Even after going through all the info on this board, it is still a bit unclear to me if going 18x9.5 is "safe" for the front. The offset would be +20.

Some say this will be fine some say otherwise. I tried to ask a shop if the 18x8.5 18x9.5 staggered set was available but they said "we don't sell staggered setups to 350z owners because people want the concave/deep dish in the front too". So I am at a loss. I am not going for baller status but instead a nice street/track setup.

If 18x9.5 +20 front is truely ok, then what would you recommend for tire size? 265? 275? I would like to avoid it looking stretched. More rubber is better in my mind as long as it doesn't rub ANYTHING.

 

You need to find another shop... thats about the most retarded statement i have ever heard.

If you want a staggered setup go get one.

 

Welcome. There is no right or wrong. There is no best. A 9.5 inch wheel in front will work but it is going to be tight. NISMO recommends a 275 mm tire for their 9.5 inch wheel. You decide what is a what is not a stretch.

 

Whoever you are talking too about wheel/tire set up for the Z is retarded or that's all they have and trying to sell it to you. A staggered setup is standard on most of the editions. I don't have 18"'s. I do have 19x9 (+20) up front with 245 so you should be ok with 255 (might be a slight stretch). I see you're in SF. You should call Dan @ Wheeldude.com. He works with alot of Z's and is a Sponsor. I recall this guy last week had 18x9.5+20 up front (pics) https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-...ew-wheels.html

 

Tire width on the front isn’t a factor with rubbing if the fronts are not oversized by diameter. Consider that front tires turn (rotate inside the fenders). This isn’t the case with rear tires which are encased inside the rear wheel wells.

There are members here who run 275’s on the front. Rubbing with this size tire won’t be any different if you have 9.5” or 8.5” wheels. But, do you really want such a wide tire on the front? 275’s on the front is an expensive setup, and you will get lots of bump-steer when driving on city streets and worn expressways.

I’d get rid of your tire/wheel guy since he doesn’t seem to know what he is talking about. In fact, the Z is designed for a staggered wheel setup.

A good/safe setup is: 8.5” front wheels and 9.5” rear wheels (20-22 offset) with 245 front tires and 275 rear tires.

Of course other members will have different suggestions based upon their experiences, but I present a commonly used setup.

--Spike

 

I agree with Spike 100 above ^^^.

If you like the way the 9.5" wheel looks vs the 8.5" wheel, you could always order two 9.5s "for the back" and try them on the front with 255mm tires. If they don't work or you don't like them, then you have your rear wheels already. If they do work, then order another set for the rears. You can run the 255s on the 8.5 or the 9.5" wheels.

However, the 18x9.5 should work just fine in the front if you run a 255/35 tire (265/35 would likely also work, but you couldn't do the "test fit" I described above, as the 265 is too large for the 8.5" wheel). I run (and have seen many others run) a 17x10 +25, which is ~6mm wider in each direction. If you subtract your 5mm of "less offset", that puts the outside of the wheel at about the same location (and I run a 275 tire). Many members run 18x9.5 and 19x9.5 without issue, although 8.5" or 9" is likely more the norm.

 

18x9.5 +20 is perfectly fine with a 255/40 and most likely a 265/35 , 275/35 may or maynot work depending on the actual tire , camber etc etc. There is nothing wrong with running 275's up front.

 

Fixed.

 

Kinda!!! 03 to 05 with 18's non-track had non staggered 18x8 front and rear, although the tires were staggered.

 

I never knew those werent staggered, i always thought they were!! Even my 17's were staggard for christ sake!!

Follow up:

Now that i know they were'nt staggerd....same wheels/sizes on the early Maxima?

 

Your 17” wheels were staggered? …Probably not. Your tires fitted to the 17” wheels were staggered.

The Nissan Maxima isn’t staggered, and has uniform wheels and tires, front to rear.

Forgive me if I missed your point.

--Spike

 

Go away from your wheel guy! I know a lot of shops in SF and a lot of them sell and talk too much sh*t. I currently run 18x9.5 +20mm in the front with 255/40 tires(I plan to go 265's). I used to have 265/35 adn 275/35 in the front and performance was great, but not comfortable for daily driving. I commute to work and school and San Francisco streets are way too bumpy. The perfect size as many said is 245F and 275R but to each on its own. If you plan to get a set of wheels(Rotas) and tires call Dan. He is located in Fremont. I can even go to the shop with you if you want to. My friend has to pick up some wheels+tires soon.

Before buying your new set of wheels, make sure the offset and wheel width is what you really want. Search around the forum for wheel setups. Also, consider if you are going to lower the car(springs or coils). Then, get the tires according to your needs and what you like.. A 18x9.5 is going to hold 245-275 tires. Some brands are sightly more beffy than others.

Good luck with your choice!

Ariel

Edit: 18x9.5 +20 is good. What is going to be the offset and wheel width in the rears?

 

No, you made my point.

I was wondering if the early Maxima used same exact wheels as early Z 18's...sizes and all (NOT staggard now that i know they are not) , because it was the same style wheel.

 

And yes, the 17" wheels offered on Auto's and base were staggerd.

Standard 17"

17-inch Base/Enthusiast wheels
17-inch Base/Enthusiast wheelsThese wheels were the standard or base level wheels for the 350Z during the 2003?, 2004?, and 2005 model years. Base and Enthusiast trim packages featured these as standard equipment. Some dealerships offered this in chrome as an optional upgrade.

Cost
Expect to pay around $300 or more for a used set in good condition.

2003-2005
Aluminum Alloy

Front
Size: 17x7.5
Offset: +30mm
Weight: 23.26lbs
Tire: 225/50/17

Rear
Size: 17x8.0
Offset: +33mm
Weight: 24.14lbs
Tire: 235/50/17

 

You are welcome.