Audi A4 v. Infiniti G35

I am trying to choose between a 2005 Audi A4 (3.0, quattro) and a 2005 Infiniti G35 (AWD). Any thoughts? A sleek exterior is somewhat important to me, but quick acceleration (both for bolting out of the gates and for passing on the highway) and good cornering is crucial. I am fond of all wheel drive because it seems to provide more traction in rain and snow, but I am willing to be persuaded that I should not pay a premium for it.

Thanks,

F

The Infiniti is going to give you more bang for the buck in terms of performance. I'm not too sure on how the AWD system on the G35x compares to Audi's quattro system, but from what I hear, they are both pretty good. The Audi has a slightly more "upscale" interior though. If I were to purchase one, I'd take the Intiniti (better performance and looks better in my opinion).

I'd say the Infiniti G35 is the better choice. Here are my reasons why:

1. Better reliability. Audi's reliability has always been questionable, and the A4 is no exception. Infiniti, however, has a perfect track record when it comes to making durable and well-built vehicles.

2. More power. With about 80 more horsepower and about 40 more ft-lbs of torque than the A4, it'll get off the line quicker and pass better on the freeway.

3. Better cornering. Audi's AWD system is one of the best out there, but the G35 simply has a more modern chassis, more advanced suspension, and better braking ability.

4. Better looking. The G35's interior is just a notch below the Audi's, but it's still very nice and comfortable, comparable to the rest of the cars in this class. The exterior, however, is much more "sleek", which you said you wanted.

Pricing for the two as you mentioned them will be about equal. I personally wouldn't get the G35 with AWD, as I've heard that it upsets its delicate 50-50 weight balancing and negatively affects braking and cornering, but I'm not too sure just how much it does so. Anyways, I wouldn't feel like paying two or three grand for a feature and not be sure if it will help or hurt the car more.

I'm with those guys^. i'd get the infiniti. but i'd get the 300 hp RWD sport coupe with a 6 speed tranny.

:iagree:

the infiniti's AWD blows the Audi's AWD out of the water. audi uses a constant AWD system thats always 4wd. the G35X's AWD is identical to the one found on the Nissan Skyline GTR but with less aggressive behavior. pretty much on a straight road with full traction on the highway, its 100% RWD so theres almost no parasitic lose that usually associates with AWD. but when traction becomes limited, it will send torque to the front wheels. thats why in the dry, the car behaves like a RWD car, and when it slips, the system is invisible and will only add a shit load more grip. the AWD on the audi is notorious for understeer.

I'd say the Infiniti G35 is the better choice. Here are my reasons why:

1. Better reliability. Audi's reliability has always been questionable, and the A4 is no exception. Infiniti, however, has a perfect track record when it comes to making durable and well-built vehicles.

2. More power. With about 80 more horsepower and about 40 more ft-lbs of torque than the A4, it'll get off the line quicker and pass better on the freeway.

3. Better cornering. Audi's AWD system is one of the best out there, but the G35 simply has a more modern chassis, more advanced suspension, and better braking ability.

4. Better looking. The G35's interior is just a notch below the Audi's, but it's still very nice and comfortable, comparable to the rest of the cars in this class. The exterior, however, is much more "sleek", which you said you wanted.

Pricing for the two as you mentioned them will be about equal. I personally wouldn't get the G35 with AWD, as I've heard that it upsets its delicate 50-50 weight balancing and negatively affects braking and cornering, but I'm not too sure just how much it does so. Anyways, I wouldn't feel like paying two or three grand for a feature and not be sure if it will help or hurt the car more.


:iagree: ^^^ what he said

Performance? G35 RWD

Touring? A4 Quattro

Just for clarification, the 2005 A4 is redesigned, and has a 255hp 3.2L, which only comes with tiptronic as of yet. There is also a 2.0t FSI engine available, with more transmission options.

The Infiniti definitely wins in power, but as far as styling, interior comfort, and interior quality, I'd say the A4 has a leg up. I've never liked the G35's styling against any of the other cars in the segment, theres just something odd about it.

So like porscheguy said, G35 for performance, A4 for touring.

