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My car is a DD on nice days. I don't drive in the snow but do in cold weather. I like the look of the stock 19's but they're getting beaten up on our crappy roads. I had them repaired and powder coated 2 years ago and now they need it again. I'm also unimpressed with my 225/ 245 tire setup and want more grip.
My plan is 18x9.5 with as much tire as I can easily fit. I'm lowering the car 1" on Tein Street Basis at the same time. I don't really want to roll fenders but If I have to I will. I'll need an alignment anyway so adding camber is fine as long as it's not extreme. I'm planning 255 or 265 square and found a couple wheels that are available for about the same price. Which ones will look/ fit the best? Should I order spacers now or test fit and see if I need them. I like the grey/ gunmetal look but am open to suggestions. My first choice was the NT03+M wheel but they don't come in grey in my size, just silver and are on back order.
I'm leaning toward 255 Continental extreme contacts DWS 06, is that a good choice? Durable enough for daily use but pretty grippy. Should I go to a summer tire instead? I need some more pics of bPChaos car, his flush fitment is almost exactly what I'm going for.
Enkei GTC02 +40mm (this is new seems safe to buy)
Enkei GTC01RR +35mm (are these out of production?, scary if I need a replacement in 2 years)
It's a fair argument to say summer-only tires can only be justified if you have a dedicated set of wheels for your winter snows. Most of the time. Otherwise it's a full tire swap, twice a year, and that can get old.
I prefer the second wheel, the one in matte black. But if I'm honest about it, I prefer the OEM Sport 19's, in the finish you currently have. The point being, neither of those two Enkie wheels look worth replacing what you already have. There are better looking wheels out there, looks being subjective and all.
It's a fair argument to say summer-only tires can only be justified if you have a dedicated set of wheels for your winter snows. Most of the time. Otherwise it's a full tire swap, twice a year, and that can get old.
I prefer the second wheel, the one in matte black. But if I'm honest about it, I prefer the OEM Sport 19's, in the finish you currently have. The point being, neither of those two Enkie wheels look worth replacing what you already have. There are better looking wheels out there, looks being subjective and all.
I agree with you 100%. I have a truck I drive when there is salt on the roads. I drive the G on sunny cold days when the roads are clean but my car doesn't have any rust which is rare in Indiana so I'm trying to keep it that way. I was thinking all season over summer tires for cold grip and treadwear. My commute is 30 min on the highway. I wouldn't swap wheels on the G, I'd just park it.
I also prefer the look of my stock 19s but I want more grip and durability. Currently I need rear tires and 3 wheels repaired so putting that money into new 18's seem'd like the smarter choice even if it doesn't look quite as good. If someone made a stock wheel replica in 18x9.5 I'd buy it. I like my wheels. Looks are definitely subjective but what sub $500 wheels would you pick? The other issue is almost every wheel I asked about was out of stock from Enkei. I found these at random shops and ebay. Our local tire shop couldn't order any Enkeis for me w/o a 3 month lead time.
So... my car isn't exactly stock - my front fenders are flat rolled and pushed out in front by a good amount while the rears have the bracket trimmed and liners removed - here's some pictures and some text so maybe that will help. Please keep in mind, however, that not all tires are sized equally. From what I understand, the DWS06 run more true to size/skinny, than say a summer tire, which is what I primarily run. I'll go by wheel size and offset as well as any spacers I'm using, then the tire. a 255/45R18 will be a bit tall, while a 265/40R18 will be a bit short. 245/45 and 275/40 are as close to OEM as you're going to get.
Car is 26.7 inches from ground to fender front and rear, with 2.2 deg. of camber in front and 2.7 in rear. 0 toe.
Personally, for my next set of wheels, I'm looking at 18x10+30 or 35, to better fit a 275. A 9.5 likes 255-265s, depending on the tire.
And Rochester - those wheels he's listed are significantly lighter than OEM 19s. In that size, they're around 21lbs each. About as light as you're going to get with a cast wheel.
This is the car as it currently sits.
