Car and Driver May 2009 Comparo 328, G37, A4 2.0T, & TL SH-AWD

1st place: 328i (Manual)
2nd place: G37(Manual)
3rd Place: A4 2.0T (Auto)
4th place: TL SH-AWD (Auto)

I would take a g37 over 328. 335 is another story.

Originally Posted by panerai7

I would take a g37 over 328. 335 is another story.

I wouldn't and didn't. The reasons are well known here but I wanted the best sport sedan I could get for the money and that was the 328i. I never seriously thought about getting the Infiniti once the BMW was in play. I have not regretted the decision for one second.

Thanks, Mike.

I am perplexed why this was not in printed version. Neither was the test for the CTSv-Auto

Link?

I'm reading another comparison on their site right now, from 2007. The 328 was the winner. But you have to account for C&D bias:

"Those same run-flats occasionally thud when one encounters a midcorner bump, but the unflappable structure smothers the impact before it gets to the driver."

This line is total BS.

Found some more honest reporting:

"Compared with the G35, the BMW runs on air soles. The asphalt blight passing underneath creates gentler buffets, the wheels slam down more softly into chuckholes."

Are these guys driving the same BMW as me? It would be much more accurate if they said, "the BMW offers a very solid, firm ride, ideal for carving twisties. While the perfect car for enthusiasts, the ride can be rather harsh over city streets, especially with RFT."

i drove a 328 auto w/sport package the other day. it was ridiculous. my old e46 330ci felt like it had about 100 ft/lb more in torque. i thought i was driving an is250. the throttle was completely unresponsive. i think if youre one of those people who just has to have a BMW, the extra money for a 335 is well worth it. otherwise, get the g37.

Originally Posted by bulwinkl24

i drove a 328 auto w/sport package the other day. it was ridiculous. my old e46 330ci felt like it had about 100 ft/lb more in torque. i thought i was driving an is250. the throttle was completely unresponsive. i think if youre one of those people who just has to have a BMW, the extra money for a 335 is well worth it. otherwise, get the g37.

Exactly my point
G37 especially in manual, will run circles around a 328 in the real world.

BMW should have never replaced a 330 with a 328.

Originally Posted by panerai7

I would take a g37 over 328. 335 is another story.

For drag racing or for anything else?

Originally Posted by bulwinkl24

i drove a 328 auto w/sport package the other day. it was ridiculous. my old e46 330ci felt like it had about 100 ft/lb more in torque. i thought i was driving an is250. the throttle was completely unresponsive. i think if youre one of those people who just has to have a BMW, the extra money for a 335 is well worth it. otherwise, get the g37.

The auto on both the 328 and 325 are silly. These cars were never meant to have an auto and I'd venture to say that 75%+ of these in Germany are manuals. The 3-series was never much meant to be an automatic car until the 335 came around with sufficient torque to let you forget about the transmission.

Originally Posted by panerai7

Exactly my point
G37 especially in manual, will run circles around a 328 in the real world.

BMW should have never replaced a 330 with a 328.

They didn't. The 328 replaced the 325, and the 335 replaced the 330. We all know that, don't we?

I think you guys are forgetting one important aspect of the G37 vs. 328 debate. The 328 (coupe) is a gorgeous car that will stand as one of the best looking cars of its time and the G37 is just plain ole ugly and is nothing more than a copy of the 350/370 Z. Why drive an ugly car?

Originally Posted by panerai7

BMW should have never replaced a 330 with a 328.

I don't think they did. I always thought they replaced the 325 with the 328. And they took the 330, gave it more power and called it the 335. I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by cwinter

For drag racing or for anything else?

That and that. Except maybe on the track or twisty roads. Otherwise, G37 is more comfortable, faster, has more bells and whistles, more reliable, than 328I.
The only reason to buy a 3-series sedan is to get a twin-turbo engine, otherwise there are so many more better choices. I always laugh when I see a loaded automatic 328 sedan for 45-46k on a dealer's lot. Why the hell would anyone spend so much money except for simply a badge.

Originally Posted by Spagolli94

I don't think they did. I always thought they replaced the 325 with the 328. And they took the 330, gave it more power and called it the 335. I could be wrong.

I know that. I meant they should have dropped 325, keep 330 as a base and then 335. Otherwise besides the fanboy magazines, 328 is lagging.

Originally Posted by panerai7

That and that. Except maybe on the track or twisty roads. Otherwise, G37 is more comfortable, faster, has more bells and whistles, more reliable, than 328I.
The only reason to buy a 3-series sedan is to get a twin-turbo engine, otherwise there are so many more better choices. I always laugh when I see a loaded automatic 328 sedan for 45-46k on a dealer's lot. Why the hell would anyone spend so much money except for simply a badge.

I'm sorry but your totally missing the point that the 328i is a much better driver's car than the G37. Mine has the MT and is plenty fast and straightline speed is hardly the deciding factor. By the way mine retailed for about $38K and at 20K miles has been dead reliable. Stop thinking that the 335 is the only 3 series worth owning.

Thanks, Mike.

