Motortrend 330i vs G35 vs A4

xdrive · 11-19-2005, 08:54 PM

Every review I've read (motortrend, car and driver, etc.) the 330i always comes out on top! It's impressive that the 330i does not have the highest HP, but still manages to impress professional test car drivers... I guess it's all about balance that makes a car an ultimate driving machine... 3 more weeks till I get my CAR!

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...ny/index7.html

Notice the 1/4 mile times for the 330i and the G35 are the same?? Also notice in the 600 ft slalom, the 50/50 weight distribution becomes advantages?? 330i blew the competition away in this test...

Oz · 11-19-2005, 08:59 PM

Happy to see that the 330i is doing well

But how does the xi compare to other AWD cars? I haven't seen a comparison for this yet..

peakpro · 11-19-2005, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdrive

Every review I've read (motortrend, car and driver, etc.) the 330i always comes out on top! It's impressive that the 330i does not have the highest HP, but still manages to impress professional test car drivers... I guess it's all about balance that makes a car an ultimate driving machine... 3 more weeks till I get my CAR!

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...ny/index7.html

Notice the 1/4 mile times for the 330i and the G35 are the same?? Also notice in the 600 ft slalom, the 50/50 weight distribution becomes advantages?? 330i blew the competition away in this test...

No doubt the e90 is a better car but at 11k more than the g35 and 6k more than the A4 as tested it should blow them away.

xdrive · 11-19-2005, 09:31 PM

Yeah, I'm curious at how well the E90 xi will fair compared to other AWD cars... The i definitely will outperform the xi, BUT I don't really care since I consider AWD a must for my cars...EVEN if it means sacrifying some performance... I guess it's all what you prioritize as important.

BMRAMA · 11-19-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peakpro

No doubt the e90 is a better car but at 11k more than the g35 and 6k more than the A4 as tested it should blow them away.

11k more for a 330i compared to a G35? Infiniti's website says 31.3k is the base price for a G35 (280hp), and a 330i starts at 36.6k; add an automatic and you're at 38k. Those prices are just bunk.

Robbie! · 11-19-2005, 10:11 PM

I would be curious to know how the 325 does compared to those cars... I bet it would still win.

JBM · 11-19-2005, 10:45 PM

That 11k price difference most likely includes a lot of options on the 330i. Looking through the specs that MT listed, the car has premium package (look at the pics of the power seats), sport package (look at the tires listed) and variable steering (look at the range of steering ratios compared to the fixed ratios on the other cars).

What I find interesting is this. Acceleration is not merely a factor of hp/torque but a weight-to-hp ratio. The A4 had a 15 lb/hp ratio compared to 13.8/hp for the 330 and 12.6/hp for the G35.

This would mean that the G35 should have slightly better acclerations times than the 330 (of course there is aerodynamics involved, but at these speeds with these types of vehicles, that is minimal). But the times were identical or very close.

This makes me wonder if the drivers might have pushed the car more knowing it was a BMW and not as much with the G35.

I think the 330 is a great car, but I wonder about all the reviews because almost all car magazine drivers are biased toward BMW (yes there is a reason for that). But I'd rather see a good review of the car because it's a great car, not because the driver had a great BMW experience before and is now biased.

I wish there were a true "blinded" test. Strip out the interior of the cars, change the steering wheel to the same generic sport one, blind fold the testers going into the car, remove the blind fold and tell them to drive.

lux.sh · 11-20-2005, 01:01 AM

finally an auto 330i review. good stuff.

puck724 · 11-20-2005, 01:05 AM

i dont know if it makes a differance but did yalls notice that the audi and infiniti are 2005 models...

voltron1011 · 11-20-2005, 01:10 AM

0-60 for an automatic 330 is not too shabby.

BMW0 · 11-20-2005, 01:18 AM

Not bad at all.

BMW786 · 11-20-2005, 10:25 AM

On the poll, when asked "What near-lux sport sedan is your pick?"
The Audi came in first with 60% of the votes, the G35 came in second with 27%, and the 330i came in last with 11%!! what's up with that?? Is it because it's the most expensive...

ward · 11-20-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puck724

i dont know if it makes a differance but did yalls notice that the audi and infiniti are 2005 models...

I don't think there were major changes to the audi and infiniti for 06

so it should still be pretty valid

11-20-2005, 03:46 PM

What really caught my eye on page two of the article was this line:

"Comparison-test statisticians out there likely remember our momentous August 2002 face-off wherein a previous-generation 330i was nicked by a blast from Cadillac's CTS and knocked out of the sky by Infiniti's then-new high-caliber G35."

What? What?? Cadillac is such a complete and total crap-can I'm shocked to find it's name even mentioned anywhere in BMW review. Unbelieveable!

Just one more indicator that we're now living in a world that is upside-down.

obLu · 11-20-2005, 04:25 PM

I test drove a CTS-V before going with another BMW. It wasn't a crap-can. IMO BMW interiors are just as butt nasty ugly and cheap feeling as american car interiors. It handled fairly well too, but a lot of that was being able to steer with your right foot. But it didn't have any road feel or feedback ... felt like a tonka wheel. I couldn't tell a difference between the shifters and clutch, I don't personally don't think BMW shifters are all that great. And by the time I was done bleeding the Caddy sales guy I was easily in the same territory price wise between the V and the 330. 400hp is a lot to walk away from.

