German Car Zone

bmwrules · 08-31-2006, 06:08 PM

1st Place - 2006 BMW 330i w/sports package

Flits like a butterfly, sings like a B3 Hammond - a smooth operator that never loses its cool.

6-Speed manual
Base price - $37,295
As tested price - $45,165
255 hp @ 6600 rpm
220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm
Weight to power - 13.6 lb/hp
Observed fuel economy - 20.2 mpg

0-60 - 6.2
0-100 - 16.8
quarter mile 14.7 sec @ 94.5 mph
45-65 - 3.2
Braking, 60-0 - 115 feet
600-ft slalom - 65.1 mph avg.
Lateral acceleration - .90 avg.
Motor Trend figure eight - 26.1 sec @ .67 g avg.

2nd Place - 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan

Killer performance and package with refinement that suffers only by comparison with this BMW.

6-Speed manual
Base price - $33,000 (estimate)
As tested price - $36,000 (estimate)
306 hp @ 6800 rpm
268 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Weight to power - 11.8 lb/hp
Observed fuel economy - 19.7 mpg

0-60 - 5.4
0-100 - 13.9
quarter mile 14.0 sec @ 100.4 mph
45-65 - 2.8
Braking, 60-0 - 112 feet
600-ft slalom - 64.0 mph avg.
Lateral acceleration - .90 avg.
Motor Trend figure eight - 26.1 sec @ .69 g avg.

Quote:

There is, of course, more to any purchase decision than the way a car tickles its driver's fancy. The Infiniti's rear seat is far more accommodating than its dimensions suggest, because the BMW's rear wheel arches intrude with side bolsters that shovel the occupants well inboard. Woe to the center-seat rider. You also can cram 13.5 cubic feet of stuff into the back of the G35 - 1.5 more than the 330i can swallow.

Then there's price. We're comparing the most closely competitive 3 Series in terms of performance, but G35 money actually buys a similarly equipped 215-horse 325i, which further widens the gulf in performance, thought not in refinement. Still, with a boatload of restraint (and a willing BMW dealer), it's possible to duplicate the performance of our 330i for $38,895 (without iDrive!). That's within an option package or two of our G's estimated price.

Tallying the rounds brings us to a tie, which our judges broke in favor of the BMW's sublime and vice-free chassis dynamics. The Infiniti may be the better package and better value, but for now the BMW is the better car. Call it another TKO, but BMW retains the sports-sedan title. For now.

EnI · 08-31-2006, 06:51 PM

So if 330i owns 2007 G35 then 2007 BMW 335i vs 2007 Infiniti G35 will be a total slaughter ...

Ouch!

bum-man · 08-31-2006, 07:33 PM

As far as numbers go the only "ownage"

I see that the 330i has over G35 is the slalom...

bmwrules · 08-31-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bum-man

As far as numbers go the only "ownage"

I see that the 330i has over G35 is the slalom...

The ownage come from the fact that despite a significant performance and price disadvantage, the overall quality of the 330 can overcome that. When the 335 shows up, the performance advantage for the G35 goes away. The G35 will only be left with a price advantage and will now be further behind in overall quality of the car.

Deutsch · 08-31-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EniLab

So if 330i owns 2007 G35 then 2007 BMW 335i vs 2007 Infiniti G35 will be a total slaughter ...

Ouch!

Haha, right on.

go0gle · 08-31-2006, 09:09 PM

Imhotep Evil · 09-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bum-man

As far as numbers go the only "ownage"

I see that the 330i has over G35 is the slalom...

Sadly, the Nurburgring was not near, nor were the twisty roads of Wales or alpine countries.

The 330i defeated the IS 350 on a track, so the G35 should also be left behind.

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German Car Zone

Motor Trend: 2006 BMW 330i Sport vs 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan