I believe this is what it looks like off the car. And I think the solenoid is part of the unit, as in, don't know if you can replace just that. Could be wrong about that. Based on your pics it looks like a bear to get at. A remanufactured starter (w/solenoid) costs less then $200 but the labor might just kill you.
good luck

 

I have the same year(03 right?) had the exact same problem. The hardest part was actually locating it and fishing the damn thing out. After taking out the two bolts, we had to move a lower bracket, and fkn mcgyver it out. It's not hard to replace by no means, but getting the old one out and the new one in is a different story.

Let us know how it goes, hate to see anyone's car down :/

 

You might want to see if you can get it cheaper at a junk yard.

 

Thats exactly what i did, i found a salvage lot in Chula Vista and got one for $50, im pretty happy with it! I had my wife drive me down and then brought it back to that parking lot and jacked it up with my one jack and changed it out there.stupid and dangerous, i know but i was soooo excited to get my G running again! Definitely investing in a couple jack stands. between the slight incline(10-20degrees) and nothing but the handbrake to keep it from moving, I was scared sh!tless the whole time. A week without my G made for a hard and horrible week! and in doing the process I figured I would make a DIY, so i took some pictures. yeah its super simple, but when you dont know what to do you freak out a lil. and maybe if people see how easy it is, they will get into DIY'n more themselves!

 

and thank you to EVERYONE who helped me in this stressful process, I seriously appreciate it!

 

Wow, great that you managed to replace it (and not kill yourself in the process - yikes!). Use the money you saved to buy a couple jack stands.
This forum is great for this kind of thing and posting a few of your DIY pics will help the next guy who needs it...
Good job.

 

good job

changing out the starter should only take about 15 min

only the 2 14mm bolts and the 12mm nut(wire) that need to be removed

 

alright, after procrastinating waaaay to long, the DIY is finished its right here...

https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...placement.html

 

the DIY.. Really helped I am not a get under the car guy.. But when my G wouldn't start I searched everywhere and only this forum gave me the RIGHT DIAGNOSIS and instructions to get her fixed.. So I rolled up my sleeves and got under her followed the pics and BOOM!! She turned over and I heard that sweet sound of that G35 and we are ROLLIN!! Thanks a lot!!