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Comments
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I pushed the driver side of the boot towards the passenger side until the "lip" popped out. I just pushed it back in to replace it. I would guess that there are some screws under your boot for removing the plate.
2. Do you really have to unplug the windows and hazard switches. (With the step, there's probably a light for the gear selector to unplug too.)
I didn't unplug the windows, just the hazard and lock switch. This is pretty simple, just follow the wire in and give the end a little tug. There is also a little LED in the back ashtray that needs to be unplugged.
3. Re. the carpet and padding that you have to hack away, is this covered by the console upon reinstall?
Yes. I'm not sure what the template included with the kit was for, I didn't use it.
4. Is the new console longer than the one it replaces? The instructions refer to it as the "long console." Does this have any installation implications.
I don't think so. I think the difference is a large opening to accommodate slipping it over the arm rest.
5. Do you remove the cupholders etc. because they have to be reinstalled in the new console? How do they fit in the new console?
Yes. The cupholder and coin holder just pop in the new console. Popping them out was I bit tougher.
6. You said that "the plastic piece that covers the arm rest pivot hinge didn't seem to snap into place." Are you happy with its appearance though?
Yes. I just checked it this morning. It didn't seem to snap in well until I put in the back ashtray. Now it seems to have a good fit all around.
7. In your opinion, is this something the average accountant (read, non-mechanically inclined) could do?
Hmmm, tough question. I'm a mechanical engineer myself. The most complicated thing I've probably done is put a road bicycle together from the frame up. My dad, OTOH, can take anything apart and put it back together. One time he had his Nikon SLR camera in many pieces on the table. His thought was it didn't work so he wasn't going to make it any worse. He ended up fixing it. By comparison, I think I'm pretty inept.
If you have the tools needed, I would say give it a try. If you get stuck, email (through edmunds) me and I could give you my phone number or take it back to the dealer. The riskiest part is probably cutting the foam/carpet. Just don't cut towards the seat :-) If you're successful, you'll bond with your car a little.
-Murray
You're correct about G35 not being a RWD Maxima, since you can shift for yourself in a Maxima.
Bigger and faster I can believe, but what data do you have on reliablity & safety? If the car is that new, there is probably no data on either.
-Murray
p.s. To each his own, I hope you enjoy your G35 as much as I enjoy my 325 :-)
BTW re the new 5: I can take a "Sabbatical" (translate 2 month vacation) in 2004. My 330 will be three years old. Hard to rationalize trading it in. But.....I could go to Europe fo a month, get the next generation 5 and atleast not have to rent a car. Not sure if that is enough of a financial reason.
I'd be a little nervous about driving a brand new car for an extended period in Europe. Also would take two kids and lots of junk. Plus it would be th first model year 535.
Still it's fun to think about.
It's definitely a solid car, and its engine is its strongest, by far, aspect. But to say it "runs circles" around a 330i is far from accurate.
"Standard driver and front-seat passenger dual-stage supplemental air bags adjust their deployment rate based on impact severity and seat belt usage. Front-seat supplemental side-impact air bags provide additional safety. Supplemental curtain side-impact air bags protect front and outboard rear occupants from head injury in certain side-impact collisions. Active Head Restraints move forward in certain rear-end collisions to help cushion the head and help reduce whiplash-type injuries"
and:
"G35's front and rear crumple zones help absorb impact forces from certain front and rear collisions. Reinforced crossmembers help transmit energy around the vital passenger compartment and side door guard beams help prevent intrusion in certain side impacts. The engine is designed to drop away and the steering wheel and column to collapse upon severe impact. Also, the brake pedal will not move rearward during collision, helping to avoid driver lower leg injury. "
and dave3301, shift all you want in your 330...i will have an extra hand to wave at you as i blow you off the line in my automatic...if you want a manual, wait until the 280HP coupe comes out...then you will really be looking at my LED tailights...
if you have not driven this car, do yourself a favor and do it...BMW is its competition, not Acura or Lexus, they are going after BMW...and for a first try they did one hell of a job...honestly, unless you really want to have the BMW badge on your hood I dont see the justification in spending the extra money...
and what do you have against the G35 anyways...do you feel it is a threat...???...i read on the G35 board every day about people buying that car instead of a 3 series car...at least its nice to have an option now...
Typical American response. I could get a Mustang GT auto and blow you off the line, but where's the fun in that.
Have fun riding your car. I'll be enjoying driving mine.
"I dont see the justification in spending the extra money..."