Originally Posted by rdkind62

I think you guys are forgetting one important aspect of the G37 vs. 328 debate. The 328 (coupe) is a gorgeous car that will stand as one of the best looking cars of its time and the G37 is just plain ole ugly and is nothing more than a copy of the 350/370 Z. Why drive an ugly car?

looks arent important to me. like they say, for every hot chick there's a dude that got sick of her.

i want performance if im dropping 40 grand or better.

Originally Posted by panerai7

That and that. Except maybe on the track or twisty roads. Otherwise, G37 is more comfortable, faster, has more bells and whistles, more reliable, than 328I.
The only reason to buy a 3-series sedan is to get a twin-turbo engine, otherwise there are so many more better choices. I always laugh when I see a loaded automatic 328 sedan for 45-46k on a dealer's lot. Why the hell would anyone spend so much money except for simply a badge.

I agree, if you are spending 40k on a car it better be a twin-turbo. 335 is definitely a different experience compared to the 328i.

If people dont care about a badge g37 is much better car for the money and less hassles compared to a 335. They still have not fixed the fuel pump isssue and until then g 37 rules in my opinion

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

I'm sorry but your totally missing the point that the 328i is a much better driver's car than the G37. Mine has the MT and is plenty fast and straightline speed is hardly the deciding factor. By the way mine retailed for about $38K and at 20K miles has been dead reliable. Stop thinking that the 335 is the only 3 series worth owning.

Thanks, Mike.

IMO the 328 and the g37 handle very alike with only the turning radius on the g37 is slightly tighter. reliability is probably the same for both cars. my e46 runs fine with the exception of a few repairs so i can imagine the e92 being different. the big difference is the off the line performance. the g37 has the feel of alot of torque whereas the 328 does not.

aside from that, i agree that the 328 does look better. but thats all fluff i can do without when im spending that kinda money on a car. i want bang for my buck. the 328 doesnt cut it. everybody has their own priorties though. we all understand that.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

I'm sorry but your totally missing the point that the 328i is a much better driver's car than the G37. Mine has the MT and is plenty fast and straightline speed is hardly the deciding factor. By the way mine retailed for about $38K and at 20K miles has been dead reliable. Stop thinking that the 335 is the only 3 series worth owning.

Thanks, Mike.

I am not saying it's not a great driver's car, it's just not as good as a G37.
And it's sad, that you gotta get pleather seats and give up all the creature comforts of a G37 to stay at $38K or under.

I am sticking with my opinion that BMW should have never dropped a 330i. It should have kept it and then introduce 335 on top if it. 230HP for 40K is pathetic.

Originally Posted by bulwinkl24

IMO the 328 and the g37 handle very alike with only the turning radius on the g37 is slightly tighter. reliability is probably the same for both cars. my e46 runs fine with the exception of a few repairs so i can imagine the e92 being different. the big difference is the off the line performance. the g37 has the feel of alot of torque whereas the 328 does not.

aside from that, i agree that the 328 does look better. but thats all fluff i can do without when im spending that kinda money on a car. i want bang for my buck. the 328 doesnt cut it. everybody has their own priorties though. we all understand that.

I disagree that the two cars handle alike. The BMW communicates much better to the driver than the G37. The steering feel is more linear and the BMW chassis is stiffer. Last, the I6 engine in the BMW is smoother and more refined than the V-6 in the Infiniti. The Infinitit G37 is a terrific car and likely the nearest competitor to the 3 series but it lacks in the final details that make it a great driver's car.

Thanks, Mike.

Originally Posted by panerai7

I am not saying it's not a great driver's car, it's just not as good as a G37.
And it's sad, that you gotta get pleather seats and give up all the creature comforts of a G37 to stay at $38K or under.

I am sticking with my opinion that BMW should have never dropped a 330i. It should have kept it and then introduce 335 on top if it. 230HP for 40K is pathetic.

My car has ZPP so it has most of the luxury features including leather seats with memory. It may not be as well equipped as the G37 but I'd rather have the driving feel than the other luxuries.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

I disagree that the two cars handle alike. The BMW communicates much better to the driver than the G37. The steering feel is more linear and the BMW chassis is stiffer. Last, the I6 engine in the BMW is smoother and more refined than the V-6 in the Infiniti. The Infinitit G37 is a terrific car and likely the nearest competitor to the 3 series but it lacks in the final details that make it a great driver's car.

Thanks, Mike.

Where it lacks a little in handling it makes up for in the power/acceleration dept. You should go test-drive a g37 manual yourself. You'll be disappointed getting back in your 328 afterwards. You need a 335 to fully compete and beat a g37 manual. I am not even mentioning a 328 automatic, I had one as a loaner - if I couldn't get a 335, I would just keep my e46 330ci, it was a better car than a 328

Originally Posted by panerai7

Where it lacks a little in handling it makes up for in the power/acceleration dept. You should go test-drive a g37 manual yourself. You'll be disappointed getting back in your 328 afterwards. You need a 335 to fully compete and beat a g37 manual. I am not even mentioning a 328 automatic, I had one as a loaner - if I couldn't get a 335, I would just keep my e46 330ci, it was a better car than a 328

No doubt it's faster but for me the MT 328i is fast enough. I have no complaints on its speed. I'd rather have the handling and smoother engine than the extra speed of the Infiniti.

Thanks, Mike.