So i'm trying to figure out what wheels I CAN put on my Z. (2003 touring don't think that matters though)

The 100 questions thread says

Front 18" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/40/18
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18
(lower offset such as +10 in rear is possible but may require rolling)

My question is does the front and rear offset have/need to be the same?

I'm looking at the Enkei Kojin's sizing chart at
http://www.enkei.com/size_chart/KOJIN.pdf

From reading I know that I need a lug pattern of 5x114.3

they have 18"x8.5" with Inset (is that the same as offset?) 25
and 18" x 9.5" with Inset 15

That would put it within the above posted limits but I'm not sure if Inset (or Offset) needs to be the same?

 

You can always just do 9.5 +15 front and rear

 

+1 This is my current set up and I run a 275/35/18 in rear and 245/40/18 in the front. It keeps the TCS in check and puts more rubber on the road where you really need it. As to the offsets; my 18x9.5 +15 on all corners gives it a very flush look but I had to roll my rear fenders and went with a stiffer spring via coil-overs to keep from rubbing on bumps or bounces. Been running this setup going on 3 years and still live the feel and look.

 

Usually the term OFFSET is used with wheels.
Don't get too paranoid about a difference between say,
a 15&20 offset.Also,depending on the wheel,there may not be
a large variety of offsets available.Less expensive wheels will offer
few offset choices meaning the use of spacers is necessary for
a desireable fit.You are wise in selecting a wheel with proper offsets
right from the start.As already mentioned,you could run + 15 front& rear.
I run 20 in front,25 in the rear.8.5 front,9.5 rear.Works for me.15 will give you
a flusher look but may cause some rubbing.In addition,I like 19's for the
best balance on the Z unless you are tracking your car.

 

So a 15 in the read and 25 in the front would be not good?

I kind of want to keep the stagger, just because thats how nissan made the car in the first place.

This offset thing is just killing me to try and understand it.

Take the Kojins that I'm talking about for example, in the 8.5" it offers and offset of 25, 35, and 50 for the x114.3 lug.

And in the 9.5" it offers 15 and 30

Edit: Someone mentioned cheaper rims. I though that Enkei were considered good rims? I had been looking at Rota, but was set straight on that front.

 

My wheels are 18x9.5 +15 front and 18x12 -12 rear. Don't do that unless you want to go HAM on your rear fenders.

That said, there is quite a bit of variance in what size and offset you can run on your vehicle. It really depends on desired look and use of vehicle.

The specs that you listed will not require any body modification and will also keep your tires relatively cheap. Go with that.

 

9.5 +15, then like the early Z's you stagger the tires.
255/40-18 front
275/40-18 rear

03 to 05 with18's came with18x8 front and rear , 225/45 front and 245/45 rears.

 

So its entirely ok to have that big of a difference in front and rear offset?
Is there a more in depth link that anyone has / knows about where I can really educate myself on wheels? This is the first car I've had where I really cared.

Also, would that still keep my VDC happy?

 

Ah, I was not aware that this was the case. Thank you for clearing that up. so just do 9.5s all the way around with different tires. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm not entirely sure why I thought it had staggered rims as well?

 

Pay attention to what I post. VDC will be happy.

The less offset in the rear compared to the front, the more understeer you will get. My car runs 18x10.5 +15 or +20 ( depending on my wheels ) and 18x10.5 +10 rear


17x7.5 and 17x8
18x8 front and rear
18x8 and 18x8.5
18x9 and 19x10
These are all the sizes a Z came with from the factory. All have a stagger in tire height and 20mm stagger in width , except 17's had a 10mm stagger in tire width.

 

lol Sorry about that, when I posted about the VDC, your post hadn't showed up on my screen yet.

I did thank you quite profusely in the post right after that, and was looking for a +rep button. I appreciate your help a lot in that it has cleared up a lot of my questions on the wheels