What Rims Should I Buy? [Archive] - JDM Style Tuning Forum

scathing

29-01-07, 07:43 PM

Hey guys.

As you might have seen from this (http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthread.php?t=1465) thread, I am selling my 17" TE37s. After borrowing a mate's stock 18" rims and noticing how much better the ride and handling was, as well as the tyres filling out the guards like they're meant to, I've decided to run bigger rims instead of going for softer springs.

I've decided to go for 19" rims. My two finalists are:

Volk Racing TE37
Nismo LM GT4

I'm trying to decide which one I should get. Either way, they'll be 19x9.5 & 19x10.5.

I love my TE37s, but to be honest I'm not that fond of how they look in 19". The spokes aren't concave enough, and while there's a lot of dish I'm not wanting that look.

The thing about the LM GT4s is that they don't come in the right offsets. The front rim is fine, but the rear rim I can only get in +30 (the perfect offset is +22) so I'd have to run a rear spacer. I'm not sure how much of a difference / hassle that is going to be.

Either way, I'm putting it out to the community. Vote, and comment.

VTECMACHINE

29-01-07, 07:48 PM

LM GT4's!!!!

Bronze FTMFWMF!

s_vtec

29-01-07, 07:49 PM

nismo LM GT4 :D

denka

29-01-07, 07:58 PM

LM GT4 fo sho

can you still get them in limited edition black? that would be my pick .... oh god ... now i want a set too.

Middle Man

29-01-07, 09:02 PM

I am selling my 17" TE37s. After borrowing a mate's stock 18" rims and noticing how much better the ride and handling was, as well as the tyres filling out the guards like they're meant to, I've decided to run bigger rims instead of going for softer springs.

I've decided to go for 19" rims..

That makes no sense whatsoever to me :???:

But yeah, GT4's FTW.

project2

29-01-07, 10:05 PM

get the GT's as you've already had TE37's

S14

29-01-07, 10:14 PM

LM GT4 with rear bolt on spacers FTW!!!

A'PEXi

29-01-07, 10:16 PM

19x10.5 FTW

http://image-cache.boostcruising.com/database/readersrides/files/post-60694-1170035784749586178.jpg

scathing

30-01-07, 01:38 AM

That makes no sense whatsoever to me :???:

Suspension is too stiff for small lightweight wheels. So rather than buying softer springs, I've decided to buy bigger wheels.

I'll be test fitting 19" Volks on the car and giving them a test drive on some rough roads. If they pass muster I'll buy 19's - otherwise I'll buy 18's. The TCO between the two is almost negligible so it'll boil down to ride comfort.

Looks-wise, I've already test fitted 18" TE37s on the car and I'm quite happy with the proportions between rim and body.

Hens

30-01-07, 03:06 AM

i reckon 18s better option

scathing

30-01-07, 01:07 PM

can you still get them in limited edition black? that would be my pick .... oh god ... now i want a set too.

I can get them in any colour RAYS offers on any wheel. I just have to pay.

To give you an idea, another guy with a silver 350Z just bought the TE37s in the exact size and offset I want (http://www.350z-tech.com/forums/New-wheels-just-fitted-very-minor-56k-warning-t25436.html), and done in black.

It looks a little something like this:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7813/imgp0774s3dw.jpg

After seeing that, I've decided to stick to gunmetal instead of black. I'm not feeling that look, to be honest.

[ekkY]

30-01-07, 01:19 PM

get 2 of each

that should settle it :P :twisted:

denka

30-01-07, 01:56 PM

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7813/imgp0774s3dw.jpg

After seeing that, I've decided to stick to gunmetal instead of black. I'm not feeling that look, to be honest.

But the black is so tough, such a nice contrast to your silver body colour, gunmetal just blends in too much IMO. Of course it comes down to personal preference, either colour will look good nonetheless.

shonen

30-01-07, 04:07 PM

TE37s....in Black with the red ring around the edges :)

DONT use spacers.......I dont trust them.

Justin Fox

30-01-07, 04:24 PM

Bolt on spacers are fine, nothing not to trust with them really but if you are buying new rims forget spacers get it right the 1st time. I am sure GT4's come in the right offset for your 350Z. Surely!

