Not sure if it's a big deal, but I noticed today that the gap between the tires and fenders on my new G is almost an inch higher in the front than in the back - I measured. (I would expect that a brand new car would be very even.) It looks kind of weird and, frankly, concerns me a bit - particularly since I've been mildly dissappointed in the handling of the sport package so far. It seems to me that if the front end is "too high", this could be a detriment.

Anyone else's Sedan (sport pkg) have this issue? Can this be adjusted on the stock sport suspension, or would it have to be accomplished with new springs?

-T

 

I will check around the fenders, but I do have an issue around the back right door. The gap is uneven. Shocked me the first time I saw it. Am going to talk to the dealer when I take it in for the first time.

Surfsnow

 

Hey Brother,

Hmm.. you shouldn't be the first person noticing this problem
You will see this uneven fender gap problem in 03-04 sedans too
however, they have amplified the difference in the 05 sedans.
(especially g35x)

but well, i believe the nissian engineers do that for a reason...
and you will also notice that alot of cars have the same problem too

i would guess one of the main reasons doing that is to comply with
the fact that most of the load is located under the hood + the driver
..but i believe there are other reasons too

like the longer the suspension travel, the better the ride comfort is..
recalling how the Range Rovers succeeded because they went with
the fact that the longer the suspension travels, the better the ride comfort.

just my 2 cents.
godmans

 

Uhh, the front wheels turn, so they need more clearance than the back.

 

All G sedans are like this. It's for the clearance of the tires when they turn. I'm not sure if you can adjust it without new springs. Springs seems to be the route most people take.

 

LOL ... The front of the G35 is lower than the rear. Look at a side picture. The gap between the wheel wells and the tires has nothing to do with handling. It has been the same since the 2003 G35 Sedan. Actually MOST cars have more gap up front than in the rear. This is not a issue, just a design that most cars have. You are the only one so far that has been disappointed in the handling of the sport package.

 

My Altima has more space up front, also.

 

Yep, the front fender to tire gap on the G35 sedan is bigger than the rear by nearly 1". Due to the need for the tires to turn and the higher load capacity of the sedan, it has a higher ride height. The higher height also improves ride quality a little. Springs or adding larger diameter tires are the only ways you'll be able to reduce the gap. I suggest springs. I have coupe springs on my sedan and I love them. They cost me $40 shipped from a coupe owner. They give a .6" drop in the front and bring the rear gap to about .5". The car still looks higher in the front, but it's not near as bad. When I'm in the car, the ride height drops another .4-.5" which makes the car look pretty dang low. Oddly, the ride quality of the coupe springs is much better than the Sport springs. I can't tell you why because supposedly they have the same spring rates as the Sport springs. The biggest advantage of the coupe springs is that your alignment doesn't get all out of wack compared to running the lower 350Z springs.

 

This is true. The car is'n lopsided or anything. The front fender itself is actually higher than the rear fender. You can really see this in the altima and maxima.

 

Not sure why the smug response, but I'm glad to have made you "laugh out loud". Quick rebuttal, a "too high" front end will definitely effect handling. Ever heard of lowering? It's done for more than cosmetic reasons - it lowers the COG. And since the engine is the heaviest part of the car and just so happens to be in front, I think we can safely assume that front end height matters.

And I've heard several other "Sport Suspension" owners express dissapointment in overall handling. Sorry if I offended you (wtf?), but other than being a bit firmer than stock, there's nothing very sporty about it. I love the G but get much more body roll and understeer than I expected. But no biggie, I'll modify!

Greatly appreciate the other, more constructive responses. Thanks! -T

 

buddy ...
calm down..
i agree with you that the lowering of the centre of gravity of the car
might improve handling..
however, handling depends not only on the CG of the car, but also
the degree of body roll, the response (or feedback) rate of the springs
and the dampening of the shocks..

hmm..
on this forum, on from people who have generally lowered their rides,
you will hear feedback like ..the cornering ability of the car has been improved.However, bear in mind that you now provide the spring and
shocks with shorter travel path ..which means the response and feedback
from the suspension won't be as good, while this is really bad for uneven
roads.. ever drive over some uneven bumps with your lowered ride?

but well, you would also have to go with the debate of Progessive (like
eibach pro kit) vs Linear (like stock) springs.. when you lower ride.

In general, i love my lowered ride ! it looks alot better at least..
and i love the handling feel of the lowered ride. (even though some bumps
really kill me ..)

Cheers

 

Put a level on the roof of the car and you'll clear see the car isn't riding higher in the front. You only think that because of the larger gap. You're completely missing the point here. The front wheel wells are larger. That's why there's more gap. It's not because the car is riding higher. BMW's even have nearly 1" more gap in the front than the rear. Lowering does lower the center of gravity, but if you go too low, you make handling worse by removing wheel travel and greatly upsetting the designed suspension geometry.

If having large wheel gaps meant worse handling, then the Viper, Vette, WRX STi, and Lancer EVO would be labelled poor handling cars. I think not.