335i M Sport v Infiniti G37
- Thread starter [TW]Fox
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
It should tell you the production date on a sticker under the bonnet. Mine for example said 'BMW Built September 2008'.
Whats the last 7 digits of your VIN?
The 335i Saloon does look very different, yes. It looks horrible until the facelift, the facelift models look nice. This is why I bought a Coupe even though I much prefer Saloons.
Ta, yeah I'm not too bothered, I'm probabaly only going to keep the car until April 2012 anyway 
Nice right up BTW, I've not been overly impressed with BMW build quality or reliablitly, not sure I'll buy another BMW.
Nice right up BTW, I've not been overly impressed with BMW build quality or reliablitly, not sure I'll buy another BMW.
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Interesting to read your thoughts Fox. I have always thought BMW interiors were massively spec sensitive, I remember driving a 540 E39 with black headlining, Cream leather and black carpets and it felt immensely more luxurious compared to any other E39 I had ever sat it.
I thought the same with my 330 E46, which was all black. All black is good because of one thing, it wears better than any other colour, we've all seen the horrendous way bmw bolsters wear due to the belt rubbing on the side (stupid design) and lighter colours can be particularly bad. Trouble is when they are all black they can be immensely boring and don't really feel very luxurious at all.
Interesting that you still don't rate the interior, it looks very nice in your photos. Much nicer than the G37 which really is dull.
I would really like to have a go in a 335 just to see how they are compared to the e46 I owned. Shame to hear about the ride, there aren't many modern cars that seem to ride very well, even the more luxurious cars have harsh rides. Massive wheels and handling over comfort priorities tend to lead to a really uncomfortable ride.
I thought the same with my 330 E46, which was all black. All black is good because of one thing, it wears better than any other colour, we've all seen the horrendous way bmw bolsters wear due to the belt rubbing on the side (stupid design) and lighter colours can be particularly bad. Trouble is when they are all black they can be immensely boring and don't really feel very luxurious at all.
Interesting that you still don't rate the interior, it looks very nice in your photos. Much nicer than the G37 which really is dull.
I would really like to have a go in a 335 just to see how they are compared to the e46 I owned. Shame to hear about the ride, there aren't many modern cars that seem to ride very well, even the more luxurious cars have harsh rides. Massive wheels and handling over comfort priorities tend to lead to a really uncomfortable ride.
I had a E92 MSport for the majority of last year from new & can echo your thoughts re the interior rattles & the RFT ride as well. Felt it looked a bit 'awkward' from certain angles as well.
For a high 30k list car I was disappointed & wasn't that sad to see it go when I changed jobs.
Had the crap engine too
For a high 30k list car I was disappointed & wasn't that sad to see it go when I changed jobs.
Had the crap engine too
I didn't notice the ride of the 335i and 330i M Sport being terrible when I test drove them, both mine were auto's though and I did find them effortlessly boring to drive.
Foot down, "Oh look, I'm doing 120mph", which is great, but it felt like I was doing 25mph and there wasn't enough involvement for me. Guess a manual would have sorted some of those problems, agree the interior isn't as nice/well built as it should have been.
Good write up as always.
Foot down, "Oh look, I'm doing 120mph", which is great, but it felt like I was doing 25mph and there wasn't enough involvement for me. Guess a manual would have sorted some of those problems, agree the interior isn't as nice/well built as it should have been.
Good write up as always.
Thanks for sharing. I have just had a couple of test drives in a G37 while waiting for the GTI to arrive and really it was a close decision. The full spec G37 Sedan here is 26k (gbp), the Golf GTI is (23k) and the 335i is 42k! Both Infiniti and VW offer 5yr warranty, 3 year service.
For the 26k then, Infiniti is quite a good bargain as a well equipped, comfortable V6 with good handling and reasonable looks . The one I tested was full option (18" alloys, Nav, bluetooth, keyless, reverse cam - I think they all have this btw) with cream leather/"wood" interior.. which looked better than your rental Fox, but still far behind the BMW, and even the Golf, interior-wise.
I believe the switchgear and suspension is improved for the Euro market, compared with the US specs. Its a good enough car to drive and a comfortable place to be, but at the end of the day I still went for the Golf.
For the 26k then, Infiniti is quite a good bargain as a well equipped, comfortable V6 with good handling and reasonable looks . The one I tested was full option (18" alloys, Nav, bluetooth, keyless, reverse cam - I think they all have this btw) with cream leather/"wood" interior.. which looked better than your rental Fox, but still far behind the BMW, and even the Golf, interior-wise.
I believe the switchgear and suspension is improved for the Euro market, compared with the US specs. Its a good enough car to drive and a comfortable place to be, but at the end of the day I still went for the Golf.
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Soldato
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I think the other thing to remember with Infiniti is the reputed level of service. They trade heavily on their premium 'ownership experience'.
yeah, they have just opened a 24x7 dealership near me and really pushing reliability and full on customer service, they even have valet parking there! I just couldn't bring myself to buy one though.
But If you walk into the BMW dealer you just get ignored.. or a shrug and a grunt if you're lucky, it couldn't be more different.
And this is what makes the quality of the product even more inexcusable. It's just at odds with what the brand is trying to stand for.
Never had an issue at a BMW dealer.
[TW]Fox;20409628 said:
I had terrible service from one BMW (Guildford) who literally ignored me and a family member. When I finally got their attention and said I wanted to (seriously) test a 335i and 330i I was basically given a bunch of excuses and offered a drive in a 118i.
BMW in Sunningdale were much better and did everything they could possibly be expected to do (allow me to drive autos of the 335i and 330i). When I told them how I felt about the cars they suggested trying to find a Z4M for me but I declined.
No idea if it was down the dealers, probably more down to the individuals that dealt with me. You get good and bad people in every business.
[TW]Fox;20409628 said:
yes. but lets not forget they are significantly lower priced, and arguably more reliable, than the European equivalent. If I had managed to knock a few more grand off the G37 I would probably be in one today. The quality wasnt that bad for the $.
However, If they are trying to sell Infinities at a similar price to equivalent German models in the UK though.. I agree they have no chance!
[TW]Fox;20409628 said:
Certain brands display a real arrogance in some markets. Merc/Audi/BMW/JLR all suffer from that here because they know they don't have to try and sell anything, punters with cash are lining up for the top models.
But when that attitude is passed onto the after sales service you will really start to regret it.
Interesting write-up Fox, thanks for tanking the time to do it, was an interesting read. I saw a lot of Infiniti's in Canada, they certainly do have some badge cachet over there, I never really took any time to look at them myself, but you can tell just by glancing idly through the window when passing one in a car park that it's not playing in the same league as BMW and Audi on the inside.
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