as you know, you get:

1) shock, spring and sway bar upgrades,
2) perforated leather and unique stitching on steering wheel
3) drilled aluminum pedals
4) forged 19"s.

(VLSD comes with both 18s and 19s so thats a wash)

Those 19"s come with bridgestone protenzas which have a very limited tread life (140 rating perhaps requiring new tires in just 2 years).

Now that you all have seen many pics of the 19"s and you obvsiously know what the 18s with Michelins look like, would you order this option if you were getting a 2005 coupe?

your thoughts and input would be appreciated!

 

well I pretty much had to get it because i wanted mine ASAP and couldn't find a dealer that had one coming with NAV without the sport package...

My only real concerns are:

1. The ride quality of the 19s with the stiffer sports suspension
2. Short life on Tires
3. You can't get the aero packages from the factory without it

If you want better handling and like the 19s then sport package is for you... the aluminum pedals are convenient so you don't have to buy and install your own... the stitching on the steering wheel and perforated leather isn't a big deal...

I think for most people the 18 Wheels will be good enough with the VLSD. If you don't care about the sport suspension or 19s then there's not much point in paying more...

 

newbie question:
i think i read on infinit's site the '05 6spd. G35coupe comes with the sport-tuned uspension package including the 19's... is this true?

for sale-> '03 350z enthusiast 6spd., Redline, excellent condition, orhanz33@yahoo.com

 

members closeups of the cars tread show the coupes come with potenza RE050A tires when the sport package is ordered.

heres a comparison:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/bs_RE050A_rd_c.jsp

they all are expensive tires $300+.

 

I am getting an '05 coupe in the next few months, but I will not be getting the Sport-Tuned Suspension Package - I will get the Performance Tire and Wheel Package instead. The standard suspension on the coupe is stiff enough for me, and even though I haven't tried the sport tuned suspension, I know I don't want a suspension that transmits even more bumps and vibration from the road to my butt. I don't have any plans to track the car, so a more aggressive suspension does not appeal to me. I am planning on buying some aftermarket wheels, so the only reason I am even getting the Performance Tire and Wheel Package is for the VLSD. I don't really care one way or the other about the orange stitching on the steering wheel and the perforated leather on the seats, and I plan on putting on aluminum pedals myself, so that negates any reason for me to get the Sport-Tuned Suspension Package.

Your mileage may vary,
Prolix

 

You can't compare treadwear between two different brands, the ratings are not representative of how long the tire will last, unless you're looking at the same company. So all else equal, the 140 could outlast the 220. A performance tire can't be expected to be suitable for rain or snow either. All BMW Z4s (16, 17, 18" packages) come with standard RE050 run-flats, so the Potenzas can't be too bad. But the downside to them, like someone mentioned, is the price and choice of replacement tires.

 

Check any Z or TL forum and you will find Bridgestone has a bad rep. Wear issues, balancing, and flat spots are common. It will be interesting to hear real life experiences with them on 19" rims. Infiniti dealers, get ready for tire and rim hell.

 

I will never again buy a Bridgestone (reads Firestone) tire! Michelin for the Sequoia and G, and Toyo T1-S for the G are the only tires that I'll consider at the present time.

What? You think that John Kerry is not consistent?

 

I agree with Prolix.

However, for me the only option with the 'sport package' that I am remotly interested in are the suspension upgrades. The problem is my neighborhood has recently installed 11 of those giant speed humps, so I may just go with some anti-sway bars. The rest I see as a waste. I usually end up modifing the car to my own personal likes. I cannot stand (I HATE) the look of the new 19" wheels , and may end up trading in for new aftermarket wheels anyway.

__________________________________________________

On order:
2005 Red on Wheat Automatic (NON-Sport model & Proud of it!)
Performance Tire & Wheel Package (18” Tires with 18” 7 spoke rims)
Sunroof
Splashguards
XM Radio
Trunk Mat

Aftermarket :

K&N Air Filter Z-Tube combo at EverythingG35
Lex Sheild Headlamp Guards
Soundstorm Lab 1300watt 5 channel Amp
4 JL (VR650-CSi) Speakers

Aftermarket on order:

Stillen Exhaust
G35 Skyline Emblems


<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Switch on 10/26/04 05:52 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

i have searched many bmw z4 forums and while there are certainly blimps like the potenzas being gone within a few months, they seem to average about 18K-20K miles before being worn beyond use.

since replacements are around $300-$350 i will consider that $1200 to be a "hidden" cost of buying the sport package.

 

Switch said - "The problem is my neighborhood has recently installed 11 of those giant speed humps, so I may just go with some anti-sway bars."

Same here! I can't get out of my neighborhood now without having to negotiate 5 or 6 large speed bumps - I hate them! These speed bumps are bad enough as it is without having to endure them with a sport-tuned suspension.

Coming soon:
2005 Brilliant Silver on Graphite Automatic (NON-Sport model & Proud of it!)
Performance Tire & Wheel Package (18” Tires with 18” 7 spoke rims)
Premium package
XM Radio
Trunk Mat

Aftermarket :
Tein H-Tech springs
Volk SF Winning or BBS RGR wheels
Potenza S-03's - 245/40/18 & 275/40/18

 

you guys forgot the special dash gauges lighting
with sport pack.

2005 BLACK G35 SPORT COUPE,AUTO/AERO/
NAV/COMMING NOV. NEW CHROME
MAYA 20X9/20X10.5/255-35-20/285-30-20

 

Never heard of any "special dash gauges lighting" with the sport suspension package - this is not mentioned in the description of the package at infiniti.com. Can you point me to where you read this?

Prolix

 

3) Instrument Panel: I love the new 3D design and the orange rim around the tech/speedo. The 3D design definitely looks better than our 03/04 2D backlid display. The new powered telescoping feature is another excellent addition to a luxury cruiser at the expense of weight. I think it's nice though, making life a lot easier in obtaining optimal driving position

2005 BLACK G35 SPORT COUPE,AUTO/AERO/SPORT TUNE PACK.
NAV/ XM/COMMING NOV. NEW CHROME
MAYA 20X9/20X10.5/255-35-20/285-30-20