92drexel

Hello fellow Maxima fans...

I have a 2000 SE with the standard 16" wheels and tires. I'm looking to upgrade to a 17" wheel and tire package. I have found a wheel that looks great on the SE...the 17" Moda R-6 (see www.tirerack.com) however I'm leary of having ride difficulties (i.e. vibrations, etc).

Can someone who has aftermarket wheels/tires send a post about their experiences and some of the things I need to consider? Thanks.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Whatever you do, make sure you get wheels that are at least 7.5" wide. 8" wide wheels are even better. For more info on why, check out the following thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=38093

Max2000

purphase a set of Momo arrow 17 x 8... with 235/45 tires..
the rides are defintely different... you can feel the road better... and it has a little vibration...(tiny bit) but overall it's great... the car looks great(can't wait until I have enough money to lower it though....) but look out for the pot holes...

irvine78

iTrader: (2)

the ride with the 17s will be a little bit tauter than with 16s. that's just because you're riding on thiner sidewall. it's going to be a little nosier than the stock because i don't think you'll be buying H rated tires for your 17s anywayz..otherwise, no complaints here...

RMcoolX

All I'll add is that with the 245/45/17 tires, the car looks more aggressive because of the wider stance.

irvine78

iTrader: (2)

that's true...except on 17x7.5s, you can either have some serious buldging tires(which isn't very cool) or you can't put them on at all....

killrwheels

From what I have been told, Nissan wheels are hubcentric. That means that unless you purchase hubcentric rings, most custom wheels could have a slight vibration. These cheap rings are usually plastic or alumium and are very effective is emulating the factory ride by holding hub to center of rim. Unfortunately most custom wheels have to be made to fit multiple cars versus a specific ride.

92drexel

Thanks for the replies everyone.

y2kse: yes the moda R-6 is indeed a 7.5" rim. Will the 235/45-17 tires cause any problems with wheel-well clearance? Also how does the ride quality of the 235/45-17 compare to the 225/50-17?

Thanks again.

FastCat

Good looking wheels... You may be OK clearance-wise, but your raising the overall size of the wheel/tire combo and may see some small changes in the handling.

The 255/50's recommended for these wheels will keep the stock geometry relationship, the 235/45's will have an additional .4in larger sidewall height. Ride will similar between the two sizes on these rims, the real difference in ride will come from your choice of tire.

Hope this helps...

Note:
255 = width in mm
50 = Aspect ratio (ex: sidewall height = 255 x .50)

psing23

I always thought taht the 50 = the height of the sidewall in mm

FastCat

Nope..Thats why some 40's have less sidewall than others..
Check out http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/size.htm for the details

RcticMax

Thank you Mr. Wizard!

LoveSick

Why don't you get a set of 255 35 20? Set them up with White alloy wheels. Roll some fender lips, then lower it with H&R. This way, your car will look just like the ones in British Touring Car......


Not many cars like our maxima which can easily fit 255 35 20 without modification/

Max_Vader_2K

If I put 17 x 8 wheels on a 225-50-17 (Stock) I would get a better ride and better performance?

LoveSick

Your tire will lay out evenly, so you will benefit from having more grip and uses the tire evenly. You will even have a more even wear.

But since the tire lay out flatter, your tire will be a tiny bit thinner. Your might have a harsher ride, but since your tire is flatter and a little lower, you will have a better feel of the road.

Max_Vader_2K

Ok I feel better. Any body know of some good lookin' 17x8 wheels I can buy? I pefer painted.

2kseman

==
If you don't mind your ride on the tad bit of bumpy, the R/h c2s evo with Nitto Extreme 225 40ZR 18 is something you might consider. The trade off, much better handling, especially cornering, and you got the looks to back it up..
btw: it's 18x7.5

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

Are you sure?
I got some aftermarket rims for my Max and they came with the center hubs, but the shop I went to to get everything installed and balanced said they didn't need to use them...??? I still have the 4 rings, I do get slight vibration on high speeds but I have busted lower control arm bushings...
if the hubcentric rings are necessary, i need to get those things on.. damn shop.

AznWontonboy

ever consider konig tantrums..

92drexel

Thanks for the info, FastCat.

I have a tire-size calculator (I'll post it when I find it) that determines the speedometer accuracy when changing tire sizes. It shows that the 235/45-17 will give me 0.06% accuracy versus the 250/50-17 at 2.16%. Keep in mind that I'm going from a 16" (215/55-16) to a 17". I'm no expert by any means, however I'm guessing that the 235's are a bit shorter than the 250's.

Its weird because tirerack recommends the 250's when the 235's fit better and offers more tire choices. Speaking of tires, I'm considering the Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's which have great reviews...but are a little on the pricey side. I'll pay for quality, however if you can recommend something, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

92drexel

Azn:

The tantrums are sweet! However I'm sold on the R-6's. They just immediately jumped out at me. I like the high polish silver (would look nice since my max is black) and the 5 spoke design (EZ to clean). My problem is that I can't find too many other websites that sell R-6's. Tirerack wants $214 per for these babies, but I want to shop a little.

Thanks to everyone who's been posting! Keep them coming 'cause I'm a newbie regarding mods. If you guys can recommend tires that'll help me too. I'm keeping my 16's for these Northeast winters. I want a 17" that'll give me decent performance and good wear (I drive 100 miles/day to and from work).

Thanks again!

