If I had the money, I would buy it over the BMW. It is a very nice and very clean design; IMO.

IMO the Japanese luxury or high-end brands don't do enough to distinguish themselves from the cheaper main brands. Acuras look alot like overpriced Hondas to me, and I think this looks a lot like a Nissan.

I'd still probably take this over the BMW for quality reasons.

I'm not 100% killed by the looks, but its got a solid, powerful engine, and it should be of good quality. They redesigned the interior, which should help them out a lot.

Infiniti's quality definitively puts BMW to shame. I think I might still have to chose the 335i for driver enjoyment though. G37 is a great car though.

My wife has a 2003 325i she loves and would like to replace it with another 3 series. Her current model has 184 hp and all sorts of extras...but she does not care.
What she does care about is decent power regardless of hp number, firm control, manual shifting, and the lack of all the technology in the higher end vehicals.

99% of the time we know where we are going..so we don't want a touch screen nav system when a quick look on mapquest 3-4 time a year is better anyway.
I wouldn't get the G37 because of what it does have...the problem is the newer 3 series are getting all the junk too

The near luxury segment faces some serious competition from many lower priced cars in terms of performance at this point. For example, you can get a Nissan Altima with 270hp for significantly less money than a car in this class with similar hp numbers. The differences get smaller with each new generation of cars.

That is why we're starting to see so many electronic gadgets show up in the category. It is becoming one of the few things that will differentiate the car from the lower priced cars. And even the electronics are getting better on the lower end.

In a few more years it could come down to a matter of styling to differentiate the near luxury cars. Especially if some companies begin to produce cheaper RWD and AWD cars.

"What she does care about is decent power regardless of hp number, firm control, manual shifting, and the lack of all the technology in the higher end vehicals."

You... you're joking right? Why spend all the money if you're NOT getting the power, the highend features, and a competent automatic transmission? Out of a supposed semi-luxury vehicle?

So thats what the new 350z looks like.

BMW is more of a status symbol when compared to alot of its "competitors". If someone tells me they have an Acura, Lexus, Infinity or even a Lincoln, all I can think is "What a waste of money"

My Uncle traded his BMW for a Lexus and when he parked next to my mothers Carmy, he wasn't as impressed anymore (couple years back). With the quality issues he has been having, hes been wishing for his BMW back and is looking to get another soon.

Unless leather seats and gadgets are that important, just get the equilivent for 20k less. BMW and Mercedes are the only ones I can think of here in the US that this doesn't apply to. (And to an extent Caddy)

My $0.02

@Jeff

Lexus is known as pretty much the best car brand in the world as far a quality goes. BWM is pretty average, if not below average, for quality when compared to other luxury brands. Your opinions sound about 20 years behind the times.

Styling is subjective, some people don't want a car that stands out as expensive.

The comments about the Acura not worth the extra money as compared to Honda are not accurate. For example, the price difference between a TL and the Accord are not even close to $20,000. A high end Accord will cost about $27,000 and the base TL costs about $34,000 which is a difference of about $7,000. With the TL you will get a more powerful engine, a more powerful sound system, and 1 year longer on the base warranty. I am sure there are some other differences that I am forgetting about but with just the differences I have listed the $7,000 difference is not nearly as bad as some of the comments listed above seem to imply. (At lest in the case of the TL/Accord)

Darmok

The Altima is a Nissan, this is also a Nissan product.
The 270 hp Altima is $24,500, has 60 less HP, than this car, The Altima is also FWD, and is pretty universally panned by review sites for having nasty Torque steer and sub par handling. And the SL version of the Altima starts at $28,400.

The 335i which is the BMW you would want compare with this car, starts around $40,000.

Having said that I am not to keen on ever buying another Nissan, the 2005 Sentra I bought new is a total lemon which has been in for repair for something like 14 times. And Nissan other than honoring the warranty refuses to stand buy their product, when they had to fix the passanger side power window for the 4th time, they assured me that it did not qualify for the lemon law. Which is really their loss because Im going to looking for a new car inside of a year, and I will have more to spend this time.

I wouldn't think twice about opting for the G37 over a BMW. The looks are great and the quality isn't even close. Has anyone checked on the quality aspects of Mercedes Benz and BMW lately? They are not even close to the Infiniti and Lexus brands when it comes to fit and finish and overall quality.

