We all know how cursed the stock 4th and 5th gens were with UGLY wheelgaps, particularly in the front. Why is it that the 6th gens appear to be suffering the same fate? Can the engineers not LOOK at the car and see that 1. Wheel gaps look stupid, and 2. having the front end HIGHER than the rear looks even MORE stupid?

I was beside a G20 (or was it a G20t?) at a light a few days ago, and the wheel gap was not only lesser at both ends, but was also fairly even. And it was driven my a "mom"ish woman, so I doubt that it was lowered. Why the decent look for the G20 and not for us?

And the even bigger question, WHY still have fugly wheel gap on your "flagship" model, the 6th Gen Maxima? Do altimas suffer the same fate? (I have never really looked)

Patrick

 

who knows? my mom's 97 has a 4.5 inch wheelgap

 

I think mine is close on my 96. You could see if we had sigs enabled...

 

BMW's have a larger wheel gap in front then rear...

 

yeah they have like .5 inches gap in front, and .25 inch gap in rear

 

Suspension travel.

 

People are always stressin about wheel gap. I don't go "Ewww!" every time I walk out to my ride with the stock wheels/suspension/wheel gap.
Sure, it'd look a little better if it was decreased some.

Tell ya what I do "ewww!" at...97% of slammed rides.

 

Eh? You don't take your maxima off-roading like the rest of the raised-up folk?

There's quite a few reasons why it's set the way it is.

a) Designers didn't think about how big the wheel gap would be. They designed the wheel well, and the suspension setup, and plugged one into the other, and ta-da. Offroading here we come.

b) Suspension travel.

c) Someone smoking rock in nissan's maxima design crew likes the wheelgap.

Personally, I think it's a combination of all three.

 

I never even knew what wheel gap was before I started browsing web forums for cars. And before that, I didn't even care or notice. And today I still don't even care or notice, along with probably 99% of the population

 

exactly. people are like what are you talking about when i complain about my wheel gap. i like how the is300's look stock though.

 

you're probably right.

related story: I was out by my car with a friend and was talking about the tail end of my 4th gen, saying how I like the red/clears and altezzas are ugly, but that I wished there were some good looking skyline lights or something. he said "why would you change your tail lights? they look good like that."

I think just being surrounded by other Maxima owners and studying every little detail about your car makes you notice things that, like SteVTEC said, 99% of the population don't.

 

HEY!!! I miss having a 4x4 truck, so I bought a maxima! Honestly, I can't wait to lower the thing. I must say though, it never bothered me until I caught on to it reading posts like this. Now I notice it every time I look at my car.

 

could someone explain this "wheel gap" idea to me.. what exactly is that??

 

Ant

 

 

exactly, when there loaded down...they get that 'tucked' looked...

That car was designed to handle.

I cant believe some of you like that 4X4/boat look.

 

totally agree. most people buy maxima as a sedan and those people don't care about wheel gap (and orange corner, etc.) suspension travel is really important. big wheel well is important too for dirt and snow road.
Is it possible a small front wheel gap (for soft suspension) can get some trouble hitting a bump while cornering?

 

I am betting that the reason there is so much gap is that Nissan was trying to reduce weight!

 

 

How can you tell she is a mother or not? I have an idea of what you mean, but I'd like to see it in words. Please describe the qualities that make her look motherly. Wouldn't you like to see an attractive young mom driving a lowered car?

 

Yeah, what spiff56747 said- so they don't count!

 

Like a lot of guys said- you are correct about 99% of the population not caring. And as for you caring, I am pretty much the same way- about SOME things on my car. Had I not gotten clear corners for cheap, I would be fine w/ the oranges. And red/clear rears are not a priority. Even "redding-out" my ambers is not a huge priority (I own a 96, so no homebrew R/Cs for me). The thing I like about maximas is that for most of us on here, it is to each his own. Some guys love sawblades- some like different OEM rims (like the 17s w/ or w/o the visible bolt holes). Some people feel the need to rip out the factory stereo (Bose or not) and replace it, others add to the stock, otthers leave the sound 100% stock. Again, to each his own- and I LIKE that fact.

So if wheel gap is not an eyesore for you, consider yourself lucky. I don't know why I don't like it, but I don't. Is it worth $400+ to drop it and do struts right now? Nope. Not to me- even as much as I dislike the wheelgap. I suppose for me that it is not so much the gap itself (though I DO dislike it) as it is the rake of the vehicle and the unevenness of the gap. While I understand (and appreciate) the need for suspension travel, I wish that the fenders had been designed a little smaller to make the vehicle APPEAR lower, even though it would be at the same height. Even if they just closed up the fron and had left the rear alone, it would look better- In my opinion.

My $0.02...

 

 

My phantom sig:


Ya know, people used to jack up the back ends of their cars.
I think it looks pretty good, don't you???

 

That G20's suspension is probably shot.

And the reason for the wheel gap is physics. More travel = better ride. Expecially in front, with all that weight from the engine.

 

no shlt. they looked slammed from the factory BMW=

 

I just think that they could make the wheelwell itself smaller, to at least change the appearance of the fender gap.

 

The thing is, it's not that the wheelwell is too big. A wheelwell can never be too big, that's only a good thing. They need to bring the fender in and make the whole arch smaller so it fits around the wheel. That's why I've been wanting overfenders for a long time (the ones that are painted and add-ons to bodykits, commonly seen on Supras), but nobody is even interested.
-Cyrus

 

I think that the Maxima susension is flawed, stock. It takes so much to get the car handling crisply with a good ride. I have SFCs stage 1 and 2, H&R/AGXs, FSTB and RSB, and I still desire more sometimes.

I say its flawed because if they designed it a bit better, they could have implemented suspension travel AND a lower center of gravity all in one package without compromise. IMO an equivalent year Toyota Camry or Honda Accord handles much better and feels better than a stock Maxima. Along with the Maxima's 4x4 look (4th Gens in particular) it really does feel a bit unbalanced. But I do admit a fully modded suspension on a Max feels really nice, esp. with SFCs. Those bars are probably the best investment I've made on the car.

 

Milfhunter.com all your hot mom questions answered. I think it is funny how everyone who knows about Milfhunter.com also knows about Bangbus.com

Wheel gap sucks. it shouldn't be that high stock. wha da hell.



Gange

 

Patience my friend, patience...

Who cares if nobody is interested, if you want fender flares, get them.

I'm taking a set made for the Lexus IS300 and modifying and molding them in. And as soon as I get some 19x10 wheels, the look will be complete

 

its cause then the maxima can be considered a 4x4 sedan.

 

Ah HA, point taken on my incorrect labelling of the fender. I see what you meant. Yes, the fender should be smaller (more enclosed) to give an improved appearance to the rims and tires in the wheelwell at stock height.

 

Good idea, but it'll never happen. First time you hit a bump while turning, your tire will come up and crush that fender. You think people are mad about the wind deflectors cracking, imagine everyone coming in to get new fenders every week.

 

Damn! What color is your car again can't tell from all the reflection in the hood