md350

The 17's are really heavy for 17's though, so unless your 19's throw some lbs down there won't be a big weight difference. Depends what wheels you buy.

tware

iTrader: (12)

if you nearly get a hernia trying to place a wheel on to the studs, your car is gonna feel it too..

ntwillie1

iTrader: (3)

I'd like to just update that I went ahead and got 19's on my car and luckily I haven't felt any loss in power. It feels exactly the same to me, except better handling. i went with 19x8.5 in front and 19.10.5 in rear. And it looks much better to me. The wheels I got weight about 25lbs front and 26lbs rear (plus tires of course).

Phenom

iTrader: (4)

I'm glad this thread came up, I'm also debating moving up to 19s or staying with the stock 18s. 19s look great but I don't like the idea of sacrificing ride quality/performance, even if it is just a small amount.

ntwillie1

iTrader: (3)

there are a lot of things that would affect your ride quality. Tires, suspension, roads. I am still on stock suspension and might stay that way, it doesn't look bad at all to me and the ride is comfortable. I honestly haven't felt the bumps any more then I used to, but then again, I'm a careful driver. I also think I got a good set of tires in just the right size. I got Falken 452's. I put on 245 in front, 275 in rear. Looks great and rides great, not too loud.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

18's FTW , you get looks , performance etc etc, and yes just about every BBK on the market will fit under 18's. I personally run a 14 inch 6 piston kit under mine, and can fit my 17 inch track wheels over the same brakes.

whitecel

iTrader: (4)

when i put on my 19's, i just felt a slight increase in performance loss. It was mainly whne you have to go uphill. I went from 18's --> 19's. Odd, I still get almost the same exact gas mileage tho.

ZKansasZ

iTrader: (10)

There are 17 track wheels???

Phenom

iTrader: (4)

Maybe he's just talking about 17 inch wheels he uses at the track.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

+1

Spike100

OK… reducing this argument to its most elemental level…

Let’s say you compare the same high-quality wheel in two different sizes:
Diameter: 18” vs. 19”
Width: Front 8.5” and rear 9.5” (as just an example and to keep the comparison the same, other widths in wheels are fine as well)

And… you mount the same brand and type tire on these wheels (again… an example to keep comparisons the same):
On the 18” wheels: you mount front 245/40-18” and rear 275/40-18”
On the 19” wheels: you mount front 245/35-19” and rear 275/35-19”

In this scenario, I believe this what you can expect these ratings.

Un-Sprung Weighting:
The 18” wheel/tire setup is lighter and has less un-sprung weight than the 19” wheel/tire setup.
Advantage: The 18” wheel/tire setup since less un-sprung weight provides better handling.

Acceleration:
Starting from a standstill, the lighter wheel/tire setup is going to be better. Once you are rolling, the advantage of a lighter wheel/tire setup becomes less an advantage.
Advantage: The 18” wheel/tire setup has a minor plus here, at least at a standstill start.

Ride Comfort:
The 18” wheel/tire setup has a higher sidewall.
Advantage: 18” wheels win here. A higher sidewall height means a softer and more comfortable ride. Of course this is arguable (depending upon the specific tire and its sidewall rigidity), but remember that we are comparing the same tire on different diameter wheels.

Appearance:
There is no doubt that 19” wheels look just great.
Advantage: 19” wheels are the clear winner here.

Cost:
19” wheels and the tires to fit this size are expensive.
Advantage: 18” wheels and tires since this installation costs le$$ than a similar 19” wheel/tire setup.

A different paradigm (thinking “outside of the box”): You might want to consider a very different staggered wheel setup that is 18” wheels on the front and 19” wheels on the back.

The advantages of a mixed diameter wheel setup (18” front and 19” rear):
This setup has nearly the same sidewall height on the fronts and rears.
You get less weight and better comfort since the fronts are 18” wheels, but the esthetic appeal of 19” wheels mounted on the rear.
The co$t is less than a “full” 19” wheel/tire setup.

And… I deliberately excluded 17” wheels to simplify this discussion. But, my comment on 17” wheels is positive for the Z. In fact I also run this size wheel and really like it for its economy, great handling and performance, and comfort.

Something else… If you go with wider tires, your mileage will be less. That’s probably something to consider as gas prices continue to rise at an alarming rate.

Of course, these are my personal opinions and experience. Other members may not agree.

--Spike

Doh-Joe

iTrader: (40)

^
couldn't agree with you more. although I recently bought 19s myself lol

Spike100

Thanks for the reply,

Truthfully I think 19” wheels look much better on the Z, especially when you mount wheels with the right offset to get a flush-look.

And… If you mount tires with an adequate section width (at least 275mm on the rear), you won’t notice any mitigation in ride comfort at all with rear 19” wheels.

The point I was trying to make is that 18” wheels on the front and 19” wheels on the rear is a great wheel/tire setup that looks good and provides great handling and performance along with a very comfortable ride.

The tendency is to think all the same wheel diameter and staggered tires, when in fact staggered wheels (diameter and width) along with staggered tires is probably a better solution. We just need to think a little more about this, and differently, to see this solution.

--Spike