1-series vs. G35 coupe?

turner23 · 08-02-2009, 11:22 PM

Alright fellow addicts,

I've done a few searches and found nothing...did anybody consider an Infiniti G35 coupe when shopping for their 1er? I haven't found too many comparisons between the two.

marvinp · 08-02-2009, 11:28 PM

I would have considered a G35 if they still made them new. I don't like the way the G37 looks. But what I liked a lot with BMW was the free maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles. The 135i is also rarer where I live.

Robert · 08-02-2009, 11:37 PM

I test drove the g35 awhile back and it did not have the grunt to thrust you to the back of the seat like the 135i does. Even the 350z, which is a peppy car, does not pull as hard as the 1. The new 370z has supposedly caught up but that power plant is not in the G yet and G's heavier weight no doubt dulls the edge when it does.

MOCKBA · 08-02-2009, 11:40 PM

G35 is my favorite car. I feel always jealous when see it on road. So gorgeous, so fast. If I ever considered a used car, then I bought G35. You can see tons of comparo. Check sticky.

HondaGoneRogue · 08-03-2009, 12:12 AM

G35 is sloooowwwwww. And the motor was overated from the factory (as most nissans are).

cagekicker · 08-03-2009, 12:24 AM

no comparison to the 135.

lib · 08-03-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turner23

Alright fellow addicts,

I've done a few searches and found nothing...did anybody consider an Infiniti G35 coupe when shopping for their 1er? I haven't found too many comparisons between the two.

A good friend of mine that I go mountain biking, autocross & attended one HPDE with has a G35 coupe. We've made a few comparisons between his and my 128i and have taken turns driving each other's cars during an autocross test & tune.

Speed:
The g35 is slightly faster than the 128i in the straights but slower in the corners. While it would depend on the track, the 128i was doing slightly quicker laps at the HPDE. (Disclaimer - both of us have a LOT to learn before it would be a fair & consistent comparison.)

Gearbox:
The G35 gearbox is pretty bad. Someone out there may like it but both he and I enjoy the 128 gearbox a lot more.

Balance:
I was surprised how well balanced the g35 felt. It looks like a big car on the outside but doesn't drive like one.

Steering feel:
The first time I let him drive the 128i on an autocross course he spun it. His excuse? "I pushed it too hard. The steering felt so good I ended up getting cocky." Personally I think the g35 steering feels fine though I definitely like the 128's steering a little more (but I'm biased).

Storage space:
Amazingly the 1-series has more usable trunk room when you fold down the seats in both cars. We took the 128 to the airport during a ski trip because all the gear wouldn't fit in the g35. It's infinitely easier for me to get a mountain bike in the back of the 128.

Edit:
Actually, just buy the 135i. This is why you don't want a g35... It can't get away from a 128 and it makes you fly off-track into the dirt

He was pulling dirt & rocks out of his car for days after that one.

ptack · 08-03-2009, 05:30 AM

There were a number of comparisons done, but sometimes also including the 370Z. I can't recall anyone picking a G over a 135i, but a couple reviews liked the Z better (basically on looks since the 2 cars run very similar performance numbers). Frankly, I think 2 seat vs 4 comparisons to be pretty damn stupid since it shouldn't take a brain surgen to understand that a 2 seat sports car should be sportier than a 4 seater.

ichiban · 08-03-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGoneRogue

G35 is sloooowwwwww. And the motor was overated from the factory (as most nissans are).

cept for the GT-R of course

Monterra · 08-03-2009, 07:13 AM

Enjoyed the comp. to the 128 lib, agree with many points. G37 was probably runner up for me but I chose the 128 for several reasons:

1. More usable rear seat and trunk
2. Price difference not insignificant
3. 4/50 maint on 1er.
4. G coupe is big (and heavy) on the outside, small on the inside.
5. 128 gets at least 4 more mpg hwy real world
6. Way better clutch/shifter on 128

If I were to spend near 40 on a G, I'd probably just wait/save and go 10 more for S4/5.