The G37 definitely has the looks, there's no doubt about that. But there is a certain prestige to driving a BMW for some reason, and it does drive like a dream. I haven't had any seat time in a G37 yet, of course, and it could sway me. But for $5k difference, I might be persuaded to swing for the Bimmer. Any more and I'd really have to think twice.

"With the quality issues he has been having, hes been wishing for his BMW back and is looking to get another soon."

Tell us some more about this. I can't get enough of someone having problems with a Japanese car. It takes down the smugness another notch.

I love Infiniti's, never had any problem with my FX-35. The handling is their best feature, this thing about putting the engine way far back in the chassi, really helps balance the car. On the limit, my FX 35 can lose grip on all 4 wheels at the same time, which means it drives like a train on corner entrance and exit, specially freeway's exit and entry. Lots of fun, much, much better than a Chrysler 300 I hav. No body roll, nothing. The thing is glued on the road.

If the G37 drives half as good, I will seriously consider it for me.

I'd rather save $15k and get an Altima coupe and customize it a little.

Most of the Jap Lux brands have a hard time differentiating themselves from their entry brands. Almost all the Lexus cars out now look like Camrys, all the Infiniti's look like Nissans.

Any car is a money losing proposition, the idea is just to lose as little as possible. With 80% of the looks and 75% of the features/performance, the Altima is a better deal.

Gary

The V6 Altima is $24,500, a savings of less than $10,000, and you get 60 less HP, FWD with torque steer, instead of RWD. and cloth seats.

To get a $15,000 savings you would need to go with a base Altima and it's 175 HP I-4 engine, and you would have at most maybe $1500 for options. If you think that is going to give you 75% of the performance, let alone of the features of an G37 you need some help.

Don't get me wrong the Altima is a fine car, and it's well priced, going down to about $18,000 for a striper base model, with no AC, and going up to $28,400 for the top SL model with leather seats. and 75% of the performance and features may not be to everyones taste when the savings is less than $6,000.

Is this a trick question?

Would I buy a better car for 5000 less than its closest competitor?

Unless i'm a tool who believe that BMW is better than anything simply because its a BMW, i'm going to say yes.

335 and Infiniti is a contest, and I can understand maybe someone likes the styling better, okay, maybe they like the interior better in the BMW, thats fine.

But someone is talking about a 325. A 325 2.5 LITER 180 HORSEPOWER CAR!!! Its not even in the same category. Its like comparing a 350z with a 911.

Now lets throw in the BS comments about how all luxo brands look like their cheaper brands. Fine fine, but guess what all BMWs resemble the 1 series cars. Some of those cars cost less than even the so called "cheaper cars" What about Mercedes, oh yeah, they all look alike too, from the most expensive to the cheapest. This might even be shocking, all coupes from all manufactures are very similar looking. I mean they all have 4 wheels and 2 doors, and oh yeah a hood a trunk, sides yeah all look the same. The g37 looks like the altima and the 350 Z only a little more than it resembles the 335. If you can't spot the difference between the cars than you're blinded by ignorance and BMW bred snobbery. Some how its great when the 1 3 5 6 & 7 series look similar, but its terrible when a g37 resembles a 350z or altima in anyway at all.

Now i'll get to the money people...So you're not going to bring up how a slower, less roomy, worse handling car, can cost 5000 more than the g37. Instead you're going to bring up how the g37 costs so much more than an Altima? Well guess what a corvette costs more than an impala too. Oh wait, ummm a 3 series costs more than a 1 series, there bmw speak maybe now you will understand.

You can have your "prestige" of owning a more expensive less reliable car with a 3 letter name on it. I'll stick with the "prestige" of getting a much better car for less money. I'll try not to laugh to hard as I drive by your broken down heap in a couple years time.

mf:

I agree with you completely...no one should have to pay 5000 for a slower, less roomy, worse handling car.

Unfortunately, none of these characteristics apply to the 3 series when compared to the G37. In fact, what you should say is that people have every right to pick the G37 and save 5000 in trade for having a slower, less roomy, and worse handling car.

From Edmunds:

Interior room:
BMW 335i Coupe -
Legroom (front): 41.8 in
Legroom (rear): 33.7 in
Headroom (front): 37.1 in
Headroom (rear): 36.1 in
=148.7 total inches

Cargo Volume: 11.1 cu-ft

G37 Coupe-
Legroom (front): 43.8 in.
Legroom (rear): 29.8 in.
Headroom (front): 39.4 (no sunroof) in.
Headroom (rear): 34.5 in.
= 147.5 total inches

Cargo Volume: 7.4 cu-ft

Seems like there is more room up front in the G, less in the back...overall the Bimmer has much more cargo space, and slightly more overall room.

