FY33 17x7.5 offset 30mm rims on '92 Max GXE

[johngalt]

Hi, folks, I talked with elWesso about this via email, and he advised that I post here.

I recently wrecked a '99 Q45t with factory wheels and Kumho tires that I had just purchased not 45 days before the wreck. The insurance company wants to total out the car, and I simply do not have the money to buy it at auction and part it out, so I am letting it go - sadly - but I want to keep the tires, as I paid a pretty penny for them.

I looked around and finally find the new Tire FAQ and noticed that the bolt pattern and offset for the '92 Max and the '99Q were identical, save that the Q came with 15-17 inch rims and the Max did 15-16.

He asked me to post specifically: I want to put the 17 rims / tires from the FY33 on this Max, as they have superior handling to the current passenger tires on the stock 15" Max rims. The tire size is 225/50 17, 94W rating, so weight and speed are not going to be an issue - he simply wanted to make sure that I would be able to do the one to one swap without any real adverse affects.

I am already planning to notice some possible rubbing, especially if I make hard turns, and he was concerned that they might stick out too far (at this point I am not about aesthetics so much as handling and performance, even with this ancient Max), so is it feasible without any mods to the car?

I also had the suspension system recently overhauled at a local Nissan dealership, to the tune of over 2 grand, so I don't think the car is sagging any at all, if that info helps.

Thanks for any and all help / suggestions provided in advance.

[maxhopper]

If I remember correctly all the 3rd gen Maximas came with 15's (not sure about width). Tire rack recommends a 225/45 for a 17 on that model, so I would think that a slight amount of rubbing on tight/er radius turns should be the only concern (as you are aware of).

Some of the 3rd gen guys should chime in later.

[johngalt]

Yup, 15" they are. I parked the car right next to the Q at the collision center and eyeballing it it looked as if the tire was only an inch taller (the 17 that is), but width is definitely going to be 1.5-2.5 inches, AFAICT.

I am going to swap the front tires tomorrow morning and drive around on the Max - if it doesn't rub too badly (depending upon turn radius) I can definitely live with that. If it does, then Ill have to figure out a way to make it work - Insurance bastards are not getting my Kumhos no matter what.

[maxhopper]

Post some pics, if you decide to sell. You may have some takers here.

[johngalt]

Pics of the Max with Y33 rims? I dunno if I will sell it - then again, I really *really* miss the Q, so....

I am testing the front rim swap tomorrow, and I just read about the RIM offset stuff in the Maxima tech articles section, but I think I will be OK, since (ISTR) the Infiniti 17s are 30mm offset to begin with....

Hopefully I won't need to use any spacers.

The car is a little beat up, with 165K miles on it, and I doubt I could get more than a couple of hundred for it, but it runs, so I am not stranded from work :P

[maxhopper]

I should have said if you end up wanting to sell the rims.

[johngalt]

Ahh - well, I would but those are going back on the Q so the Insurance Co. doesn't ***** (imagine the look on their faces when they see Nissan rims on the Q.... But the total loss claims adjustor said "I don't care if you take the wheels off or not as long as it has *some* wheels on it...." - and I have that recorded....

If I knew where it was going to be auctioned and I had the money, I'd buy it back and part it out....

[MinisterofDOOM]

Since the Q is RWD, and the Max is FWD, it's more likely that the extra width will go IN, not out. This is the problem most of us run into with RWD wheels: interference with the suspension components. This has kept me from being able to use more than one set of wheels. You'll likely end up needing to run some narrow tires to keep things away from the struts/springs (225 at the widest). I'm horrible with figuring how sizes and offsets will fit in my head, though. I find it simpler just to swap out one wheel and feel around.

[Rex]

The offset on the Y33 wheels should eb fairly low, and I've seen early model Max's with the 18 Rays and Murano wheels, so I'm pretty sure you shouldn't have any issue. Tire may be a touch tall, but you should be fine.

[johngalt]

Well, I swapped them out this morning. The front wheels definitely stick out more than before, but as I never really looked at the back wheels I cannot say for certain, although by comparison, since they look right now, I bet the back wheels used to look too far in.

I'll post pics in a few days - haven't taken any since the wheels were sitting for 2 months on the Q so I need to get flat spots out and I just had the tires balanced again for good measure.

I have only noticed rubbing under extreme turning conditions, or if I am braking hard and turning - other than that all seems well, with the added stability from wider tires, a slightly (but no garish) increased ride height, and definitely better ride - but that is mainly because of hte tires themselves, Kumho Ecsta KH11s. Please don't flame me for tire choice - I researched hard and wide and for the money and performance (especially dry road performance) I couldn't beat them for the Q, and road noise is not a problem for me. They are just as noisy for the Max, but hey, when I get the old CD player replaced and speakers re-done, then I won't be worried about it too much.

Here's to Nissan Motor Company on standardizing (as much as possible) their bolt patterns and offsets, making swapping out (these particular) wheels.

@MinisterofDOOM: The tire size on the 17s are, in fact, 225/50W17s, 94W rating - I needed good load bearing tires for the 4K pound Q....

@Rex - in fact, when compared side by side the overall height of wheel including tire was only off by 1/2" - but when placed on the car the difference became more like 1.5", I guess due to the high sidewall of the passenger tires that were on the 15s.

PS: I am going to try to find out where he car will be auctioned, and if I can get it back relatively cheaply, I will be parting out the Q parts, including the OE Nissan 15" rims. Yes, I know, a lot of *ifs* in that statement, but if anyone has any suggestions regarding buying a car back from auction after being totaled out, let me know!