the torque isn't there and the feeling of being glued to the road isn't as pronounced. The 335i was quicker and far more agile, but comparing the pros and cons I'd take the G37 over and over again... No more heroically avoiding bumps in the road which used to make me feel like I was riding bareback through the prairie.

Will I get a BMW, 3-Series again as an everyday car? Probably not, unless some major work is done with improving its reliability. Will I get a BMW again? I'd love to get the Z4 as a weekend car within the next couple of years, or a 5 Series when I get a little older (31 now). If I didn't have the problems that my 335i experienced, I DEFINITELY would have upped the warranty. Heck, my brother in law is a BMW salesman so I had the 'family deal' under wraps and I still opted out. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't finance this car. I'm much happier paying the remaining 4 months and not having to worry about something else going wrong.

[ellipsis212]

bummer dude. i'm learning quickly that pushing a BMW around means you're along for a ride of another sort too. you have to love it, and occasionally that isn't enough to make up for its problems.

[Nalod]

G7 is a nice car. Silky smooth new car always better than the old with older tires.

I hope the G proves to be reliable. They usually are.

Japanese cars don't build quality but build cars that a made to feel like quality Big difference. Amenities might give you trouble but usually not the drive train.

I like my japanese build cars and we keep them a long time.

If I were not doing a euro delivery I would also consider the G37. Good price, lots of goodies and good performance. Engine is harsher and MPG not that great but you should be happy with your choice!!!!

Good luck!

[Biostockman]

Originally Posted by Bargamon

G7 is a nice car. Silky smooth new car always

Japanese cars don't build quality but build cars that a made to feel like quality Big difference. Amenities might give you trouble but usually not the drive train.


Good luck!

Very true indeed!!!

Thanks mate, I'm sure I'll be back.

[Biostockman]

Originally Posted by ellipsis212

bummer dude. i'm learning quickly that pushing a BMW around means you're along for a ride of another sort too. you have to love it, and occasionally that isn't enough to make up for its problems.

I hear ya... I think that the amount that I drive is just too much for it. It's an awesome weekender/light commuting car, but at 20k+ miles a year its not a good choice.

[jimk]

Hope the Infinity will prove more reliable. I had a 2003 Maxima and past 30K mi all kinds of issues start showing up. I swore then that I will never buy a Nissan again. Hopefully one day you can come back when the car has 20K-50K miles and give us an update.

Congrats and good luck!

[Biostockman]

Originally Posted by jimk

Hope the Infinity will prove more reliable. I had a 2003 Maxima and past 30K mi all kinds of issues start showing up. I swore then that I will never buy a Nissan again. Hopefully one day you can come back when the car has 20K-50K miles and give us an update.

Congrats and good luck!

Thanks man! I'll definitely come back with an update.

It's funny how someone can have no problems at all with a particular car/brand but others are riddled with them... My first car in '96 was an '90 300zx TT and I ran it into the ground, literally... When they towed it away in '01 it had over 190k on it.. But I did replace the trans. The car I had before the 335 was an '02 Pathfinder and I gave that to my parents last year with 130k on it, no problems whatsoever... Hopefully my luck will continue, if not,, at least its a lease

[02themax]

Thats why I won't buy out at lease end. Though I just had my first problem (HPFP) with 40000kms on the car but have had other little things pop up here and there. Also this changing the oil every 25000k makes me wonder as well. Love the car though!

[Cookiemonster]

I feel your pain. I love my 2007 335i But to many problems. I am on my 4th fuel pump and I just had the turbos replaced. I also had a brake sensor problem two or three times. The runflats all got bubbles in them within the first 10,000 miles. Still not sure which way to go in the next 6 months when the lease ends.

BTW I am a MLHS Alumi class of 1989. You grow up in M.L.?

[Rando]

I fear that I may end up in the same boat as the OP... Engine of the year awards should factor in reliability...

Best of luck to you, Biostockman! The G37 is a great deal. And I bet that if you add some camber to the G37's alignment, it'll feel just about as glued as your old car.

I hope folks from BMW are reading these threads... as people approach higher mileages with their cars, switching away from the 335i may be a growing trend...

