18 or 19 inch tires?

Camilo

Hello!
I am new to this forum because I recently thought about ordering a 370z and was searching for additional information.

Right now I´m considering whether to order the car with the 18" or 19" tires.

What would you suggest?
Does anybody of you have pictures where one can see the difference between both (actually, does one see any big difference at all, and is it worth the additional charge of 1000 EUR in Europe?).

Any (dis-)adavantages about these two options?

Would be great if someone could help me with this!
Thanks a lot,
Camilo.

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.

Florida_GATOR

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

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qnsblvd

To me the sport package is a great deal because not only does it include 19"s, you also get big brakes and synchro rev match. I don't know if sport package is offered in Germany, but if it is, it's worth the euros.

All that aside, the 19"s do look better and they come with wider tires too. I don't know if the 18"s are cast or forged, but the 19"s are definitely forged, so they may be lighter than the 18"s.

Camilo

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?

Camilo

In Germany we have a package which includes Bose sound system, leather seats and synchro rev control.
I would order this for sure!

But 19"-tires are extra, not part of the package and are 1000 EUR plus on top of the package-price!
That´s why I ask. If they were part of the package anyway, it would be no question.

chubbs

I went from 18" to 19" wheels on my 350z - and they look MUCH BETTER. I know the actual difference in size isn't much, but it makes a BIG difference to how the car looks. The wheel arches get filled so much better. If 20" wheels handled ok I would even go as big as that, because I think 20's would look superb - but I worry that the handling might get too bad.

When I first went over to 19's I noticed that the handling didn't seem quite as good as the 18's, but you soon get used to it. I know I am talking about the 350z here, but I think it may be similar for the 370z.

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Camilo

Could you explain, how far the handling is different?

I also read somewhere that the 19" are much louder from inside, don´t know if that´s true, too?

Alexus

I am fairly certain that the forged RAYS are far lighter and stronger than the 18-inch ones. In all honesty it's all about looks. The 18's are reminescent of the 350Z era.

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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.

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Kirkster

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

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...

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Kirkster

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

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

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Kirkster

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

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