E46 vs. G35

[VQ35Sleeper]

Considering bmw is an established name in the car world, my personal opionion when i was still shopping is that unless you go top end...6 series, m3, 7 series and so on, you will pay half for the name half for the car. I do not dought the quality, but would you guys agree that lower caliber bmws are just to gloat for the name?

[Gardiner]

It seems like most of the people here that buy low end BMW cars are buying it only because of the status symbol. To me, if it's not a 7 series, it's just aoverpriced car. BMW and Mercedes are the GM of Germany.

[GZire]

Definitely overpriced. Even the 7 series which has had some serious problems with its new electronics system. The worst offender was/is the 318ti.

Good cars initially, but maintenance is a killer as the car gets older.

[Ru_G36c]

i definitely agree the 318 was bought by people who just wanted a BMW. I think the 5 series is along the same lines of most people who buy the G35 with jus a bit more money. The 3 series seems to be bought overwhelmingly by people who just want to own a Bimmer but I gotta admit they are damn fun cars. Not that most people who have one ever drive it the way it could and should. If the entire 3 series were priced 5 grand less I would be on a Bimmer forum now instead of here

[jl9618]

I hear ya. I was looking at a used 540I before I decided to go G. I just couldn't justify the model year for the price tag.

[GZire]

Originally Posted by Ru_G36c

If the entire 3 series were priced 5 grand less I would be on a Bimmer forum now instead of here

Not even for $5k less would I buy a bimmer. I'm just not a bimmer kind of guy.

[bobtex]

BMWs are great cars. I agree on that. Let me tell you something about them though. That greatnes is relative. My brother lives over there in Europe and he's never been here in the US. When I go to visit him and we go hang out I'm like: Oh, that's a nice bimmer. or Oh, that's a nice benz. And usually I can see newer models of these two brands that hadn't made to the US just yet. My brother replies to my excitment with: Come on - it's just a bimmer. Whenever we see an American car, though (Dodge Stratus for example), which happens rearly, he's like: Oh, THAT"S a great car. And I of course am like: WTF? The thing is that he's not the only one that thinks that way. Many people there think the american cars are exotics

[partyman66]

Well..
They are exotics to them.

Exotic is a relative term, which by definition means "From another part of the world".

[Ru_G36c]

does that mean a Saleen S7 wouldn't be an exotic around here?

[partyman66]

If there is a hot foreign chick leaning on the hood....then sure.

[BreaKaoss]

around here, the 3 series isn't just a status symbol or bought for the name. i say that simply because theres multimillion dollar homes here and there will be a 3 series in the drive way. i think ppl buy it because it simply has more sport than luxury and handles better than the rest of bmw's line up. to me it seems that the higher the series, the more luxry and less sport. now maybe if you are somebody that could afford a 5 series or better then you might see other ppl buying the 3 series simply for the name.

i personally am not thrilled by the 3 series. i like the 5 series much better.

P.S.
excludes all M series

[VQ35Sleeper]

I like the new 3-series. I got the G simply because I like it. Design, etc. When I was in the market for a car, I wanted the gallardo, but it not an everyday car...the current 3-series is dead. In a few years the depreciation is going to slap it in the face. It happens everytime a major renovation of a model goes down. But im thinking about those 4-series that are supposed to be comming out soon...have you guys seen them?

[Ru_G36c]

Finally saw some finish pics of the bangle 3/4 series. The Coupe(4 series) looks so much better than the sedan (3 series). One good thing is that all the new 3/4 series get 6-speed manaul/autos from now on ... no more 5 speeds

[DrPJM1]

The G35 looks very nicely aero-sculpted and feels luxurious. The sport suspension is taut and nicely balanced akin to an M3's. Acceleration is good (remember I'm used to my 425rwhp RX-7) and the torque feels big and fat. I think it's a lot of car for the money. BMW's have nothing like it for the price.

[Ru_G36c]

had lunch with my cousin today. Her husband has a BMW 330. Her first comment to her husband upon arriving was, "Oooh ... that's pretty. Is that faster? .... If its faster and prettier why didn't we get that?"