[three4me]

Hi All,

Recently discovered the site and have been lurking around for the past few days, looks like a great source of passionate enthusiasts.. which is perfect because I'm seeking the advice/opinions of like-minded folk.

I currently lease an Infiniti G37X Coupe and I really do absolutely love the way it drives, feels and looks.. however, my lease will eventually end and I'm interested in playing the field a bit more before I re-up with Infiniti. I'm still relatively young (26) and I want to "soil my wild oats" before I fully commit to a brand. I've heard both ends of the spectrum when it comes to BMW's reputation (ie: The Ultimate Driving Machine, great handling, and/or poor reliability with maintenance etc.) However, I don't really feel that the reliability will be *too* much of an issue as I'm not expecting to put a crazy amount of mileage or wear and tear over the 36 month lease.. I do about 10,000 - 12,000 miles a year (average driver mileage), but drive like an enthusiast.

I'm looking into a 2011/2012 335xi coupe (I've already read the whole RWD/AWD thread, so let's stay clear of that issue) and I live in the Queens area of New York. (Lots of traffic, lots of potholes, shitty weather in the winter)

Now.. I've been to 3 different BMW dealerships and none had the 335xi available for a test drive (COOL HUH?). They said they were all out of stock at each one and only had a sedan version but I refused to try that out (didn't want to ruin or tarnish my experience based on something that wasn't the exact model, I'm picky like that). At the last dealership I was so disappointed that I just test drove a 335is to get a quick feel for the car.. (though expecting to feel the difference because of the sport suspension etc) however, the sales rep I was with didn't exactly seem too interested.. he let me test drive the thing around a block full of speed bumps, in a residential area.. so I never got to test out the "ultimate driving machine". I asked him where can we go to open this thing up and test it out and he just said "well there's no places around here" and led me back to the parking lot. Waste of time.

Quick note I noticed about the car though: the steering feels pretty "heavy" (does it loosen up at higher speeds? and what is the reasoning behind this?)

So in short, tell me what I'm gaining from leaving Infiniti for BMW.. in my experience I feel like I'm paying a premium price (+$10K more) for a near identical product.. I want to justify it. How much should I expect to pay for a lease on a 335xi, ~55K MSRP, 10K miles/yr, 36mo?

I'm not going to be taking this to the tracks to race or anything, just an overall fun daily driver car.. and I love the way the E92 coupes look.

Of course some opinions may be biased since I *am* posting on a BMW specific site, but I'm open to all feedback. Thanks for taking the time out to read and help a possible future BMW driver

[Q4P]

It's all about driver feedback and experience, "that heavy feedback from the steering wheel" is all part of it. Each time you drive the car; you will love it more. Is the BMW worth 10K over the Infiniti; that's for you to decide and what you value... for me it was like the difference between a 30K car and a 50K car.

[feaganszhp]

come to the dark side

[Kolyan2k]

Gaining better driver's car, loosing in reliability. When i bought M3, I cross shopped it with G35 coupe back then, when i bought 335i coupe, i cross shopped it with G37S. BMW just wins in quality, style, and "ultimate driving" experience. Infinity wins in price, features, and reliability. Up to you to make the choice. I heard of MANY people switching from G to 3-series, none the other way

335 is also mod friendly and will kill G37 in HP and Torque

[wrickem]

I'm not trying to be disrespectful to you, but why would you want a bunch of strangers on the internet to decide what car is right for you? Drive what makes YOU happiest.

[mashimarho]

I went from a G37S to 335xi.
Never looking back......

[dmboone25]

Good post and good question.

When I bought my 135, my dad had also just bought his 2007 Z4M. We had both had numerous BMWs in the past but were determined to check everything out. So we both went and test drove many cars...the A4/S4, M3, 135, 335, G37, Cayman, Boxster, and 370Z. Each maker has a different "feel" if you will, and that feel is often reflected throughout the entire line.

It is funny that you refer to the "heavy" steering. That is something that you will definitely see throughout the BMW line. You say heavy, I think more along the lines of planted. When you are in your BMW and going 100+ MPH, the car feels very similar to when you are going 35 MPH.

