Im looking to figure out my most cost effective winter tire setup. My original plan was to pick up some 18" winter tires to mount on my stock touring wheels, use those for winter and buy some aftermarket wheels come spring.

Even at my cost (i work at a tire shop) thats still around $650. If I use 17" winter tires my cost drops dramatically so i started looking for some OEM 17" wheels. They are all still priced higher then i wanted, atleast not low enough for me to bother dropping down to 17's.

However, i have been into DSMs for years, they also use 5x114.3 bolt pattern, 17 inch wheels and i can get stock wheels dime a dozen for cheap. I havnt looked at the offset on the stock dsm wheels but i know alot of the aftermarket sets are around 35mm.

Just trying to get an idea of peoples opinions on this, i mean i havnt set my mind on this just trying to way my options. Im new to Z's and RWD all together.

 

I've seen NEW 17" 350Z take-offs for less than $400. I think that's a helluva good deal.

 

Wheels is wheels. If they fit fine. Its difficult to give away 17 inch OEM wheels.

 

$400 dollars isnt a good deal when you add the fact that im spending another $450 in winter tires. Now my winter tire package is up to $850 rather then $650 and i have 18" OEM wheels that i have no use for.

i know i can grab a set of stock eclipse/talon 17" stock wheels afor about $100. Granted it wont look that good but function and cost are what im going for. So thats like $550 and i have a dedicated set of 17's for winter.

 

The 17" stock wheels were with new tires. That's why I said they were take-offs.

 

ill have to take another look and see whats out there.

 

^^ As scotts300 mentions, you can get OEM 17” wheels for little or nothing (literally since some owners just want to get these wheels off their hands and are willing to give them away instead of paying for disposal). The problem with getting OEM 17” wheels is they are worth less than the shipping cost from someone, so you need to do a local pickup.


Re:> “My original plan was to pick up some 18" winter tires to mount on my stock touring wheels, use those for winter and buy some aftermarket wheels come spring.”

If you go this route (a dedicated winter 17” wheel/tire setup), what’s your plan to dispose of your OEM 18” wheels? I only mention this since OEM 18” wheels are not much easier to rid of than the 17” wheels.

--Spike

 

Will any 350z OEM wheels clear Brembo's besides the Rays? e.g., base or touring wheels on an '03 track?

 

All the 18s do. I assume but am not positive that the OEM 17" wheels do also.

 

The only way to know for certain if a wheel from another vehicle will fit your Z is to try it. As an example, I put my 17" Z wheels on my Dodge Minivan. Here is a pic....................


You can mix and match most anything if the bolt pattern is correct.

 

I have an '06 Grand Touring. It comes with the staggered Rays and Brembo's. I've got a set of OEM Touring wheels off an '03 that clear the brakes just fine.

There is more than bolt pattern to worry about. Offset can make a huge difference in clearance as well as handling. Also, any time you change wheels make sure that the lug nuts match the wheel and not just have the right thread for the bolts.

 

Consider the offset of other OEM wheels and their hub size. It might not be hub centric to Z. EVO's have a close enough offset but i would still kick them out with spacers.

I was in a similar situation where everyone wanted an arm and leg for oem 17" or 18". I found a set of EVO X 18" for dirty cheap. The day i was going to get them i found a mint set of 18" Touring wheel for even cheaper price so i went with those instead.

 

mmm evo8 wheels for winter would look awesome...



yah come to find out dsm stock wheels are only 6.5" wide which suprises me. Im going to continue looking for a cheap set of OEM 17" wheels or something along those lies for now, if nothing turns up 18's it is.