NEW YORK AUTO SHOW PREVIEW: The REAL BMW 3-series killer coming to the New York?

Head lamps don't get much bigger then that. I hope the new polymers can hold up to intense UV sun light or it will look terrible like many 1st and now 2nd gen head light units.

Besides that it looks nice and Infiniti has made major improvements since the G35. Ahhhhh...I still remember the time when Infiniti made those commercials that never actually showed the car...lol.

I think all of the naysayers are going to be quite surprised. As was said on another forum, "this is do or die time for Nissan". Both the new Altima and G35 MUST be a big hit for Nissan to survive and I have no doubt they will be. The new G35 will target the 3-series squarely. It won't be as tall, the suspension will equal or better that of the 3-series, and the interior will definitely be up to par. Oh, and last but not least the rumors are talking of a 315-330hp 3.7L V6.

The other thing...we have no idea what is in store for the sedan. There have been no spy shots! How can that be?! You have to test the car, right?? Nissan must have something big up their sleeves. If not, personally, I'll be disappointed. BMW's will always be BMW's and Lexus' will always be Lexus'. Meaning they will sell no matter how they look. The new 3-series, in my opinion, looks like they took a step backward in design but people still buy 'em.

Stinky, headlights from a 350Z??? You're kidding right? The 2006 350Z is basically using the bi-xexon lamps from the current gen G35. I would say however the headlights are configured more like the current M which is what they were going for. This creates a unique family resemblance between vehicles. Also, you can call it a "has been" all you want but I'm telling you, much like the current M did, the new G well convert many German loyalists. Not to mention the make the 3-series and the IS look pale in comparison.

These are my predictions.

Don't be surprised if Nissan does go ahead and stuff a 4.5 or 4.7L V8 in the for the North American market. The engine bay is plenty big enough for it. It would compete with the M3 and RS4

I beg to differ.

"but I'm telling you, much like the current M did, the new G well convert many German loyalists. Not to mention the make the 3-series and the IS look pale in comparison."

The new Infiniti M is already considered a stinker.

The car is collecting dust on all lots.

Regardless of engine performance and design, the car has been a major disapointment for Infiniti. They expected to hurt 5-series, E-class, GS sales and didnt. It reminds me of the current Acura RL. Big Bang on first year then fizzle all the way after. I never ever see Infiniti M's on the road. NEVER.

And the G35 never made buyers of BMW swoon. It made "potential buyers" of BMW happy because it offered a similar product in a cheaper less refined package. The G35 isnt close to the BMW in terms of driving dynamics, build quality and style. This new G wont change that. If anyone would cross shop this car with anything it would be the IS350, not the BMW.

Those who want a pure bred sports car dont care about paying more for the best. Why do you think Porsche has done so well. Those who want the best sports car for the dollar value will go straight to Infiniti.

2004 M sales - 2,090 units<br>
2005 M sales (after intro of new M) - 24,000<br>
Thats a percent change of 2178.6!<br>
<br>
How is that NOT successful? Granted BMW and Mercedes are still at the top with their 5er and E sedans. However the M is also beating out Lexus GS sales so far YTD 2006. <br>
2006 YTD M - 6521<br>
2006 YTD GS - 6510<br>
<br>
For Infiniti, that's called success. Granted it isn't the overwhelming 5-series killer people thought it might have been but you have to walk before you can run. <br>
<br>
"never ever see Infiniti M's on the road. NEVER."<br>
<br>
I don't know where you live but I saw two today.<br>
<br>
Anyway, back to the G. Like I said BMW's will always be BMW's. People will by them for the status that comes with them. I agree, I don't think the current gen G was up to par handling and refinement wise with the 3 series. We are talking about then NEXT gen G however. Honestly, we can't argue because we don't know what the next G is going to offer. No one knows the specs. Hell, for all we know the next suspension on the G35 sedan could have been contracted out to Lotus and the thing may handle like its on rails. It also may have interior that makes Audi jealous. Who knows? I think these things are unlikely but we just don't know. Let April 12th surprise us all.

Cigarz,

I agree with just about everything you said. People forget that Nissan was saved from the Jaws of bankruptcy by Carlos Ghosn. Nissan/Infiniti didn't have the money to produce a vehicle on par with BMW, MB and Lexus. Thus you had a performance in the G with sub par interior materials. As Nissan has been cutting costs and putting money in the bank, the interiors have steadily gotten better with each year. Ghosn now has the money to really make Infiniti stick in the mind of the consumer with beautiful, well-crafted, reliable products. I expect to see that in upcoming years. I don't even expect this G to better the 3-series but I expect it to get darn close.

"The problem is that after almost 15 years, they still don't convey any real image to anyone."