As far as the actual steering itself goes--no, that will not change or loosen up over time. Or at least it hasnt on the 4 Bimmers I have owned. I have always noticed that other car makers, Japanese especially, turn "easier" or less heavy to use your analogy. It really isn't about which one is better or worse--it is about what you personally like better or worse. In my case, I like the tight steering...you turn the Z4MC or 135's wheel an inch, and you are in the other lane. Some might not like that. I think most BMW drivers do, because the car goes where you tell it to.

The Infiniti line is very nice--and my dad considered the G37 seriously...until he drove the ///M...so it really just depends on what you're looking for. You are relatively young, so I would say that you would be an ideal person to live with the heavier steering and firmer ride--which are typical BMW traits. If you want something a bit softer--then sticking with another Infiniti might be the best option.

Hope that helps.

[DDS2015]

You'd get a better feel for the 335xi coupe by driving the sedan vs the 335is. First off, it has the same engine and transmission. Also, the is is only RWD so that won't give you the feel that you're looking for in an AWD car.

I came from a Nissan SUV into my E90. I'm not going to talk about driving dynamics because it's literally apples to oranges. What I will say is that with my Nissan, and my mom's FX35 we had so many reliability issues. No reliability issues so far with any of our BMWs.

[fallintotherhyme]

everyone is biased on this forum lol. No one will say stay with infinity.

I've never driven an infinity but from my friend's input on a g37, the gearbox isn't as nice as a bimmer. Infinity however does have a nice fully loaded walk out price of >42k which is cheaper than a base price bimmer. As for the steering wheel....I don't notice the resistance anymore since this is my third experience with bmw. (06 x5, 08 x5, 12 335xi).


Whatever you get, get it in manual though!!!!

which part of queens ya from ?

[Dark_Knight_335]

Take a test drive. Conversion complete.

[RX7guy]

You've already had the Infiniti as a lease and you are questioning whether to get another one...

It sounds like you are not overly excited about the idea of going with another Infiniti.

With that in mind, I would get the BMW! I just love the feel of German cars better than Japanese. The ride, the feel, its very different and some would argue better, but it is ultimately a preference. If you loved your current car, I don't think you'd be having the doubt.

[NYGMen]

The only way to decide is to take a real test drive. drive out somewhere East on LI or go to Westchester, lower CT (Greenwich) area and give it a run. I just picked up an 11 335i vert and had an 08 xi xoupe before that. I seriously considered the G, it is a good looking car, drives well and has better reliability.
Reliability was a lower consideration for me since I lease and everything was under warranty. Also, BMW covers ALL wear and tear except tires, that is worth a few K by itself.

As most have said it will come down to how uch it is worth to have a better "driving" car. In my opinion, if it was between the Benz C 350 coupe and the G37, then go Infiniti, more fun to drive, but the BMW>G for driving.

Drive it an decide, you dont want to be kicking yourself 6 months into your lease where you say either I shoud have paid the extra for... OR I cant believe I paid the extra for...

Good luck, no choice is bad.

Side not, G is not very tune friendly, the 335i are, for like $500 you can get a piggy back and add like 50hp/tq.

[three4me]

@Quest -- you're right. I'm hoping to schedule a test drive soon with a REAL 335xi coupe lol.

@Kolyan -- pretty much what I've been swaying back and forth with decisions, decisions!

@Wrickem -- no disrespect taken, not looking for others to make a definitive decision for me but rather hearing feedback from current BMW owners, (ie: there's been some members here in the same situation with the same car choice)

@Dmboone25 -- loved your post, will definitely consider everything you said. thank you for the honest and clear feedback.

@DDS -- girlfriend has a Nissan Rogue and absolutely loves it, no reliability issues thus far, her family has also owned a bunch of BMWs and Nissans throughout the years.. had more problems with their BMWs, so I hear about it all the time. No problems with Infiniti here (yet, and hopefully never). As far as the 335is and 335xi, I agree. It's just that the 335xi sedan was available at the first dealership I went to and figured the next 2 would have the coupe available.

