Recommendations on Non-OEM rims......

[szh]

Hi, Brian.

Dont' confuse "looks" with function. G35 and such rims are NOT designed for Q45 stresses. I am with AZHitman. If you cannot afford good rims, don't get any and continue using stock if they meet specifications.

Actually, I think I would disagree with you inre the G35 rims (the non-OEM others are, of course, still problematic) - these appear to be strong rims; both the sedan and coupe versions. The G35 is only about 10 or 11% lighter than a Q45, and G35's are meant to be driven pretty hard too. Since the G35 is selling like hotcakes, and people are opting for other third-party rims, the availability of G35 takeoffs makes this a good consideration for first gen Q's.

Z

[szh]

Hi, Nick.

Yeah, but I think the G35 rims would still be stronger and better suited to the Q45 then non-OEM rims would. I wouldn't be worried if I had a set of G35 rims.

Nick

Some time back, I sent you e-mail about the G35 rims I am planning to sell, but had not heard back from you yet. Can you contact me (e-mail via NICO) if you still want them? I can give you details ...

Z

[Q45Viper]

Max...are you sure that that 17x7.5 is only on 2k cars? I know I have seen it on 99 and 2001. And if the recall is for 2000-2001 then that leaves the 99 wheel still available?

[maxnix]

Hi, Brian.



Actually, I think I would disagree with you inre the G35 rims (the non-OEM others are, of course, still problematic) - these appear to be strong rims; both the sedan and coupe versions. The G35 is only about 10 or 11% lighter than a Q45, and G35's are meant to be driven pretty hard too. Since the G35 is selling like hotcakes, and people are opting for other third-party rims, the availability of G35 takeoffs makes this a good consideration for first gen Q's.

Z

V35 ~3700 lbs. G50 ~4300 lbs.

[elwesso]

Z-- If he's not interested, I am.....

[szh]

Hi, Brian.

V35 ~3700 lbs. G50 ~4300 lbs.

I had my facts slightly off (oops, sorry), but I was stating my belief based on Q45Tech's response in this early thread of mine:

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....t=G35

Z

[szh]

Hi, Wes.

Z-- If he's not interested, I am.....

Thanks. I have to check with Nick first ... I had committed to let him have first dibs. If he is not interested, I will drop you a line before I put them up in B/S/T or eBay.

Z

[maxnix]

Max...are you sure that that 17x7.5 is only on 2k cars? I know I have seen it on 99 and 2001. And if the recall is for 2000-2001 then that leaves the 99 wheel still available?

What I meant to say is that the anniversary edition (ae) is only a 2K model. It is a variation on the t model. All t models in 99-01 incorparted these 17" wheels. The 1997-1998 Q45t may have also, but I haven't verified it.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[90Q45blue]

Z,

I e-mailed you on those. I never got your original e-mail or I baleeted it. [email protected]

Thanks buddy.

Wes,

Back off! hehe...just kidding. If I can't do them right now then I hope you get them but I think I can swing it.

Nick

[elwesso]

Alright...... Id like to see you get em, because this isnt good financial timing (no job anymore), but I dont think I could let a good deal pass up.......

[AZhitman]

Damn - This "no job" nonsense is really going around...

I feel for you brotha.

[elwesso]

Its unfortunate..... Although, I didnt really loose my job per se, but since I work at a golf course..... Well, snow and golf dont mix too well....... And I cant really get a job during the winter, cuz I need all the time I can get for NICO and my studies.....

Although, I have done it........

[Rex]

So, the 17" 5 spoke came on the Q for just a few years in either 7" or 7.5" width..... and was offered on the I30 for only a few years as well.

If we only knew a guy who worked for Infinti and could find out for us...... If only, I wonder who??????

[docsmile71]

OEM rims aren't all that they're cut out to be. They are actually contracted out to be made by regular wheel companies like Enkei, Ronal, ACT, etc.etc.etc. For the most part, they are the run of the mill gravity cast wheel. Not heat treated or pressure cast. If you look at a good aftermarket rim company like 5Zigen, Racing Hart Evolution (which is manufactured by Prime Wheels), Axis, CEC, etc etc etc, you'll find much better quality wheels that are much nicer looking.

I would go to http://www.importhookup.com and get a nice set of 5Zigen or Racing Hart Evo rims. They're relatively cheap and are made very well. Very stylish too.