Silver LM's are elegant, not exactly aggressive though:
NISMO LMGT4 Front 19x8.5 +25 Rear 19x9.5 +25 w/ TOYO T1-S 245/35/19 & 275/35/19

http://liljerk.morpheus.net/350Z/nismo_lmgt4_19/images/LMGT4_10.jpg

http://liljerk.morpheus.net/350Z/nismo_lmgt4_19/images/LMGT4_15.jpg
Do not quite fill those guards either in this width/offset combo.

Jing

30-01-07, 04:27 PM

18 if you dont plan on over the top kits
19 if you plan on c-west kits

S14

30-01-07, 05:03 PM

TE37s....in Black with the red ring around the edges :)

DONT use spacers.......I dont trust them.

Theres nothing wrong with bolt on spacers. The sleeve spacers are the ones you shouldnt trust.

Tosh

30-01-07, 05:42 PM

Alan,

The suggested sizes for the Z33 in the LM GT4's is

19 x 8.5J +25
19 x 9.5J +20

19 x 10.5J's aren't available

http://www.powerplayimports.com/Tosh/NISMOZfront.JPG

http://www.powerplayimports.com/Tosh/NISMOZrear.JPG

scathing

30-01-07, 06:45 PM

19 x 10.5J's aren't available

As in aren't in stock, or don't exist?

Because the Z-Tune runs 19x10.5 (admittedly in a probably +15 offset, which won't fit).

The RAYS site (http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/cgi-bin/cgi2/sizeGuide.cgi?modelName=GT4) says its available with a +30 offset. And the Japanese site tends to be kept up to date, unlike the English site. :)

The suggested sizes for the Z33 in the LM GT4's

And yeah, I know the recommended sizes are smaller. But I've gotta have phatness!

mxfly has those sizes for the CE28Ns on his 350Z.

Jing

30-01-07, 07:10 PM

Volk CE28n Time Attack 19x9.5/19x10.5

http://www.f2autolife.com/storefront/images/Sponsered%20Cars/Picture%20050-edit.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/LSBE46/ziggy%20LA%20pics/pworld13.jpg
http://www.f2autolife.com/storefront/images/Sponsered%20Cars/Picture%20045edit.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/LSBE46/ziggy%20LA%20pics/pworld6.jpg

NeoNode

30-01-07, 07:40 PM

I 2nd the CE28 options!

Also found this one on Carsales.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/687/1858707ho4.jpg

scathing

30-01-07, 09:11 PM

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/687/1858707ho4.jpg

Those exact rims are for sale right now. mxfly just bought that car and he's offloading them.

I will hopefully be test fitting them this week to see how the Flex copes with the rim size.

Bronze, in my opinion, does not go with silver. I present to you Exhibit A (http://www.au-z.org/gallery/my350z_20050730_te37)

http://www.au-z.org/gallery/albums/my350z_20050730_te37/my350z_20050730_te37_06.jpg (http://www.au-z.org/gallery/my350z_20050730_te37/my350z_20050730_te37_06)

I do have a pic of my car on gold CE28Ns actually, from Circuit Club last December. I had to borrow one of R-Tune's wheels to get to the tyre shop. :D Let me go find the image....

scathing

30-01-07, 09:29 PM

My 350Z with 18" Volk Racing CE28Ns (in gold)

http://www.au-z.org/gallery/albums/my350z/my350z_20061214_ce28n_18_01.jpg

Not feeling it. The rim design is a maybe. The colour definitely isn't.

monkeymajik

30-01-07, 09:53 PM

I really like the black te37 look. I would 2nd the idea to try the gunmetal if the black is too dark.

Cazal 856

30-01-07, 09:53 PM

20" Spinners.

Ballin' outta control.

VTECMACHINE

30-01-07, 09:58 PM

Time attacks FTW!!!

scathing

30-01-07, 11:53 PM

I really like the black te37 look. I would 2nd the idea to try the gunmetal if the black is too dark.

