Newbie here looking to upgrade into a used G35 sedan. I've spent the last couple of days surfing your site and have learned tons, but still have a few questions about the various model year and mid-year changes.

This is my understanding. Please correct and expand where necessary.

Launched new in '03 w/xenons optional
'03.5 made xenons standard and had a "trunk" change (?)
'04 added the AWD X
'05 added hp/tq and freshened inerior/exterior

'03-'04 have brake issues that have been remedied by Infiniti w/warranty
'03-'04 have "clunking" suspension noises that have been remedied w/TSBs

What are the best hp mods? I/H/E?

What am I missing as I price the various models and years out?

Thanks

 

You pretty much summed it up. As for brake issues, not everyone has problems. AT 19K my brake pads had 80% of their life left, rear tires looking real scary. I guess I use the gas pedal more than the brake pedal.

HP mods are a bone of contention. The engine is in a fairly high state of tune so HP gains will not come cheap. I think the general consensus for best bang for the buck would be the Z tube and an upgraded air filter.

 

I thought the Z tube was really just a sound mod?! I've got a Comptech exhaust on my Acura now and I had to quiet them down with inserts, which probably rules out this mod.

A K&N-type air filter is at best good for 5 ponies, right?

* On the '03-'04 models, what do the 6-spoke rims denote? Is it the sport package, aero pacakage or just the 17" rim offering. Are the 5-spoke rims 16"?

* For performance-oriented drivers, the sport package sounds like a must. Outside of that, the choices are: aero, premium and winter. Any others?

* Faux aluminum interior trim bits are an option just like the faux wood, right? Looks like the majority of G35 sedans have the flat black plastic interior though.

 

What TSB was this? I have an issue of this sort that the dealer is going to check out tomorrow when I take my G in for it's 15k service.

 

for the 03-04 models, the 6-spoke (should) indicate that you have the non-sport suspension. 5 spokes means you have it. both are 17". i think the base model sedan (cloth, no options, etc) has the 16", but i'm not for sure.

aero, premium, and winter are the packages, but there is also the aero "kit," which is different from the aero "package." the kit has just the body kit and spoiler while the package has the kit and those underbody diffusers, if i remember correctly.

the factory wood trim is real bird's eye maple. i have no idea what the titanium trim is.

hope this helps!

oh and johnnyrad... here is a pic of my 03 without the "trunk change." on this board, it has been referred to as the "doggy door." i can't remember his username, but some guy said it was the remnants of infiniti's attempt at a rearview camera. also, i can't remember when the 6MT was made available. 03.5 or 04 maybe?

 

OK, having just researched all this in an attempt to buy a used G myself I can answer these questions with some experience. G35Girl was correct about the wheels. 6 spoke is no sport, 5 spoke is sport EXCEPT the early 03 models which had a wide 5 spoke 16" wheel (can you say balloons?).

The Wood interior trim is an option. The aluminum on the center console is not. It comes with sport. If you don't see it, you don't have sport. If you do see it, you have sport.

There are a few other changes between the half year 03 and 03.5 besides the trunk and a cloth seat option. The 03.5 is prewired for satelite radio, has an extra power plug on the right side of the console and I was told has a faster cd changer when shuffling between the cd's. Outside of a few bug fixes I *think* that is it.

Homie

 

Sweet info. Therefore, I'm looking for a silver trimmed interior. That makes it simple enough.

Too bad about the 6-spoke rims being non-sport. I like them better than the 5-spoke. Are they the same size? Which one is more preferred ... in other words, could someone trade their 5-spoke set for a 6-spoke set?!

 

To round out some of the answers here:

The '03 trunk has the I N F I N I T I lettering very close together like the picture above. The '03.5 has the lettering spaced farther apart and it spans across most of the trunk. I'm not sure why they call the '03 a doggy door but I know it has a button that will open the trunk from the outside as long as the doors are unlocked.

The titanium interior is just painted plastic. The only brushed aluminum in the interior is on the shift **** and around the base of the shifter.

 

it's called a doggie door because of the rectangle surrounding the Infiniti logo and lettering. It looks like a doggie might come poping out at any time.

 

Painteed faux-al trim is OK with me. Looks better than the fake wood trim (flame suit on, I'm prepared for your angry posts). Interior cosmetics aside, the sport package is the key option for me.

What seems to be the hot must-have rims? 5-spoke or s-spoke?

 

there will be no flames since you are misinformed. the wood is real and it is a factory option (i'm assuming that you didn't read homeslice's and my previous posts), meaning that if you don't want it, then the car won't come with it. non-sport models may or may not have the wood. sport models may or may not have the wood. it depends on what your dealer orders. but since you want the sport package, then your G will have the 5-spoke and aluminum trim. your rims and interior cosmetics are chosen for you by stating that the sport package is the key option for you.