Advice on Wheel upgrades for 350Z (MY07) ?

[Liam Z121]

Hi All,
I've recently taken delivery of a new 350Z and am looking to upgrade the wheels/tyres - preferably to 19".

The dealer talked me out of going for the Nismo option, saying the handling would be adversely affected by a wider, lower profile tyre..

IS THIS TRUE?

I've seen plenty of Zed's sporting various 19" wheels in the Car Tuning press - ranging from 8.5" - 9.5" width (FR) and from 9.5"-10.5" width (Rear).
(ALL have 245/35, 275/35 tyres though)

ANYONE GOT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?
DOES THE LEVEL OF WHEEL OFFSET REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OPTIONS?

Help!!

[Stu R]

Stealers generally talk rubbish about this sort of thing.

There's loads of great options out there for aftermarket wheels for 350Z's, anything suitable by Rays would be a good start (Volks, Nismo etc).
The ride quality might be slightly affected as the smaller sidewalls used to compensate for the larger wheels in order to keep the rolling radius the same take a little bit of squish out of the equation, but it's nothing worth worrying about.

Persoanlly I'm a sucker for 350's with Volks on, particularly TE37's and CE28N's. Have a look on the rays website ..

http://rayswheels.co.jp/ hover your mouse over products then click the second one in from the left incase you don't read japanese, and you'll have some lovely wheels to look at.

[Liam Z121]

Thanks Stu R!

An incredibly quick reply, and good advice.
Will check out site soon..

[IanZ]

Dealer is an Idiot

Heres mine with 19" Volk CE28Ns, +22 offset, 9.5" fronts & 10.5" rears. IMO it handles a LOT better than it did on the standard 18s.



Nismos are a great choice & there are loads of Zeds in the UK with them

Edited by IanZ on Thursday 3rd January 22:58

[Evil.soup]

As far as i was aware, wider track and lower profile means more grip and less lateral movement in the tyre so more stability. It will only affect it if it raises the ride hight, but i dont think it does on the Z?

[Liam Z121]

Thanks for replies fellas..

IanZ mentions his Volks with a +22mm offset.
I'm a bit confused on this issue;

eg, If I went for a 9.5 / 10.5 F/R Wheel combo, is there a SPECIFIC Offset I need ?

..and would a 9" / 10" combo require a different Offset level ?

Replies so far mention Nismos and Volks a lot. Do these have to be imported or can they be found in the UK..

[anonymous-user]

Changes to offset and wheel width change where the centre of the tyre contact patch sits in relation to the rest of the suspension geometry. I don't pretend to understand the finer details of suspension kinematics, but I know a man that does... If you have any concerns over how the car will handle with a change of wheels, discuss the matter with Tony at Wheels-InMotion and get the car along to him after the fitting and you'll have a car that handles impeccably.

[IanZ]

Liam Z121 said:

Thanks for replies fellas..

IanZ mentions his Volks with a +22mm offset.
I'm a bit confused on this issue;

eg, If I went for a 9.5 / 10.5 F/R Wheel combo, is there a SPECIFIC Offset I need ?

..and would a 9" / 10" combo require a different Offset level ?

Replies so far mention Nismos and Volks a lot. Do these have to be imported or can they be found in the UK..

+22 offset is the perfect offset for the Z. Generally though anthing between +20 & +30 will work fine.

There are UK suppliers of Volks but unless they are in stock there is likely to be a bit of a wait. I waited for 5 Months for mine to arrive in the UK.

A 9"/10" combo will be fine aslong as the offset is between +20 & +30, Also check that the design of the wheel will clear the Brembos (Im pretty sure that most if not all the Rays/Volks will clear them)

[steelbru]

If you like the 19" Nismos that the dealer offer, but not their prices ( over £3k I think ! ), then you can get the exact same wheels ( 8.5" front, 9.5" rear ) for £1200, or with rubber ( Falken FK452 which are really good 245/35 and 275/35 ) for £1700 - absolute bargain. This is from East Shore Racing - ask for BigPhil - top, top bloke.

If interested email them on [e-mail], or phone on 0191 523 5555, mob [phone].

Lots of the guys on both the UK 350Z forums ( including myself ) use Phil and I've heard nothing but praise for his service. He's really good for advice and prices on brakes, suspension, etc as well

He's based at Sunderland if you want to go and get them fitted, or he'll deliver them to you.

[martinmac]

Yep Phil is very experienced and will steer you right.

[WeirdNeville]

Can I have your old wheels when you're done please!

I've always been a sucker for Work Emotion Cr Kai's. I'd have aset on my SX in a shot if I had the cash (in 17&quot

[R8FUN]

Use this link to compare Wheels, tyres & ETs

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

[Liam Z121]

[quote=steelbru]If you like the 19" Nismos that the dealer offer, but not their prices ( over £3k I think ! ), then you can get the exact same wheels ( 8.5" front, 9.5" rear ) for £1200, or with rubber ( Falken FK452 which are really good 245/35 and 275/35 ) for £1700 - absolute bargain. This is from East Shore Racing - ask for BigPhil - top, top bloke. < more >

Thanks STEELBRU !!
Top advice fella...
Have now been in contact with BigPhil @ ESR and have put down a deposit on a new set of LMGT4s..
Just the job for the new Z and can't wait for delivery...

[Simon.]

Great wheels (owned them on both cars now), what tyres did you go for tho? I have Toyo's on the car atm which I really like, had Dunlop SP9000's on the last car which I didn't rate too highly.

Also what colour car, come introduce yourself over on the Ownersclub (www.350zukownersclub.com).

[Liam Z121]

Hi Simon.
Will indeed introduce myself on the owners club forum! If it's half as helpful as the PH forum has been then it'll be well worthwhile..
Ended up with Falken F452's on the Nismos as Phil at ESR supplies them fitted and balanced. The advice I'd been given said they were excellent.
Getting them fitted on the Zed tomorrow.
She's an '07 model in Twighlight Grey. Had doubts about the colour as always had striking blues on previous cars, but the Night Blue option was a long delivery time.
Glad I went for the grey though as it's a perfect match for the Zed's silver detailing and large lights. The Nismo's (light matt silver) should enhance it further..
Will say hi on the Z forum!

[Simon.]

Hi Liam,

I have heard good things about the Falkens and Big Phil does know what he's talking about. I myself have the Temper Orange colour (new for 07 and already replaced).

I have been a member of the club for years, infact before I even got my first Z, really very helpful place and loads of opportunities to meet other owners.

[Liam Z121]

Hi Simon.
Thanks for the reply. Will attempt to sign up on the owner site this afternoon - if I don't have too many at the pub! TFI Friday...

I've yet to see a Temper Orange Z in the metal - it certainly looks wicked in the pics!

Would like to meet up with fellow Z drivers (even though I'm new to the marque)so will check out the meets/members in my area (Beckenham, SE London).

Happy driving and maybe catch up with u sometime...

[Simon.]

Liam Z121 said:

it certainly looks wicked in the pics!

I agree with you

[Liam Z121]

Wow... That looks something else!
(Love the plate too)

A work colleague has just asked me where he can get a replacement gearknob and handbrake for HIS Zed - without paying dealer prices! He's tried ebay, to no avail...

Any ideas?

[Simon.]

Why not ask Big Phil, if he can't get the originals then he can get the Nismo bits etc.