I recently hit a large pothole , leaving a couple big dents in my SF-Challenges. I originally bought the wheels back in early 2006. I seem to remember back then that 8.5/9.5 was a pretty common setup. Mine were 19x8.5 +21, 19x9.5 +23 with 245/35 275/35 tires. I was always pretty happy with the way they looked and handled.

Anyways, I'm thinking about trying something new and it seems like nobody runs these sizes anymore. Am I just imagining that this was a good setup? Is everybody with 9.5/10.5 having to roll the fenders?

 

The mentioned setup IMHO is great for High/top speed driving. The 9.5/10.5 setup is great for looks and better grip by using larger tires. But generally speaking u don't see high speed cars setup with bulging wheels and tires. I myself have 8.5 front with a 10.5 rear no pull or roll and wouldn't mind a little poke.. The 9.5/10.5 does look the best

 

The most common setup is 9.5/10.5 with a +22 offset.

Now people are starting to go more aggresive on the Z with a 9.5/10.5 with a +12 offset.

Just a matter of taste, but either way both those setups look great.

 

10.5 doesnt need a roll unless the offset is wrong.
remember that most set ups offered for 350z that uses 10.5 in the rear still has the proper offset to have enuff wheel moved out to the fender lip, but most likely has more offset towards the hub side of the wheel. Ie it sticks OUT a touch farther, but theres just more tire meat in the wheel well.

ANd yeah8.5x9.5 is dead. No point, tire prices are still good for wider wheels, etc.

And they all still fit the same cars.. even my 06 LEx GS300 4 dr sedan mom mobile has 20x9 and 20x10.5 on it.

 

Instead of debating that is and what is not in fashion how about making a selection to fit your needs?

 

I am making a selection to fit my needs. I'm just wondering about the pros and cons of moving to a wider setup. I don't need more tire than I already have, so unless I'm going after a certain look then I guess it doesn't really matter.

I just find it interesting how everyone wants the extreme flush look. Maybe I'm just getting old.

 

I would agree with the 8.5/9.5 being dead. Now folks are going with the hellaflush/poke look that in most cases looks fuking retarded!

 

It's not dead for n/a track guys.

 

I used to have a 8.5 et.20 9.5 et.25 setup on mine. Now i have 9.5 et.17 10.5 et.18 setup.

That being said, the car was a fair amount lighter on its feet with the thinner setup, and turning was much easier and more managable on the fly. So like others said, its not dead, it just depends on your needs.

If your into looks, go wide. If your into function, thinner is better.

 

Yes it is, 9 inch minimum up front to get some nice 265 or 275's.

 

Yea def... I had BBS RGR's in 19x8.5 +18 and 19x9.5 +22, now my track wheels are 18x9.5/18x10.5.

 

Why would track guys want so much understeer and more rotational mass on the dead wheels in front?

 

Understeer? Thats what were getting rid of with running wider front tires.

 

^^^+1 - running 275s all around for auto-x...on r comps..

 

more like if you don't need a roll then the offset is "wrong". Flush is right!

and yea, for street driving, 8.5/9.5 is dead. wider stance looks too good and it's so easy to fit wide rims in our fenders.

 

This is some great feedback. I really wondered how the handling would change with the wider wheel. Probably because of the additional mass, not the width though right? Or did you go up in tire width as well?

Personally, it needs to drive well and look good. But I just don't know how the extreme flush setup is to drive since I've never tried it. Maybe it doesn't make much of a difference?

 

hmmm . . i have a noob question(s) . . . why did you go to a 17F, 18R setup ? is it for the track ? what are the advantages of this setup ?

 

^^^Im sure he meant offsets holmes.. not size of rims (IF thats what you meant)...

 

Declaring something flush is an opinion. Fact: Rolling your fenders unnecessarily is silly.

That's the offset, not the wheel diameter.

 

that's your opinion, not a fact. alot of things people do to their cars can be considered both unnecessary and silly.

i was just trying to playful instead of getting into this debate. fact: i quoted the word "wrong" for a reason.