Don't know about you, but I think my life is worth the extra money. There's plenty of evidence that I can survive a high speed crash in my car. No evidence you can do it in yours.
"Certainly beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and glad you had the opportunity to express your opinion. However as a former BMW driver for the last 17 years, six 7-series , and one 540i, I have found the G35 to be an excellent all around car for its price point. From the opinions of others who have test driven the Acura, Lexus, etc. the vast majority of opinion is the G35 is the best.
If the G35 has left you less than enthused, I suggest you look at a loaded 540i or the M5. These are definitely going to blow the G35 away in terms of size, performance (well at least the M5 will), luxury, cache, etc. Of course you are also looking at a roughly 75% price surcharge for the 540i, and over 100% for the M5.
Please let us know what car you find in the G35 price range, that you feel beats it, all factors considered. I for one would like to know. "
dabrave
Ummm, do you know something that I don’t know? I have been driving a 328i for over 3 years now, and I cannot tell you how many times I have heard folks tell me that “BMWs are expensive to maintain”. When I ask them if they have ever owned a BMW, the usually respond with something like “Well, no, but my second cousins’ best friends' boyfriends' father had one hand he had lots of problems with it.”
The flip side of this is that there is plenty of evidence (anecdotal and statistical) that the current generation of 3-Series (E46) and 5-Series (E39) cars are VERY reliable, enough so to rival any Japanese car. In my case, in 38,000 miles, I have to replaced the wiper blades three times (prior to each winter), the front brakes at 37,000 miles and two individual taillight bulbs at around 21,000. That seems pretty reliable to me.
Admittedly, one car does not a statistical sample make, however, I have been active on this board (off and on) for almost four years (dating back to just prior to the launch of the E46), and so far, I have heard of exactly one car that has suffered from serious reliability problems. Contrast that to the current Lexus GS, which was launched around the same time as the current 3-Series. Its too bad that when Edmunds moved to their new hosting service, they lost much of the archives from 1998 and 1999, because you would have seen a HUGH number of problems with that car and MANY were bought back either to avoid a “Lemon Law” case or because said “Lemon Laws” required Lexus to do so. The situation was so bad that one guy went through two GS400s in less than a year, his third car; a BMW 540i 6-Speed.
The point I am trying to make is that while a car like the GS which it touted as being a “Reliable Lexus” has a great reputation not because it is, but because folks like you say so, meanwhile, the 3-Series, which has proven to be much more reliable than the GS, has folks like you spouting all of this bilge about its reliability.
Enjoy your G35, hey; after all, being “Fat, Dumb and Happy” ain’t all bad.
Best Regards,
Shipo
And...for those of us self aware enough to admit it, the visceral thrill of having that badge on the hood, and knowing that we drive a car considered by people who drive cars for a living to be the "gold standard" for sports sedans has incalculable value.
3 series is a great car, and from the specs, and initial reactions, G35 is a great car as well, but will one run circles around another? No way.
Hey, I figure that if I can do anything to help increase the postings here, then more folks will need to buy my mouse. The current plan is to have it in actual production in time for fall Comdex 2002, in Las Vegas. See y’all there! ;-)
Bmw323is,
I just bought a new Fuji FinePix 2800 for the trip, that way, I can document the experience in both words and pictures. ;-)
My feeling about the current 530i, is that this is a car that will age very gracefully, so that when I let my son start driving it in February of 2011, he won’t have to hide the car he is driving like I did. Of course, I was driving a rusted out 1969 Plymouth Sport Suburban Station Wagon, complete with fake wood grain appliqué sides (and rust bubbles under the appliqué). At least there was at least one upside for me, that car could carry the entire Varsity Cross Country team and even a couple of Cheer Leaders as well. ;-)
WrJohnsonPGHPA,
Awh shucks, thanks.
NycCarGuy,
What are you talking about? I was a perfectly brilliant teenager, I mean; I even had to take over the Calculus classes when the instructor got sick. NOT! ;-)
Mfeldman,
I wouldn’t worry too much about driving a new BMW in Europe, I would just stay out of certain “Danger” areas. For instance, I would NEVER drive my car to southern Italy, at all, and when we are in Paris, I am going to find a nice parking garage, where my 530i will stay parked for the duration. ;-)
Tenet1,
Thanks. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
The bottom line (at least)IMHO, is that all 4 cars are very, very good, each in their own way. All of them have certain fundamentals that make them competitors. At the same time, they differ widely, particularly in things that are very subjective as to whether you think of those things as good or bad.
