04 Coupe 6mt, few questions...

[Clob]

Hey everyone!

I just picked up my 2004 g35 coupe 6mt with 52k on the odometer. I've been browsing the forums and I have a few questions if you don't mind.

The car sounds great, runs great, the clutch feels solid and grabs well, and the shifter feels solid solid and notchy. But at highway speeds, there is a noise coming from the rear. It sounds as if is the rear tires complaining about the poor Dallas highways, but could this be another issue?

The close ratio gear box is well... Close ratio... I seem to be shifting longer than I'm on the gas pedal while accelerating. I'm totally new to a standard, but I've learned quite fast and have become very smooth in take off and changing. Will I be causing premature wear, or any other issues if I do a 1-3-5 shift style to save some of the hassle? I go kind of slow as to get it right and to not hurt my new baby.

My car has some road rash on the front wheels from the previous owner, any ideas on what it would cost to get those refurbished, and to fix a bunch of paint nicks?

When I'm on the highway cruising at 60-65ish, should I be in 6th or 5th to get the best gas mileage?

And last question, I have these things on my car near the rear tires... I have no idea what they are, and I've never seen a picture... Can you advise as to what it is and if its stock?

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/7876 ... 152324.jpg


A few silly things that may make you LOL..

I took me 15 mins at the gas station, looking for the release lever to open the gas lid... Untill someone came up to me and said that I should just try pushing it in.. I felt like a doofus...

I got angry when I could never find switch to adjust the mirrors... Until my friend sat in the seat and I seen the mirrors move and asked him how the hell he did it.. I wasn't able to see the switch and I swear I looked there..


Otherwise, I love my new car and this community looks great.

[joe603]

But at highway speeds, there is a noise coming from the rear. It sounds as if is the rear tires complaining about the poor Dallas highways, but could this be another issue?

Most likely your tires. Have a tire shop check for uneven wear as the older coupes have a tire feathering issue.

Will I be causing premature wear, or any other issues if I do a 1-3-5 shift style to save some of the hassle? I go kind of slow as to get it right and to not hurt my new baby.

No, as long as you match the RPMs for the gear it will be fine. The car is already broken in, so don't feel you have to baby it.

My car has some road rash on the front wheels from the previous owner, any ideas on what it would cost to get those refurbished, and to fix a bunch of paint nicks?

I had the same thing on my 05 coupe from the previous owner...about $150 per wheel. As for the paint, about $300 to re-do the front bumper.

When I'm on the highway cruising at 60-65ish, should I be in 6th or 5th to get the best gas mileage?

6th for sure!!

And last question, I have these things on my car near the rear tires... I have no idea what they are, and I've never seen a picture... Can you advise as to what it is and if its stock?

That is an aftermarket part to simulate rear brake cooling...

[Clob]

Thanks for the reply. I go slow because I'm new to a standard transmission, and getting the feet, and hands to work in the correct timing is slow going. Hopefully I wont destroy my clutch. I'm working on being smooth from 1st to 2nd, and rev matching on down shifts to keep everything settled.

I keep putting the car in 5th to try and go backwards... I feel silly every time I do that...

Any who, new tires soon, and I appreciate the advice!