New wheels...finally.
04-29-2009, 10:43 AM
#1
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New wheels...finally.
So, I finally got a set of the wheels I always wanted. They're 18" G35 Coupe wheels in chrome and matched with a set of 245/40/18 General Exclaim UHP tires.
I took a couple of photos right after I left the tire shop, so please excuse the dirty car (rain's in the forecast otherwise I'd be washing it right now). Additionally, I wish I had better lighting. This was possibly the worst time of the day to shoot photos outside.
For those wondering, I'm running Illumina struts all around and H&R springs in the front with OEM sport springs in the rear. Ride quality I expected to be much worse, but actually feels mostly the same. I can feel more of the road, but really isn't any less comfortable. I have a feeling the 18s weigh about the same as the 17s that came off so that might contribute to it.
Overall, however, I'm pleased. I was afraid I might have to lower the rear again but it still looks even without too terribly much gap, so I'm satisfied.
The only thing I have left to do now is get the rear center caps on. As some of you know, the rear dust caps are stopping me at the moment - I just haven't decided whether I'm going to A) hammer in the cap, B) use a spacer, or C) try cutting the cap down and epoxying it to the wheel.
I took a couple of photos right after I left the tire shop, so please excuse the dirty car (rain's in the forecast otherwise I'd be washing it right now). Additionally, I wish I had better lighting. This was possibly the worst time of the day to shoot photos outside.
For those wondering, I'm running Illumina struts all around and H&R springs in the front with OEM sport springs in the rear. Ride quality I expected to be much worse, but actually feels mostly the same. I can feel more of the road, but really isn't any less comfortable. I have a feeling the 18s weigh about the same as the 17s that came off so that might contribute to it.
Overall, however, I'm pleased. I was afraid I might have to lower the rear again but it still looks even without too terribly much gap, so I'm satisfied.
The only thing I have left to do now is get the rear center caps on. As some of you know, the rear dust caps are stopping me at the moment - I just haven't decided whether I'm going to A) hammer in the cap, B) use a spacer, or C) try cutting the cap down and epoxying it to the wheel.
04-29-2009, 11:06 AM
#2
I think that looks great. Those rims are the perfect size and offset for these cars. The tire size helps eliminate some wheel gap, so you don't need any more of a drop really.
04-29-2009, 08:25 PM
#8
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Thanks everybody!
It's in a church parking lot off of Middlebrook, east of where Gallaher View intersects Middlebrook. I have no idea what the name of the church is, LOL. I just use their facilities for photo shoots and headlight aiming
It's in a church parking lot off of Middlebrook, east of where Gallaher View intersects Middlebrook. I have no idea what the name of the church is, LOL. I just use their facilities for photo shoots and headlight aiming
04-30-2009, 10:39 AM
#14
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The car's probably as low as it's going to go. I've been on S-Techs and H-Techs and didn't like the ride, so H&R fronts will probably stay. I'm not at all worried about rubbing, as I've already had the rear fenders rolled from when I ran 25mm spacers in the rear with the stock wheels. I may just go with a small spacer again, but I was relieved to retire the spacers once and for all. We'll see...thinking I might run down to the dealership and see what caps they have laying around on take-off wheels that I can trial-fit and see if any are shallower.
The lips are from an Australian Maxima ST-R. I posted info about it in the FAQs years ago.
The lips are from an Australian Maxima ST-R. I posted info about it in the FAQs years ago.
Last edited by MetaOrbit; 05-03-2009 at 11:44 AM.
04-30-2009, 02:34 PM
#15
05-01-2009, 08:45 AM
#21
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I have my rear fenders rolled. When I ran my stock wheels (17x7, 45mm offset with 225/50/17 tires) with 25mm spacers and Tein H-Tech Springs (1 inch rear drop) I didn't rub all the time, but on large bumps I did. I always rubbed when hitting expansion joints on the interstate at speed (tore up the shoulders on some nice tires that way).
245/45/18 on 18x8 with a 30 mm offset will stick out further (wider) and will be taller. So not only will you have to worry about the side of the fender, but also the "tab" inside the rear where plastic meets metal. I took an angle grinder to that and it helped remove some of the problem but it still rubbed. It never really went away until I went back to stock springs in the rear.
That's just my experience though. YMMV.
05-04-2009, 05:23 PM
#24
Car looks Great!! I'm diggin your ride!
I have some 18s also (04 max se) and i think i'm riding on 245/45/18 in front and 255/45/18 in the back. I'm riding on stock and it doesn't rub on bumps but it rubs a little but when i try to make a uturn or when i park.
I have some 18s also (04 max se) and i think i'm riding on 245/45/18 in front and 255/45/18 in the back. I'm riding on stock and it doesn't rub on bumps but it rubs a little but when i try to make a uturn or when i park.
05-07-2009, 09:56 PM
#30
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My front caps stick out 2-3mm from being flush. But they seem to stay in there just fine. I've been meaning to grind down the back of the center caps to make them completely flush, but I'll probably wait until the spacers for the rear get in.