Advan RZ reps - 18x9.5+35, 10mm spacer in front and 5mm in the rear.
275/40R18 Nitto NT555G2 - these run pretty wide.
Same wheels, but with a 275/40 Nankang AS-1 and 10mm spacers all around - these are more true to size
Enkei NT03+M, 18x9.5 +27, 5mm spacer in front and no spacer in rear - these will not clear front sport brakes without a 2.5mm spacer
265/40 Federal RSRR - these run wide as well
Enkei NT03+M, 18x10.5+30, no spacers - I liked them but they poked a bit much for me.
275/40 Hankook Ventus RS4 - these are only a little wider than normal, not quite to the extremes that the Federal and Nittos run
Work 11R, 18x9.5+38 - 10mm spacers all around
275/40 Hankook Ventus RS4 - rubbed a tiny bit in the rear under full compression
Same wheels, with no spacers
265/40 Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 - these are pretty normal and true to size
I've always liked the Forgestar F14, in gun metal. IDK why, but that particular wheel always stuck in my head as reasonably priced and attractive (and lightweight).
I've always liked the Forgestar F14, in gun metal. IDK why, but that particular wheel always stuck in my head as reasonably priced and attractive (and lightweight).
I like those. I emailed about price and lead time.
265/40 on an 18x9.5+30 should fit without problems. At least that's what I can remember.
I would roll the fronts flat, anyway. You don't need to push them out like I did, but they're currently folded at a 45* angle from factory. Just flatten it flush and you'll easily gain another 5-10mm in clearance.
Thanks for all the help guys. The wheels and tires look at fit great. After lowering my alignment came in at -2.5 and -2.7 rear camber. Everything else is in spec. Any opinions on the aftermarket camber bolts vs the camber arms?
Thanks for all the help guys. The wheels and tires look at fit great. After lowering my alignment came in at -2.5 and -2.7 rear camber. Everything else is in spec. Any opinions on the aftermarket camber bolts vs the camber arms?
Here's the car. I put pics in the wheel thread too. I'll post the full alignment sheet tonight. I'm thinking of making my own spacers if I can find a drop of 6" bar stock. Then I won't need to use the centering rings that came w/ the wheels. We have a machine shop at work. The rear could use a 5-10 mm spacer, the front is pretty flush.
2008 G37s 6mt
Forgestar F14 18x9.5 + 35
265/40/18
Tein Street Basis coils
No spacers (yet)
Oh yeah, very nice. I didn't realize the 18" F14 would fit over those brakes, that's awesome. What a great OEM-ish look, reasonably priced and very lightweight for cast wheels.
If anything at all, the rears look like they could come out a little more flush, but you're on top of the situation already.
Nice! Looks like you've got it down. Also looks like you could also run a bit wider (275/40R18 - same height as OEM tires) in the future if you'd like. I was looking at a set of the 18x10s of these myself. They look good.
265/40 on an 18x9.5+30 should fit without problems. At least that's what I can remember.
I would roll the fronts flat, anyway. You don't need to push them out like I did, but they're currently folded at a 45* angle from factory. Just flatten it flush and you'll easily gain another 5-10mm in clearance.
What method should I use to roll them? Should I keep the fender liners?
Update The car felt great but my tires only lasted about 30k miles instead of 50k. All my alignment measurements were in spec except for too much camber. I decided to tackle that issue with rear toe/ camber bolts and z1 front upper control arms. Now the rear is dialed but I'm getting some rubbing in the front. I can't tell exactly where yet. My front camber is -.5 deg. but caster is about 8 degrees. I'm thinking of trying to adjust some of the caster out and make the camber about -1.0. With the Z1 arms I doubt I can remove much caster but I have full control over the camber. What numbers should I shoot for?
Current tire size is 255/45/18
I could also raise the car slightly but it looks so good.... suggestions?
08-11-2020, 12:13 PM
I didn't realize the 18" F14 would fit over those brakes, that's awesome. What a great OEM-ish look, reasonably priced and very lightweight for cast wheels.