Ultimately the caddy just wasn't very satisfying of an everyday car. Fun for a few hours, but not a daily driver.

But it wasn't a crap-can that's for sure. For comparison, I felt the G35 I test drove did feel and look a couple of big notches down from the V. I'd describe that more as a crap-can.

11-19-2005, 08:54 PM	#1
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Motortrend 330i vs G35 vs A4 Every review I've read (motortrend, car and driver, etc.) the 330i always comes out on top! It's impressive that the 330i does not have the highest HP, but still manages to impress professional test car drivers... I guess it's all about balance that makes a car an ultimate driving machine... 3 more weeks till I get my CAR! http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...ny/index7.html Notice the 1/4 mile times for the 330i and the G35 are the same?? Also notice in the 600 ft slalom, the 50/50 weight distribution becomes advantages?? 330i blew the competition away in this test...
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11-19-2005, 08:59 PM	#2
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Happy to see that the 330i is doing well But how does the xi compare to other AWD cars? I haven't seen a comparison for this yet.. __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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11-19-2005, 09:31 PM	#4
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I'm curious at how well the E90 xi will fair compared to other AWD cars... The i definitely will outperform the xi, BUT I don't really care since I consider AWD a must for my cars...EVEN if it means sacrifying some performance... I guess it's all what you prioritize as important.
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11-19-2005, 10:11 PM	#6
Robbie! Private First Class 18 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I would be curious to know how the 325 does compared to those cars... I bet it would still win. __________________ E90 Titanium Silver/Black/6spd man/Sport/Premium/
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11-19-2005, 10:45 PM	#7
JBM Private 27 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2013 335xi . . . Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	That 11k price difference most likely includes a lot of options on the 330i. Looking through the specs that MT listed, the car has premium package (look at the pics of the power seats), sport package (look at the tires listed) and variable steering (look at the range of steering ratios compared to the fixed ratios on the other cars). What I find interesting is this. Acceleration is not merely a factor of hp/torque but a weight-to-hp ratio. The A4 had a 15 lb/hp ratio compared to 13.8/hp for the 330 and 12.6/hp for the G35. This would mean that the G35 should have slightly better acclerations times than the 330 (of course there is aerodynamics involved, but at these speeds with these types of vehicles, that is minimal). But the times were identical or very close. This makes me wonder if the drivers might have pushed the car more knowing it was a BMW and not as much with the G35. I think the 330 is a great car, but I wonder about all the reviews because almost all car magazine drivers are biased toward BMW (yes there is a reason for that). But I'd rather see a good review of the car because it's a great car, not because the driver had a great BMW experience before and is now biased. I wish there were a true "blinded" test. Strip out the interior of the cars, change the steering wheel to the same generic sport one, blind fold the testers going into the car, remove the blind fold and tell them to drive.
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11-20-2005, 01:01 AM	#8
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	finally an auto 330i review. good stuff. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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11-20-2005, 01:05 AM	#9
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i dont know if it makes a differance but did yalls notice that the audi and infiniti are 2005 models... __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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11-20-2005, 01:10 AM	#10
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	0-60 for an automatic 330 is not too shabby.
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11-20-2005, 01:18 AM	#11
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Not bad at all. __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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11-20-2005, 10:25 AM	#12
BMW786 Lieutenant 28 Rep 537 Posts Drives: SGraphite90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Bay, CA iTrader: (1)	On the poll, when asked "What near-lux sport sedan is your pick?" The Audi came in first with 60% of the votes, the G35 came in second with 27%, and the 330i came in last with 11%!! what's up with that?? Is it because it's the most expensive...
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11-20-2005, 03:46 PM	#14
CMD Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	What really caught my eye on page two of the article was this line: "Comparison-test statisticians out there likely remember our momentous August 2002 face-off wherein a previous-generation 330i was nicked by a blast from Cadillac's CTS and knocked out of the sky by Infiniti's then-new high-caliber G35." What? What?? Cadillac is such a complete and total crap-can I'm shocked to find it's name even mentioned anywhere in BMW review. Unbelieveable! Just one more indicator that we're now living in a world that is upside-down.
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11-20-2005, 04:25 PM	#15
obLu Major 50 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA iTrader: (1)	I test drove a CTS-V before going with another BMW. It wasn't a crap-can. IMO BMW interiors are just as butt nasty ugly and cheap feeling as american car interiors. It handled fairly well too, but a lot of that was being able to steer with your right foot. But it didn't have any road feel or feedback ... felt like a tonka wheel. I couldn't tell a difference between the shifters and clutch, I don't personally don't think BMW shifters are all that great. And by the time I was done bleeding the Caddy sales guy I was easily in the same territory price wise between the V and the 330. 400hp is a lot to walk away from. Ultimately the caddy just wasn't very satisfying of an everyday car. Fun for a few hours, but not a daily driver. But it wasn't a crap-can that's for sure. For comparison, I felt the G35 I test drove did feel and look a couple of big notches down from the V. I'd describe that more as a crap-can.
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