View Poll Results: What is the main reason why you would or did get new rims for your 350z?
Looks
99
71.22%
Performance
36
25.90%
Other
4
2.88%
Voters: 139. You may not vote on this poll
Why would you get new rims for your Z?
Put a stock Z next to modded Z with 19's or 20's with deep a$$ lips and ask anybody on the street which looks better or flashier or whatever, i bet 99 out of 100 would say the modded Z! Performance is a close second because we do drive a sports car and these wider rims are intended to increase traction/handling. I'm saving my pennies for some VOLKS!
i dunno, everyone I know thinks the big lip/20 inch rims is a stupid fad that younger people seem to go for.
here's some facts:
big rims were originally used by people to accomadate big brake kits
big lips are counter productive with brake cooling because the spokes are so close to the brakes and wheels do get hot when braking hard. It serves as more of a heat trap.
A smaller lip means the weight is primarily oriented more towards the outer part of the tires, not the middle. That's better for handling
Big lips and wide rims are counter productive. You can't get a huge lip with 10.5in wheels and not rub. Of course, most people with a setup like that probably aren't pushing their car hard enough to rub anyway.
big wheels means thin anemic tires that can't take much abuse at all without damaging the wheel. So therefore you can't really push the car.
There's very few GOOD tire choices that come in 20 inch sizes
ok so how many Z's have big brake kits - or actually use them where they need them?
huge rims, and tiny rotors/brakes looks well funny don't you think? IMO I think that combo looks lame.
So then say you get a BBK to fill in those huge rims you have. You still probably don't push the car all that hard, so again it's more of a rice thing where you have something on the car that isn't really there for actual function.
but everyone has their reason for buying this car. For show or for go it does look nice
here's some facts:
big rims were originally used by people to accomadate big brake kits
big lips are counter productive with brake cooling because the spokes are so close to the brakes and wheels do get hot when braking hard. It serves as more of a heat trap.
A smaller lip means the weight is primarily oriented more towards the outer part of the tires, not the middle. That's better for handling
Big lips and wide rims are counter productive. You can't get a huge lip with 10.5in wheels and not rub. Of course, most people with a setup like that probably aren't pushing their car hard enough to rub anyway.
big wheels means thin anemic tires that can't take much abuse at all without damaging the wheel. So therefore you can't really push the car.
There's very few GOOD tire choices that come in 20 inch sizes
ok so how many Z's have big brake kits - or actually use them where they need them?
huge rims, and tiny rotors/brakes looks well funny don't you think? IMO I think that combo looks lame.
So then say you get a BBK to fill in those huge rims you have. You still probably don't push the car all that hard, so again it's more of a rice thing where you have something on the car that isn't really there for actual function.
but everyone has their reason for buying this car. For show or for go it does look nice
Last edited by sentry65; Aug 22, 2005 at 05:21 PM.
to make my z different from every other one out there.
wider, lighter than stock for improved performance (notice i didn't say "bigger").
i became bored with my stockers.
because i can.
wider, lighter than stock for improved performance (notice i didn't say "bigger").
i became bored with my stockers.
because i can.
Last edited by Z BOY; Aug 22, 2005 at 05:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
Originally Posted by sentry65
i dunno, everyone I know thinks the big lip/20 inch rims is a stupid fad that younger people seem to go for.
here's some facts:
here's some facts:
i changed wheels because stock ones are heavy as hell and i wanted some nice tires too! sentry65 has some good points there, i am one of those anti 20" wheels on a Z dude 
..he....he.. but whatever, each with his own, i say fo your happy with your car, then f* whatever people say
..he....he.. but whatever, each with his own, i say fo your happy with your car, then f* whatever people say
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 35
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From: Austin
Same reasons as many listed above: lighter than stock wheels, better tires, etc. And it is my personal belief that 18s are the ideal wheel size, 19s sacrifice some performance for aesthetics, and 20s are just for straight pimpin on the street and not the stuff of a true performance car.
Can't say that looks don't play a portion at all though =)
Can't say that looks don't play a portion at all though =)
Originally Posted by sentry65
IMO the results of this poll directly show why the Z is hailed as the "fashion boy" car
While i think most people who buy new wheels for their cars are buying them for looks (all cars, not just Z's), most z owners (at least on this forum and ones i see on the road) buy wheels such as volk, Nismo..... Which look great but are also light.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Austin
I think one of the aspects of "rice" is that it is cheap as well as tacky, and while some JDM parts can be tacky due to the Japanese consumer's unique tastes, all JDM parts are far from cheap... besides the fact that the JDM craze has been going on for over a decade I would calculate.