.45

Fellas, this is driving me nuts trying to figure out a simple spec & tire upgrade, need some help. Will be upgrading tires only on my 02’ GLE and I want to retain the stock 17” rims by choice. I’ve used the calculator, searched here and on other sites since yesterday and I may be overanalyzing but…I still have not found my specific answers(s). I have decided to go with Pilot Sport A/S’s due to where I drive (multi-climate), how I drive, etc. and these seem to be a good compromise of performance, handling, wear and aesthetics for a GLE (read many reviews, good and bad – mostly positive feedback on them from Maxima SE owners).

My top-level problem and question 1: Exactly which 17 x 7JJ’s do I have?” Do I have 17 x 7JJ with a 1.57” offset or 17 x JJ (option) with 1.75” offset?

Question 2: Where/how can I identify this on the wheel specifically? I looked but couldn’t find it stamped-on the rim.

I’m guessing 1.57” offset. I’m confused because the Owner’s Manual, page 9-9 lists both rims but the tire table and *notes don’t exactly synch with what’s on my GLE now. I purchased pre-owned from a dealer I respect but hey…who knows what they replace when it comes to tires. I have 215/55-17 93H’s (EL42s = crap-fest) now. The OM lists this as a “conventional tire” but…the OM notes state the 1.57” offset is stock with a 215/55-17 91H. On the other-hand, the OM lists the 1.75” offset and tire combo correctly (I’m assuming a typo or error in the OM regarding 93H vs 91H for the 215s). So…I went to the original window sticker I have listing all specs & options. Nothing printed to answer my question, only lists “17 inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels & Tires” under the EXTERIOR column and no wheels are listed as a Mfgr. option.

Question 3: Rim offset issue aside I’m going with 225’s, I’ve made that decision. 225/55-17’s calculate to +1.6% and 225/50-17’s calculate to -1.7%, both within reasonable tolerance. So…on a GLE with an automatic (thinking shift-points, computer feed, etc.) any suggestions on which 225’s would be better, the 50’s or the 55’s? I understand the slight trade-offs with handling, performance and ride-quality depending on the decision but any input from someone that has “done this” would be helpful.

Question 4: And finally…regardless of whether I go with 50’s or 55’s, do I have any concerns if I cannot ID exactly what the offset is on the stock GLE 17 x 7’s? Is the “unknown” .18” offset that significant?

asu174

iTrader: (11)

1. Your offset is 45mm or 1.75".
2. Your stock tire size is 225/50/17, not 215/55/17.
3. 225/50/17 (stock tire size)
4. It doesn't make a damn bit of difference, especially if you aren't lowered.

Triple8Sol

iTrader: (29)

No, his stock tire size is 215/55/17. It is different on a GLE. SE's are 225/50/17.

.45

Yup...and my primary question is still; "how do I determine exactly what offset I have?"

asu174

iTrader: (11)

Oh, my bad- didn't know that. I looked it up in my manual. It is 1.57" (40mm), so they stick out 5mm further than the SE wheels.

gfcrane

I also have an 02 GLE which I purchased new from a dealer. The tires that came, presumably from the factory, are 215/55/17 Turanzas. Not the best tire in the world, but adequte, and bone stock.

.45

FWIW I thought would "toss this out" to:

1. Close this question out and maybe help any other 02' GLE owners that may be seeking this answer in the future on maxima.org.
2. Build the knowledge base (Search - I looked long and hard here and elsewhere and did not find the answer so...)

Called Nissan direct, their Engineering team confirmed 02' GLEs are OEM 17 x 7 JJ with a 1.57" or 40mm offset.