I scooped the car about a month ago (2011 6mt graphite). As bad *** as it is, I'm having reservations. Car drove like crap when I test drove it, I figured it was b/ tires had belts showing. Wrong. Close to $ 1k later wrapped in new Potenza Poles, I still have vibration. I also did KW coils, w/ spacers so after a ton of shop time$ trying to figure out where it was coming from I finally figured it out. My stock IPL wheels are bent to hell and back. So now what? Find new IPL wheels? For that price I could get some Vossen dubs, but I eat the tires I just bought. I'm screwed. To top it off, I have a nasty clunk that started yesterday in back right. KW clunk, really!? I bought these coils to avoid that! I have a weird winding noise when gas pedal is held down just enough to coast and second gear is impossible to shift into without jolting the car. I have driven stick my whole life and I never had a car a I couldn't drive smooth, but I have to go 1st to 3rd when I have a chick in the car b/ of the jolt. People tell me how awesome my car is and under my breath I'm cursing it. Apologies in advance for venting but I'm starting to hate this car. I still have my 350Z (trying to sell) and drive it every other day b/ I hate driving this thing so much.

 

wow, sorry to hear about the issues with your IPL.

As far as shifting, have you looked into the RJM pedal kit ?
I know, more $$ but it sounds like its a pretty good mod....plus its on sale now.
Sometimes I have the same jolting issue shifting 1-2; I just ordered it and cant wait to install it.

g/l

 

Nope, but I will for sure. Thanks...

 

Sorry to hear about your wheels. You could always get some after market wheels that would fit in the tires you just got..

 

I assume the problem is that the IPLs are 19"s which limits your options for aftermarket wheels. I suppose you could see if anyone wants to buy your nearly new tires or at minimum console yourself with the fact that tires for 20"s tend to be cheaper than for 19"s

On the 1-2 shift, you can also try different shift points. I've found that turning a few more revs in 1st will give you a much smoother shift when you go to 2nd (IIRC part of the issue comes from the way the flywheel holds engine rpm that results in a particularly pronounced difference in engine speed and driveline speed when you go 1-2 during normal driving). At the same time, I've heard nothing but good things about the RJM kit so if you've got the money it's definitely worth looking in to.

 

Sorry to hear. Sounds like the previous owner beat up the car pretty badly

I say keep and tires and go with 19s. There are tons of choices out there. I run 19s and I prefer them. Better ride quality, and fatter rubber for more grip

 

I agree, stick with the 19s. 20s on our cars just doesn't leave enough tire; IMO it's not worth sacrificing performance and comfort for ascetics alone.

Anyway, before you give up on your wheels, see if you can have them reconditioned. It may be possible for like 100 bucks a wheel or so.

 

Stick with aftermarket 19" wheels for all around performance and transfer over the tires (although they might be stretched if you go with wider wheels which you should do). Or if the bends aren't crazy, see if they can be fixed/straightened out although I'm not sure if the IPL wheel are cast or forged.

I too hated driving my 6MT G37 when I first bought it and couldn't believe I spent so much on something I didn't even enjoy. Pulling from a stop in first was a nightmare, second gear was jolty, but strangely 3rd-6th were fine. Enough was enough and I plopped nearly $2K (hooray...) replacing my master cylinder, slave cylinder, clutch, flywheel, and replaced the factory clutch pedal with the RJM clutch pedal. Long story short, I love driving my car now. The clutch still isn't buttery smooth and easy to maneuver like my friend's 2013 STI or my previous S2000, but it feels more normal and linear. I can start from stop on an uphill incline now without looking like an idiot... good stuff.

 

On the KWs check the cap that holds the shock tube in the mount body, if the top cap is slightly loose it will clunk, had it happen on my wifes car, simple fix.

 

Yeah, that would be my concern.

If it has bent wheels (note plural) what the hell else was done to it..?

 

Both front and rear right wheels are bent, the front is much worse. I assume the previous owner hit like a bad pothole and had time to adjust causing less damage to the rear. Aside from the wheels, car is immaculate. Can't find a scratch on it. Are these wheels known for bending easily? I had some pretty rough encounters with road hazards in the past but never bent a wheel. I'm optimistic about a this RJM kit as I'm almost embarrassed to have passengers in my car! Anyways, thanks for all the advice guys, I'm going to keep scanning forums classifieds and Craigslist for a deal on some wheels. Although if I do anything other than finding another set (or half set) of oem IPL wheels, I think I'm going to join the dark side and get dubs.

I have short 5 second vid on my iPhone of the wheel spinning and you can see the wobble, can I upload this? If so, how?

 

I had the same issue with my KW's. realized I didn't preload the suspension putting the Driver Rear on, preloaded/tightened the bolt...good as new

 

I have a dumb question, but why did buy a car that someone beat the crap out of?? Sounds like who ever was the first owner" was doing burn outs or drifting.

SMDH. Not trying to be an *** or anything just don't understand why you did not check the car out before buying it.

 

Valid question...

 

First, note that there was less than 5 6MT IPLs (used) available for sale in the country. Being that one was somewhat local, I was basically sold before I even really drove it. I test the car and it drove rough, but original bridgestones almost had belts showing, so I pegged that as the reason. Didn't realize it was bent rims until I got new rubber.

I'm close to pulling trigger on some 19" staggered Work Emotion CR ultimate wheels in matte bronze. What do you guys think of of bronze wheels on graphite IPL. Seems kinda wild. I think I like it. Thoughts?