I bought my 2nd G35 a 2006AWD sedan used with 24,000 miles on it.
When I went to replace the brake pads they were a different size.
The stock pads I bought were ~1/2" smaller in length than the one's on there now. I verified this with an another autoparts store and they are the correct pads for the front brakes for the make, model and year of this car.
How do I determine what pads I need? Is it possible the original owner ordered upgraded brakes direct from the dealer?

 

The auto parts stores are most likely mistaken. The awd had smaller brakes until the 06 model year when they had the same size as the rwd sedan and coupe (only year for the larger brakes on awd). I would just leave out the awd part when speaking with the clerk and see if the pads are the correct size compared to the ones currently on your vehicle. All 06 G35's have the same size brakes.

 

love it. question asked - question answered.

please post what you find out from the dealer.