1speedbike · 08-03-2009, 10:32 AM

If you're getting the MT then don't get the G35. A while ago in their long term test edmunds.com said the G35 sedan and coupe clutch is the worst they've ever had to live with, it made every shift feel like their first time ever. That's before the upgrade with the G37 though. It wins in my book on how it looks, but it's seriously heavy and I see them everywhere, so not much of an originality factor.

Vaaaan · 08-03-2009, 02:23 PM

I sold my G35 to get a 135... As others have said, the G biggest con is its weight and it definitely shows on the track. I had a chance to test it a Subaru lap day at USAIR - short road course, 65mph on the 'straight' in the G. At one point I did a chase race against a guy in his 2005 Legacy GT, and even though I had brand new Toyo T1R's he was easily pulling away after the first corner. Also, the G got extremely hot after just one 15 minute session, very noticable brake fade, 25%+ longer stopping distances after 10 minutes.

On the other hand, later in the day when I got up the nerve to try some novice drifting, I started the 15 minutes having never RWD drifted outside a video game, and halfway through I was watching smoke trails in the rearview while keeping my speed up and I was able to easily transition between curves. The G's character makes it very easy to find the limit, push it with a little twitch, and come right back to the limit without disrupting the chassis. It's really quite impressive how well it handles considering the weight, it feels like it's on rails if you're not racing against lighter cars, and it's predictable when you whip it around. I should mention that I had the rear-wheel steering option.

The exterior is awesome and never gets old, the interior is bland and gets old real fast. The gray dash and steering wheel are ugly, the leather feels cheap. Shifter feel was excellent, clutch pedal feel during high rev shifts not so much. I don't think the clutch was the problem, but that the flywheel was way too heavy.

I don't have my 135 yet so I can't really compare, I may write a more detailed comparison in a few months.

Sorry for the novel

HondaGoneRogue · 08-03-2009, 02:37 PM

I agree. The clutch pedal will give your leg a workout!

AZ135 · 08-03-2009, 02:43 PM

I think the G35 coupe feels much more confident and flatter around curves than the 135. I don't have any significant experience with the G37, only a test drive, but that test drive followed the 135 with which I was much more impressed.

bimmerboy · 08-03-2009, 03:28 PM

I heavily considered the G37 coupe when shopping for the 135.... the G37 has way more amenities and technology packed for the same price, but the 135i is simply a better drivers car.... If you value technology/value/luxury, the G is probably the better car. The 135i would cost much more if loaded with similar options, many which are standard on the G37...

MOCKBA · 08-03-2009, 03:40 PM

Anybody tried G37 vert? When I did shopping it wasn't available. I am interested in how easy to manipulate roof and can it be managed in motion?

BKScripto · 08-03-2009, 05:53 PM

Yeah, I considered the G37...for about 5 seconds

touareg · 08-03-2009, 06:21 PM

I was seriously considering the G37 coupe before I decided on the 1. I was only able to test drive an automatic G37 earlier in the year, but I liked how it felt.

Compared to the 1, the G37 felt more like a sports car when I was in the driver's seat: higher beltline, shallower windshield, fairly vertical presentation of the steering wheel, a seating position closer to the ground, a higher dashboard and center console. In that sense, the G felt more special to be in, even though its power/ride/handling was not anything particularly special for its class.

I ended up with the 135 because, in the end, I knew it was the car I wanted. I assumed that the special feel I got from the test drive of the G would wear off soon after the purchase, and then I'd be annoyed by the things I didn't like about the G:
- It's a bit bigger and heavier than I'd like (not the car's fault to be honest)
- Interior only comes in all black or gray seats/black dash
- I didn't think the Bose audio was particularly good
- Trunk is quite shallow and kinda small, considering the size of the car
- Plastics on the side of the center console (where I might rub my right knee) was hard as a rock
- Rear visibility was nothing to write home about
- Rain-sensing wipers and Bluetooth not available (for Canadian-spec MY2009 cars)
- Red rear turn signals (a pet peeve of mine...I greatly prefer yellow/amber)

In Canada, the G37 6MT with nav has an MSRP of CDN $51,600. The 135i I originally wanted would be $49,525. So for me, the G didn't have an edge in value.

nordique14 · 08-03-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Anybody tried G37 vert? When I did shopping it wasn't available. I am interested in how easy to manipulate roof and can it be managed in motion?

