Hey everyone.
After doing a lot of searching around the forums and finding a few different answers, I couldn't find much specific to what I was looking for so I decided I'd just ask the experts directly.

I am thinking about going to a square wheel and tire set up on my Z, it's an 2005 base model. Pretty much bone stock. Right now I am looking at Konig Milligrams in 18x9.5 +25 at all corners. I was curious what in your opinions would be the best tire size to run for this set up. I would like to avoid fender rolling (shouldn't be a problem with 9.5 wheels and an offset +20 to +30ish right?) and would like to achieve the best aesthetics while maintaining neutral steering and streetability and performance. So far what I have gathered from research is people usually run around 255/35 or 265/35 does this seem correct?

Also if I decided to go lower in the future could I run into problems with these specs? I'd only go a max of 1" lower.

Any recommendations would be great (different wheel ideas, different specs you'd recommend, tire sizes, just trying to learn)

Thanks guys!

 

If you are looking for a track setup,275/35-18 if it's just a daily 255/40-18 or 265/40-18 will work.

 

You looking to do square tire setup as well?

I wouldn't but it's up to you. Lots of people love square tire setups for their own reasons. I personally don't care much for the feel, now that I've run such a set up. I find that it lessens steering response and, I have hardware biased my car for slight oversteer and running a square 275 (on a set of won't-name-wheels that had them on when I got 'em -and since dumped, er, sold ) leaned the car back to center/understeer as I figured it would before trying it out. Not my cup of tea.


I prefer the "standard" stagger setup of 255/40 and 275 or 285/40.

But note that that's my style of driving only. I prefer late, fast turn-in & apex so hate sacrificing steering response.

On sizes you're considering, 35% aspect ratio on 18s is too short. Look at size chart below with noted best recommendations.

225 45% 18 25.97 Stock Reference Size
245 45% 18 26.68 Stock Reference Size

245 40% 18 25.72 Front-Alternate
255 35% 18 25.03
255 40% 18 26.03 Front-Alternate
255 45% 18 27.04
265 35% 18 25.30
265 40% 18 26.35
275 35% 18 25.58
275 40% 18 26.66 Rear-Best Alternate
285 30% 18 24.73
285 35% 18 25.85
285 40% 18 26.98 Rear-2nd Best Alternate


EDIT: just noted terrasmak's response with a chuckle because his pref is opposite of mine every time the questions of square vs. stagger AND diameter/height sizing comes up; but his 275/35 comment refers to track use whereas mine is a different animal running in the hills and valleys. And yes, its largely application driven and personal preference.

 

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I think I am going to go to a square tire set up also just for the convenience of being able to rotate them. So Would you say a 255/40 or 265/40 would be a good size for that size wheel then? Mostly for daily driving and streetability with some spirited driving every once in a while.

 

i autocross a bunch and daily. i have sportline springs but everything else stock and soft lol

first set-up 17x9.5 +15 RPF1 with 595rs-rr 255/40
second set-up 17x9.5 +22 57c with FK453 275/40

the 275's rubs a HAIR infront if youre going up diagonally a ramp



IMO 255's are nice squared if you invest in some sticky tires from what im experiencing now

 

Hey, I am just now getting back to the search of new wheels and tires. I have been out of the country for a while deployed. You seem to have some good insight to share on the subject so I figured I would come back to you if you don't mind. All I am curious about now is how you think the figment of this setup would be: 18x9.75 +20 offset on all corners with 245 or 255/40 tires? Will this require any fender rolling or camber to not rub?

 

Square for the sake of rotating?
Buy an Altima.

 

dude not everyone has the money to buy new tires all the time. Thanks for you great input though.

 

It should fit just fine.

 

Maybe I'm too late, but here's my thoughts...

While it's nice to be able to rotate square is not a good setup for street use.

I have both setups for my car and here are my observations.

Square - I use this for ax only.
People refer to square as a neutral handling car. You have to understand what that really means is you have reduced under steer and that's great, however, it gives the illusion that you can drive harder and that's where you get into trouble. Drivers who can predict over steer (typically people with race experience) tend to lean towards a loose rear end, but to the unsuspecting driver it can be a dangerous situation. Under steer is more manageable (recoverable) for street use or spirited driving than over steer.
Also, understand that "neutral feel" is only evident under extreme driving conditions.


Staggered - This is the best setup for street use imo. You get a better feel for the road - specifically corner turn in. It has better steering response and better steering returnability exiting a turn. A much more predictable setup for street use.

If tire replacement cost is the key for you, I would suggest going with a staggered oem sizes and buy a harder compound (tread ware) around 500 to 600. You wont sacrifice street performance and the tires will last you considerably longer = my thoughts

 

I agree with carbuffguy’s statements. I’ve run both all square and staggered, and staggered is better for the street.

A track provides a uniform and smooth surface that makes your run predictable. An experienced driver is comfortable handling oversteer from an all square setup in this environment. This isn’t the case when driving on the street where you will encounter uneven and irregular surfaces, loose sand and gravel, pot holes, and other situations that dramatically and quickly affect grip and traction.

A staggered setup (and its consequent understeer) provides advantages for street driving. An example is hitting some loose gravel. A staggered setup with its inherent understeer can keep your car going in a straight line. An all square setup might allow the rear to break loose, and you get very busy counter steering to save yourself.

 

I suggest #drivingschool and then you can forget about what setup is on the car and just deal with the conditions as they arise.




Of course, I keeding. Just haven't mentioned that in, gosh, what, like three months?? Slipping as I age..... Kinda felt like it was stuck in me.

 

What do you mean by too short? Can you explain the measurements for a 265 35 18 front tire?

 

I mean, it is too short. How to explain that any more succinctly?

Look at the tire chart, look at the reference size, look at your 265.... TOO. SHORT.

265 = tread width
35 = aspect ratio or percentage (%) of the tread width that the side wall is high
18 = wheel diameter in inches

 

Sorry for the late response. I've been gone for a while. Thank you everyone for the advice and input!