I just test drove a 2007 BMW 328i Coupe. I am comparing it to my A32 I30t from a pure driving perspective. From the way BMW's are touted as 'ultimate driving machines' I was really expecting a driving experience that was a ton better than what my I30 delivers.

Obviously, the BMW has an advantage of being RWD, but in terms of tossability, fun to drive factor, and steering feel (the I30 actually wins here), I could not distinguish many differences.

I was also surprised at how much lighter and assisted BMW's steering has become. Personally, I feel my FWD I30 gives more feedback, and is also tighter. Granted, the E90 is a superior automobile and if I could drive one I would, but the point here is that it is not as superior as some would like you to believe.

It's a fantastic RWD car, but after getting back into my I30, I still felt it was more fun to drive. Call me crazy, just IMHO.

 

your I30 is also better quality to.

 

I hardly ever see BMW's with more than 120k miles, Maxima's with that many miles are dime a dozen. I do believe they are built better. What German cars generally do deliver is more solid feel to them.

 

Yeah, i recently drove a 330I and Xi and they kinda let me down, i expected a lot more. In the performance department there quick, nothing special i think my 4th gen is quicker in low-mid. The steering was alright, didnt notice much. It handles lightyears better then my 4g though, and of course with the price tag comes the pimp factor.

the 335I is a different story though, definately worth the money IMO.

 

sorry, but there is no comparison between a BMW and a Nissan. Especially an 8 year old nissan and a brand new BMW. Power handling and everything else goes hands down to BMW.

 

i friend of mine bough a 05-06(not so sure) M3 brand new in a period of 8 months he took his car for service like 12 times ranging from an inexplicable cel light turning on and off to a 2 times tranny broken during normal driving finally and after lawsuit he finally got his money back and now is driving a M45 he says that even that this car is heavier it feel much better than the M3 plus theres room for 5 real adults and so far never visited the dealer besides doing normal maintenance

most people tend to believe that BMW's and Mercedez's are the **** because of the price or because they are european cars well the fact is japanese cars have come a long way in terms of quality,bang for the buck and great designs

 

and I assume that experience has never happened to a new nissan owner? should we talk about the 99 coil issue or the A32 EGR issue (just as a start). Price has nothing to do with the fact that a BMW outclasses a nissan (comparable model). It has to do with power, design, handling and the fact that you need a ton of mods to an A32 to try and come close to a stock BMW.

 

Make sure that we keep this 4th gen related.

 

I own a 98 GLE and my wife has a 95 325i, both with 130K on the odometer. There is no comparing these cars. The steering of the BMW is much more sensitive and precise, this is probably do to the fact that the power is at the rear and not the front. The suspension feels sold and tight, no noise or bobbling. I will give the Max the win in interior room and interior noise levels though. As far as driving enjoyment, it's a toss up. If the road is windy...I'd pick the BMW. Straight highway...the Max.

Just my $.02

 

good comparison but when you compare price by price when new you will find that the max have an huge advantage not to mention that when you need to repair the 2 out of your pocket the BMW cost much more to repair on X item vs X item for the max

 

I agree, and that is what I told her when she bought it. I am glad I have the MAx because I can do the work myself and the parts are relatively cheap. I fear the day something goes wrong with the beemer, becuase I know it's probably going to cost an arm & a leg

 

in my line of work i sometimes get to drive the cars that we get. I compared the new 3series to the IS250 and while most biased enthusiast will favour the BMW, i on the other hand could careless about it's lagacy or reputation. the 3 series feels like a slug compared to the new IS. everytime I drive a BMW I am disgusted by the feeling that it is dubbed as the ultimate driving machine.

I feel like BMW has traded soul for creature comfort with their cars with the exception of the M cars of course.

 

You will find yourself pleasantly surprised.

 

Bimmer. It is a BIMMER. A "Beemer" is a BMW motorcycle.

 

I recently drove a maroon 328Xi and was very disappointed with the amount of power it had.

 

I was in the same situation with wifey having a 99 325i and I with my 96 Max. I never really enjoyed driving that car but it was a good hiway car. The 325 had the lowest horsepower anyway.
The only things I could do on it were brakes and plugs. There were several things that went wrong with it and we just didn't trust the car to last. We got rid of it with 140,000 on the clock. I've had less go wrong with my car and I had 260,xxx when the BMW went away. Advantage for me goes to the Maxima.

 

The fact that it was maroon explains the lack of power.

 

It wasn't something I picked, but for being maroon...it was still pretty nice. LED's under the door handles, push button start. It had all the bells and whistles. The kid who bought it, even went over to Germany to see it being made. The wood trim is all done by hand in those cars. Pretty nice.

 

I was just messing with you.

A girl I went to HS with just finished Dentistry school and went to Germany to do the same with her graduation present to herself.

Her parents (father is a dentist) promised to pay for school as long as she got good grades. She breezed through undergrad and went to dentistry school, all on scholarships and with some of her parents' help. Smart girl who worked hard and earned her degrees. I thought that it was appropriate that she then bought the BMW herself as opposed to asking mom and dad for more money.