I'm in the market for a new car, and have focused on these 4 cars. I've test driven each of them twice. The only truly 'objective' difference I've noted is price - all the other differences (and there are lots) are traits in each car that some of you will love, and others will hate.
In fact, their differences have driven me nuts! In a perfect world, I'd pick a little of each from all 4 (yes, more from some than others ;-), to create what is *for me* the perfect car. Since that's not possible, I'll just have to make do with one of them, and I suspect I'll be tickled pink.
I'll step off my soapbox for now....
Cheers,
Mike
Your quote: "i was going to purchase a 330i when i heard about the new G35 coming out...it was intriguing to learn I could get such a great car, fully equiped for 7-8K less then a comprably equiped 330i"
My response: Watch out for Infiniti resale values. They are some of the worst in the business across all their products. On the flip side, BMW 3 series have very good (not the best) resale values which will tighten the your 7-8K gap significantly. Throw in a Euro Delivery BMW and the differential drops almost $3K...
Your quote: "Inifniti has a winner here...I will not be buying the 330i, nor a waterd down 325...not only are Inifiniti's more reliable but the car seemd bigger, faster, and most importantly safer"
My response: Infiniti does indeed have a winner here. No question the G35 is a great car into this segment. Chances are the Infiniti will be somewhat more reliable than the 3 series (although the 3 series are very reliable as well). Infiniti is always at or near top of the class in each segment they compete in for reliability. The G35 does "seem" like a bigger car which may or may not be considered a benefit depending on what you need/want in your car. As for faster, I disagree with you. I think both are probably quite close in this category but no definitive winner. I will say that the 330i seemed faster to me according to my "butt dyno" but they are both right there. As for safety, the concepts of the G35 safety are good. The independant tests will be the living proof. The 3 series offers a tremendous amount of safety as well with MANY living testimonial to this aspect. I do believe both the G35 and 3 series should come out being comparable in the safety arena.
Your quote: "i like the BMW but will be happy to buy a car that will run circles around it for 7K less...too each their own i guess
My response: I like the BMW as well since it is indeed an incredibly fun car to drive. As for the G35 running circles around the 330i, you are dreaming and only trying to justify (or get attention, piss off, etc.) your purchase of the G35. No question both accelerate great but my "butt dyno" clearly felt the handling aspect of the 330i was superior than the G35. The clover leaf on/off ramps were where I felt the difference. In addition, I felt the G35 steering was much lighter than the 330i which for me is not a good thing.
Your quote: "and to whoever said the G35 was a rear wheel drive Maxima, lol, well you obviously do not know what you are talking about"
My response: Agreed. Whoever is saying this is indeed misinformed.
Bottom line: Infiniti does have a winner with the G35. Once they offer a manual tranny, complete safety tests and road tests I will compare the two cars again and make my final decision. Until then, I see a Euro Delivery BMW 330i for $3.5K more than a G35 as my first choice.
BTW, that $3.5K price difference will most likely be substantially less since I believe the resale on the 330i will be higher after 3-4 years of use.
I have a couple of SE Nissans (Maxima and Sentra) and the G35 is a much better car. It's fast, it handles quite well, a lot of car for your dollar, and it's new. Still it is a Japanese car. Nothing wrong with that! I think Nissan(Infiniti) has a certain unique Japanese quality to it and they will always try to keep it that way. That sets them apart from other Japanese cars.
I do have a Benz too, and the feel is distinctly a German car. In the end, I decided to keep my order for a 330Ci - it's just a different feel.
More expensive? Definitely.
More fun for me? Certainly.
Worth it? For me, I only live once.
If price was my factor for choosing a car, I would not my a Bimmer. I would probably be driving a Toyota Camry. But it is not, God has blessed me to be an engineer, so I can worry less about money (unless i get laid off) and more about how the car feels.
Maybe I just had too much coffee this morning.
I really think that will see better cars and maybe the M-B and BMW will provide more standard equipment (C-class does not come with a CD as standard equipment-what year is this???) BMW 3er did a climate control and CD player, this is probably due to the competition from Japanese automakers and the members of BMWCCA.
I am not bashing BMW. A matter of fact I think they make an awesome car. They, and all BMW owners (men and women), should be proud that other manufacturers stive to reach the BMW level of craftmanship. My initial intention was to purchase a 330i. I just happened to find a better alternative during my buying process. As far as you drinking too much coffee goes, I don't know. I do think something is killing your brain cells though. By the way I started the whole dot, dot, dot (...) thing and your version of it is completely wrong and difficult to read.
