M34N

Hey Vic, Thanks mate, no big plans at the moment, I had some damage fixed on it recently after some tool reversed into me on the 23rd of December last year. Just happy to have it back at the moment. Thinking about getting a long-ram pod filter kit but not sure if it's worth the $500 + freight from the US, doesn't increase power enough and I already have another car that's modified so want to keep the daily stock standard - besides, who can complain about 235kW daily driver? Yes I still have the R34, it's sitting in the garage right now getting new pistons, head work etc. done. Don't go too much into what's done to it on public forums as there are too many prying eyes, if you get my drift It's always having work done to it, spends more time in the garage than on the road. I'm actually thinking about buying a rubbish 3rd car just to take to the shops, beach, etc. Either that, or sell the 34 - but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon

Nice photos guys. Just a couple photos I took the other day in Williamstown & Studley Park, Kew of the V36 with the new front grille...

Agree, the interior plastic parts on my V36 (namely the door handle and around the steering wheel) are starting to chip a little, and I don't have long nails or anything. Was told by the place I got it from that this is common in this car, and they already replaced these panels (was even shown the old pictures), so I'd probably look at getting parts from Infiniti or someone from the G35Driver forum in the US. Apparently it's common there on the earlier models too, and like you said the 2008+ models fixed the problem and are the same sizes, just different coatings on them. Also on what you said with the 7sp vs. 5sp auto, the 7sp is designed more for long-distance cruising and fuel efficiency, where as the 5sp is more for performance and sporty driving. I'd personally get a 7sp if it was my choice to be honest, but couldn't find any 370GT sedans without having to import it myself, so it wasn't worth the hassle for me in the end. I think this car is more designed for longer drives and daily driving, so it suits a 7sp auto more, but there's hardly anything wrong with the 5sp auto, it's extremely good actually.

No LSD in the V36's, but I think in the US Infiniti sell them with that option? Not 100% sure there, maybe it's only available on the M37/M56 models there and not the G35/G37's. Either way it's an aftermarket thing you'd have to look at if it was that important to you. Other thing you may wish to think about; waiting for Infiniti to be officially released in Oz in 2012? Can you wait?

Spotted an M35 (I think) Stagea at Bunnings Narre around 1:00 today, in black with SAU stickers. Looks bloody hot, no Stagea badging on it though. Was in my brothers car so you wouldn't have noticed me. Also the same white V35 coupe parked in Berwick where the IGA is around 8:00 tonight, see you regularly near my shop there, would like to know who owns it, it's a great looking example.

OK I'll bite... got a 2007 V36 350GT sedan type SP. what's it like to drive? Handles extremely well, a bit twitchy around bends at anything above 150km/h, but otherwise it's exceptional for a sedan. The car sticks to the road like an equivalent 3-series, IS and C-class, if not better IMO (tested all models). Steering is not too heavy or light, weighted well, very good turning circle and things like the side and rear view cameras really help a lot with general parking. It's a very good daily driver, VERY comfortable seats (drove from Sydney to Melbourne non-stop and it was better than the Maxima, that's for sure). what options to look out for? Get a type SP - they include 13" rotors on the fronts, pull up the car unbelievably well. Also this model includes the paddle shifters behind the wheel standard. Also, definitely get one with the rear and side cameras, very useful. I'd be trying to get one with adaptive cruise control technology (sadly mine doesn't have it, read up about it if you don't know what it is), make sure it has Bluetooth (which is excellent quality, compared to my mates Bluetooth in his 2008 VE SV6 Commo which is rubbish quality), try to get one with electric heated seats or a sunroof, the latter is very rare. Also I'm not sure if they all come with keyless proximity sensors (mine did), very cool, and memory seats. Also try to find one with the optional Bose sound system, includes sub in the front dash and amps in the rear parcel shelf. what's the tiptronic / paddles like? responsive? does it have the revmatch on downshifting? Awesome, it's good because you only have to downshift using the paddle shifters and it automatically gears down without having to shift it across to Dynamic Sport (DS) mode, so it's good for a quick gear change. Reverts back to normal auto mode after a while too, so if you need to overtake or take off quick you just have to downshift using the left paddle shifter and take off. As to responsiveness, it's very good and smooth gear changes, a bit rougher in DS mode but that's because it likes to hold the gear changes out longer and it feels rougher. As to the revmatching, yes it does (exactly the same as the 370Z), it's a VERY good feature, you'd be surprised how useful it is. how big is the boot? It fits two average sized luggage bags in the boot OK, compared to my old MY06 Maxima, which fit 3 similar sized bags, so it's a bit smaller. are the seats able to fold forward? The rear seats? No, there is only the middle section of the rear seat which folds down, and that then can open up a small cubby-hold to the boot so you can get access to the boot and fit long, thin things through. I think they call it a ski-hole? Other things I'd mention; - Interior: it's amazing, everything feels nice, looks great and the buttons feel like good quality. Compare it to anything locally made and you'll see what I mean, very comparable to a C-class Merc, which is a touch better inside I'd say, but they are the class leaders in that segment I'd say. - Space; very roomy inside, more roomy than competitors - Suspension; very good and works well on our roads, driving over potholes etc and it's very smooth, good balance between comfort and handling. Maybe more biased towards sporty-ness but that's expected from a sports sedan IMO. - Fuel economy; got 8.5L/100k between Sydney-Melbourne. Getting around 10.5-11L/100k driving mostly in the city with a little freeway, pretty good. - Bang for buck; compare it to a 335i BMW or IS350 Lexus or C350 Merc, and tell me what wins? Anything else not covered guys? Feel free to ask, happy to share anything else with you guys.

