I live just outside of NYC and the potholes here are unreal. Anyway my dealer said that they would be willing to swap out the stock 19s for the 18s (seeing how I just signed for the car today). My issue is that I really dont wana get another set of rims for when I put Blizzaks on next winter and I dont know how much I can trust the 19s from bending with these potholes. Then again how well to 19in snow tires even work? This is a really big concern for me but I really do love the looks of the 19s. Any opinions would be great!


-Steve-

 

I went through the same issue last Fall. Bought the car in July '09 and by October couldn't find 19" snow tires for love or money. The dealer also suggested running 18" but by the time you add the tires, rims and TPMS sensors plus installation the price was too high. We decided to park the car during the worst of the winter.
In mid-November, the dealer called and said he had a set of 19" available if we were still interested. I had the snow tires mounted and we've used the car through the winter.
Handling in the snow and ice: Excellent, good traction, good braking and good steering. The one and only time the rear-end fishtailed was when I released the clutch too agressively between 1st and 2nd.
Infiniti, here in Calgary, installs and stores my tires for $120/year ($60 each spring/fall).

 

I'm currently having my dealer look into what winter tire packages there are for the vert.

 

I live in the city so I feel you pain, that said, i really havent heard of anyone bending their rims from a pothole over here. These rims are made really well and can handle a beating.

BTW, i'll give you my 18's plus 200 if you still decide to downgrade...

 

Damn dude..2 posts and u joined in 05! man of few words...

 

Glad to hear you know my pain! NYC has some potholes that should have their own area codes. Never had good luck with anything but OEM wheels around here. BTW would you know how the stock tires that come with the 19's are in the rain? I owned summer tires once and they were REALLY prone to hydroplane.

haha yea well the funny thing is that I didnt even realize that I was a memeber. lol we just signed on the car last night and figured that I would turn to the forums for advice as I do on all my cars. Next thing I know it tells me that I already belong to this forum. I guess thats how I know I'm a car nut...join forums of cars before I even realize I want them.

 

The 19" summer tires work very well in the rain. Drove to Seattle last fall and used every small twisty road between here and there including hwy 20 in the Cascades. It rained most of the way and I was amazed at how well the car hugged tight curves at high speed in the rain.
Calgary shares NYC's pothole claim to fame, so far no bending of the OEM rims but all 4 wheels have scrapes and gouges from hitting the edges.

 

OK good to hear that!