[maxnix]

It's not so much who makes the OEM wheel (although process is important), it's to what specification are they made? Aftermarket wheels are targeted to the center of the bell curve for the application, with only the better stronger ones covering an extra standard deviation, the exceptional ones maybe one and a holf or two. OEM wheels are made to a specification that the OEM is sure will endure any use with up to a confidence interval of 5% or less. I assure you a wheel for an I30/35 or a G35 or a Q45 are each required to meet different specifications and are thus not interchangable except by virute of hub center diameter, bolt ring size and spacing, and sheer margin of engineering.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[Highway Q45]

I have been running aftermarket Konig 16's for over a year now and have had nothing but good results. Were they expensive?...no.Are they strong?...yesDo they look good?...hell yes

When I mounted tires on the new rims with the Hunter 9700 the maximum lateral runout was .006"; the max. radial rim runout was .009"

When balancing the previous tires on the 15" forged OEM HICAS wheel every runout dimension of those wheels was worse than the Konig's. Goes to show me in this case OEM wasn't all it's cracked up to be. The everyday precision manufacturing techniques of 2002 are more than equal to OEM specs applied in 1991.

I'm not saying that aftermarket wheels are all good or all bad just that sometimes you have to be realistic. I feel that if Infiniti was so concerned about Q owners safety they would have put properly sized brakes on the car in the first place.

Just my opinion though.

Steve

[elwesso]

Remember though, your HICAS wheels had 100k plus on them when you had them balanced...... The other ones were new.......

I bet the aftermarket rims will be worse after 100k........ I could be wrong though......

[maxnix]

Remember though, your HICAS wheels had 100k plus on them when you had them balanced...... The other ones were new.......

Wheels do wear and deform out of specification.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[Highway Q45]

Wes,Does that mean that we all have to replace our OEM wheels every 100K?

All I'm trying to say is some of the finite values applied to wheel and suspension specifications are so variable as to be pointless. The HICAS wheels I just sold were in fantastic shape, no accidents, no curbing, and were weighted with less than .5 oz each. They rode smooth on smooth pavement after rebalancing the old tires. The OEM type Michelin XG-VT ? were god-awful tires; I did much better with another brand of tire. Nothing against Infiniti OEM but they are in business to make money like everyone else. If OEM parts cost us more it's more likely mark-up than always better quality. How many "aftermarket" suppliers do you think manufacture OEM parts side-by-side on the same equipment they make their own store brands?. Brembo-Porsche is a good example. I buy OEM whenever I can but have to draw the line at certain things...wheels just happen to be one of mine. All I know is the wheel/tire package on the car now weighs about 10% more than OEM and subjectively ride much better than the old set. I just can't see OEM wheels as the only wheel that will make the Q a safer more durable car...Oh, did I say that the HICAS wheels were Stone-Cold Fugly!

Cheers

[elwesso]

Ive still got plenty of time to think about it...... if a good deal comes by on OEM rims, Ill take it...... If I find something else good (aftermarket), i may take that.......

[AZhitman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...31715

Get on it Wes!!!!!

[elwesso]

I wish someone could get them for me and then I could buy em later..... Cuz I really shouldnt spend the money now, I got other things to buy that are more important......

[Q45Viper]

I bid on these last night and was outbid at the last moment. I just got an email from the seller that the high bidder reneged on the deal. I told him I was interested if I could pick them up, we're both in DC, final call, should I? I figure this at least allows me to go look at them first and reject them if they are bad, condition was not mentioned in the auction, not were center caps mentioned. I just asked him about those. I'm kinda undecided at this point, only because I reread all the posts on this thread about the I30 wheel being put on the Q. If I bail, which I can because I am not the winner of the auction, do one of you guys want them? My high bid was like $203.00

[AZhitman]

I'd jump on 'em.

For $200 and no shipping, even if you decide NOT to use 'em, they'd be a nice NICO deal to another member later.

If I hadn't just gotten $750 worth of new tires, I'd be interested.

[elwesso]

If you buy them for ~$200 right now, Ill give you 230+tip if you wanna sell em at a later time!!!!!! Like in the spring!!!

Think about it, just pick em up and you make money on the deal!!!

[Jeff Williams]

Someone hijacked the image, for the same wheels in Tampa, Florida.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...43957

[Q45Viper]

Wes, I just might do that, as I really want some 2002 17s, the tinted gold ones. So I migt get these mounted up on some new 17s tires and then switch these wheels off to you when I find the 2002's. No need to pay anything over what I pay though. Save your $ for shipping unless you live near Baltimore/DC. The way it stands now is the guy has not emailed me back yet anyway, but it's only been 4-5 hours. If he does I will at least go look at them and if they are real good I will get them, for that price it's a pretty good deal.

[elwesso]

You got mail!!!!!

[Q45Viper]

He just emailed me back.....I can't believe this is getting even better, he asked me how much I wanted to pay?! I thought he would make me pay what my final bid was. And he will let me pick them up, so I can see them before making an offer. This is too good to pass up, ony problem is it's a 2 hour trip each way, I'm just gonna have to find the time. Wes, I got your mail, we may be doing biddness in da spring!

[elwesso]

Great!!!!! Just email me back with the information!!!!!