G37 6MT shifter/clutch action questions...

[themyst]

Hey guys:

New member here, previous owner of an '04 G35 Coupe 6MT. The lease on my '06 Civic Si is due in a few months, and I am pondering my next car choice. I am torn between an '09 G37S and X. The review on edmunds.com states that the clutch/shifter action on the G37 isn't all that great, and based on my two years with the G35 Coupe, I can attest to the problems. I went through two trannys and the clutch was a nightmare in traffic. Can anyone who's driven both the G35 and G37 6MTs elaborate on the clutch/shifter action differences? If the G37 6MT is anything like the G35's, it will make my decision that much easier. (I will miss rowing through my own gears though, that's for sure!)

[Sentientbydesign]

My understanding is that the newer G35s got better transmissions and I THINK the G37 has a new design (like the 370z).

One of the "serial testdrivers" will have to chime in because I never get time to check out the newer models.

[SteveTheTech]

SBD is right The 08+ Gs use a concentric slave (inside the bellhousing), but they use the same model number, although they have gone through numerous updated and supersessions. The new model 6 speeds are fine, any bugs or noises they old ones were notorious for emitting are gone.

My personal preferance is toward the G37xS with the RE7R01A 7 speed auto. The new gear ratios allow the thing to take off like a beast and still maintain sensible fuel economy on the highway.

EDIT~ please excuse the grammatical errors, every time I try to hit spell check on my work computer it instead reffers me to the blue screen of death.

[tollboothwilley]

+1

There has been much more praise to the G37 with the 7 speed AUTO. It is very fast at shifting and you will like it much more in traffic.

btw, what is spell check?

[joe603]

...another vote for the new 7-speed!

[telcoman]

Hey guys:

New member here, previous owner of an '04 G35 Coupe 6MT. The lease on my '06 Civic Si is due in a few months, and I am pondering my next car choice. I am torn between an '09 G37S and X. The review on edmunds.com states that the clutch/shifter action on the G37 isn't all that great, and based on my two years with the G35 Coupe, I can attest to the problems. I went through two trannys and the clutch was a nightmare in traffic. Can anyone who's driven both the G35 and G37 6MTs elaborate on the clutch/shifter action differences? If the G37 6MT is anything like the G35's, it will make my decision that much easier. (I will miss rowing through my own gears though, that's for sure!)

Welcome to NICO

Never drove a G37 but I love my G35 6sp manual. Best vehicle I ever owned. Much better than my 1st vehicle. A 1958 Ford POS.

Telcoman

[themyst]

After much deliberation and factoring in of financing offers, I actually didn't get a G at all. I ended up with a 2009 135i 6spd coupe semi-stripped down for $36500 pre-tax. Only options I got on mine were heated/power seats, sport package, and iPod connectivity. Factor in 3.9% financing and 2 free payments by BMW (my first payment isn't due until July). The free BMW maintenance, overall livability, and transmission feel sealed the deal.

I love the super-soft clutch and precise shifter, having test driven a G37s, and refusing to drive an automatic, the G37 transmission did not improve one bit from the 2004 model I've owned. Same mushy-feeling shifter, same stiff clutch, same vibrating shifter. I thought the G37 had a better thought-out interior, (the 135i's interior storage bins needed to be bigger, will have to find some storage alternative) but the 135i's drivability was far superior to the G37 in every aspect. More forgiving suspension, less road noise, no hearing road debris clanging in the wheel wells. Performance-wise, the 135i has much better low-end response and gets to peak HP and stays there longer than the G37 as well. I seriously hate the run-flat tires that came with the car though. Styling is subjective, however I was always a fan of the G35 styling, and the G37 just enhances it further. The 135i has shades of that "landshark" Z4 styling, love it or hate it. Definitely not an ugly car by any means though.

This isn't a post to bash the G37, I used to be a G35c owner and it is natural for people to defend their opinions, however after much research and test driving both cars, the 135i seemed to be the right choice for me.

[Jacko3]

Congratulations on your new purchase. However, you may want to take a look at this reliability information about more recent 3 -series. A 1-series is not by any means a 3-series but they are made by the same manufacturer. I am not sure how the 1-series will be any different from the 3 series in terms of relibility. Just a thought!

http://consumerguideauto.howst...2.htm

Compare that to the reliability numbers of the G-37

http://consumerguideauto.howst...2.htm

The facts speak for itself.

[joe603]

I think you went down a notch...the 335i is comparable to the G37. But I understand your feelings on the 6MT clutch.

Happy driving!

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Yea the 135i are fast and nice... but they are a step down from a G37... But def a step up from that POS honda you were driving around...

I don't know anyone that can go from a G35 to a Honda and actually like the car...

Good luck with your bimmer... Just know ahead of time that you will probably lose about 2-3 weeks a year having it serviced... So I should say hope you like driving a 325i (bmw loaners)

Sorry for the bash but I just hate Honda's and BMW's

DJ

[themyst]

Yea the 135i are fast and nice... but they are a step down from a G37... But def a step up from that POS honda you were driving around...

