Time for Aftermarket Wheels
 

Alright, I'm new the forum, so I apologize if I do something stupid...

So, I bought a 09 370z Touring (no navi, no sports pkg). I immediately install Stillen Gen 3 CAI and have me factory wheels powder coated semi-gloss black. I was real happy with everything, until I left work last Friday and my passenger side front wheel was cracked! I can only assume that the powder coating process was not performed properly. I know they were "baked off" first and understand that is not ideal. Anyway...I'll handle that offline.

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I do have a question for the pros out here:
What are some quality after market wheel I can purchase? I really like Volk G2s, but I'm not ready ready to drop $3500+ on a set of rims. I'm looking for something closer to the 500 - 600 each range. I guess I could drop the big $s if I have to, but I'm looking for something a bit less pricey. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

-s

I guess before handing out suggestions, what sort of look are you after, and what will you be using the car for?

You can snag used G2s with tires for about $2k shipped if you are willing to look used.



I am a fan of lightweight wheels (like the volks), and personally dig the SSR type-F:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...oser101/z1.jpg

http://www.d2autosport.com/wheels/fo...atteblk19b.jpg

Forgestar f14 is another good looking light option, wait time is ridiculous though.

Thanks Red.

Aesthetically The G2s are right in line with my taste. Flat, or semi, black with simple lines. SSR type-F are definitely a great looking wheel and might be exactly what I am looking for. Thanks for the suggestion.

The Z has been a daily driver for me. I don't race, per se, but I live in the foothills of the ozark mountains and there are some nice "canyon carving" opportunities around. I'm not out there doing anything crazy, but I like to feel the Gs every now and then.

weds SA55M's are about 600 a pop.

what do you mean by "baked off"? Did they actually run your wheels through a burnoff oven to strip them? If so that isn't just ridiculous, its negligent. Those temperatures get up to 8-900 degrees. If it was just pre cooking them for an hour at 375-400, that shouldn't have hurt them.

@kenchan, thanks for the reply. Sweet wheels! This is exactly the type of help I was looking for. I started to look around the web for a new set, but there are SO many brands/models out there, it's hard to know what is crap and what is not.

Hey Mike, I'm not totally sure about the process, but the invoice literally says "RIMS BURNED OFF, SANDBLASTED, AND POWDER COATED." When I first took the wheels in, he actually ruined one. He ended up having to drive to Tulsa, OK to buy another and try again. A large portion of the outer ring folded into it self. I didn't feel like the shop was sketchy at all, but I guess we live and learn. I'm going to "chat" with him tomorrow. Should be fun.

I agree with Red and Ken, SA55M, F14, Type-F's are all good wheels at the good prices. You can also consider going with the sport 19" Rays, which people usually sell for around 1k for a set here on the forums, they look great painted with some spacers. You can also try out the stock Nismo rims, as they are very high quality and lightweight as well.

Hey scotthobbz, congrats your purchase and welcome to the forum. I run the Forgestar F14s as Red suggested. They are an amazing looking wheel at an even more amazing price!! I paid under $1800 for all four if I remember correctly. I did have to wait quite awhile to get them but it was well worth it. Here is a pic of them installed on my car
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...0238640699.jpg

and just a shot of the wheel....

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...1308159771.jpg

^^ those look amazing!
and the price is good too :tup:

np! :tup:

as others have mentioned you might be able to score a good used set of sport wheels too for 1K range. :)

It was the burn off, he melted it, and weakened the others.

I too run F14s. A set of 18s cost me 1200 purchased direct

:tiphat:

Just a quick update...

I ended up going with Work 11R's and some Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position tires for winter time. We don't get much snow, etc. but it does get cold. I found them for a great price and they were available.

Now I need to find a decent center cap (I dislike Work's) and do something about that door handle. Black is ideal, but I also like the carbon fiber look, but I don't like the idea of a CF cover...

Attachment 37179

Any Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Wheels look nice, what are the specs? more pics as well please.

If you don't like the included Work center caps you could try to switch them out for a different Work center caps but that's about it.

Thanks Waizzz. I was nervous to go any bigger and I wanted to be able to put my summer tires back on when it warms up a bit, hence the 18s. I actually opted for a set of black Work lugs instead of the center caps, so I didn't even buy any. I'll be keeping an eye out for a set. I saw some black center caps with a silver "Z" on them that were appealing. We'll see.

I'll get some more pics posted after I clean them up.

Wheels - Work 11R in Matte Black
Fronts 18x8.5 +38
Rears 18x9.5 +30

Bridgestone Potenzas RE970AS Pole Position
Fronts - 225x50xr18
Rears - 245x45xr18

I like the wheels but those specs and tire sizes are very weak on a 370z.
Did you buy them used? New?

well he is using them as winter set so i suppose that's okay. my G's usually running 245/275 19x9/19x10 in the summer but in the winter run 225/245 8x18 factory wheels.

@Juruki
Thanks! I bought the wheels new for less than 1800. The tires where also new and on sale. I snagged them for around 700. They're both are in line with what came on the car. The sales guy definitely questioned my choice in sizes, but I was trying to save a bit of dough. After all, I just bought the Z outright and dropping 3k on wheels and tire was painful enough. I'm not really sure how aggressive I would want to go anyway. For me there is a thin line between "clean" and "gaudy". I'm new to all of this and didn't want to do something I'd regret like having tire rub, etc. Any direction towards a recommended setup would be awesome.

@Kenchan
I've heard that the G's and Z are nearly interchangeable from many perspectives. Is this setup something you would recommend? Did you have to buy anything other than wheels and tires to pull it off? (i.e. spaces, etc). Thanks for the help!