Performance:
BMW-

0 - 60 (sec): 4.8
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.3 @ 105.9
60 - 0 (ft): 114

G37-

0 - 60 (sec): 5.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.9 @ 102.8
60 - 0 (ft): 113

2 outta 3...goes to the Bimmer.

Handling:
BMW-
Slalom (mph): 68.4
Skid Pad (g-force): 0.88

G37-
Slalom (mph): 71.3
Skid Pad (g-force): 0.86

G has better slalom Bimmer has better skid pad (tie), but the G can't touch the feedback of the BMW, imo.

As far as fit and finish, much of this is opinion.

However in my experience...just sit in 5 year old Bimmer vice a 5 year old Infiniti and listen to which has the most rattles and squeaks...oh and guess which brand will have the better resale? BMW.

1,3,5,6,+7 looking alike? ha..the 6 and 7 doesn't look anything like the others.I'll give you the 3 and 5 sedan...they do look sorta similar. 3 coupe is unique. The 1 is an ugly baby, but doesn't look like any of the rest.

None of these approach the similarity of the altima and G37, though.

One other detail...if you are into mods, the 3 series is a beast with minimal investment (~1500).

Oh, and I'll try hard not to laugh as I smoke you off the line every time, and pass you in traffic...good thing the rear of the 3 coupe looks so nice!

I've gotta agree with theDude ^ .
Even as a previous and future g35/g37 owner and fan, the 335i is really a car that is superior to the G.

Performance, brand name and snob appeal all in a beautiful package.

If money wasn't an issue for me, I'd absolutely get a 335i before the G37 but as it stands, I just can't bring myself to pay extra for an auto tranny, leather seats and other basic stuff that a car of that caliber should have standard.

BMW doesn't have the platform and parts sharing to pull from another, more common brand. That means the end product will cost more. You pay for the prestige but you also pay for the uniqueness and driving experience that you can't get with a Japanese car. I for one, wouldn't want to pay more for a glorified Altima just to get standard leather seats.

It all depends on personal opinion. Isn't that the beauty of being able to choose from so many different cars? Why be the same as the next guy?

And as theDude mentions above, the fit and finish is much poorer on Japanese cars. You buy a German car because it's solid and safe. You might buy a Japanese car because of fuel economy or perhaps more power. Or maybe even because you believe you are getting a better deal over a BMW or similar car.

BMW resale value tops all last time I checked. Resale value is tied to customer loyalty and reliability. BMW's have been in the family for years and while I disagree with the recent styling, I've tried Japanese cars (Acura, Infiniti) and it just isn't the same.

Hey TheDude

just a few quick comments, #1 about interior there is a lot more room up front in the G37, the 335i is really cramped up front if your my size, as far as the back space is concerned the G37 sedan when it comes out should have a lot more room back there than the coupe. Just guessing based on the G35 coupe vs sedan info I have seen.

Styling is subjective, I personally think the G37 is better looking that the BMW, the side view and 3/4 rear views are really sweet on the G37.

Performance wise the turbo engine in the 335i has a little more grunt than BMW admits to based on several dyno tests I have seen I would say it's really making about 325 hp and 330 ft lbs of torque, it not more in some of the examples that were sent to various review sites, one can only hope that they were not cherry picked and everyone gets in on the fun.

Handling wise things are a bit off, skid pad grip is a poor indicator of how a car handles, sticky tires make the largest difference here. The slalom is a much better indicator of how a car actually handles, how flat it is, transient response time, how much sway is in the suspension, how the car corners, all have a major impact on this test, and 2.9 mph is a significant difference.

anyways to each their own, I like the G37, I also like the BMW's though I have always found them to be rather cramped inside. And I really like Lancer Evo's they make me smile.

Yes, G37 for the win! No way I would take a 3 series BMW over this. If you haven't seen it in person yet I recommend you visit your local Infinity dealership and take one for a test drive...

Anyone who has ever driven an Infinity knows how good they are. They are not just a rebadged budget car like Acura produces. They are truly in a class of their own...

Some of you are quite underinformed. Teh Altima and G37 share nothign in the way of parts or platform.
With the 335 overheating issues- even with the oil cooler- that thing poses such a liability that I am getting rid of it to buy a G37.
The G37 handles much better than the 335. Skid pad means very little.
For as much more money that you spend for the 335, you dont get that much more car. A fully loaded G37 costs about the same as an almost stipped down 335.
The G35 has had the ebst resale value for a coupe over teh past 4 years (so get your facts straight regarding resale) BMW has an overall good rating but the G35 coupe has better resale period.

