I'm somewhat new here but have been reading for some time. Like many of you, I'm considering buying a '05 G35c 6MT. Having read both here and the 350Z forums, it doesn't seem that the G is plagued with the tire feathering issues that just won't quit on the Z. Is this a true statement?

Also, I am considering going with the Tein FLEX coilovers and EDFC setup. I've read good reviews about this setup and love the way you can adjust your ride "on the fly" with it. Any other comments on this setup? Is there a market for a barely used stock suspension from a G35 coupe with sport package? What might it fetch in the open market?

Thanks!

2000 Audi S4 - 400hp/450ft-lbs
1991 Toyota MR2 - 130hp/140ft-lbs...but just as fun
Soon to be G owner

 

I, too, would like more info on tire feathering. I have read some posts on here and FreshAlloy re: the issue, but can't seem to get a definitive answer on whether it's a "defect" or "normal". I noticed that the inside half-inch of both my front tires are very worn as compared to the outsides and centers. I had the dealer look at it for excessive road noise, and all they cited was "normal" high performance tire noise. Not until I checked later in the week, did I find the tire wear....

So what's the deal??

'04 G35C / 6MT / DP / Graphite / Prem / Aero / Pedals / Clears

 

All SOFT DIRECTIONAL tires suffer from heel toe block feathering on any car.........to varying degrees.......lack of easy rotation is the problem with directional tires.

The stiff [less compliant] the suspension the more the forces get transferred to the tires! And the weakest part of the tire is the 10/32" high tread blocks........the problem goes away when the blocks get more than half worn but the camber wear has changed the sound cancelling design of the tire.

 

A lot of tire feathering (or cupping) has to do with lack of tire rotations. Since they are differ sized front to back and directional, they cant be rotated (unless dismounted and remounted on the opposite side of the car which most people dont do). So, the tires wear one way for their whole life. My Michelins did it and are loud as heck because of it. Annoying, but not much you can do about it.

2003 BLK/BLK 6MT Injen, clear corners, Eibach sways and springs, tint
My G on a photo shoot. More to come!

 

More rotations within the first 10K miles of a tires life are the most important. Think of it as a pencil eraser. New, its flimsy and moves around a lot. But as it wears down, it becomes tighter and more responsive. Same with a tires tread block. Keeping the tires rotated helps keep the wear a bit more even at full depth.

2003 BLK/BLK 6MT Injen, clear corners, Eibach sways and springs, tint
My G on a photo shoot. More to come!

 

So this is normal, correct?? Why has the dealer not recommended a rotation?? I understand that they will have to unmount and remount the tires to do so, but won't this help out in the long run??

Thanks guys!

'04 G35C / 6MT / DP / Graphite / Prem / Aero / Pedals / Clears

 

It does help promote even tire wear, but its labor intensive and costly. Heck, the dealers two biggest enemies!

2003 BLK/BLK 6MT Injen, clear corners, Eibach sways and springs, tint
My G on a photo shoot. More to come!

 

I posted a couple of times on a related thread earlier last month on this issue. I had the dealer check the toe because the noise had grown so bad by 11K miles. It was slighlty off, so it was corrected (make sure you get to the dealer before the 1 yr/12K mile alignment warranty is up). The tires still roared (due to the worn inner edges) so I had the dealer flip the tires over and re-mount on the opposite rims. The tires were a bit quieter, but I was told the noise will eventually come back when the new inside edges start to wear also. By then, it will be about 20K or a bit more miles on them, and I will consider switching to a different brand/compound to see if a different tire will last longer on the inside edge. The feathering is very slight, but nobody wants to spend 35K on a nice car just to have it sound like a trailer at 10K miles.

Some people just don't know how to drive......
I call these people "Everybody But Me."

Randy Smith

Advantage R&D

Houston, TX

mailto:rsmith@adv-eng-ser-inc.com