Help fitting tires to wheels.

[hellfire104]

I just purchased a new set of wheels for my G35. They are 18 x 8.5 in the front and 18 x 9.5 in the back.

I was just wondering what a good size tire would be for the front and back. For example, I am told that 245/35/18 is a good size for the 8.5 inch wheels, but this source is pretty unreliable.

Any advice? I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks!

[RED_DET]

Welcome aboard.

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

I assume we are talking about a coupe, so I will give my best answer.

Use the calculator I posted a link to and start with a 245/40 up front and 265/35-40 in the rear and see what the results are. You want to stay within 3% on the speedometer after you plug everything in.

[hellfire104]

Actually, I'm talking about the Sedan. Is this going to make much difference? I'm told that the Coupe can equip wider wheels.

Should I just use that calculator you posted above or should that be used only for the Coupe's fittings?

[RED_DET]

245/40 front, 275/40 rear. Knowing what the offsets of the wheels that you are going to use, would help as well.

[hellfire104]

I guess my question is this. We are allowed to return the wheels provided we do not mount tires on them. It makes sense but the problem is we want to make sure that they fit before we order tires etc... but is it really possible to tell whether the wheel will fit or not without a tire on it? Sure, we can put the wheel on the car but I am just not confident that it will be enough to determine.

Sorry I am such a newcommer to this, I am on my way to learning. Please bear with me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...10501

[RED_DET]

Guess you can go ahead and send those back. THose offsets are too low, they will stick out too far, especially in the rear. You need around a 38mm offset up front and 45mm offset in the rear.

You don't necessarily have to run a staggered offset either, a perfect square wheel setup would be 43mm offset all the way around.

If you want to run a staggered offset, your best ranges are:35mm- 43mm offset up front on 8.5" wheel, 40mm- 50mm offset rear on 9.5" wheel.

[hellfire104]

So your telling me they definately arnt going to fit?

If so, thats disappointing.

I guess I'm going shopping again. BTW, what are the widest wheels that you can fit on the Sedan without having to use any spacers or anything like that?Do you know?
Modified by hellfire104 at 11:38 AM 7/19/2006

[RED_DET]

widest wheel up front is 8.5, anything bigger than 10.5 in the rear is useless. I would shop for exactly the sizes you posted, but get the right offsets and you will be set.

[hellfire104]

I was told by somebody that sells wheels that for the G35, any offset larger than 35mm for the rear wheels isn't possible because it brings the wheel to far inside the car and they will rub.

But at this point I really dont know what to believe, everybody tells me something different. I'm just about to call the dealership...

[RED_DET]

I have given you all the information that has been tried and true. I have the 18" coupe wheels on my sedan. They are 18x8 with 30mm offset. The OEM coupe tire size of 245/45/18 rubbed the inside of the fender on the back, on a 8" wide wheel. So if you are trying run a 9.5" wheel in the back, there is no way on earth a 275mm tire is not going to rub with a 35mm offset. Find some wheels 8.5 front, 9.5 rear and get them with 43mm offset and I GUARANTEE it will fit and look bad ***.

Call tire rack in the morning and ask them, see what they tell you. YOu can also go to their website, search for wheels for your exact vehicle, with the wheel sizes you want and see what the offsets are they suggest.

Front and Rear wheel, straight from tire rack with sizes in question:http://www.tirerack.com/servle...ecial=

Front wheel: 38mmRear wheel: 45mm

[hellfire104]

Ok man, first of all I really appreciate all the help you have given me. This is what I have. I've got a guy with the same wheels as the ones I just ordered but he can get them

18X8.5 in the front and 18X9.5 in the back with 48mm offsets. According to what you have told me, these fit.

[hellfire104]

The guys still only has the front in 32mm, so it is 32mm front and 48mm rear. Is this acceptable?

[RED_DET]

If it were me, I wouldn't do it. You would be ok in the rear. But that 32mm offset is to low up front, IMHO. I think you should continue the search until you find exactly what you need. Trust me, I know wheel searching is a pain in the ***, but its a decision you have to live with and you don't want to have any clearance issues or visual issues either.

[hellfire104]

Your right. Ok, well I guess I'll just keep looking until i find the 35's up front.

[RED_DET]

35-38mm's up front and 43-45mm's in the rear and you will be set. Run a 245/40 tire up front and 275/40 in the rear.

[hellfire104]

I did just find 35 and 40. I think I'm getting closer hehe

[hellfire104]

I guess I finally found one that meets that criteria that you have given. Here's a link so you can take a look. I think they look pretty sick and since my G is black it will be pretty sweet.

Thanks again for all of your help!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

[RED_DET]

Do you have AIM? If so, hit me up, HybridB13.