The G37 vert kind of slides in half way between the 1-series and 3-series. Rough base prices:
128i vert - $35k
135i vert - $40k
G37 vert - $44k
328i vert - $44.5k
335i vert - $51k

In comparing the the 135i vert to the G37 vert, you are comparing a softtop to a folding hardtop. Both cars have roughly the same hp but the G37 is about 500lbs heavier. Also, the 135i vert is about 10% cheaper. The 328i vert is the same base price as the G37 vert and also has a folding hardtop like the G37 vert. The G37 vert has more power but also a higher curb weight (by a couple of hundred pounds). The 335i vert has a folding top and more performance but also a much higher price than the G37.

So if you are not looking for a folding hardtop then the 135i an easy decision over the G37 vert. It is cheaper and has more performance. The 335i vert has the folding hardtop and better performance than the G37 vert but also costs much more. The 328i vert and the G37 vert appear to be matched closest in terms of price and performance (although the G37 would likely be faster in a straight line).

Simsims · 08-03-2009, 07:16 PM

nissan's interior looks like some alien designed it.... reminds me of star trek

arok · 08-03-2009, 10:40 PM

I came from an 05 G35 Coupe -> 135i. I had Rotora BBK, Sway bars, strut towers and the car was flat and held surprisingly well on the track. The car was heavy and it had a fat a$$. The interior room wasn't great for its size and the trunk wasn't tall enough. Also, it got the same if not a little worse mpg than my 135i. Overall, I am very happy that I got the 135i as the value of the G35 coupe dropped like crazy as well.

alp135i · 08-04-2009, 03:53 PM

I had a 06 g35 coupe 6mt and got rid of it for a 135 6mt w/premium package and sport package. I love this car. It is a lot of fun to drive and it handles well. I live in North Carolina and have only seen a handful of 135's, the g's are everywhere. The only thing I miss about my G was that I had 20's on it and this car only has 18 or 19" wheels.