Had Nissan not had financial issues it would have meant Infiniti would have been successful and they would have meant something to the consumer. Whereas Toyota/Lexus didn't shoot themselves in the foot and have had fifteen solid years to build a good loyal consumer base. Nissan and Infiniti are the children of the Automotive industry. I feel a sleeping giant will be awaken at the NYIAS.

Since when does ones preference in certain automobiles have anything to do with education? I have the balls to stand up for what I enjoy and argue my case even if I'm wrong. I have ability to purchase a BMW, Audi or Lexus. I even have the money to buy an MB if I want to stretch my budget, but I choose not to. I don't see how that has anything to do with education. Tell me...what the hell does education and luxury cars have to do with each other? If education is based on the cars we buy than I'd say we have a f***ed up system. So you're telling me celebrities and the rich are the smartest people in the world because they can afford the most expensive of cars? Someone needs a wake up call. That's sad. Truly sad. I think it is you who needs to open your mind and truly educate yourself. Why don't you stop following the crowd and find something to believe in.

I have to say only One sentence.

INFINITI----->THE ULTIMATE DESIGNE MACHINE

AND YEAH SPIES U R RIGHT.I AM SURE THIS THING WILL KILL THE NEW 3 AND IS.

JUGNU

I have to say only One sentence.

INFINITI----->THE ULTIMATE DESIGNE MACHINE

AND YEAH SPIES U R RIGHT.I AM SURE THIS THING WILL KILL THE NEW 3 AND IS.

JUGNU

I was educated at one time. I bought a new BMW and a Porsche. But as Pink Floyd would say: "We don't need no education"

The BMW and the Porsche, though they drove well, provided poor ownership experiences. The BMW and Porsche had reliability problems and you had deal with the "headmasters" at the dealerships that always made you feel like you were wearing a dunce cap.

My wife, who may not be educated per Dr. Yamini's criteria, bought an Infiniti G35. I would say she is definitely the smarter person. The G35 is actually more fun to drive than the BMW, is much more commodious, far more reliable and has superior dealer service. The only issue with it is the interior materials aren't that great.

I learned my lesson from the BMW and bought an Acura TL (we didn't want 2 G35s and the IS350 wasn't available).

We'll probably continue fighting the establishment and buy the new G35 for my wife in a couple of years.

I could give two sh*ts about what Consumer Reports says.

YOU ARE ALSO WRONG: THE BMW 5-SERIES REMAINS THE BEST RESALE VALUE IN ITS CLASS. 2 YEARS RUNNING.

The Infiniti M45 has NEVER and I REPEAT NEVER beat a 545i/550i.

It has beat a 530i but not a V8 equipped car.

And Gundar.....youre a joke. Youve never owned a BMW yet alone a Lexus/Infiniti. Everyone on this sight surely knows that BMWs arent cheap. You get what you pay for. But you my sad little ingrate will never know what thats like.

Keep Hating.

You are correct.

A M35 would beat a 530i in a speed shootout.

But the M35 has none of the 5-series road feel that makes it such a treat to drive regardless of engine size.

I would still choose a 530i Sport over a M35 Sport.

But thats just me.

Whats your deal dude. You must really hate BMWS. Calm down.

Read your results page. Who won the important stuff?

BMW
1)0-60mph
2)quater mile
3)Slalom
4)Engine
5)Gearbox
6)Steering
7)Brakes
8)Handling

Now your Infiniti

1)Skidpad
2)Braking 0-60 (funny that it still didnt win)
3)Interior Styling (means nothing for performance)
4)Controls (nice ATM inside)

The mag said the Infiniti had more style ....yeah right.

THATS IT. The infiniti excelled at nothing.

Who's the winner now.

Certainly not you or your car. Sorry. Nice try.

I am still very happy being a BMW cheerleader. Notice how Im Happy yet youre Angry. I would be too. Bmws are the best and Im sure you wished you could own one.

One more thing.

What are you gonna do? Pull up next to me at a stoplight and tell me how great your interior and controls are?

You get OWNED by the numbers the BMW pulls out.....not your better overall value...

The BMW beats the Infiniti in EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE area.

Thats what matters. If you had a clue.

So in reality.....you will get OWNED.

This is a very nice looking ride. With that said it's not my style, and neither is the IS350. When a person looks at buying a luxury car it's all about how the car fits into the style they want to portray to others (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) it's that simple. BMW has been around a long time and it won't be easy convincing people to leave in droves for the IS350 or the G. Competition is fierce at BMW but, does any one here think those guys and gals at Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) will sit around while others are catching up. Trust me the new 335ci (306 hp 3.0 liter twin turbo) is going to be a hell of machine. If you know engine performance. The smaller liter with twin turbos will run circles around a 3.7 liter 330 hp machine. Just ask your local mechanic. For that matter just take a look at Porsche and the Evo. BMW is taking a huge step in the right direction with the twin turbo engines. With this kinda move the only thing the competitors can do is add twin turbos to their engines or add larger displacement. With larger displacement there will be weight issues. For the record I own a 2001 325ci and I drive the wheels right off the think. It's never giving me any problems and it never flitches when I'm tearing up a hair pin turn.

