M45 Wheels on a Q45

[Apollo9]

Hi everyone, first post. I did some searching and couldn't find an answer. Can I swap wheels and tires from a new body M45 to a 2002 Q45 without spacers and modding anything? My wheels now are the 18" 8 spoke (not sure the bolt pattern here) wheels and the M wheels I am looking at have a bolt pattern of 5 x 114.3

I just bought an 02 Q45. I had an I30 a while ago and have since been through an Audi TT and Acura TSX. I love both my Infiniti's the best.

Thanks in advance.

[96Qowner]

I don't recall what the rough specs are for those two wheels - even did a little searching - didn't find anything. You need to know two things:

Width and Offset.

The width is probably close enough that it doesn't matter, but offset will matter. Try to get the offset numbers for them. Maybe someone will post one or both of them.

Did some Googling. Are these the split spoke 19's? In any case, it looks like the M45 wheels are 50 offset. The M45 wheels (tires) will rub on the shocks without spacers.

[TgduMg]

The 2002 Q45 owners manual lists the specs on the eight spoke wheels as 18x7.5 +40mm.

The 03+ Q45 and 03-04 Y34/M45 eight spoke 18x7.5 wheels offset is listed as +35mm in the manuals.

The 18x8 Y50 M wheels have an offset of +47mm, and the 19x8.5 split spoke M35/45 wheels differ from those for the 06 Q45 Sport by 10mm.

M35/M45 Sport - 19x8.5 +50mm

2006 Q45 Sport - 19x8.5 +40mm

www.nissantechinfo.com/infiniti/

Danisiti 1

[96Qowner]

Thanks a ton for the info, TgduMg!

The 1 inch difference in width translates to a 13mm difference in offset, so the 50mm are way too high, but ...

Did some more searching and came across this thread:

zerothread?id=281229

xerexabante is running 245/40's on the 19" 06 M45 Sport wheels:

zerothread?id=302160

So maybe it's not a bad rubbing issue.

[xerexabante]

I had to put a 1/8" ($10) spacer to the front only. I was worth the upgrade though. you can't even see the spacers. The ride and handling is much better. You need to put your old sensors, the 06-07 sensors are different.

I am very very haappy with the set-up.

[Apollo9]

I have never messed with changing out wheels. I am looking at the 18" M45 wheels, which I guess are the .35mm offset and you said the listed offset for the 2002 Q was .35mm. So then what all has to be done to put the 18" M45 wheels on the Q? Will it compromise the ride of the car?

Thanks in advance.

[96Qowner]

The 8 spoke 18x8 02 Q45 wheels are 40mm.

The 18x8 M45 wheels are 47mm.The 18x7.5 03-04 M45 wheels are 35mm.

The 18x7.5 will fit great.The 18x8 are 7mm in the wrong direction.

...If I got everything correct ...

[Warspite]

I'm not certain about the M45 wheels, but I replaced my stock 15" BBS type with stock 350Z rims with directional tires, and they look and work GREAT. No spacers or wheel well modification was required.

FYI, I got them off eBay, for a whopping $400 plus $85 shipping, and that was with Bridgestone Potenza tires, with 90% tread left. I needed new tires anyway, so it was like getting the better wheels FREE!

Sure makes a 224K mile '94 G50 look like a much newer car!

[96Qowner]

Z rims are a perfect match for the Q. Better check your tire size though - likely not correct for the Q45. Should be 225/50 or 255/45 for a 17".

[Rex]

I'm not certain about the M45 wheels, but I replaced my stock 15" BBS type with stock 350Z rims with directional tires, and they look and work GREAT. No spacers or wheel well modification was required.

FYI, I got them off eBay, for a whopping $400 plus $85 shipping, and that was with Bridgestone Potenza tires, with 90% tread left. I needed new tires anyway, so it was like getting the better wheels FREE!

Sure makes a 224K mile '94 G50 look like a much newer car!

Only downside to this is the factory 350z (front) tires do not meet the minimum load ratings for the Q45. You (or most) may never have an issue, but it's not a risk that I'd recommend. Not to mention so many people never think about this, since before the Q, they probably didn't have a car heavy enough to worry about a tires "load rating".

[BadQ45t]

I bought a set of 06' M45 sport rims in the 19" size for 97' Q45. I think the Q's were pretty constant for wheel size through the years...I ended up needing spacers which I bought heavy duty ones, you don't want to just use a piece of plastic or something.

The car looks great, handles very well, but all said and done I would have passed on those rims and gotten a set of FX rims in 18" or 20" for about the same money and required the spacers. For you the upgrade would be the 20" FX rims, not sure it would be worth the trouble of spacers etc for a 18" to 19" upgrade.

[Rex]

I bought a set of 06' M45 sport rims in the 19" size for 97' Q45. I think the Q's were pretty constant for wheel size through the years...I ended up needing spacers which I bought heavy duty ones, you don't want to just use a piece of plastic or something.

The car looks great, handles very well, but all said and done I would have passed on those rims and gotten a set of FX rims in 18" or 20" for about the same money and required the spacers. For you the upgrade would be the 20" FX rims, not sure it would be worth the trouble of spacers etc for a 18" to 19" upgrade.

Good points, especially when you add in the higher cost of 19" tires over 20" tires???