When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm about to make an offer on a beautiful 06 base TL 6mt. 1 owner with 80k miles. Price is right. I keep readying about tranny issues with 04-06 tls. Is it notorious? Should I be concerned? What do you think?
Thanks guys!
I keep readying about tranny issues with 04-06 tls. Is it notorious? Should I be concerned?
The "tranny issues" are generally with the 5AT, and actually aren't very common overall.
There was a minor issue with some of the 6M TLs-- a clunky 3d gear shift, which was cured by substituting in GM Syncromesh fluid. You'll see a number of threads on a search.
Test drive and inspect the TL like you would any other manual-shift car.
FWIW, I've heard the 6M TL has pretty quick clutch engagement, so it may be less forgiving and easier to stall than most other manual cars.
FWIW, I've heard the 6M TL has pretty quick clutch engagement, so it may be less forgiving and easier to stall than most other manual cars.
Not true, esp with the check delay valve. Engages slow in my experience with the valve, and normal like any other car with a self adj clutch once the valve is removed (much better IMO).
On the MT with the Brembo front calipers there are quite a few cases where the bolts holding the calipers will be a problem to remove and damage the calipers if/when the time comes to take them off the car for brake work. So if the pads and disks look like there's plenty of life left it's probably not a large concern for you now. If they look like they will need work soon then either get the current owner to have the work done or save some reserve $ for the future. It's not for sure that you will have the problem but if you do then you will either need to have thread inserts put into the caliper(s) or buy new ones. All that depends on how many actually strip and who's doing the work. Not a deal breaker but just know... Enter this into google without the double quotes "site:acurazine.com stripped caliper brembo"
Otherwise as some others said. Notchy 3rd, completely eliminated for me by using the GM fluid (very specific one, search the board for P/N). Agree with FamilyGuy about the clutch. Many do say it's a tough clutch to master compared to other cars they've owned. I tend to agree and blame the delay valve. I have not removed my delay valve as I [gasp] tend to drive it like a "grandpa".
Please post back and let us know the end of the story (buy or not)
Got it! Thanks for the input! Love this car. Drives like a dream and no problems with 3rd gear at all. Very excited about getting into this car and learning it.
That's nice...very nice actually. Every time I see a car like this, it makes me realize what an excellent car I already have (although mine is a 5AT).
What I would recommend is to make the car 'perfect' would be to either get the wheel recovered or use a new leather cover like a Wheelskin (Leather Steering Wheel Covers Manufacturer and Distributor), go to Redline Goods.com and get a new padded armrest cover, and maybe have the driver's seat refreshed by a leather upholstery place (make the driver's seat like new).
Then plan on driving it for a very long time. Nice pickup.
Good advice on getting the driver seat restored. I ended up paying 11000 for it. I'm happy with it. Paint is almost perfect. Must have been garaged. Passenger seat isn't heating right so I'm going to look into that. Can't expect everything to be perfect on an 8 year old car. The ride is excellent. Hands free link works, need to get some General information like how to reprogram the seats, and set up a couple of things.
This forum is a great resource
If you get the driver's seat restored, the upholstery shop may be able to fix the heater on the pass. side as well- it'll likely be much less than taking it to the dealership.
Passenger seat isn't heating right so I'm going to look into that.
...need to get some General information like how to reprogram the seats, and set up a couple of things.
Only the passenger seat bottom heats up-- there is no heating in the seat back, unlike the driver's side.
Any plans to mod it? If you hang around here long enough, you're bound to pick up the mod bug. I know I did.
Originally Posted by Robospinner
Got it! Thanks for the input! Love this car. Drives like a dream and no problems with 3rd gear at all. Very excited about getting into this car and learning it.
Congrats on the purchase it looks real nice. Just as a idea as some like it and some dont, but if you dont like the look of the dealer added on body side moulding strip, its just double sided taped on. Yanks right off in a few minutes. IMO the car looks 20 times better without it, but maybe you like it. Also, dont forget to peel off the dealer advertising on the back of the car. Enjoy! :-)
What I would recommend is to make the car 'perfect' would be to either get the wheel recovered or use a new leather cover like a Wheelskin (Leather Steering Wheel Covers Manufacturer and Distributor), go to Redline Goods.com and get a new padded armrest cover, and maybe have the driver's seat refreshed by a leather upholstery place (make the driver's seat like new).
A couple tips here. You really don't need to spend money on new steering wheel leather, or the armrest cover for that matter.
For the steering wheel, go to any good leather shop and pick up some leather dye.
First, rub alcohol on the steering wheel to remove any skin oils, etc.
Second, smooth out the rough spots with some medium grit sandpaper (go very lightly here...you're only looking at smoothing it out. It will remove a minimal amount of leather).
Third, clean with alcohol again.
Fourth, apply the dye with a small sponge in light coats (let dry between coats).