Well said.

I have had several BMWs and also never ever have problems with them. And I, like you, drive the absolute crap out of em.

For a machine to hold up mile after mile of endless abuse speaks for the solidness and the build quality that BMW bakes into their automobiles.

BMWs constantly reward you with how well put together the entire machine is.

will be the deciding factor. To see the new car at NYIAS and read about its specs will be great. However I won't rest until I see some road tests and read what critics have to say. Granted not all critics are not equal, but hey that's ok.

Me calm down.....okay buddy.

If you own a BMW, then you have issues.

The 545i kicked the M45 in all performance areas.

The Infiniti won Brake Feel, but then lost to BMW overall in the area.

What a crock your win is.

Engine,Steering,Tranny,Braking,0-60, 0-1/4,Handling,Slalom is overall performance. The BMW won all.

What kind of crack are you smoking?

I dont lie at all. Youre just plain stupid.

BTW- I dont do drag-races either. I just figured this is what you were into considering youre sitting there saying i got "owned" like some little 12 year old gangster.

The M45 will never be taken seriously. Give it a rest already.

If youre going to act like a girl.....tell me where i got "OWNED" by this old mans idea of a sports car.

I am quoting from the stupid link you posted.

Yes...Road and Track.....the mag you posted

Seriously.....How Dumb Are You?

I dont own a 5-series and could care less what anyone else thinks.

I love how you instantly say "Bimmer lovers who go crazy'

The correct response would be "Bimmer haters who go crazy"

This 850 whatever guy jumped in this blog talking trash.

Then he posted a link only to say its irrelevant.

Repeatdely saying I got "owned" seems crazy to me.

Not TRYING to understand where this guys coming from.

Read the whole blog next time before making judgement.

You act childish then straighten up once a parents in the room.

Youre avoiding the fact that you know youre wrong.

You posted a web-link that took us to a page on Road and Track where the BMW lost even though it won 90% of the performance stats. The Infiniti won for being the better overall package. Okay......you got it.

All I'm saying is I disagree.

The Infiniti is not as athlethic as the 5-series in my opinion.

Where do you guys come up with all this "we think were ultimate" crap?

BMWs are the best TO ME but I LOVE CARS of many different brands. Whoever said I didnt?

You invent this little society of BMW snobs all by yourselves.

Why dont you enjoy and love your car as most BMW drivers do, rather than running around acting superior for not choosing BMW as your brand.

You can call me a poseur all you want. If that makes you feel better than I'm all for it. Just dont stereotype other people for disagreeing with comments made on this site.

Youre seriously CRAZY dude.

Get some help.

I'm out on this one. You guys just crossed the mental borderline.

The M45 is really really fast and cool. The BEST CAR EVER.

Feel better.

Everyone should realize that we are all the winners here. The next G sedan/coupe will definitely raise the entry level luxury bar, the next G will more than likely outperform the competition as it should being the newest model out in this class, but that means the next 3 series and IS will just get better and therefore the next G will in turn also improve. Honestly now that I'm out of my 20s I cringe at the idea of spending more than I must despite my financial stability. If I can get an awesome package that meets all of my needs, then I am not going to pay more just for a popular badge. I would never let a car define the person that I am anyways. I try not to criticize others choices in automobiles as cars are really an emotional purchase, you know how you want to feel and be perceived while driving it, and that’s your right, I have been as guilty of this as anyone in my younger days, but luckily grew out of it. I love this class of car, and one of them will replace my old 740 since the extended warranty has expired (you do NOT want to own any Bimmer without some sort of extended warranty, take that advice or leave it!!!!!) But I challenge that your average sports sedan buyer me included cannot even come close to extracting the maximum performance from these cars and your average driver will not be THAT much faster than anyone else driving one of the competition, sorry but 2/10 of a second faster to 60 could be the result of 5 extra gallons of fuel, its really laughable when you think about it. Getting off my soapbox but, If you don’t think the new G will raise the bar in this class then you don’t understand the auto industry very well. Infiniti wants a larger piece of this market, as does Lexus, neither the 3 series nor the IS are light years ahead of the G in any category. It’s really hard to pick a bad car in this class, which is why I don’t always have to pay more to own a fine automobile.

05 FX45
99 740iL