I don't know anyone that can go from a G35 to a Honda and actually like the car...

Good luck with your bimmer... Just know ahead of time that you will probably lose about 2-3 weeks a year having it serviced... So I should say hope you like driving a 325i (bmw loaners)

Sorry for the bash but I just hate Honda's and BMW's

DJ

You know what? The Civic Si was a fun little car to drive and I still have it. Granted it didn't have the low-end grunt of a 6cyl but ripping it past 7000 rpms towards the 8500 rpm cutoff was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I've owned a 350z, G35, 04 TL, 91 Prelude auto and 01 Celica. The Civic clutch was easy on the foot and it was fun ripping through the gears. Granted the G35 had amenities that the Civic Si didn't, but what I didn't miss was that miserable excuse of a transmission on that G35. I had my share of mods on that thing (z-tube, Crawford plenum, UR pulley, Borla Exhaust) and did rip a [email protected] (can't remember).

In terms of "losing" time having the car in for service, I don't see how routine maintenance would take more than two days. And I do have the added benefit of not PAYING for those services. The only major issue I have read on the 135i is a faulty fuel pump, and those incidents seem to be the exception rather than the norm.

To the mod who linked me to the 3-series issues, if you notice, the great majority of those issues are for the first-year 3-series. The issues seem to have been rectified in subsequent model years. Also Consumer Reports does not differentiate between the various 3-series models, so this could not possibly be a representative sample of what to expect in the 1-series.

Could you please explain why the 135 is a step down from the G37? For the record, I was seriously considering the G37 until I got in and test drove it. The interior materials were definitely a step up from my 04 model which was ridden with poor craftsmanship, painted plastic parts (the silver trim that outlines the climate control started coming off within a year), and a seat that just didn't feel "right". However, anyone who actually enjoys the G manual transmission hasn't ever driven another manual. Imprecise shifts, stiff clutch, and shifter vibration kill the experience. And please spare me the "oh its a 1-series" comments, because I'm not buying. I shall now don my flame suit and await the barrage of hate.

[Jacko3]

You know what? The Civic Si was a fun little car to drive and I still have it. Granted it didn't have the low-end grunt of a 6cyl but ripping it past 7000 rpms towards the 8500 rpm cutoff was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I've owned a 350z, G35, 04 TL, 91 Prelude auto and 01 Celica. The Civic clutch was easy on the foot and it was fun ripping through the gears. Granted the G35 had amenities that the Civic Si didn't, but what I didn't miss was that miserable excuse of a transmission on that G35. I had my share of mods on that thing (z-tube, Crawford plenum, UR pulley, Borla Exhaust) and did rip a [email protected] (can't remember).

In terms of "losing" time having the car in for service, I don't see how routine maintenance would take more than two days. And I do have the added benefit of not PAYING for those services. The only major issue I have read on the 135i is a faulty fuel pump, and those incidents seem to be the exception rather than the norm.

To the mod who linked me to the 3-series issues, if you notice, the great majority of those issues are for the first-year 3-series. The issues seem to have been rectified in subsequent model years. Also Consumer Reports does not differentiate between the various 3-series models, so this could not possibly be a representative sample of what to expect in the 1-series.

Could you please explain why the 135 is a step down from the G37? For the record, I was seriously considering the G37 until I got in and test drove it. The interior materials were definitely a step up from my 04 model which was ridden with poor craftsmanship, painted plastic parts (the silver trim that outlines the climate control started coming off within a year), and a seat that just didn't feel "right". However, anyone who actually enjoys the G manual transmission hasn't ever driven another manual. Imprecise shifts, stiff clutch, and shifter vibration kill the experience. And please spare me the "oh its a 1-series" comments, because I'm not buying. I shall now don my flame suit and await the barrage of hate.

It would appear that the Civic Si, has serious torque issues, if one has to raise the RPM of a 4 banger that up to 8500RPM to enjoy it. And I am sure of this, because my 1993 little nissan with 254,000 miles on original engine, nearly whooped a 2006 Honda Civic---it may have also been an Si or a higher model of the Honda Civic series. So, the more modern Honda Civics are seriously over-rated. If you are really a Honda man and you really wanna see Honda Civic in action, go back to the early 1990s hatchback Honda Civic models, and then we can start talking. I have seen those early models perform and i am still impressed with them. Honda has lost its balls on building exciting little cars.

Then the Acura TL is full of problems. Also has several recalls and NHTSA complaints. Go back to that website and check it out for yourself.

And, please, could you tell us what made the transmission of the G-35 miserable? That is a blanket statement, ya know. And yes, most Honda clutch pedals are extremely light and soft to the foot. They almost fele like the clutch does not exist. I don't know of any performance car clutch that feels that way. That is unusual and it does take away from the driving experience. Perhaps, such a xteristics might be okay in an auto transmission, but not in a manual transmission.

The 135 fuel problem was not an exception. The same problem was found in different other BMW models, and several people had to return back to get another fuel pump, after the first fuel pump replacement failed once more. And then it took a few weeks for some people to get a good fuel pump. And then, having fuel pump issues in the middle of a highway, especially behind an 18-wheeler, is the road to disaster.

