06 vs 08

[risingson]

Hey all,

I had an 04 G35 sedan that was totaled out in an accident and now I want to replace it with either an 07-08 g35 or an 06-08 M35.. But I'm really leaning towards the M because I feel like the only G I REALLY want is my black lowered Nismo 04 and the M interior has me day dreaming all day.

But I'm kind of hung up on one thing.. I like everything about the 08 M35's better than the 06. The blue dash lights, the sport bumper, the non school bus sized tail lights... Everything except one thing. That damn chrome trim on the side of the car. For real, the 06/07 look so much cleaner without that damn chrome trim... And I know you can do an 08 sport bumper conversion.

So what do you think? How much would that conversion cost? What other differences should I consider between the 06/07 vs the 08 models? I'm not very familiar on whats specifically included in the packages except for when I try to research, so any advice on what I might want to make sure the car is equipped with would be appreciated.

I have a set of staggered 20" Asanti wheels from my G, I was wondering if they will fit an M35? I know 20's are small and I want to get some 22s but do the cars run the same offsets? Initially all I want to do is lower it on some wheels so any advice on lowering an M35 would be appreciated as well. I mean, I don't know if there are less options than a G, I'm not familiar with their suspension. I want to do some coilovers, but I might just do springs at first due to the cost.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

If you're looking at 08+ sport M's you could always get the door trim from an older one and swap them out then boom no more chrome on your doors. I actually did this on my 07. I bought the trim from an 08+ because I wanted the chrome lol.

As for your wheels, 20's look perfect on an M. Most on here rock that size and not 22's.

For suspension, there are both springs and coils, just depends on what you want.

[mexillis]

Just buy my M45 and you'll just need to drive it instead of buy more parts

[risingson]

Yea, but that chrome trim wraps around on the rear bumper too. Do the 06/07 have the same bumper?
Will my wheels fit fine on an M35/ do they run the same or similiar offsets?
And though it would be nice to get an M45, I just don't want to spend the extra money, and I'm not planning on any engine mods for an M35 anyway.

[The Bodyguard]

If you can find a good deal go with the 08+ you will be happier! Technology is updated great! If you find a "sport" no chrome trim on bumpers only doors which you can easily swap those with an 06/07. The package you want to look for is "advance tech/sport" 08+ got hard drive navigation, hard drive music box (memory) integrated ipod, aux input, DVD player, Intelligent cruise control, lane departure PREVENTION and Warning, 14 speaker Bose 5.1 digital surround sound. Your wheels will fit fine and I'd you plan on going with springs first, go with eibach pro kit! 20" best fit but easily clear 22" good luck!!

[pedsemdoc]

Agree with The Bodyguard...like the style of the '08 Sport best, according to TrueDelta appears to be a little more reliable (although accuracy of that site is dependent on numbers of claims/issues submitted and pretty sure that it is VQ/VK engines, M35/M45s combined, hard drive music player and integrated iPod connector is nice. BUT, if you want upgraded Nav, you have to go the dealer (my '06 M45 has all the other things he mentions except for hard drive music player/navigation, and the integrated iPod connector (although I installed an aftermarket adapter to utilize my aux/SAT button to stream music from my iPhone) and my Nav is DVD based - so I can buy a one year older disc off Fleabay and upgrade it myself without having to pay big money stealership prices, (sometimes very magnanimous members of this group will even give their old disc away for free!!!)

Having said all that, I love my '06 M45 - think I would keep it vs having an '08 M35 - love my V8's low end torque/seat HP - don't get me wrong the M35 is a seriously fast car too, plenty of get up and go

[CPJ LB]

I love my 06 M35 and did the front bumper swap (to an 08 sport bumper) however, I'd really like a 7spd. When I had my Benz, the 7spd was really beneficial - low end gears then to the cruising gears and good gas mileage. The 06 transmission (5 speed) would be better with a 7spd....

if you're into updated tech, then get the 08 sport....if you just want the "basics", then get the 06 and do the front bumper swap.

these days, you can pick up the 06 M35/45 for cheap...good luck with your choice!!

[Ilya]

The 7AT is nice. My 2011 cruises at 2200rpm or so at 80mph. My 07 (5AT) did like 3900rpm at 80. HUGE difference. Gas mileage on the highway, if I behave (hard to do with a V8 ) is at least 3MPG higher.

[risingson]

If you can find a good deal go with the 08+ you will be happier! Technology is updated great! If you find a "sport" no chrome trim on bumpers only doors which you can easily swap those with an 06/07. The package you want to look for is "advance tech/sport" 08+ got hard drive navigation, hard drive music box (memory) integrated ipod, aux input, DVD player, Intelligent cruise control, lane departure PREVENTION and Warning, 14 speaker Bose 5.1 digital surround sound. Your wheels will fit fine and I'd you plan on going with springs first, go with eibach pro kit! 20" best fit but easily clear 22" good luck!!

Yea now that I realize the 08 sport doesnt have the chrome on the bumper I don't even want to consider an 06/07... but what am I missing out on if I don't get the advance tech package?

[Larz]

I have owned an 07 M35 and now own an 09 M35. Neither had the sport option (harsher ride, btw if sport). My 07 was nearly fully equipped, but my 09 is 100% every option (including reclining temp controlled rear seats, rear sunshade, and rear DVD screen.
For me, the pros and cons list out as follows:

2007 M35:
5sp gearbox and VQ35 single intake engine. Worked brilliantly, but higher revs at all speeds compared to the 09.
Large 'school bus' sized tail lights, but better reverse lights than the 09.
Interior: no difference whatsoever between the two.

2009 M35:
7sp gearbox and VQ35HR engine (dual intakes). Shifting in AUTO or SPORT is not as smooth (it goes hunting in stop/go traffic)
On the plus side: I can do over 70 mph and still rev near 2,500rms - better mpg on motorway trips.
Front bumper is much more aggressive and rear tail lamps are normal size. Chrome trim adds a bit of posh without being gross.
Rain sense wipers - mehh, but the rear shade is great at night when the bloke behind you has wanna-be HIDs that are in reg headlamp housings which spreads the super bright light in all directions.
Lane departure is active instead of just beeping at you. Dash colors are absolutely beautiful.
NAV is HD based so you must have the dealer install updates even if you buy them directly.

I noticed no difference in the ride quality between the two - both have the right balance between sport feel and marshmallow on smooth motorway trips.

Options that you MUST get: Bose surround, NAV, bluetooth