My current rims are gunmetal (http://www.au-z.org/gallery/my350z_20061030_carbon/my350z_20061030_carbon_10) :)

black200

31-01-07, 12:29 AM

Ce28's IMO :D Same price as te37

monkeymajik

31-01-07, 01:17 AM

My current rims are gunmetal (http://www.au-z.org/gallery/my350z_20061030_carbon/my350z_20061030_carbon_10) :)

ack my bad :) In that case go for gold TE-37! (not bronze) Top Secret style.

shonen

31-01-07, 01:27 AM

Alan..... G- GAMES 99B FTW :D

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2852/b416cc7clx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

monkeymajik

31-01-07, 02:21 AM

^^^

mind status: blown

scathing

31-01-07, 07:31 AM

Alan..... G- GAMES 99B FTW :D

Those are pretty hot. But they're also cast. Gotta have forgies. :)

van

31-01-07, 08:51 AM

The Volks for sure. The Nismos are a shadow of the Volks' awesomeness.

scathing

31-01-07, 10:14 AM

The Volks for sure. The Nismos are a shadow of the Volks' awesomeness.

That attitude could get you stabbed in some areas.

But then, my opinions of FWD cars could get me bashed in some neighbourhoods too. :)

IcemaN

31-01-07, 10:52 AM

to start off with isnt it a bitch rim shopping:)
im going to have to say c28's such a huge fan of this rim the time attack ones and normal bronze ones. otherwise to go with ur preferences im going to choose the te37's, suits the car more has a more aggresive appearance aswell. in conclusion im going to say the te37 time attack rims:)

so best of luck:)

Tosh

31-01-07, 10:55 AM

As in aren't in stock, or don't exist?

Because the Z-Tune runs 19x10.5 (admittedly in a probably +15 offset, which won't fit).

The RAYS site (http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/cgi-bin/cgi2/sizeGuide.cgi?modelName=GT4) says its available with a +30 offset. And the Japanese site tends to be kept up to date, unlike the English site. :)

I was looking at the 2006 NISMO Catalogue which seems to be a little out of date judging by that website...

and I don't know who told you the Z tune runs 19 x 10.5 +15 but it comes with 18 x 9.5 +5 all round. I know... I sold one ;)

And yeah, I know the recommended sizes are smaller. But I've gotta have phatness!

mxfly has those sizes for the CE28Ns on his 350Z.

yes which is why you should buy them!!!!

Andy Wana

31-01-07, 10:58 AM

That attitude could get you stabbed in some areas.

But then, my opinions of FWD cars could get me bashed in some neighbourhoods too. :)

Let me know which areas you are talking about, would love to avoid them altogether
Getting stabbed over your choice of wheels is pretty silly don't you think? :)

P.S. FR cars is the best ...

xero

31-01-07, 11:27 AM

black ce28s with a red rim FTW!!!

IcemaN

31-01-07, 11:59 AM

Let me know which areas you are talking about, would love to avoid them altogether
Getting stabbed over your choice of wheels is pretty silly don't you think? :)

P.S. FR cars is the best ...

nuh MR car FTMFW!!!!!

scathing

31-01-07, 12:06 PM

to start off with isnt it a bitch rim shopping:)

It took me almost a year to decide to buy the ones that are currently on my car. And even then they weren't the right shade, and evidently they're too small :)

Which is why I need to get it right this time.

bigbaz

31-01-07, 12:30 PM

Theres nothing wrong with bolt on spacers. The sleeve spacers are the ones you shouldnt trust.

Nothing wrong with sleeve spacers if they are done correctly, in fact i think they are better when done correctly, i have these on mine and have special wheel nuts and the stud holes bored out on my rims so i still have enough thread used to hold the wheels on and do not have and balance issues that can be seen on bolt ons as i am bolting onto the original studs

scathing

01-02-07, 06:25 PM

Adding unsprung weight is not going to fix the fact your spring rate is too hard

Why won't it?

Few people buy 350Zs and run aftermarket 17" rims on them (aside from people who need winter tyres). So the spring rates are designed for people running 18" or 19" wheels. And it shows.

I ran the car with cast OEM 18" wheels and semi slicks, and on the street the ride actually improved compared to my 17" rims with street tyres. The car was much smoother and more stable over bumps, despite the lower profile and stiffer sidewalls.

I can't say if it felt better on the track, since my 17" semi slicks on forged aluminium wheels are heavily worn tyres that are apparently an endurance compound. Obviously the car was much quicker on the 18's.

I'm not saying I'm not wrong, but I'd like to know why.

