Hey tough guy.....next time you're in Vegas, maybe you'd like to pull out one of those tissues that you use to stuff your crotch and wipe those tears off my face yourself.

Seriously, I'd never argue that 19's are better for performance, but when I switched to 19" Volks and Toyo's, not only did my ride improve, but the car's handling improved dramatically. I didn't notice any loss of power or acceleration, but that doesn't mean a stop-watch would prove me right. I drive my car hard, but I don't track it. If I did, I'd be using 17's. Your original statement that "19's aren't for driving" comes from ignorance and the singular vision that you are right, and that no one else has a valid point of view. Not everyone uses their car exactly as you do, and tracking your car is not the only measure of a driving enthusiast. As far as looks , 19's blow 17-18's away, and don't tell me you drive a Z strictly for its performance and that the styling mean nothing to you. C'mon....get in touch with your feminine side and admit it...you like the way the Z looks...it's okay. You're still manly....just don't don't burn your lips on the tailpipe.

 

19s should be ok for Cali.
Can't be as tough as DC streets...pot holes every block.

 

lol Even though I'm supposed to be getting mad at this, it still made me laugh out loud. That was a good one.

I'll still venture to say that 19's arent for performance oriented driving. They're for looks, for bling, and yes, they do look mighty fine on the Z. But I was under the impression the thread starter had performance in mind, so I advised against 19 inch wheels, saying they weren't for driving. I'm sure you are able to drive yours hard though. Then he mentions something about pot-holes, so i tell him that a 19 inch wheel will generally need a lower series tire, which means less rubber between the wheel and the pot-hole. This is bad for wheels on impact. And my statement really wasn't made in ignorance. Everything I said was rooted in truth. But i know what you guys mean about 19's looking better than 17's or some 18's. In fact, if I could get some decent R compounds in an 18 inch wheel, I just might run 18's instead so my car doesn't look like it's got a lift kit.

 

AHH i see! even though the wheel as a whole maybe lighter it's mass is farther out. You're a genius! thank you for the physics review High School seems so far away.

 

So I guess that cars like the Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT, Aston Martin Vanquish and DB9, C6 Corvette, Audi RS6, BMW M3, and other high performance vehicles aren't meant for performance oriented driving. Obviously, these cars have more power than the Z, but many of us are looking for the best way to boost our Z's to 400HP and beyond, which will put them close to supercar territory. As I said before, unless I was tracking my car, no apologies are necessary for having Volk Racing 19" wheels on my Z. My car IS for driving, regardless of any myopic, juvenile opinions. AND.....it looks great.

 

yea what he said.... (like i know) well let me ask you this as well..(dont wanna hijack either...) but if i am wanting to drop mines...should i get a narrower set...say i go for a 19" will it benifit me to go narrower in the rear like at an 19x8? will that look stupid..or will it allow me to get a better feel being that i can get more of the car to the ground?!

 

that made no sense. narrower so you get more of the car to the ground? I dont understand what the width of the tread matters about getting the car of the ground(tho I personally like to keep my car off the ground...)

 

no what i mean is that i can lower the car...have plenty of room...i wanna lower it to sit half way past the top part ofthe tire profile...not for driving sake..but for looks sake....or does it not really matter....i know i will have to roll fenders if i go more than 10.....just dont wanna rub...but i do wanna lower!!

or whats a good width..or offset

 

Sorry guys, by starting this thread, I never meant to start a debate between the 18" & 19" wheel owners. I think that each have their own advantages and we have to choose the wheel size that offers us what we are looking for in both performance and looks.

I understand the advantages of an 18" wheel in weight (therefore performance), wider selection of tires and supposed better protection from rim damage due to potholes. I also understand that, in my opinion, 19" wheels look slightly better on the Z. My question is.....does reality accurately reflect theory? Is there alot of damage due to running 19" wheels and thin rubber or is it fairly minimal. At this time, if it is fairly minimal, then I will take a chance and go with the 19s.

In California, and I am sure in most other states, it is enough to have to worry about idiots driving, the authorities (speeding and front license plates) and paint chips and possible objects falling from pickup trucks. Having to also worry about cracking a $500-$600 rim in a pothole (try buying ONE wheel) is almost too much to bear.

I know, past the tissues.

 

Thanks mgl. Unfortunately, some of the potholes here in Oakland are older than I am!

 

Keep enought air in the tires and get some strong wheels and you should be fine with 19s. Just dont go looking for pot holes to test your new wheels out on.

 

Brad4rdHay,

I don't go looking for potholes. They seem to be looking for (and finding) me. Based on your classified for selling the 19" IForge wheels, are you afraid that they'll find you too?

 

Tuche Tim, Tuche.