Maximam

Hubcentric is the only way to go. I would not even mount the wheels without hubcentric wheels or a hubcentric ring for your application.

Nobody should experience any vibration with wheels period, if so there is a problem.

Mark

psing23

yea i love the R6 too... I really like the SSR (the 5 spoke ones taht look like the R6) but they too much damn $$$

SCCA Solo2

Chrome is satan. Get any rim...just make sure it isn't chrome! Chrome = evil. chrome = too heavy. Chrome = ghetto.

Silver, white, red, black, etc. just not chrome!

chrome rims

punkdork

AMEN

Paul6speed

It depends on the wheel. I've seen classy chrome rims.

For example, here's a Mille Miglia Evo.

punkdork

Those are decent.. for show cars its cool and all... but for fast cars I am more down for the tough and less flashy looks.

92drexel

Whoa...those SSR's are expensive! They must be super-light (magnesium alloy's I guess). The R6's are somewhat reasonable...I just wish I could find someone else who sells them.

killrwheels

This line is specific to Tirerack. You need to find the manufacturer of wheel and then you can track down their version. Concept Neeper, Niche, Prime, Elite are all made by same wheel manufacturer. Hope that helps !!!

92drexel

Yes...thankyou!

Max_Vader_2K

Is 20lbs. good for a 17 x 8 wheel?

92drexel

Just ordered my R-6's...should be in on tues! I'll be stylin' now!

psing23

ooo u gotta take pics... those are the ones i want... what size did u get? what kind of tires? how much all together

92drexel

Thanks...I can't wait! They are shipping via UPS and I keep checking their tracking site every 30 mins!!! They are at my local UPS distribution center...I'm ready to borrow or rent a P/U truck and get them today!

I got the 17" moda R-6's with the Kumho ECSTA 712's (235/45/R17). The wider 235's should work well since the rim is 7.5" wide versus the 7" Nissan rim. The total package, including mounting, balancing, hardware (lug nuts) and shipping came to $1299, which ain't too bad. I also bought a torque wrench, air gauge, and a complete set of sockets for that added about $45 to my total...which still ain't bad. Look at www.tirerack.com for pricing, etc.

I think the 18's or 19's would look better, but because of my supercommute (100 miles/day) I wanted to keep the ride somewhat smooth. I would have definately bought the 18's if I was still working at my previous job (which was only a 15 min drive for me).

If you get a high performance tire (like to reasonably priced Kumho's, then keep your original rims (with all-season tires) and swap them out in the winter...cause you'll be spinnin' when it snows with the Kumho's.

Let me know if you have any ???

killrwheels

Did you purchase hubcentric rings?? The Nissan may have a slight out of balance issue without them....most local rin shops have them if needed also.

92drexel

Yes, I believe that hub rings are included in the hardware package. I'll know for sure when I receive them. Thanks.

92drexel

killr:

I copied this from the tirerack's website:

"The centerbore of a wheel is the size of the machined hole on the back of the wheel that centers the wheel properly on the hub of the car. This hole is machined to exactly match the hub so the wheels are precisely positioned, minimizing the chance of a vibration. With a hubcentric wheel, the lug hardware will not be supporting the weight of the vehicle, all they really do is press the wheel against the hub of the car. Some wheels use high quality, forged centering rings that lock into place in the back of the wheel. This is acceptable alternative."

I'm assuming that either the R-6 is specifically machined for the max, or rings are included with the hardware. I'm guessing its the former because I noticed that the availability for the R-6 via tirerack differs from car to car. That is a 17 x 7.5 R-6 might be in-stock for a 2000 maxima, but not in-stock for a 2000 BMW 328. You would think that if rings were used, then the R-6 would be in-stock for all cars (not just certain ones).

I'll post a message when I receive them and let you know the dealio.

Thanks.

ispeed

Actually it would most likely be because of the lug pattern. The bmw would be a 5 x 120 while the max is a 5 x 114

I don't think that aftermarket wheel companies would make a wheel specific for a vehicle because each one's different. It would be the high dollar wheels that are gonna be made specifically for a certain car, or maybe if they also make the factory wheels for that car.

killrwheels

Ispeed is correct in that lug spacing would be a more typical reason behind some rims being in stock versus on order. Most rims are cut to work w/ a series of cars and this is why the rings are necessary in some cases. The Nissan rim is hubcentric...that much I know is true. Luckily I went with MOMO's and they came with the forged rings that lock into rim. The R-6 by Moda is sweet....good luck. Did you ever find out who manufacturers them for Tirerack??

92drexel

I see. I'll have to let you know about the rims when I receive them. If tirerack had that little blurb on hubcentric rings, then I'm sure that the rims are either machined for the max or includes in the rings in the hardware packet.

I think that BBS makes the Modas. I called a couple of rim dealers near me and they came really close to tirerack's pricing (maybe plus or minus $20 for the complete package including rims, tires, hardware, mounting, and balancing. I went with tirerack solely because they mail the package to my house which keeps me from having to lug my 4 old rims back to my house (in my immaculately kept max with leather seats I might add - wasn't gonna happen). I'll just need to install them myself (which is no prob).

I like your momo's. I wanted 18's, but my supercommute nixes that. Maybe next time. I think the R-6's are sweet too. They just immediately jumped out at me. I definately let you the deal per the rings.

Thanks to you and everyone else who's posted to help me!