08-02-2009, 11:22 PM	#1
turner23 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 218 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	1-series vs. G35 coupe? Alright fellow addicts, I've done a few searches and found nothing...did anybody consider an Infiniti G35 coupe when shopping for their 1er? I haven't found too many comparisons between the two.
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08-02-2009, 11:28 PM	#2
marvinp Captain 275 Rep 612 Posts Drives: '18 M3, '09 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I would have considered a G35 if they still made them new. I don't like the way the G37 looks. But what I liked a lot with BMW was the free maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles. The 135i is also rarer where I live. __________________ 2018 F80 M3 Comp, Silverstone Metallic II, w/ black 666M (Ordered: 7/9/2017 \| Pickup 9/9/2017) 1998 E36 M3, Cosmos Schwarz Metallic 2009 E82 135i, Montego Blue
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08-02-2009, 11:37 PM	#3
Robert Major General 419 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	I test drove the g35 awhile back and it did not have the grunt to thrust you to the back of the seat like the 135i does. Even the 350z, which is a peppy car, does not pull as hard as the 1. The new 370z has supposedly caught up but that power plant is not in the G yet and G's heavier weight no doubt dulls the edge when it does.
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08-02-2009, 11:40 PM	#4
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	G35 is my favorite car. I feel always jealous when see it on road. So gorgeous, so fast. If I ever considered a used car, then I bought G35. You can see tons of comparo. Check sticky. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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08-03-2009, 12:12 AM	#5
HondaGoneRogue They like my Swag... 433 Rep 3,762 Posts Drives: 15 GSM 435i GC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Dakota iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 435i Gran Coupe [0.00]	G35 is sloooowwwwww. And the motor was overated from the factory (as most nissans are). __________________ 2015 435i Gran Coupe - Current 2008 AW 135i - Sold
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08-03-2009, 12:24 AM	#6
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	no comparison to the 135. __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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08-03-2009, 05:30 AM	#8
ptack Brigadier General 271 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	There were a number of comparisons done, but sometimes also including the 370Z. I can't recall anyone picking a G over a 135i, but a couple reviews liked the Z better (basically on looks since the 2 cars run very similar performance numbers). Frankly, I think 2 seat vs 4 comparisons to be pretty damn stupid since it shouldn't take a brain surgen to understand that a 2 seat sports car should be sportier than a 4 seater. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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08-03-2009, 07:13 AM	#10
Monterra Captain 19 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 15 X1 msport sdrive28 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: HVNY iTrader: (0)	Enjoyed the comp. to the 128 lib, agree with many points. G37 was probably runner up for me but I chose the 128 for several reasons: 1. More usable rear seat and trunk 2. Price difference not insignificant 3. 4/50 maint on 1er. 4. G coupe is big (and heavy) on the outside, small on the inside. 5. 128 gets at least 4 more mpg hwy real world 6. Way better clutch/shifter on 128 If I were to spend near 40 on a G, I'd probably just wait/save and go 10 more for S4/5.
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08-03-2009, 10:32 AM	#11
1speedbike Brigadier General 736 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	If you're getting the MT then don't get the G35. A while ago in their long term test edmunds.com said the G35 sedan and coupe clutch is the worst they've ever had to live with, it made every shift feel like their first time ever. That's before the upgrade with the G37 though. It wins in my book on how it looks, but it's seriously heavy and I see them everywhere, so not much of an originality factor. __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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08-03-2009, 02:23 PM	#12
Vaaaan Private 6 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2009 Jet Black 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I sold my G35 to get a 135... As others have said, the G biggest con is its weight and it definitely shows on the track. I had a chance to test it a Subaru lap day at USAIR - short road course, 65mph on the 'straight' in the G. At one point I did a chase race against a guy in his 2005 Legacy GT, and even though I had brand new Toyo T1R's he was easily pulling away after the first corner. Also, the G got extremely hot after just one 15 minute session, very noticable brake fade, 25%+ longer stopping distances after 10 minutes. On the other hand, later in the day when I got up the nerve to try some novice drifting, I started the 15 minutes having never RWD drifted outside a video game, and halfway through I was watching smoke trails in the rearview while keeping my speed up and I was able to easily transition between curves. The G's character makes it very easy to find the limit, push it with a little twitch, and come right back to the limit without disrupting the chassis. It's really quite impressive how well it handles considering the weight, it feels like it's on rails if you're not racing against lighter cars, and it's predictable when you whip it around. I should mention that I had the rear-wheel steering option. The exterior is awesome and never gets old, the interior is bland and gets old real fast. The gray dash and steering wheel are ugly, the leather feels cheap. Shifter feel was excellent, clutch pedal feel during high rev shifts not so much. I don't think the clutch was the problem, but that the flywheel was way too heavy. I don't have my 135 yet so I can't really compare, I may write a more detailed comparison in a few months. Sorry for the novel __________________ 2009 135i 6MT /// Jet Black \\\ Savanna Beige /// Premium \\\ M-Sport /// Active Steering \\\ Heated Seats /// Premium Hi-Fi \\\ iPod/USB adapter