Well according to this article from The Age, there seems to be no point running it on E85, as it costs more to run overall compared to Premium 98RON, so what is the point of it? And like the others have said, I wouldn't go anywhere near your V35 with E85 petrol. Just look at this chart, why would you risk it anyway? And this is from a car that is designed to run on E85 fuel from factory, seems kind of pointless to me. Stick to higher-grade fuel and have peace-of-mind.

Just spotted a black V36 370GT coupe turning onto Sth Gippy Fwy in Hallam about 10 mins ago, plates GTS.370. Tried to pull up and say hi but you changed to the other right turning lane before I could say anything! First V36 i've seen in Victoria, couldnt believe it at first haha

Geez is she alright? What happened exactly - got t-boned?

Seen a few times a pearl white V35 coupe with Infiniti G35x badging (last time was yesterday) parked near the back of my shop on Adams Lane (off High Street) in Berwick. Also driving down Princes Hwy a few weeks ago City-bound. Love the rear spoiler and clear indicators/reflectors on the front, looks great. Also XQZEME, silver V35 coupe around Hallam-Belgrave Road a few times, last was a few weeks ago, was at night. Seen this one a few times, very nice as well. Been driving a black 2008 Toyota Aurion lately so wouldn't of been noticed. V36 is in the shop being fixed thanks to someone making love to my rear quarter-panel and alloy on the 23rd of December...

Yep I had doubts on whether the compliance shop did change the oil in my V36 as well, so I just changed it since I've done just under 5,000km in it myself in the last 4 months. Figured I'd rather be safe than sorry, got some Mobil 1 5W-30 and changed it myself, along with a new K&N HP-1008 oil filter, all up around $120. At least now I have peace-of-mind. Would you trust the compliance shop? Do you know them personally? My advice would be to just change it if you're unsure, or just get your mechanic to do it. I would say most compliance shops are genuine and would have done their job properly, but why take the risk? For the sake of $120, I'd rather just change it and not find out the hard way they didn't change it!

Yeah that's what the R34 was like to drive, it's very frustrating. I was actually thinking about this thread when I was being tailgated by some muppet in her Territory today, I just braked late and hard and she got the picture and overtook me. V36 330mm rotors FTW! I don't understand tailgating on a multi-laned road when you're doing the speed limit and keeping to the far left lane, what else do you want from my life? My car is going to decelerate MUCH faster than your heavier SUV with crap brakes, what's so hard to understand?

Hey Vic, Thanks. Yeah that's both cars in my avatar. The R34 is actually navy blue, the V36 is black. I was weighing up getting a brand new 2010 Maxima 350 Ti instead of the V36, but noticed pretty much for the same price (actually, slightly less) you get the V36 sedan, I didn't have to think hard to make that choice

Yep, I couldn't agree more. The V36 sedan is my daily; it's comfortable, quick, very few around and the cops don't look twice. The R34 is for weekend use only and is for sure more fun to drive, and it's quicker, but less comfortable and smaller, and I've been defected one time too many in it and won't make that mistake again. I would find it very, very hard to sell the R34 though (had it for over 5 years now), I used to own a '06 Maxima before as a daily and didn't enjoy driving it as much, the V36 is so much more fun as a daily (and comfortable too). Surprisingly good on fuel usage too, the Maxima was getting 11L/100km at 175kW, while the V36 gets 10.5L/100km at 232kW. Go figure. I say you do it and buy the R34, you won't regret it. You only live once

CR33M; was that you last night corner of Hammond & Cheltenham Rds around 11:30? Didn't get a good look at the plates, saw it the last second. Nice car though, I was going past the opposite direction in the V36, don't think you would of noticed me.

Same here Vic, rarely get stared at as most people think it's a Merc/BMW or something lol I have had quite a few comments and thumbs up etc. from other imports before though, they knew what it was straight away, but most people still no clue what it is until they see "SKYLINE" on the back. The good thing is you don't get the racer idiots in their Commonwhores lining up to race you, in fact I've only had the odd couple try to race in 3 months of owning it. Most people just give the occasional glance and that's it and some randoms have pulled up and talked to me before but that's it. The R34 is MUCH worse for attention, but that is hardly discreet though.