yeah....nobody runs stretched/smaller tires on low offsets.

https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-...s-welcome.html

 

I cannot be certain, but I bet Chris has a good reason for not dropping his car...

The roadways in northern Minnesota are not friendly to lowered vehicles.

• The extreme temperature swings (-30 F to 95+ F) results in some pretty nasty road surfaces (e.g., pavement-heaving during the springtime, expansion ridges during the summer months, etc.).
• Potholes are common, and moisture leaking into these pavement-breaks causes a lot of irregular surfaces even after repairs.
• Many city streets have exaggerated crowns to aid drainage and avoid ice build-up during winter thaws. Those crowned streets result in big dips at intersections.

I personally think a slight drop greatly improves the car’s appearance, but you will scrape your front spoiler frequently with just a ½” drop on streets as I describe above.

--Spike

 

There is no way in hell I could have made a more properly communicated and precise reasoning for my decision as to why I am keeping my car at stock ride height!! You're a genius.

I have always driven lowered cars and it sucks around here. The car looks pretty good the way it sits and I'm not willing to give up what little clearance I have for the style. I drive this one too often.

 

Chris, Thanks for posting info and pics. Your setup is a perfect blend of esthetics, economy, and function.

I am very interested in your opinion of your new setup. After you have some time to drive on this setup, please post back to this/your thread with a critique.

I’m mostly interested in your evaluation of:

• The Hankook Ventus V12 tires… grip (dry and wet), road noise, handling, etc.
  
  
• 19” wheels vs. 18” wheels (handling, comfort, etc)… I’m assuming you are coming from 18” wheels to the current setup.

For people reading this thread: The roadways in northern Minnesota are an extreme test for a tire. The huge temperature swings, roadway beds (from swamps to granite beds), and constant repairing by the DOT result in anything from a road that is close to a perfect and smooth track to the worst pavement you can imagine. Any tire that handles the varying surfaces here is close to exceptional.

I’m not including winter driving here (that is an entirely different “thing”); but rather driving in the spring, summer and fall.

--Spike