Just for good measure, I would also check out a BMW 325xi or a 330xi. They've been a bit expensive compared to the Infiniti and the Audi, but with the E90 3-series being released on May 6th, I wouldn't be suprised if there were some dealer incentives to sell E46s. An AWD E90 3-series won't be available for a little while longer.

Just for good measure, I would also check out a BMW 325xi or a 330xi. They've been a bit expensive compared to the Infiniti and the Audi, but with the E90 3-series being released on May 6th, I wouldn't be suprised if there were some dealer incentives to sell E46s. An AWD E90 3-series won't be available for a little while longer.do you own stock in BMW or work for them or something?

2. More power. With about 80 more horsepower and about 40 more ft-lbs of torque than the A4


80 hp more? I think the new '05 Audi A4 3.0 Liter (look above) has 255 hp and the 2.0 Liter (the one you are thinking of) is the one that has 200 hp

I would go with the g35. Much faster. I like the way it looks more. The audi is a lot more...Soft. The g35 handles great, and the ride isn't that bad. I personaly, would NOT throw in a BMW. There outsized, overpriced(In this comparo), and I would take a G35 way before a 3 series (Unless its a M)

I've never been able to stand the styling of the G35 sedan, it's basically like all the Nissan Skyline sedans before it, it looks way out of proportion.

The A4 is the best choice IMHO, the new 3.2 and 2.0FSI are both fantastic motors, that's not to say the VQ35 isn't, but the Audi engines have the privillige of being hooked up to Audi's fantastic DSG gearbox, which gives it an advantage over the G35.

Audi does have the better AWD system and while it's not as chuckable as the G35, it's better in snow than the G35 and quattro doesn't upset Audi's handling, like AWD does to the G35.

Also, Audi reliability is fine, a lot of people say it's bad, but 95% of the time they're people who have never owned one and believe everything Mr. Power and his associates tell them. I have owned one and it never let me down, nor have they let my parents or friends down.


So I'll say the Audi if you have snow, the G35 RWD if you don't, or even better, a 3 series.

do you own stock in BMW or work for them or something?

Best reply ever. :lol: :rofl:

Just for clarification, the 2005 A4 is redesigned, and has a 255hp 3.2L, which only comes with tiptronic as of yet. There is also a 2.0t FSI engine available, with more transmission options.

The Infiniti definitely wins in power, but as far as styling, interior comfort, and interior quality, I'd say the A4 has a leg up. I've never liked the G35's styling against any of the other cars in the segment, theres just something odd about it.

So like porscheguy said, G35 for performance, A4 for touring.

Just for good measure, I would also check out a BMW 325xi or a 330xi. They've been a bit expensive compared to the Infiniti and the Audi, but with the E90 3-series being released on May 6th, I wouldn't be suprised if there were some dealer incentives to sell E46s. An AWD E90 3-series won't be available for a little while longer.


not tryin to all nitpicky, but the 2005 only received darkened headlights, a different satellite radio antenna and a couple other minor things. it's the 2005.5 that got a redesign. get it straight man! :banghead:

haha. although i'm right. i'm jus playin around :p audi has some stupid crap where they update their cars midyear. like a 2004.5 has color matching lowers and a cigarette lighter that's fixed in place unlike a 2004.0 you can flip it open and the 2004.0 all have the grey lowers. the 2005.0 models are still the B6, whereas the 2005.5 is considered the B7.

i don't know why i just went through the time to explain all that but dammit it needs to be known. haha. j/k

i have to say the G35 is probably the better buy. i prefer the looks of the A4 inside and out and the german car feel but can't argue the fact that the G35 just gives more for the money.

do you own stock in BMW or work for them or something?

lol, I probably own stock in them in a mutual fund...

True, I do mention BMW alot, but most of the time only when its worth mentioning. The G35 and A4 are considered direct competition for the 3-series, and the 3-series is often called the best in the class, so I thought I'd bring it up. Its kinda become a natural reflex.

