Flashback Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Hi there, I'm pretty new to all the wheels stuff but I'm looking to get some 19" wheels for my 350z and was after some advice. I have a 350Z 54 plate GT pack in blue, which I think has 18" Touring V1 wheels. Looking at the standard specs on the 350z wiki that means I've got these on it: Front Size: 18x8.0 Offset: +30mm Weight: 26.56lbs Tire: 225/45-18 Rear Size: 18x8.0 Offset: +30mm Weight: 26.56lbs Tire: 245/45-18 I am thinking of buying Schmidt Gotham 19" wheels, but before I do I had a few questions that I'm hoping someone can answer for me. Firstly they are available in 19" x 8.5" all round or 19 x 8.5" front with 19 x 9.5" rears. If I had wider rears what difference would this make to the car? Would it understeer more or be about neutral to how it is as standard? If I went with an all roud 8.5" set up would it just be the same as driving the standard 18" wheels pretty much? What tyres would be a good choice to go with the wheels, currently I'm running Bridgestone RE050A tyres, but RImstyle don't do these. So I was looking at the Yoko Advan Sport (V103) or the Michelin Supersports. What ones would be better? Do you think there would be better tyres out there for me? Generally I drive the car for work on the motorway, but I like to make the most of the car when I see some curvier tarmac to have a bit of fun on. Any help would be greatly received, I've read some of the wheel guides on offset, spacers, etc. but still not sure quite what sort of set up I should be getting. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Welcome aboard Steve. The 350Z was designed with a staggered tyre set up ~ meaning the rear tyres are wider than the fronts. The width of the alloy makes no difference to this and the only difference it does make is with the overall weight of the alloy and what tyre width you can fit on it. Personally I'd go with the 19x8.5" fronts and 19x9.5" rears just because I prefer to use a wider alloy on the rear. The alloys/tyres I currently run are 19x9.5" (245/35/19) front and 19x10.5" (275/35/19) rear both with ET20. Michelin Pilot Super Sports (MPSS) are regarded as the best tyre for the Zed by the majority so that's what I'd put on them if you can afford to. Mitz from the Cougar Store helped me when choosing my alloys which I purchased from him ~ worth asking him via PM (private message) what he thinks imo and even worth asking him if he can get those alloys for you possibly cheaper. Link: http://www.350z-uk.com/user/8724-cs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I agree with GM, but I would like to add that having a wider rear alloy is usually better for aesthetics, more dish or concave rear wheel looks good, plus wider rim on the rear is required to get the same stance as the front on the 350Z. (providing offsets are the same) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Firstly they are available in 19" x 8.5" all round or 19 x 8.5" front with 19 x 9.5" rears. According to their website they are not available in 9.5 for the rear, just 9.0, and there is no mention of offset. this is the most important thing when choosing wheels. PM Mitz @ Cougar store or one of the other traders as they may have similar wheels and will ensure you get something that actually fits !! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Also, when fitting larger wheels be aware that they will make your car slower (in a straight line and round corners) as well as give a much harsher ride, unless they are extremely light and therefore extremely expensive. If you do have your heart set on those wheels, don't forget you can source tyres elsewhere. As others have said, offset is key here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Also, when fitting larger wheels be aware that they will make your car slower (in a straight line and round corners) as well as give a much harsher ride, unless they are extremely light and therefore extremely expensive. If you do have your heart set on those wheels, don't forget you can source tyres elsewhere. As others have said, offset is key here. He has the standard OEM wheels ATM, anything not made from lead will be lighter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Welcome to The Land of Zed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RafsZed Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Your better off fitting a set of Rays on the car (I will have a set for sale soon) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashback Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hi all, Thanks very much for the initial advice, not sure I want to go slower though so what sort of % slower straight line and cornering are we talking about? Is this major or minimal? Also I know this may be a bit of a hard one to quantify but how much harsher a ride on wider tyres? On the offset piece if I keep an offset of +30 like the original setup would this just mean a similar feel to the car? The Michelin Pilots sound like a good idea as in my view tyres are the most important thing on the car as they are the only thing keeping you on the road, so money spent here must be good for you. Clearly I need to do some more reading and probably PM Mitz, but this is helping me get some better formed ideas in my head first off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hi all, Thanks very much for the initial advice, not sure I want to go slower though so what sort of % slower straight line and cornering are we talking about? Is this major or minimal? Also I know this may be a bit of a hard one to quantify but how much harsher a ride on wider tyres? On the offset piece if I keep an offset of +30 like the original setup would this just mean a similar feel to the car? The Michelin Pilots sound like a good idea as in my view tyres are the most important thing on the car as they are the only thing keeping you on the road, so money spent here must be good for you. Clearly I need to do some more reading and probably PM Mitz, but this is helping me get some better formed ideas in my head first off. It's unlikely you will notice a speed/acceleration difference at all imo. I went from 18" Rays forged alloys which are very light weight to 19" Rota alloys which are heavier and carrying more weight with larger tyres as well. Honestly cannot notice a difference in acceleration although there will obviously be some difference. Neither do I find the ride harsher. The offset is a difficult thing to advise you on as depending on the shape/style of alloy you want you may need to change this in order to clear your brake calipers or to prevent tyre rubbing. If I was you I'd definitely send a PM to Mitz at the Cougar Store as he is much more experienced on this sort of thing to advise you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashback Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks GM - Hi all, Thanks very much for the initial advice, not sure I want to go slower though so what sort of % slower straight line and cornering are we talking about? Is this major or minimal? Also I know this may be a bit of a hard one to quantify but how much harsher a ride on wider tyres? On the offset piece if I keep an offset of +30 like the original setup would this just mean a similar feel to the car? The Michelin Pilots sound like a good idea as in my view tyres are the most important thing on the car as they are the only thing keeping you on the road, so money spent here must be good for you. Clearly I need to do some more reading and probably PM Mitz, but this is helping me get some better formed ideas in my head first off. It's unlikely you will notice a speed/acceleration difference at all imo. I went from 18" Rays forged alloys which are very light weight to 19" Rota alloys which are heavier and carrying more weight with larger tyres as well. Honestly cannot notice a difference in acceleration although there will obviously be some difference. Neither do I find the ride harsher. The offset is a difficult thing to advise you on as depending on the shape/style of alloy you want you may need to change this in order to clear your brake calipers or to prevent tyre rubbing. If I was you I'd definitely send a PM to Mitz at the Cougar Store as he is much more experienced on this sort of thing to advise you. good to get a subjective view on it. I'll defintiely give Mitz a PM and see where I get to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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