Fifth, while at the leather shop pick up some leather conditioner. I use Apple brand that I bought from the leather shop...can buy it on Amazon:
It's simple to do...don't get scared. But it is very messy. The only change I would make is the foam to use. I checked with a local upholsterer and picked up some 1/4" high density foam (it's almost like yoga mat material...very firm, but very thin).
When I first did mine I used the 3/4-1" foam from Joann's that everybody recommended, but hated how puffy it made the armrest. I did it again using the upholsterer's foam (which he gave me for free, btw) and it is PERFECT. Just like stock.
When you're done, use the leather cleaner and conditioner that you used on the steering wheel, and it will rehydrate the leather to fill in those unsightly nicks and dents from the previous owner.
On the topic of steering wheels, I have to toss Dallas Custom into the mix. They did a fantastic job on mine, and its one of my favorite mods to date. Pic just to show what they can do:
^^ what is that? a wrap on top of the factory leather? Looks good - looks a bit bulky, like the 4th gen wheels. I like the standard thickness of the Type S wheel, when my 07 base wheel got all chunked (I believe the base model wheels aren't made with real leather like the Type S wheels? anyone?) I found a used Type S wheel from a salvage yard and swapped out the stock base wheel. Felt so much better.
^^ what is that? a wrap on top of the factory leather? Looks good - looks a bit bulky, like the 4th gen wheels. I like the standard thickness of the Type S wheel, when my 07 base wheel got all chunked (I believe the base model wheels aren't made with real leather like the Type S wheels? anyone?) I found a used Type S wheel from a salvage yard and swapped out the stock base wheel. Felt so much better.
Race cars have thicker steering wheels.
the TL's both base and type-s come with dinky rinky steering wheels.
a custom wrapped one like the one above will be better than the stock rinky dinky one.
and yes, its wrapped with real leather.
check out Dallas custom steering wheels.
I guess I like 'em thin then... (that's what she said) But I swear the chunked up stocker I took off my base '07 is a different thickness and made out of a cheaper material, pleather or something, than my stock Type S wheel. Need to dig that old wheel out and do another comparison I guess.
The stock wheel just felt so thin, it was one of my biggest gripes from day one with the car. Now the wheel feels like it should have from the factory IMO.
^^ what is that? a wrap on top of the factory leather?
This is an option for OP as well-- a custom leather cover laced over the existing wheel.
I once installed a nice Wheelskins leather cover ("truck size") to fit perfectly over some car wheel that was already leather covered but on the thin side.
Originally Posted by wil5on0701
But I swear the chunked up stocker I took off my base '07 is a different thickness and made out of a cheaper material, pleather or something, than my stock Type S wheel.
My '05 steering wheel is thinner than the Type-S wheel, but covered in leather OEM.
I guess I like 'em thin then... (that's what she said) But I swear the chunked up stocker I took off my base '07 is a different thickness and made out of a cheaper material, pleather or something, than my stock Type S wheel. Need to dig that old wheel out and do another comparison I guess.
You never felt a thicker one. (that's what she said
i also have a steering wheel rewrapped from Dallas, and it's a night and day difference. the stock wheel is pretty sad when you have felt one that is thicker...all high end "sporty" cars have the thick steering wheels and even though our car is nowhere close to those, it still improves the day to day experience when driving
You guys are getting me intrigued. How much did you pay for your steering wheel to get rewrapped?
I don't think it would make sense for me to do business with them, but I could inquire for a similar service around here if I find one.
You guys are getting me intrigued. How much did you pay for your steering wheel to get rewrapped?
I don't think it would make sense for me to do business with them, but I could inquire for a similar service around here if I find one.
it's not cheap, came out to about 400 but a super quick turn-around and the quality is top notch. people always comment on my wheel.
you can find it cheaper at redline or like you said, somewhere local. definitely look into it though
it's not cheap, came out to about 400 but a super quick turn-around and the quality is top notch. people always comment on my wheel.
you can find it cheaper at redline or like you said, somewhere local. definitely look into it though
I didn't expect cheap for high quality work, but it gives me a good idea of maximum budget I'd need to allow to get something similar. My steering leather is pristine so it's not an issue per se, but if I get to see a car with a bigger steering wheel I'd definitely try to picture myself in the TL. Thanks!
While we're on topic, do any of you guys know of cars on the market with similarly padded steering wheels? I could always pop in a dealership and *cough* shop for cars *cough*
Might pop in Audi and check the A4 or A5 coupé then.
I don't recall the steering wheel last time they let us sit in the R8, I had stupid kid grin on my face.
There's also a guy named Chris Scow on the 300ZXclub.com site (which I go on frequently) and he has his own business doing leather steering wheel wraps with quick turnaround and he's well known for excellent work. His work is less expensive than Dallas:
Here's the site:
Might pop in Audi and check the A4 or A5 coupé then.
I don't recall the steering wheel last time they let us sit in the R8, I had stupid kid grin on my face.
i know the s-series have the thicker steering wheels. that's where i got inspiration to change mine up even though my steering wheel was in perfect condition
12-10-2014, 10:31 PM