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08-03-2009, 02:37 PM	#13
HondaGoneRogue They like my Swag... 433 Rep 3,762 Posts Drives: 15 GSM 435i GC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Dakota iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 435i Gran Coupe [0.00]	I agree. The clutch pedal will give your leg a workout! __________________ 2015 435i Gran Coupe - Current 2008 AW 135i - Sold
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08-03-2009, 02:43 PM	#14
AZ135 REALTOR 23 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2010 Jag XF Supercharged Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	I think the G35 coupe feels much more confident and flatter around curves than the 135. I don't have any significant experience with the G37, only a test drive, but that test drive followed the 135 with which I was much more impressed.
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08-03-2009, 03:28 PM	#15
bimmerboy Captain 23 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I heavily considered the G37 coupe when shopping for the 135.... the G37 has way more amenities and technology packed for the same price, but the 135i is simply a better drivers car.... If you value technology/value/luxury, the G is probably the better car. The 135i would cost much more if loaded with similar options, many which are standard on the G37... __________________ *--2009 BSM 135i--* -Manual, Sport Package, BMW Assist
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08-03-2009, 03:40 PM	#16
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Anybody tried G37 vert? When I did shopping it wasn't available. I am interested in how easy to manipulate roof and can it be managed in motion? __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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08-03-2009, 05:53 PM	#17
BKScripto Private First Class 7 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 135i Sedona/Lemon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC. iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I considered the G37...for about 5 seconds
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08-03-2009, 06:21 PM	#18
touareg Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I was seriously considering the G37 coupe before I decided on the 1. I was only able to test drive an automatic G37 earlier in the year, but I liked how it felt. Compared to the 1, the G37 felt more like a sports car when I was in the driver's seat: higher beltline, shallower windshield, fairly vertical presentation of the steering wheel, a seating position closer to the ground, a higher dashboard and center console. In that sense, the G felt more special to be in, even though its power/ride/handling was not anything particularly special for its class. I ended up with the 135 because, in the end, I knew it was the car I wanted. I assumed that the special feel I got from the test drive of the G would wear off soon after the purchase, and then I'd be annoyed by the things I didn't like about the G: - It's a bit bigger and heavier than I'd like (not the car's fault to be honest) - Interior only comes in all black or gray seats/black dash - I didn't think the Bose audio was particularly good - Trunk is quite shallow and kinda small, considering the size of the car - Plastics on the side of the center console (where I might rub my right knee) was hard as a rock - Rear visibility was nothing to write home about - Rain-sensing wipers and Bluetooth not available (for Canadian-spec MY2009 cars) - Red rear turn signals (a pet peeve of mine...I greatly prefer yellow/amber) In Canada, the G37 6MT with nav has an MSRP of CDN $51,600. The 135i I originally wanted would be $49,525. So for me, the G didn't have an edge in value. __________________ Currently: 2017 M2 MT LBB In a previous life: 2011 Z4 sDrive35i MT \| 2011 Mk6 GTI MT \| 2008 EX35 \| 2008 Cooper S MT \| 2009 135i MT \| 2002 A4 1.8T
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08-03-2009, 07:16 PM	#20
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	nissan's interior looks like some alien designed it.... reminds me of star trek __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
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08-03-2009, 10:40 PM	#21
arok Captain 46 Rep 987 Posts Drives: BMW F30 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Mateo, CA iTrader: (1)	I came from an 05 G35 Coupe -> 135i. I had Rotora BBK, Sway bars, strut towers and the car was flat and held surprisingly well on the track. The car was heavy and it had a fat a$$. The interior room wasn't great for its size and the trunk wasn't tall enough. Also, it got the same if not a little worse mpg than my 135i. Overall, I am very happy that I got the 135i as the value of the G35 coupe dropped like crazy as well. __________________ 2013 BMW 335i M-Sport
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08-04-2009, 03:53 PM	#22
alp135i New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	I had a 06 g35 coupe 6mt and got rid of it for a 135 6mt w/premium package and sport package. I love this car. It is a lot of fun to drive and it handles well. I live in North Carolina and have only seen a handful of 135's, the g's are everywhere. The only thing I miss about my G was that I had 20's on it and this car only has 18 or 19" wheels.
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