@Fallin -- thanks! from the flushing area of queens!

@RX7 -- I really enjoy the performance side, but I'm a little bored of looking at the same thing. PS: I'm a dirty dirty (car) slut, that should explain my everlasting urge to be 'inside' everything lol.

Really liking how this thread has gone so far, thanks to everyone who has contributed!

[three4me]

@NYGMen -- agree. Me and my girl decided we're going to head further out on LI for a BMW dealership with wider roads and less traffic so I can rip-roar the shit out of the 335xi. Gonna "schedule" the test drive rather than walk right in and ask because they didn't have one available. Rallye BMW in Westbury had nothing, beautiful showroom though.

[boostd92]

Originally Posted by three4me

I'm still relatively young (26) and I want to "soil my wild oats" before I fully commit to a brand

LOL.

Thanks for the laugh.. ruff day at work. "Sowing" your wild oats would be just fine... soiling them... well that's just gross.

[Bryan11is]

I went from a 2008 G37S to a 2011 335is and so far so good. I will say that my Infiniti gave me 80,000 trouble free miles. Nothing but oil changes and tires. I'm not expecting that from the BMW but so far so good. The difference is in the way the cars drive. It is hard to explain in words. The BMW is a driver's car, period. You will sense it during the test drive and love it more and more as time goes by.

[zerep1]

driving feel is where its at i owned a nissan before and it just never feeled as planted even after i put 1500 into the suspension

[three4me]

@335c -- your post made me laugh (in a good way) and inspired me more than before

@boost -- LOL WOOPS.. no joke I was working on a catalog for a Landscaping company when I posted that, shit lol. Now I really did soil myself hahaha.

@bryan -- test drive here i come

[ibarry92]

Originally Posted by 335coupe2007

bro i drove an infiniti between the ages of 14 ( illegally) lol and 30.... So i know them well. Nissan/infiniti will last forever and forever.. just pretty much like a toyota. Change the oil and ur good...aside from the regular maintainence.
BMW on another hand is a difference beast. it requires alot of maintaince. BMW is like a hot girly girl..In order to keep her happy you have to make sure shes maintained properly even moreso than most cars...
lol.ANYWAY-- let me ask you-- have you ever heard of the saying 'once u go black you aint going back" LMAO.... well thats how it pretty much is with a BMW...Even though it may have realibility issues..cost more..and needs to be maintained properly especially the 335 between 2007 and 2009- there is just something about this car that is fantastically amazing... The way it drives, the feel on the road just EVERYTHING about it. Its almost feels as if the car is communicating with you. like it knows or it anticipates your next move... This might sound lame but its true. Like a few people have already mentioned- Test drive a 335 or even a 328 and you will see for yourself. If your coming from a G37 then you may wanna test drive a 335... I promise you after the test drive, you'll be sold on why this car is amazing as it is... and why even though its known for being very high maintainece that MANY MANY people still drive it. Of all the cars ive ever driven and its been alot, THE BMW is the only car that after a long hard day of work, I look forward to getting inside her and putting the windows down and flying down the freeway.... its the only car that ive made up excuses to my wife why i need to go to the store ( just to drive it)... amongst many other reason...ive driven audi's mercedes lexus..etc and BMW is the ONLY company that is 100% a drivers car... The others have the positives/negatives.. but for me, the BMW is 100% all around a great car... and there you go!!!!!! Bottom line???? Test drive one and you will see...this will make more sense to you!..

The man knows what he's talking about.

[username604]

that "heavy" steering feel is addictive! i can't drive any car without it without feeling like something's missing

[EyeGuy]

I had a 2008 g35xs and now a 2008 335xi.

Infiniti = Better tech, more reliable with a better ride quality. Most importantly, hands down better AWD system.

BMW = More a drivers car, you do feel the road a lot more. A little faster, and better mpg. Better styling IMO. Lastly, Its a 3 series BMW

[EyeGuy]

Also, if your into modding your car the 335 is where its at. As you know its pretty useless to mod the g37 unless you go FI.