Joeker

Hey, so I just bought a '05 Z that needs new tires bad (not to mention a cracked rim replaced)... and she'll be going in the shop for that among other things this week. My question isn't "what's best" but rather "what's the difference" between tire size. Tire rack says I should be running 225/50R17 front and 235/50R17 rear but the last owner has 245/40ZR18 front and 265/40ZR18 rear tires on now. It doesn't appear he took very good care of his Z so I don't know if the bigger tires were cheaper for him to get somehow or there was a reason for it.

Should I stick with the 245/265 combo or go back to what the manufacturer had on originally?

And yes I've searched. Figured out a lot including what model my Z was. But searching on this cracked iPhone is killing me so some genuine advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

I'm assuming that TR is recommending OEM tire sizes which will probably be a benefit for you since they will last longer. Kind of weird that they recommend the 17" tire size and you're saying that the tires on now are for 18" wheels.

What's the size of your wheels?

I have 18" wheels and run 245/40 up front and 275/40 in the back.

Joeker

They might be 18" wheels but until I bring a tape home from work tomorrow I can't be sure. They're aftermarket... I think XXR 522's.

I need to find out wheel width and offset too, if I were to order the rim myself and take it to them, correct?

Joeker

If this helps.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

Uhm, I think you need a new wheel there. Just something the FBI calls a clue when you see part of your wheel lip missing.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

If you're handy, take the wheels off and look inside along the rim to find the offsets and sizes. They usually stamp that into the metal, or at least there should be some kind of label with that info.

Joeker

Yeah I know lol, I'm getting one. Thanks for the quick replys.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

When I order new tires, I have them shipped to my house or the tire shop and then take my wheels off the Z to drop off at the shop. I don't trust the shops to lift the Z properly. Also, it allows me to look closely at my wheels to make sure they're still in good shape before and after the shop visit.

mr. sparco

iTrader: (13)

Believe those are 18s in the pic, nearly 17s with that huge chunk missing. I'd worry about suspension issues from a hit like that.

MicVelo

Well, depending on trim level, your Z was available with those 17" tire sizes (Base, Enthusiast, Performance) hence Tire Rack quoting same as OEM. But other models did have 18's but NOT with those sizes stock... stock is 225/45-18 F and 245/45-18 R

The 245/265-18" combo is roughly the same height as the stock set up so you should be fine.

But that wheel sans lip........ errrrrrrrf......

oldschool350z

iTrader: (1)

Those tires are from 2009 - you're lucky they have not disintegrated by now.

jhc

Good catch Old school.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Just wanted to correct which Z trims came with 17" wheels. Only the base and enthusiast models used 17", while the performance, touring, and track models all came with 18" wheels. Other Z models were introduced after '05, but most of them also came with 18" wheels as well.