If you're tired of looking at that massive wheel gap, grabbing some 08 g35 coilovers is probably the first thing you should do to your car. Let's be honest, the 2008 Infiniti G35 sedan is a great-looking machine, but it definitely sits a bit high from the factory. Beyond just the aesthetics, after fifteen-plus years on the road, those stock struts and springs are likely feeling a bit tired. Swapping them out for a fresh set of coilovers doesn't just make the car look meaner; it completely changes the way the V36 chassis handles the corners.
Why You Should Ditch the Stock Suspension
The stock suspension on the 2008 G35 was designed for a specific person: someone who wanted a sporty-ish luxury car that didn't rattle their teeth out on the way to the office. It does that job well, but if you're reading this, you probably want a bit more. When you install 08 g35 coilovers, you're taking control of your car's stance and its center of gravity.
Most people start looking into this because their OEM shocks are starting to leak or they've noticed the car feels "floaty" at high speeds. That floaty feeling is usually a sign that your dampers aren't doing their job anymore. Instead of spending a fortune at the dealership for boring factory replacements, you can get a full set of adjustable coilovers for a similar price—or sometimes even less. It's a win-win situation where you get better performance and a better look for the same money.
Understanding the Basics of Coilovers
Before you hit "buy" on the first set you see, it's worth knowing what you're actually getting. A coilover is essentially a shock absorber with a coil spring wrapped around it. The beauty of this design is that it's all one unit. Most 08 g35 coilovers allow you to adjust the ride height by spinning the bottom mount or the spring perch.
You also need to think about damping. This is what controls how fast the shock compresses and rebounds. Cheaper sets might only have fixed damping, meaning you're stuck with whatever the factory decided. Better sets offer 24 or 30 levels of adjustment. If you're driving your G35 to work every day, you can keep them on a soft setting. If you're heading to a local track day or a spirited canyon run, you can stiffen them up in about five minutes with a simple knob click.
True Rear vs. OEM Style Setups
One thing that confuses a lot of G35 owners is the "true rear" vs. "divorced" setup. In the stock 2008 G35 rear suspension, the spring and the shock sit in two different spots. This is called a divorced or OEM-style setup. Many 08 g35 coilovers stick to this design because it works well and doesn't require extra modifications.
However, you'll also see "true rear" coilovers. This is where the spring is moved onto the shock body, just like the front. This can make adjusting height a bit easier and can change the suspension geometry slightly for the better in certain racing scenarios. But a word of warning: if you go with a true rear setup, you usually need to replace your rear spring buckets with aftermarket toe arms. For most daily drivers, the OEM-style divorced setup is way more straightforward and keeps things simple.
Finding the Right Balance for Daily Driving
We've all seen that one car that bounces down the highway like it's on pogo sticks. That usually happens because someone bought the cheapest possible coilovers and slammed them as low as they could go. You don't want that. When picking out 08 g35 coilovers, look for something with a decent spring rate.
For a V36 sedan, something in the neighborhood of 10k or 12k for the front and 8k or 10k for the rear is usually a sweet spot for a car that sees the street. It'll be firm enough to feel sporty and planted, but it won't make you regret your life choices every time you hit a pothole. If you go too stiff, the car will feel jittery; too soft, and you'll find yourself bottoming out on every driveway.
What Brands Should You Consider?
There are a ton of options out there, and it can be overwhelming. On the more budget-friendly side, brands like BC Racing are incredibly popular in the G35 community. They offer a great balance of features and reliability without breaking the bank. If you want to spend a bit more for higher-end valving, companies like Fortune Auto or Silvers are fantastic choices because they're often hand-assembled and can be rebuilt later down the line.
On the other hand, if you just want a mild drop and better-than-OEM quality, Tein offers some great entry-level kits that are surprisingly comfortable. Just stay away from the "no-name" brands you find on random auction sites for $200. Suspension is a safety component; you really don't want a shock snapping while you're doing 70 mph on the freeway.
The Installation Process
Installing 08 g35 coilovers is a job you can definitely do in your driveway if you have some basic tools and a bit of patience. You'll need a good jack, some jack stands (never work under a car just on a jack!), and a socket set. The front is pretty straightforward—just a few bolts at the top hat and one big bolt at the bottom.
The rear can be a little more fiddly because you have to deal with the spring bucket and the shock separately if you're staying with the OEM-style setup. One thing I always tell people: watch out for rust. If your G35 has lived its life in the salt belt, those bottom bolts can be a nightmare. Spray everything with a good penetrating oil a day or two before you plan to do the work. It'll save you a lot of swearing and potentially a broken bolt.
Don't Forget the Alignment
This is the part everyone forgets. Once you install your 08 g35 coilovers and set the height where you want it, you must get a professional alignment. When you lower a G35, the camber and toe settings change significantly. If you just drive off without an alignment, you'll likely burn through a set of expensive tires in just a few months.
Because the G35 doesn't have much camber adjustment from the factory, you might also want to look into getting aftermarket front upper control arms and rear camber arms. This allows the alignment shop to get your wheels back to factory specs (or whatever custom spec you want) so your tires wear evenly. It adds a bit to the cost, but it pays for itself by not forcing you to buy new tires every season.
Living with a Lowered G35
Once your 08 g35 coilovers are installed and dialed in, the driving experience is night and day. The car feels more connected to the road. You'll notice that when you turn the steering wheel, the car reacts instantly instead of leaning over first. It makes the G35 feel much lighter and more nimble than it actually is.
Of course, there are some trade-offs. You'll have to be a bit more careful with steep driveways and speed bumps. You might have to learn the "angle" approach to avoid scraping your front bumper. But for most of us, that's a small price to pay for a car that looks that good and handles like it's on rails.
Wrapping Things Up
Upgrading to 08 g35 coilovers is one of those modifications that offers the biggest "bang for your buck." Whether you're building a show car, a track beast, or just a clean daily driver, getting the suspension right is the foundation of the whole build. Take your time, do your research on spring rates and brands, and don't cheap out on the alignment. Your G35 will thank you for it every time you hit an on-ramp or look back at it in a parking lot. It's an investment that you'll feel every single time you get behind the wheel, making an already great car even better.