Why buying rims for my '09 G37S sucked and how I got over it.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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Why buying rims for my '09 G37S sucked and how I got over it.
The reason I am writing this is because I tried searching for helpful information on my specific vehicle for months and found nothing. I just wanted a few examples of aftermarket wheels on my particular model car, but the internet failed me (or maybe I need to learn how to internet search better)...
I have a 2009 Infiniti G37S sport coupe, 6-speed manual transmission. Thanks to winter in the NE, I found myself with an irreparable front passenger side OEM wheel. According to the Infiniti Dealership and the tire center, it would cost $600-$700 for one replacement OEM wheel, not including the tire. I could have found a replacement on eBay, but it seemed like a decent excuse to buy 4 aftermarket wheels and scrap/sell my OEM's.
The OEM wheels are 19 x 8.5 in the front and 19 x 9 in the rear. My goal was to find a 1:1 replacement (so that I could reuse my tires) at my price point in a style that I liked. My strategy was to find an on-line vendor for my purchase.
It turns out, many of the wheels that are listed on aftermarket wheel websites as "compatible" are not necessarily compatible. The rear brake caliper was the persistent problem - it is too big. This is why it sucked. I learned this is called the x-factor and is something that only a few true tire nerds really understand.
This ultimately meant that I would have to either try to find 1 front OEM wheel off eBay (or a shady area of the city) or settle with a rim that is not my top pick. Such is life. I eventually settled on the TSW Jerez Matte Black with stainless steel lip. That's how I got over it. Here is what I ended up with:
Front - 19 x 9, +30 offset, 245/40/19 (my existing rear tires had excellent tread, so I rotated those to the front)
Rear - 19 x 10.5, +27 offset, 275/35/19
It is a fairly aggressive set-up but it did pass inspection. For anyone who might say they like the OEM look better than the aftermarket: I'm with you. I'm an idiot for buying a black car and then putting shiny stainless steel wheels on it. This car is Danny Tanner's dream car.
As I read back on this post, I realize it is not as informational as I had hoped, but when I was still searching for wheels, I just wanted ONE person to talk about the aftermarket wheels they bought for their 2009 G37S and somehow I couldn't find them. So, to those old-school people still rocking a 2009 Infiniti, here is a fresh new story for you.
Cheers...
BEFORE:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...h432-no/03.jpg
AFTER:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...ew%2Bshoes.jpg
I have a 2009 Infiniti G37S sport coupe, 6-speed manual transmission. Thanks to winter in the NE, I found myself with an irreparable front passenger side OEM wheel. According to the Infiniti Dealership and the tire center, it would cost $600-$700 for one replacement OEM wheel, not including the tire. I could have found a replacement on eBay, but it seemed like a decent excuse to buy 4 aftermarket wheels and scrap/sell my OEM's.
The OEM wheels are 19 x 8.5 in the front and 19 x 9 in the rear. My goal was to find a 1:1 replacement (so that I could reuse my tires) at my price point in a style that I liked. My strategy was to find an on-line vendor for my purchase.
It turns out, many of the wheels that are listed on aftermarket wheel websites as "compatible" are not necessarily compatible. The rear brake caliper was the persistent problem - it is too big. This is why it sucked. I learned this is called the x-factor and is something that only a few true tire nerds really understand.
This ultimately meant that I would have to either try to find 1 front OEM wheel off eBay (or a shady area of the city) or settle with a rim that is not my top pick. Such is life. I eventually settled on the TSW Jerez Matte Black with stainless steel lip. That's how I got over it. Here is what I ended up with:
Front - 19 x 9, +30 offset, 245/40/19 (my existing rear tires had excellent tread, so I rotated those to the front)
Rear - 19 x 10.5, +27 offset, 275/35/19
It is a fairly aggressive set-up but it did pass inspection. For anyone who might say they like the OEM look better than the aftermarket: I'm with you. I'm an idiot for buying a black car and then putting shiny stainless steel wheels on it. This car is Danny Tanner's dream car.
As I read back on this post, I realize it is not as informational as I had hoped, but when I was still searching for wheels, I just wanted ONE person to talk about the aftermarket wheels they bought for their 2009 G37S and somehow I couldn't find them. So, to those old-school people still rocking a 2009 Infiniti, here is a fresh new story for you.
Cheers...
BEFORE:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...h432-no/03.jpg
AFTER:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...ew%2Bshoes.jpg
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iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 223
From: Katy (close to Houston)
I'm guessing you've never bought aftermarket wheels before because your experience sounds absolutely normal when trying to find the correct fit (which you appear to have done) when finding new wheels . I think the wheels look great so don't be too hard on yourself. Just get yourself a little drop and you'll be good to go. Welcome to the site.
Welcome to the forum. In your exhaustive search of where to find replacement wheels in the same sizes as your OEM wheels, you didn't find any posts here that helped? I tend to agree that you need to learn how to search the internet better. The X factor that you speak of is known as offset an many people here are quite familiar with it, though it does seem to elude most people. There are dozens of threads about it here. Even a tire and wheel calculator at the top of the tire and wheel forum that will tell you about how any given wheel and tire size combination compares to your OEM wheels in relation to width, circumference, and offset.
Also, you could have easily purchased a used exact OEM replacement wheel in good condition here in the Private Classified forum from a known reputable seller for a fraction of what the dealership sells them for.
Sorry you did everything the hard way. There are literally dozens of very knowledgeable people on this forum that would have been happy to help you, probably even some who live near you that could have done it in person. Welcome to the forum.
Also, you could have easily purchased a used exact OEM replacement wheel in good condition here in the Private Classified forum from a known reputable seller for a fraction of what the dealership sells them for.
Sorry you did everything the hard way. There are literally dozens of very knowledgeable people on this forum that would have been happy to help you, probably even some who live near you that could have done it in person. Welcome to the forum.
Black Betty speaks the truth 
We're here to help, and would have been able to guide you through the wheel jungle without too much trouble.
At any rate, glad you found us and hopefully your future mods go a bit easier for you.
We're here to help, and would have been able to guide you through the wheel jungle without too much trouble.
At any rate, glad you found us and hopefully your future mods go a bit easier for you.
Brad(AKA blnewt) has probably helped a hundred or more people figure out what will and won't fit their cars. I agree with Black Betty, you definitely did things the hard way. There are plenty of resources available here to make modding your G easier. If you posted something like this on the 370Z forum you would have been flamed mercilessly. Car looks nice BTW.
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 135
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From: Toronto
The rims look nice to me.
I wanted to save some money from 19" winter tires so after many hours of researching, I just picked up a set of used 03-04 G35 18" coupe rims + new tires for winter set up and they fit and clear the brakes on my S. Hope this post is helpful for anyone in the future looking for related information like I was a few days ago.
I wanted to save some money from 19" winter tires so after many hours of researching, I just picked up a set of used 03-04 G35 18" coupe rims + new tires for winter set up and they fit and clear the brakes on my S. Hope this post is helpful for anyone in the future looking for related information like I was a few days ago.
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