We all know you can have too much unsprung weight which your spring is unable to control, since that's always the mantra for buying fully sick forged aluminium or magnesium wheels. But, from what I've read, that cuts both ways. You can have too little unsprung weight, so your spring rebounds out of control. The inertia generated by lower weight isn't enough to oppose the spring's desire to rebound, since the springs and dampers were selected with a bigger wheel in mind.

I could go to a softer spring (the current springs are at the maximum rate for my dampers), but since I don't like the way it looks at the moment I don't think I will. I'm still deciding between 18" and 19", but I will probably choose the latter for looks.

I'm in the process of trying to source R34 GT-R rims for the track. Since 18" is technically "stock", they would make the best choice for track rims.

ClioF1

01-02-07, 06:43 PM

Suspension is too stiff for small lightweight wheels. So rather than buying softer springs, I've decided to buy bigger wheels.

Adding unsprung weight is not going to fix the fact your spring rate is too hard, IMO 18s are the way to go for compliance and grip. I would keep the 17s as track rims for semi slicks.

ClioF1

01-02-07, 10:20 PM

Having too little unsprung weight is not an issue unless we are talking F1 spec rims, in that case we are also talking 60 series tyres which provide a much lighter rolling stock combo anyway. For a road car you want minimise it as best as you can - fullstop.

90% of your spring rate consideration should be to do with the weight and weight distribution of your car. This combined with the intended purpose anyway. The 17s may have made it worse because the tyres began doing the job of the suspension due to the extra compliance in them. I just have a feeling your springs are too hard for the road from what you have described.

OEM rims are usually too big for the track, semi slicks are way stiffer than road tyres. I run 15s on my car with semis (OEM is 16"), it looks ordinary but even with those its a bit too stiff for the road. OEM rims are usually used for trackwork because they came with the car and are the cheapest option :) Take a look at proper race cars, they tend to run a 50 series tyre or higher.

The dilemma you face is probably because you are chasing looks AND performance, generally you can't have both.

BTW this forum time warp thing is nuts, so hard to follow posts!

S14

01-02-07, 10:58 PM

Nothing wrong with sleeve spacers if they are done correctly, in fact i think they are better when done correctly, i have these on mine and have special wheel nuts and the stud holes bored out on my rims so i still have enough thread used to hold the wheels on and do not have and balance issues that can be seen on bolt ons as i am bolting onto the original studs

I agree exactly... there is nothing wrong with sleeve spacers WHEN DONE RIGHT.

I just get worried when i talk to blokes who had just bought new wheels from fully sick wheel shops who get told that their sleeve spacers "should" hold and only turn their nuts a couple turns to tighten them fully.

monkeymajik

02-02-07, 01:06 AM

My car dispensed a rear wheel with bolt on wheel spacers.

Be careful. When I rung up the manufacturer about it, they asked me if I used locktite.

wtfmate ^^ heh

scathing

01-05-07, 03:05 AM

OK. I've decided on TE37s, which are on their way.

However, now its down to colour choice. I'm still deciding on whether I should get a dark gunmetal (darker than my curent rims) or black, and whether I should get the entire rim painted in the same colour or with a silver lip.

I like the idea of a polished chrome lip, but I'm not sure if the person painting it is going to be able to achieve the effect I want. It might just come out a flatter satin silver instead of a polished, shiny surface. I'm not sure how that will look. Also, all the Vork Racing rims getting around have that colour scheme so I don't know if I want to follow that trend (even though I'm technically copying the unavailable LE37Ts).

The gunmetal spokes / silver lip look is inspired by this:

http://www.au-z.org/gallery/albums/random/saknoZ.jpg

(my car will never be that low, of course)

but I want my gunmetal to be far darker than the above shot. My current gunmetal rims:

http://www.au-z.org/gallery/albums/my350z_20070413_daynight/my350z_20070413_daynight_01.jpg

are only dark enough for my tastes when they're covered in brake pad dust.

I've posted a pic of a silver Z33 with black TE37s already (http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showpost.php?p=29315&postcount=11). I don't like the finish on it (not glossy enough), but since I'm not getting the RAYS black I can make my own choice.

If I was to go black, I'd want the same finish as on the black Gallardo wheels (http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/wallpapers/store/0099/800.jpg), with or without a silver lip. Those things have the gloss and finish I'd be happy with, but how easy is it to get that "black chrome" look?

So, what colour would people suggest and should I get the lip silver?