To me the 335 coupe looks Sedanish. The G37 has more unique styling- more aggessive.

From a stand still the 335 is faster. However from a roll they are both virtually the same. So you basically have just one performance category to brag about in the 335 0-60.. whoopadidoo!!!
Fit and finish in the G37 blows away the previous generation and looks much more modern on the interior than the 3 series which looks dated.
And who cares about free maintenance when you can only get your oil changed every 15000 miles- are you kidding!!!

BMW sucks, among the most uggliest cars ive ever seen, comon they have been using the same design for so many years WTF ??? even the X5 is just a big version of a saloon car what kind of lazy ass design is that. at least other manufactureres (except merc benz) update the style .

bmw is good quality, bad reliability, overpriced and noisy

I think blowing that much money on a car is fracking stupid...anyone who does it is a damned idiot...pure and simple..

People knocking either brand are just ignorant. Everything is personal taste. All quality brands have their strong points, whether its price, performance, comfort, reliability or safety. (even Hyundai, dare I say)

I drive an Infiniti myself. It's a 98 I30 and i have done NOTHING but routine maintenance. It has been a fantastic car. A friend of mine's mom's 7 series, an 04, bought for $33,000 in 06 (resale value? yeah right) has been in the shop for numerous electrical problems. While BMWs may not be the most reliable cars, they are an absolute blast to drive. For a car to handle like that does is truly breathtaking. No one would ever think of a car that size to take bends as fast as it does.

Myself... I'm an Infiniti guy. I will sacrifice a bit of performance for the added reliability. For people who don't mind and want that added bit of performance, that's their decision, and a respectable decision. It's all about choices.

What is with you BMW lovers?!?!? I just drove both cars over the weekend and the G37 is much better looking with its sexy lines, has a much more updated interior, better seats, better options, a sweet sounding engine...The BMW was nice as well but it was cramped in space, the interior was bland and UGLY, the sound was quite and not very performance orientated, and the engine overheated with just a 20 minute drive (I was driving fairly hard but come on...). You all need to watch the motor trend video testing the BMW 335 and the G37. The G37 out performed the BMW and it did it with style. I do agree that the BMW has a prestigious history and all that...but PLEASE you must see the G37 in person to appreciate it...the magazines don't do it justice. The BMW may have 0.4 second advantage from 0-60 but it ain't as fun to drive as a G!

Later.

Well the Infinity does have a somewhat conservative exterior style which is off putting to some of you although the BMW in the price range is as well. Darmok above makes a comparison to the Nissan Altima saying the Altima 270 horsepower is in the same ball park as the G37. No it's not! The 330 horsepower G37 is considerable more than the Altima and the G37 handles much better, not to mention more and better features. The predecessor to this car the G35 won either Motor Trend or Car and Drivers car of the year award as well.

Well the Infinity does have a somewhat conservative exterior style which is off putting to some of you although the BMW in the price range is as well. Darmok above makes a comparison to the Nissan Altima saying the Altima 270 horsepower is in the same ball park as the G37. No it's not! The 330 horsepower G37 is considerable more than the Altima and the G37 handles much better, not to mention more and better features. The predecessor to this car the G35 won either Motor Trend or Car and Drivers car of the year award as well.

Nozferatu said:

"I think blowing that much money on a car is fracking stupid...anyone who does it is a damned idiot...pure and simple.."

Or they have a lot more money to blow than you. Sorry, I'll wave when I pass you by in my expensive car. And since I'm a damned idiot, I might even throw a few dollars at you. You can fill up your Kia.

Nozferatu said:

"I think blowing that much money on a car is fracking stupid...anyone who does it is a damned idiot...pure and simple.."

Or they have a lot more money to blow than you. Sorry, I'll wave when I pass you by in my expensive car. And since I'm a damned idiot, I might even throw a few dollars at you. You can fill up your Kia, genius!

Nozferatu said:

"I think blowing that much money on a car is fracking stupid...anyone who does it is a damned idiot...pure and simple.."

Or they have a lot more money to blow than you. Sorry, I'll wave when I pass you by in my expensive car. And since I'm a damned idiot, I might even throw a few dollars at you. You can fill up your Kia, genius!