i have a 95 gle... and juss replaced my ugly *** stock 15's with the 2004 18' max rims with tires... now before i made this change my max felt real smooth with turning acceleration braking etc.... since the new rims n tires... my breaks feel weaker, car feels heavier (when i accelerate it feels slow) , and turning the wheel isnt as swift and smoth as before... my max feels stiff, what can be wrong, and what adjustments can i make from here on to get my car driving like before? keep in mind my break pads are about a month old (practically new) and i have new roters all around.. i dunno wassup but its annoying someone help... thanks

 

welcome to the world of big rims. everything you described is normal for a bigger rim. your losing acceleration due to the extra weight and size. the car needs a little more time for turning because you have more tire surface on the ground and your tires are important. if you have a cheaper brand you may not get a quality or smooth ride. tires are not cheap for that size rim so be careful on what brand you pick. and the stiff ride is from the suspension being tweaked from the bigger rim also.

 

Yeah its because of your +3 rim and tire combo. The weight is farther from the hub so it will take more power and energy to stop and go. Also the side wall is smaller so there is less rubber to absorb bumps and what not. Big rims means a more sporty ride. There is no springs that will help the ride, gle is the softest out there, but maybe some tokico illumina struts would help with the harsh ride but its just a guess. But there is mothing wrong with them, its just the ride youre gunna have with 18's.

 

You very well could be right, but you also gain alot better handling. That is with a set of good/wider low profile tires. I have a 95 with Michelin 215/55 R16 & a 98 with Kumho 225/40/R18. The Kumho tires on 18's don't ride as comfortable, but I don't notice the other performance problems stated here, and the handling and cornering are much better.

 

Of course the 18s don't ride as comfortable. Compare the sidewall to the 16s you have.

 

this is a really wak dilema im having .. lol... well theres got to be a set of break pads and or roters that should improve my breaking at least... i guess thats what bothers me most.. im thinking some type or stronger break pad and or bigger... any suggestions? by the way thanks for the feedback people .. it does make alot of sense.. but it suxs... i guess this is the price i pay for making my whip look nicer on the outside... keep the posts flowing .... there must be something i can do here... thanks peace

 

there are a bunch of aftermarket pads available. I myself would go with better pads first, but if you have $500 or so get the Blehmco (is that how ya spell it?) BBK. IIRC its 300zx 4 piston calipers, brake lines, brakets, your choice of rotors, maybe 300zx pads too. Nice set up and not too expencive.