I did consider a G35, but frankly it is new, unproven, and just sort of bland. In addition, few cars have a look with only a glance you know what you are seeing. MB, Volvo, and BMW have that distictivness. The G35 looks rather generic Japanese to me. At least it is not ugly like those new Cadillacs - what were they thinking ! Oh well, I am certain some folks love the look and at least it is distictive.
The Japanese have spent the last 60 years copying the west and in some ways technically surpassing it, but a Seiko watches, Infinity Sports Sedans,
or Honda Motorcycles just do stir me like a Rolex Submariner, BMW 3 series, or Harley Davidson - these guys are the origonals and to me that is what makes them special. Do not get me wrong, I love the Japanese - Sushi, Saki,...what they have created is better than what they are trying to copy.
Granted, you certainly aren't bashing the Bimmer nearly as much as many others that drop in to give their $.02 on this board from time to time. But I still think it's odd that it seems to happen so frequently. I mean, I don't think anyone here drops in on a Lexus board, or Infiniti board to tell those proud owners that they're driving inferior cars. I'm just curious why some people feel the need to make BMW owners feel like they paid too much, or that they are somehow naive for buying into the BMW mystique, or that their car is no longer king of the hill, etc. Your posts have definitely softened quite a bit since your first few, but the point is still that you came here to tell everyone that the G35 is a better car than the 3-Series. Why bother? There's a Comparison board reserved specifically for that discussion, I think, so why attempt to rile everyone up over here?
With that said, I agree that the G35 is a compelling offering and will result in BMW focusing even harder on R&D to maintain the advantage they have. It's a win-win for everyone. But I'll reserve judgment on the G35 until I drive one and certainly won't bother to tell G35 owners that they're driving an inferior car if I do happen to drive it and still prefer the 3-Series.
Josh
Namely, what is the manufacturer's design philosophy?
You can say all you want about MSRP's and residuals and specific features, blah, blah, blah, but its the manufacturer's design philosophy that is what ultimately determines the overall makeup of the product.
Remember our automotive history: in one famous sports car, the absence of a cigarette lighter and ash tray was not an error of omission, but rather, a conscious decision.
Now who's old enough to remember what their brochure said about it? :-)
(the answer is here).
-hh
Each car has strengths and weaknesses. For some they may be technical; for others it may be financial; for others the differences may be that intangible. For me, it was the technical and intangible.
I was honestly surprised that I was able to get my 325xi for the real low 30's figure I got (with SP, CWP, wood, armrest, tint). But price was not my concern. I knew I wanted a BMW, but I also knew there were a lot of good competitors that would be worth looking at.
That prestige factor can play into it; I just wanted something that was safe for me and my kids, something my wife and I both love to drive (we both love manny's, plus keeps our 15 yr old permit driving daughter from behind the wheel!
I've heard Infiniti may be coming out with AWD soon, but I wanted it now and didn't want to wait. My impressions of East vs West cars is: both are good, but I wanted German.
Are all car choices based on technical reasons? Nope. If that was the case, how did Ford sell any Pinto's?
I guess in the end, the car you purchase is going to be a personal choice. No doubt you will have external influences (friends, family, magazine reviews, etc). But ultimately, what you drive is what works for you financially, technically, and emotionally. The "my car is better than your car" debate screams of immaturity. Let's just agree to disagree. At some point, objective numbers will be put up by respectable, objective testers. Let the numbers speak for themselves and you can make any choices on them as you see fit, realizing not everybody is going to agree, or even care about, the choice you make.
On another note: has anybody here opted for the 330xi? I'm just curious as to the impressions over the 325xi. I'm loving my 325xi. I just miss some of the finishing touches, like the door lip with aluminum, the rings around the tach and speedo, etc. The extra doodads are fun looking, but do they make that big a difference?
We took it to San Diego (500+ miles roundtrip) with a full trunk of luggage (kids going on Spring Break) and my 15 and 11 year olds in the back. I'm 6' and my 15 year old had no space problems in the back. The trunk was adequate and swallowed our 4 suitcases with no problem (these are the hardshelled cases that can be used as carry-ons).
Even going up and down the highway (15) in soCal, I had plenty of power to accellerate up hill and pass while going 80+ mph. Very much impressed.
1) choice of clothing;
2) choice of ice cream flavor;
3) choice of gf/wife;
etc, etc, etc.
I'd rather get back to read the discussion about tires, or manual vs auto. : D