Wha? They "temporarily" take over? Even in D? Paddle wasn't an option in my car (G37x) and in DS when using the shifter, once you use it, it does not revert to auto. But I think I read on the threads that one can install paddles even in an X. Is it true? And is it temporary even in D?

 

Yes, if you are in regular D the paddles will still upshift and downshift....after the revs settle down, it will revert back to regular D.

Interesting thing is that if you downshift and drive aggressively it keeps the car in manumatic longer than if you just downshift and drive normal.

I dont think anyone has been 100% positive that *all* cars can just have the paddles added, but I havent read of anyone that couldnt add them either.

 

Agreed. The G is definitely the better value, the M is the "nicer" car. Another interesting point: I came from a 2001 i30 which *looks* bigger than the G, but the G had almost the same interior capacity (rear legroom was a little smaller). The M, I believe, is a bigger car than the i30. So, they never really made a direct replacement for the i, but the G comes close. The M also got some features that my old i had, and the G does not (power rear sunshade, etc)

I havent checked pricing on the M, but the only way Id consider one is if I could get an astounding deal on it....talking 45K or less for a loaded one (5K more than I paid for my G). Not even sure where that falls into place vs MSRP, but I might find out someday.....want to replace the wifes car in 3 yrs or so, might pick up an M at that point if they are still around.

 

The paddles in the "Sport" package are the coolest. In fact, that package has to be one of the most under-valued in history, considering all the cool upgrades. But being able to use the paddles to drop a gear or two, while still in normal "D" is awesome. While I still dislike the majority of the way the 7AT drives, those paddles go a loooong way towards making up for that.

 

For non-sport models, there is a thread in this forum on how to install sport paddles. They are plug and play in *most* late model G's. You probably do not have to even remove the steering wheel... Takes about an hour and about $250. (Infiniti of Riverside was selling them for about that price.) A no-brainer big bang for the bucks IMHO.

 

You don't, I just did mine. I taped everything with masking tape and I managed to put it in without scratching anything (or at least anything that I can see).

 

I also have an 09 G37xS that I bought in Dec.09 and I guess I'm just lucky that there have been no problems. The 7 spd. trans has been great for me as far as how it shifts and responds to the amount of gas I feed it. It seems there are quite a few people with few if any problems with their trans but you don't here much from them, just the folks with problems. I can understand how mad you can get after spending 40+K for a car and having tranny problems that the factory can't seem to fix.

 

Paddles are not a must. I supposed people forgot that you can use the shifter to shift up and down gears.

 

I think their point is that to use the shifter to manuall change gear you need to put it into DS mode which will hold whatever gear you put it into. With the paddles you can leave the shifter in D and change gears and after a few seconds it reverts to fully automatic mode.

 

Even with after-market paddles? Anyone know?

 

AFAIK there are no "aftermarket" paddles. You order the paddle kit from an Infiniti parts dealer, using the Infiniti part number, so they are a genuine Infiniti (NOT aftermarket) part.

And I believe the paddle shifting in D is inherent to the programming of the manumatic mode, so it shouldnt matter if your car came with them or if you add them later, as long as the paddles function (i.e. the wiring is there), they should work exactly the same as a car that had them from the factory.

 

That's exactly why I added the paddles to my G. When I know I'm gonna need a boost of just give it a left-click and the power is there... well, two clicks if I'm going 45 in 7th, as one click from 7th puts you in 5th which is pretty slow at 45 MPH...

 

My 2011 G37X is 3000 miles old...I sometimes see the downshifting problems when I take the leg off the throttle to slow down from abt 35 mph....it limps to stop...Also, when accelerating from a full stop, the throttle response is pathetic....Even on a 2500 to 3000 rpm, it takes ages to get to 40 mph....Does the TSB fix these issues?

 

I have a Posted and Registered formal complaint with Infiniti of NA. Did that 2 months ago. Results: met still another time with the Service Manager of Pepe Infiniti, White Plains, NY. He is very diplomatic, very gracious and informative. They checked the car for proper operation, the diagostics came out fine: "It's working as it is designed to do"...The Manager took it for a test drive and gave it his personal attention. Pertaining to comment No. 5 from devil2k, Infiniti has responded to my complaints, and is continuing to follow up with me and the service manager, but I'm NOT expecting anything to miraculously change.

The Service Manager told me point blank, that is the way it is...Many have complained about it, BUT many customers have said nothing. For those of us that have driven the 07 G35X, like me, the 7AT has changed, in fact, it has Ruined this Car !!

 

'09 G37x with TSB applied. This was my wife's car that I'm now driving daily. The TSB fixed the harsh downshift, which I found unacceptable from Day 1. This from someone used to true manuals who likes to do a lot of downshifting. I still get the occasional 3-4 flare. Not sure if the TSB "neutered" the car, but overall the transmission still doesn't feel quite right to me.

+1. This is probably my single biggest complaint with this transmission. DS mode helps only slightly IMO. Manual mode I find is much better, power delivery is much more predictable.

Not sure about the paddle-shifter cars, but for my non-sport X, even in manual mode it kicks me down a gear (or several) if I slow down too much without downshifting. Normally not a big deal but try slowing down in 2nd gear...the auto downshift to 1st, in my car at least, can be quite harsh. I've driven several other "sport-shift" cars that did not do this.

Absolutely love this car though!