Not sure I agree, I had a G35 coupe before getting my E60 and it does handle pretty well. The infiniti is let down a bit by the interior, but powertrain and handling wise it's not at all bad. It's quite a bit smaller than the 5 which does help on the handling front, and it's certainly not far worse than the E60.
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I test drove a 4 door G35 not a coupe. So I don't know. I am trying to compare apple to apple.

I just compared an 06 G35 coupe. Almost leased it here's what I didn't like.

The 6 speed manual feel.

the engine while potent had a noisy sound

exhaust sounded odd

very noisy at 80 mph. more so than out going 330i. I was happy to jump back in my car.

I ended up testing more cars, but quickly realized the 530i and even the three were superior to the G because of refinement. Even the transmission is more refined in the Bimmer.

I bet the G is faster than the 530i. But the 5 is more luxury. with sport.

I'm into the concept of "good fast" versus "bad fast."

For example, I rented a new Cadillac STS yesterday, and it was fast. But it wasn't as fast as my 545, and it wasn't really "good fast" either. To me, Japanese cars just aren't "good fast."

And, did I mention that I don't want to pull up to a five-star hotel in one? Only in about 22 other posts, I guess.

They do have good cupholders.

Hey go all out and buy a good old dragster..now we are talking speed!

Do you own a doughnut shop?

As you've indicated, this may be true under normal driving. However, both cars being driven aggressively down a straight path, you really should be pulling away much, much sooner. Also, depending on your speed, you should be in the correct gear to keep your RPM's close to 6100. This is where the 4.4L motor produces its maximum power.

Not to throw a damper on this comparison thread, but you guys do realize the 530i is about 15k more expensive than a similarly equipped G35, right? :P

As you've indicated, this may be true under normal driving. However, both cars being driven aggressively down a straight path, you really should be pulling away much, much sooner. Also, depending on your speed, you should be in the correct gear to keep your RPM's close to 6100. This is where the 4.4L motor produces its maximum power.
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I agree, I've had a couple of G35 coupe drivers try a stoplight run against my 545 and the 545 is a lot quicker (plus as a former G35 coupe owner I was interested in the difference as well). The HUGE thing with the 545 is that it is blisteringly quick but deceptively so. 90 to 100 mph in the 545 genuinely does feel like 60 to 70 mph in my old G35. As another poster said, there IS a huge price difference. The G35 (sedan or coupe) really does not compete on level ground against the E60. It's an E90 competitor and, in my view, a pretty good one.......

Thats right... the M35 / 45 is the competitor...

I agree the M35 would be a better direct comparison to a 530i.

Again though...no stick shift on the M... One of the reasons I am gettign a 5. I can row my own gears, name another luxury midsize car that offers 255 hp and 360 hp engines with stick shifts.

The field narrows. Maybe JUST BMW.