18 or 19 inch tires?

Kirkster · 07-23-2009, 09:48 AM

Its all about Looks. Some people Like the look of 19s or 20s as they "fill" the wheel opening and help eliminate the dreaded "wheel gap"

Personally I don't like 19s, Tires cost more, wheels weigh more, all for a "look"

Plus I am screwed as an autocrosser as the 370 with SP only comes with 19s. That means Hoosiers which are more expensive and don't last as long. Hoosiers are grippier when fresh but that fresh feeling only lasts about 12-20 runs by 30 - 40 runs you have corded the tires. Kumho on the other hand get around 80-100 runs before cording, though you only get great grip up till around 25ish runs then they are local event only tires.

Florida_GATOR · 07-23-2009, 09:50 AM

Go 19's, they look alot better, they compliment the shape of the car superbly!

Camilo · 07-23-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_GATOR

Go 19's, they look alot better, they compliment the shape of the car superbly!

Are there any pictures in the forum´s gallery where I can see the difference?
Pics from users which have the 19´s comparable to others who have the 18´s?

ricer333 · 07-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

Its all about Looks. Some people Like the look of 19s or 20s as they "fill" the wheel opening and help eliminate the dreaded "wheel gap"

Personally I don't like 19s, Tires cost more, wheels weigh more, all for a "look"

Plus I am screwed as an autocrosser as the 370 with SP only comes with 19s. That means Hoosiers which are more expensive and don't last as long. Hoosiers are grippier when fresh but that fresh feeling only lasts about 12-20 runs by 30 - 40 runs you have corded the tires. Kumho on the other hand get around 80-100 runs before cording, though you only get great grip up till around 25ish runs then they are local event only tires.

I love Khumo tires. When I was on their site last though I was unable to find tires that fit the dimensions of the 19". The 18", yes they have those. Any new word on this?

You could always buy the 19" rims and then swap out for some 18" rims. that way you get all the perks of the Sports Package.

Kirkster · 07-23-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricer333

I love Khumo tires. When I was on their site last though I was unable to find tires that fit the dimensions of the 19". The 18", yes they have those. Any new word on this?

You could always buy the 19" rims and then swap out for some 18" rims. that way you get all the perks of the Sports Package.

Kumho is still not making 19s... Maybe next year, or not.

if you swap wheels you are out of the stock class... Any wheel other than the stock wheel has to have the same dimensions as the original OEM equipment plus or minus 1/4 inch from factory offset. So the same diameter and width with just a small difference in offset.

It is even worse since you can't rotate the tires from front to back without swapping the tires on the wheels due to having 9" width on the fronts and 10" on the rear. so you have to spend more money to have the tires swapped from wheel to wheel to rotate them.

Sigh...

Modshack · 07-23-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

Its all about Looks. Some people Like the look of 19s or 20s as they "fill" the wheel opening and help eliminate the dreaded "wheel gap"

Personally I don't like 19s, Tires cost more, wheels weigh more, all for a "look"

Huh???????????????????????????
The sport package which includes 19" rims is about performance, NOT looks. LSD differential, Big brakes, Syncro rev match, Light Rays Forged wheels with stickier rubber and shorter sidewalls for better response. Nissan didn't put this package together for looks (though it does look better). It may not meet your AutoX requirements, but it sure meets my street needs...

Kirkster · 07-23-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

Huh???????????????????????????
The sport package which includes 19" rims is about performance, NOT looks. Light Rays Forged wheels, stickier rubber, shorter sidewalls for better response. Nissan didn't put this package together for looks (though it does look better). It may not meet your AutoX requirements, but it sure meets my street needs...

Light is a relative term.

the 19 inch oem Rays for the 370 Z are
Front Wheels (Sport Package): 23.2lbs(10.52kg)
Rear Wheels (Sport Package): 23.8lbs (10.8kg)

the 18 inch oem Rays for the track package 350 Z
Front Wheels 18.19lbs
Rear Wheels 18.62lbs

Yes the new 19s are wider by and inch in the front and inch and a half in the rear but they are still heavier that the equivalent 18s. Tires are also Heavier. But if I want wider wheels in 18s just as light they are obtainable for less than the price of a set of Volks. (CCW makes them for the z for 2K a set)

But performance between the two is often very subjective, and unsprung weight is a factor in high performance applications.

A shorter/stiffer sidewall on a street tire, while improving turn in response marginally, it just means that you are more likely to dent that expensive rim when you hit pot hole that the truck in front of you was hiding.

Stickier tires are also available in 18s...

The 19s are demanded today because of looks not performance.

Oh, I will be getting the Sports Package when I buy my Z in a month or two, I am buying it not for the Wheels, but for the brakes... Ice mode was notorious on the 350 base and touring package without the Brembo brakes.

Flame suit on...

Modshack · 07-23-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

Flame suit on...Oh, I will be getting the Sports Package when I buy my Z in a month or two

And your point is?????????????

Kirkster · 07-23-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

And your point is?????????????

19s are for looks. Performance increase over an 18 is marginal at best.

its the internet for gosh sakes. like anyone has a point...

Mergnthwirker · 07-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkster

19s are for looks. Performance increase over an 18 is marginal at best.

A nice set of forged 18" will be lighter and give you better ride AND better handling in the appropriate widths. 19" is ALL about looks. Check out what the track guys are running.

07-23-2009, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Florida_GATOR Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 705 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Blk Rep Power: 18	Go 19's, they look alot better, they compliment the shape of the car superbly! __________________ MK44 Creed- " Ive got a bullet here with your name on it, and im gonna keep firing till i find out which one it is " Most badass job ever.

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07-23-2009, 09:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kirkster A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Peoples Republic of MD Posts: 1,792 Drives: Roadster of DOOM Rep Power: 21	Its all about Looks. Some people Like the look of 19s or 20s as they "fill" the wheel opening and help eliminate the dreaded "wheel gap" Personally I don't like 19s, Tires cost more, wheels weigh more, all for a "look" Plus I am screwed as an autocrosser as the 370 with SP only comes with 19s. That means Hoosiers which are more expensive and don't last as long. Hoosiers are grippier when fresh but that fresh feeling only lasts about 12-20 runs by 30 - 40 runs you have corded the tires. Kumho on the other hand get around 80-100 runs before cording, though you only get great grip up till around 25ish runs then they are local event only tires.