I recently test drove a 6-speed sedan and I was very disappointed by the feel of the 6-speed shifter. I own a VW Gti and my car has a very smooth shifter. I was wondering if it's just the car I drove that maybe had a bad tranny mount or motor mount, because I could feel all the vibrations from the engine and tranny on the shifter and the shifter motion is not very smooth either. Don't get me wrong I would love to own a 6-speed G35 sedan, I love the fact that it has limited slip and it has 260hp. But like I said I was disappointed by the ridiculous vibration of the shifter, It reminded me of my 86 5-speed Mazda 626. Please post your thoughts.

 

Your 'dissapointments' with the 6MT are actually what I have come to love about it. This tranny is very direct and requires confidance and deliberation when shifting meaning you have to shift as if you mean it. The vibrations are great and really add to the experience because you can actually feel the engine as I describe it.

The clutch is a dissapointment, the pedal travel is way to long, but you can adjust it and there are no problems.

 

your comparing apples and oranges. The shifter on your GTI is a remote shifter. The one on the G35 goes directly into the transmission. That's why you felt the vibration.

The clutch is touchy. It has to be able to handle 260 horseys. your GTi has about 70 less horsepower

Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

It's funny you say that, my Gti has an upgraded turbo and upgraded motor mounts, among many other mods and has been dynoed at 230whp and 251 wtq (all stock motor except exhaust and turbo, running on the limit of stock injectors), if you know what i'm talking about that is about 265hp and 285tq at the crank. And I know this vibration is not normal because I have owned other front engine RWD cars before, among them an 85 corolla gts and a Ford Thunderbird SC and they did not have this problem. The reason I test drove the G35 is because my friend owns a 5speed auto and I was impressed with the quality of the car and that it has a very reasonable price (And it's pretty fast stock). Also this is the only sedan in the market right now that I would consider buying.

 

I was just wondering if the car I drove might have some kind of problem, because it seems to me that a car that it's worth 30 grand should not have this problem. I apologize if you guys took my comments the wrong way, but the reason I'm posting here is because I like the car.

 

The vibration you expirienced with the G35 is normal for the car. You will have to decide whether or not it's something you can live with. I think one of the reasons it vibrates is that the shift lever has the up and down free motion. To get to reverse you push the lever down. there is nothing to lock in in place so Cruising around town I have noticed the lever moving up and down. I used to have a 83 celica GTS that the shift lever vibrated on also. So when I go the G I didn't think anything of it.

It sounds like you have a nice GTI. I won't comment on engine life at that type of output but what I will say is that modifiing the VQ motor won't be cheap. Turbo cars can get very respectable gains with a small amount of money in mods. Normally aspirated motors make small gains for a lot of money.

Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

I think the 6 speed on the G takes a little used to. Whereas the GTI's shifter has a longer travel distance - so long that I alomost hit the radio deck since I have a huge hand, 6 speed on G is so much shorter and stiffer in comparison and takes a little used to and practice to mount the 260 horsepower creature, . My guess is that may be you are used to the GTI's shifting characteristics, longer and looser shifter and perhaps more shifting tolerance, that's why when you test drove the 6 speed G, you felt it performed under par with some of the manuals you had experienced thus far. In my opinion, japanese manuals are much refined compared to German cars, expcept BMWs. So if you are looking to purchase a 6 speed G, you should do so without a doubt. By the way, what year is your GTI? Chipped? What turbo kit do you have on your car? ABT, Oettinger, or which one? I sure would love to see one hardcore GTI driver. It's a great car.

 

There wasn't anything wrong with the car you drove. The 6-speed in the G35, and 350Z, use direct linkage to the transmission whereas your VW uses cable linkage. As you can guess, direct linkage will transmit more vibrations to the shifter compared to cable linkage.

I prefer a shifter with direct linkage because they are more direct, have much less play, and provide more feedback to the driver. Cable linkage shifters can be very vauge, rubbery, and sloppy feeling.

If you want to really experience an awesome direct-linkage shifter, go drive an S2000. That shifter is one of the best on the planet and you can literally see it "dancing" around while driving the car.

<font color=red>2003.5 Garnet Fire/Graphite G35 6MT Sedan</font color=red>
Premium Package • Navigation • Winter Package • Aero Package • 350Z intake duct • Stillen high-flow airbox

 

Agreed. The RX-8 6-speed also has the same vibration and is directly linked to the tranny. You get used to it after a few days. Also I have noticed my G35 6MT shifting is a getting smoother after the first 800 miles.

And I also agree that the S2000 shifter/clutch combo is the best in the world - also directly linked to the tranny.

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT in Diamond Graphite/Graphite with Premium, Nav, Aero
'02 Acura MDX Touring in Redrock Pearl/Saddle with wood bits, cargo stuff

 

My 6 MT has that vibration charactersitic also...seems like it's normal for cars across the FM platform. To me, it's not really a flaw...it's more of a character trait. Overall, the shifter is excellent, IMO. Still, there are plenty RWD manual shift cars that are not like this...including both in my sig below...so it is not characteristic of the breed in general. I think it's related to several factors...not the least of which is that the 3.5VQ engine is not the smoothest in the world....

If the vibration bothers you, don't buy one (or any FM car)...but to me, is just a character trait that reminds you there is something decent under the hood.



'04 6MT Sedan | '95 E36 M3 | '91 Miata

 

Well I recently drove my buddy's 98 M3 sedan and that's what I basically compared the G35 sedan to. The thing is that what I really want is an M3, but I just can't afford one right now. For Mr. GGGGGGG here is a link to my car http://www.parts4vws.com/registry/re...mberCarID=5896

 

An M3 is a two door. The new M3 anyway....
I thought you said you wanted a Sedan?

 

Well If your talking Infinity, I would buy the sedan just because I'm a very technical guy, I'd rather own a car that performs the same for almost 5 grand less than a coupe. I would do the same with BMW if they made a 3 series sedan that had an M3 engine that sold for less. (plus lower insurance). Makes sense to me, the 2004 G35 sedan I drove was 30 grand even, in comparison used G35 coupes still sell for more than that and the sedan gives you better or equal performance because of it's weight. ( you all know the coupe is heavier than the sedan)

 

97 and 98 M3s were available as 4-doors. But you're correct, the lastest E46 M3 is only a 2-door. The closest (to the 6MT) present model 4-door BMW is the 330i PP.

And you're right, M3 shifters don't vibrate like that. But...I still like the shifter in my G just fine, thank you.

'04 6MT Sedan | '95 E36 M3 | '91 Miata

 

The main thing I don't like with the 6MT on the G35 is the long clutch travel. I sat in an M5 and the clutch travel is all of 5 inches.