I happen to have another car that is a manual transmission form Nissan, and from a different generation, and it does feel different than that of my G-35 Coupe. However, I enjoy both transmissions differently. Thus, i wonder about the basis of your blanket comment, suggesting, "However, anyone who actually enjoys the G manual transmission hasn't ever driven another manual."

In fact, the G- manual transmission is the most responsive transmission I have ever driven at higher speeds and highe RPMS. And, as I have always said int he past, the G transmission shifting is poor if driven gently and normally all the time. But at higher speeds and high RPMS, it is crisp and perfect. So, your comment suggesting, "Imprecise shifts, stiff clutch, and shifter vibration kill the experience", isn't exactly true and it exposes the fact that you have not really driven your G-35 Coupe when you used to own it. So, what did you do with the car when you had it--baby the car or just stand and look at it all day?

You must understand that the G-35 Coupe was first built as a GT series car before the idea of comfort was probably thrown into the mix. So, if you are looking for overall comfort, then the G-35 Coupe isn't at the top of the list. But if you seek performance and reliability on the track, then, this is the car for you---it may not win races but it will get you to the finish line, even as a stock car. I know because, i drive like a crazy and I have a secret track where i go to torture my car occassionally on a twisty road. I am generally outstanded by the level of abuse the G-35 coupe can sustain. Though, I do have some mods on my car.

So, I am not sure what point you are trying to prove. But, one thing is clear, some of your assessments are questionable, to say the least. But most of all, we wish you goodluck with your new experience and ride. However, I do know that many BMW owners, inspite of the problems their cars have, will never admit that the their cars are over-engineered, and thus are prone to more problems. They would rather accept a car with flaws after paying over $10,000 over a G-37 than admit that the ultimate driving machine, isn't always ultimate in every category of the driving experience. At least, Infinit owners know the flaws in their cars, they admit it, and the data I provided bears them out. Data does not lie. Hell will freeze over before BMW owners ever admit that their cars are unreliable compared to an Infiniti.

[joe603]

According to auto mag testers, the 335i is the G37's competition. The 1-series is a step down from the 3-series...

If you like the way your BMW looks then by all means enjoy it! Personally, I'm not a fan of their styling.

[jbrother]

I agree with a lot of what you said. I too was in the same dilemma. I had a 2005 350Z manual, then a 2007 G coupe manual 6MT. Had clutch and shifter problems in both cars, the worst being the 07 G coupe (the last year of the previous model). And you know what, I was disgusted enough to try a G37 coupe and it was so much better (initially) than the 2007 model that I traded up to a 2008 G37 and ate the loss. I like a lot about the new coupe but unfortunately the shifter and clutch interaction is only a little better. The clutch is pretty heavy, long through, and take up high. The gas pedal is a little tough to modulate smoothly. And the shifter is a little heavy and tough to activate 1st and 2nd gears. So, in summary, I totally agree with what you said about your experience of trading out of the G's. I am still driving the G but not in daily driving. I just bought a new Miata, with a wonderfully smooth, short stroke clutch and slick gear mechanism. I am daily driving the Miata more than the G! However for luxury and topend horsepower, the G is really nice. Enjoy your BMW! I hope that your maintenance experience is painless after the warranty expires.

James

You know what? The Civic Si was a fun little car to drive and I still have it. Granted it didn't have the low-end grunt of a 6cyl but ripping it past 7000 rpms towards the 8500 rpm cutoff was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I've owned a 350z, G35, 04 TL, 91 Prelude auto and 01 Celica. The Civic clutch was easy on the foot and it was fun ripping through the gears. Granted the G35 had amenities that the Civic Si didn't, but what I didn't miss was that miserable excuse of a transmission on that G35. I had my share of mods on that thing (z-tube, Crawford plenum, UR pulley, Borla Exhaust) and did rip a [email protected] (can't remember).

In terms of "losing" time having the car in for service, I don't see how routine maintenance would take more than two days. And I do have the added benefit of not PAYING for those services. The only major issue I have read on the 135i is a faulty fuel pump, and those incidents seem to be the exception rather than the norm.

To the mod who linked me to the 3-series issues, if you notice, the great majority of those issues are for the first-year 3-series. The issues seem to have been rectified in subsequent model years. Also Consumer Reports does not differentiate between the various 3-series models, so this could not possibly be a representative sample of what to expect in the 1-series.

Could you please explain why the 135 is a step down from the G37? For the record, I was seriously considering the G37 until I got in and test drove it. The interior materials were definitely a step up from my 04 model which was ridden with poor craftsmanship, painted plastic parts (the silver trim that outlines the climate control started coming off within a year), and a seat that just didn't feel "right". However, anyone who actually enjoys the G manual transmission hasn't ever driven another manual. Imprecise shifts, stiff clutch, and shifter vibration kill the experience. And please spare me the "oh its a 1-series" comments, because I'm not buying. I shall now don my flame suit and await the barrage of hate. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... /smile.gif" BORDER="0">