O, and I think they make the best overall cars in the world, thats a reason I mention them alot too.

the G35 RWD if you don't, or even better, a 3 series. this is my thinking

I was unaware that the A4 was re-designed for 2005. This certainly makes it a closer match for the G35, but it still loses IMO. The G35 still performs better. It also offers a conventional manual transmission with its V6, if that matters to you. And it's still more reliable. Jimster, I'm not saying it's more reliable because of what J.D. Powers says. In fact, I've never even read the J.D. Powers ratings. I make my reliability conclusions based on a large and varied amount of consumer reviews from various sites. I'm glad that you've had a good experience with yours, but a lot of people haven't.

The A4 is most likely the better touring car. It looks good, has a very well-designed interior, and has a nice, cushy ride. But if acceleration and sharp handling are important to you (and as you said, they are crucial to you), then the G35 is undoubtedly the better choice. It may not be the best at everything in this category, but it's certainly the best at performance, and it's more than acceptable everywhere else.

Even consumer reviews are unreliable, I should know, if you read sites like carsurvey.org , then you'd think that 80-90% Alfa Romeo 156's broke down all the time, however after managing a dealership that sold them and hence serviced them, I found that 70-80% of them are actually perfectly fine, bar the odd niggling fault.

Though I have read carsurvey and must conclude that a majority of Audi breakages have been because the owners are retards (ie. Those who drive thier cars when the oil light comes on or don't realise that timing belts need changing with age should it come before milage.), there are a few that develop the same niggly electrical faults that Nissans, Peugeots and Fiats do. There is also of course the 1.8T cars have been affected by the now irrelevant Ignition coil failures.

Considering that Alfa Romeo has been scraping the bottom of the barrell of reliability (Somewhere just below Mitsubishi and Renault and just above Fiat and Land Rover) for years, yet can build about 3 quarters of thier cars properly, then to say not to buy an Audi because a few develop faults is being paranoid, because using that logic there's also the chance he could get a dodgy G35.


Oh what the hell am I saying? Get a 330i :D

Well, I see your point about reliability ratings being very elastic and subjectible, so I'll throw that out of my argument. I still argue that the G35 is sportier and funner to drive than the A4, yet still acceptable as a standard, docile luxury sedan.

And I wouldn't debate that at all.




Still, both are good cars and I would reccomend them both, it comes down to which one the buyer prefers come test drive time.


Of course as afore mentioned, the 330i is worth a drive too, as is the Cadillac CTS if you can live with a depressingly cheap interior. The Volvo S40 T5 is an excellent choice as well, but a bit snug for an FWD sedan.

i've actually heard very good things about audi dealers (certainly better than bmw and vw dealers)
but once again, this is on this side of the pond.....

Thanks, everyone, for your prompt replies. It sounds like the G35 is the popular choice with several write-in votes for the BMW 3-series! I do have a few follow-up questions: 1) which car is safer? 2) which car has more leg room in the back seat? and 3) when the G-35's AWD kicks in, is it very stiff? I currently have a 2001 Pathfinder and when I throw it into 4WD, I get better traction on a straight road but I feel like the car becomes much clumsier and stiffer when turning -- can I expect the same from the G35?

Thanks, everyone, for your prompt replies. It sounds like the G35 is the popular choice with several write-in votes for the BMW 3-series! I do have a few follow-up questions: 1) which car is safer? 2) which car has more leg room in the back seat? and 3) when the G-35's AWD kicks in, is it very stiff? I currently have a 2001 Pathfinder and when I throw it into 4WD, I get better traction on a straight road but I feel like the car becomes much clumsier and stiffer when turning -- can I expect the same from the G35?

1) They're both equally safe.
2) I'd guess that the A4 has a little more legroom in the backseat.
3) Like I said, they say that the G35's AWD has noticeable negative effects on its braking and handling, so yes, the car will probably get a little bit harder to turn when the AWD goes into effect; this is because the LSD is going active and bumping up its role in power distribution. That's not to say that the A4 won't be the same, but since its AWD is more of a full-time system, they can tune it to negate the effect somewhat.

the a4 is very nose heavy and is something that they never really put into the equation during the set-up of their 4Wd system.
as a result, it will understeer like crazy.
this is why they (audi) are desparately reconfiguring the next gen of cars to be either mid front engined or to have more rear bias in them or a combination of both.
i also think they're pinching someones rear transaxle to help with their weight distribution problems; again, something to remedy their front heavy past.