Hey question with a lowered 5th gen, is it better to stick with 17 inch wheels or bump up to an 18 inch?

 

I'd go 18 personally. Not too big, but fills out the wheel wells very nice and a good set won't be too heavy either.

 

18's all day. 19's look really good too but tires are stupid expensive.

 

I have 19s...tires are a little more expensive but the shop I use sells them for ~$100 each, brand new.

 

it depends on your overall goal and the wheel.

do the enkei rpf1's in this vid look like 17's or 18's?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBXmeEAfPdI

if they're indeed 17's, i think 17's could look great.

 

I think those were 17's but I don't remember. RIP to that car and Bishnu.

 

the one on rpf1's wasn't Bishnu's too was it?

 

17s



18s




19s

 

18" unless you want race-light wheels, which if you're asking this question, I assume is not the case.

 

and i thought those were 18s on his car...

 

his car definitely had the 18 inch track editions

 

Woops nope I didn't watch the whole video lol Those wheels were originally his though.

First the RPF1's, then the SE-R's then the Track Edition's. My bad.

 

What is your goal? Are you considering comfort, look, performance, fuel economy? IMO, either 17 or 18 will look good with the right tire combination. If it's about look, I think the offset has MUCH MORE to do with look and stance than the size. Part of what makes the 350z 6-spoke 18's look so good is the offset....otherwise they are almost identicle to the stock 17" 6-spoke off the maxima. I think the 45 offset (iirc) on the stock rim (and fwd rims) tucks the wheels too much and makes the car look a bit bloated.

I'm dropped and comfort wise, my lightweight KMC Suicide (17") are much more comfortable to ride around on than my 350z 18's.....but the look is worth the slightly harsher ride, for me. That's why I run my 18's in the summer.

I'll use this image as an example. 350z rims on rear and stock on front. With the tires I have, both look good I think regarding the profile. The Z rims and tires just do a much better job filling in the wheel well and creating a much more aggressive stance.

 

ah okay. i'm planning on running 17 inch rpf1's. either 10/9 stagger or 9.5 all around. not sure yet.

 

18's ftw

 

18's all day, unless you have the dough for some 19's

 

I had 17s, then 18's and now 19's and then 19's suit the car better. Sure the price of tires is something to consider before you make the purchase.

 

I say 18s, but 17s for lightweight, I might get some Enkeis soon love the 14.6 lbs a rim vs my 20lbs a rim for my 18s....

 

This should give you some idea (needs to be resurrected anyway):

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...cs-thread.html

Plenty of other pictures in Members Rides too.

IMO, it all depends. 18s look better, but ride quality will be slightly worse and most 18" rims are heavy (or heavier). Many factors here. What are you looking to achieve? Looks? Performance (weight savings)? Both?