I read the very very disturbing Car And Driver head-to-head comparo of the G37 and BMW 335i coupe. As I am sure most are aware, they gave the G37 a narrow margin of victory. Here is what I came away from the article thinking.

First, the G37 is not really a new car other then it's skin. The engine is not new and the mechanics of the car are carry overs from the G35, correct? This tells me that once the Bavarian geniuses work out the cooling issues on the 335i, once again the Bimmer will be the clear favorite.

Second, I know price is the deciding factor for many people (335i was $8000 +/- more then the G37), but BMW brand alone appeals to a much different buyer then Infiniti ever will, at least for some time. As I watched the BMW laps video on Car And Drivers website, the driver would not shut up about how amazing the tourque was, and how beautifully refind, yet fast the Bimmer was... isn't that what makes BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine? Not sacrificing ride/comfort for performance... the whole package? This tells me that though Infiniti has managed to make a car that can run with the BMW (thought the 335 was faster 0-60 and 1/4 mile), they still have along way in making a car that can run with, and be as great a driver as a BMW. And if that ever happens, I doubt the Infiniti will still be that much cheaper then the Bimmer.

Finally I will close with this, what could motivate talented car geniuses more then being removed from the lofty position that the BMW 3-series has held onto for so long? Imagine what a bunch of angry BMW engineers will do next?

BTW, cannot wait for the 135i in 08, and the M3 Sedan in 09!!!!

I will put this very simply: Japanese vs German = German. Once you drive German you don't drive anything else.

My wife loved her Acuras but once she got behind the wheel of her Mercedes you couldn't give her an Acura RL to get her out of her Benz.

I drove a Viper and I will say this although the Viper had the raw beast power and superb handling but it did not have the total package which my 330ci has. I have had more fun driving the 330 then the Viper, because of the total package, well built car, comfortable with superb power and handling. My 645 is even better :D.

Nuff said: BMW wins

What do you mean once they figure out the cooling issues. There should have never been any cooling issues. Aren't all BMW's developed at the Nurburgring. That 335 could barely do 2 laps around willow springs. I cannot believe that the same car was developed at the Nurburgring. Why is it that BMW gets a pass on having cooling issues. If the same had happened to the G37 guys on this forum would be calling it a piece of crap.

g37 just sounds weird.

What do you mean once they figure out the cooling issues. There should have never been any cooling issues. Aren't all BMW's developed at the Nurburgring. That 335 could barely do 2 laps around willow springs. I cannot believe that the same car was developed at the Nurburgring. Why is it that BMW gets a pass on having cooling issues. If the same had happened to the G37 guys on this forum would be calling it a piece of crap.

From what I have read the non-sports package equipped cars did not come with the extra oil-cooler, which is where the issues have come from.

I think there might be a re-call on certain models that don't have the oil coolers on the 335i's...
I read the article on 335i vs the G37...
Good stuff...
Both cars seem head to head, the same stats...
And guess what, the G37 does have the total package, and a whole lot more than what BMW offers for several thousands less...
They both have the intuitive steering, handling, and prowelness...
But the G has a limited slip! And all the tech crap like bluetooth...
However, the G might be at its max tuning, and can't be modded as highly as the 335i.
You can get a tuner chip that can add something like 80hp to the 335i!
With that small add-on, that could be an E39 M5 killer...
Of course this is just my opinion from reading articles about the G37.
I know I will be looking at the new G hard when the all wheel drive comes out and offers almost the exact same performance as the coupe.

I should clarify quickly that the G37's engine is "new" in that it is bored out from the 3.5 to the 3.7, and has a couple newer features like "a sophisticated variable valve timing and lift system". Otherwise the same engine.

Finally, I agree with 645ci that you cannot find a car to match BMW or MERC's presentation for total driving package. I have limited experience in Mopar vehicles, but I have driven STi's/WRX's, EVO's, Mustang V8s, Vettes, GTO's, Civic Si, G35's, CTS-V, and even the GTI and GLI, none of them match the fun I have even in my 325i, thought the CTS-V was one hell of a car. My 325i may not destroy 1/4 miles times or strike fear into folks at the red-light like my Mach I used too, but overall it is the finest car I have ever driven. Makes me look forward to the day I can crawl into my new M3 sedan.

Just read this article on Edmunds (though it is about a month old) and thought it matches pretty much what Gary has said.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=121462

"Nearly every aspect of our drive feels more natural in the 335i," one of our editors recorded in the notebook for this comparison. "I'm not sure what the price difference is, but the BMW feels $15,000 better."

Well, it may look the same on the specs given... but what about specs left out?
BMWs almost all have the near 50/50 weight distribution.
Curb weight?

But... magazines are mainly opinions and you really have no clue what kind of driver the article writer is.

For example... I think it was the current Luxury and Exotics magazine I saw this review in...
But they compared the Lexus IS350 to a 335i and the 335i barely edged out.
They basically said, if you're looking for a better looking comfort ride, go with the Lexus and a 335i for a more driver-oriented ride.
They kept mentioning how ugly the 335i was.
I don't think they should be considering looks as a point factor since it's an opinion. Not saying I disagree... I hate the E90/E92 styling, but there are others that love it. Were it someone that loved the styling that reviewed it, the points would have come out differently so it's not fair.

Toyota & Nissan's mission with the Lexes & Infinity line.

They were out to get the MB & BMW market share.

Just take a look at these lines over the years, they are always chasing their target with the "Better & Cheaper" comparable look & drive alike model. But they are still derivative.

Seen an M35 Infinity lately? M?