[Darth335]

I owned a G35 with absolutely no issues up to 60K miles and a 350z up to 40K miles. I loved them both! The G35 was one of the best cars I owned. I just picked up a 09 335i, and I am waiting for something to come up, but nothing yet (only 2K miles). I would 100% buy an Infiniti again if they came out with something that caught my eye. The new G37 Coupe is too “soft” looking for my taste, with no well defined lines, as compared to my G35, which is why I looked elsewhere. The 335i had me at the test drive, and with the 40K mile warranty, I don’t worry too much about issues at this point, but if they get to be too much, it would defiantly be an annoyance. The 335 just had everything, performance, looks, and all sorts of gadgets. The new G37's are excellent quality and the VQ37 engines are some of the best NA V6's made. They don’t have the "image" of the BMW, but I think Infiniti is an excellent brand with quality and reliability behind their cars.

Because this is a BMW board, the Japanese cars don’t get too much love, but in terms of having no crazy issues or bugs to deal with on the G35, and being practically maintenance free (except for oil changes, etc.), it was a total no-worry experience.


Congrats of the new ride and now join www.g37driver.com!

[vexx786]

Originally Posted by jimk

Hope the Infinity will prove more reliable. I had a 2003 Maxima and past 30K mi all kinds of issues start showing up. I swore then that I will never buy a Nissan again. Hopefully one day you can come back when the car has 20K-50K miles and give us an update.

Congrats and good luck!

Ha Ha we have a 2003 maxima gle with 70K+ miles on it and the only problem it had was when the check engine light came on, but it turned out nothing was actually wrong with it. No problems ever since.

[Debaser]

It's a shame you never took the steps to replace those shitty RFT's with a decent set of non-RFT Michelins. That modification alone drastically alters the day-to-day 3-series driving experience.

Glad you're enjoying the Infiniti!

[LuisBoston]

Do the other cars with the 335 engine in it have the same problems (535, X5?)? What is it with the 335?

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by Biostockman

Thanks man! I'll definitely come back with an update.

It's funny how someone can have no problems at all with a particular car/brand but others are riddled with them... My first car in '96 was an '90 300zx TT and I ran it into the ground, literally... When they towed it away in '01 it had over 190k on it.. But I did replace the trans. The car I had before the 335 was an '02 Pathfinder and I gave that to my parents last year with 130k on it, no problems whatsoever... Hopefully my luck will continue, if not,, at least its a lease

Very true. The truth is Infiniti has a JD Power rating of 142 and BMW 166. The industry average is 170 so both are good. The G37 will be better than the 335 but doesn't have the soul. It sounds like you had a bit of a lemon but that is not normal.

Thanks, Mike.

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by lem144

Do the other cars with the 335 engine in it have the same problems (535, X5?)? What is it with the 335?

The only real reoccurring N54 problem is the HPFP. And yes, all cars with it have the problem.

[vioaltec]

The G's are very nice, congrats on the new car and dont be a stranger now you hear? hah

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by jimk

Hope the Infinity will prove more reliable. I had a 2003 Maxima and past 30K mi all kinds of issues start showing up. I swore then that I will never buy a Nissan again. Hopefully one day you can come back when the car has 20K-50K miles and give us an update.

Congrats and good luck!

That's because the 2003 Maxima was produced in USA.

My friend has a 2000 Maxima (produced in Japan, but same generation as the '03) with over 100k miles, and not a single problem. Seriously, not a single part has failed (electrical or mechanical wise), and the engine is still smooth like new. The key is preventative maintenance.

There are so many good things about a G37. Comes with LSD, cheaper price tag, far superior reliability, better paint job (self-healing clear coat!), back up cameras.. etc etc. The G is a superior Japanese engineered machine.

[am_ver]

I do miss my e93 335i... maybe someday I'll get a Z4 as a weekend car. Even for me, the fact that the ($55k) car rattled and the fuel pump kept breaking was too much to handle.

[Biostockman]

Well, it's been 9 months and 23k miles later (I'm in sales) and I'm just completely in love with the G. Not one mechanical issue, knock on wood. It doesn't have the torque or handling of the 335i but everything else including the quality of components surpass what BMW offered. My sis just bought a 335i Coupe with the M Package, it's a beautiful car but I'm not the least bit envious. I'm sure a Z4 is somewhere in my future and the fact that MB is teaming up with Nissan leaves me wondering what I'll be looking at in 4 years... Perhaps if BMW can manage to work out the technical and mechanical quirks, I'll be back.

[herro]

Glad you're enjoying the new whip, OP

The new G37's looks very nice from the front/sides and the interior is miles beyond my buddy's G35.. if it wasn't for the shitty gas mileage and the FAT rear end, I might be driving one right now

[Noc57]

No comparison to a G and a 335.

I've always said the G is a good "bang for your buck" and I still hold to that statement. They're pretty good cars as I test drove both. Would I ever buy one over a BMW? Probably not.