Tein S-Tech's are now on.

[1qckser]

Myself and Rsiwicki spotted a Q in Miami about as low as yours sporting what looked to be 19s and man it looked great, cant wait to see yours with the 18s, nice work:D

[QE86]

You're gonna get help on this sitre regardless, just keep in mind mechanical upkeep gets alot more "play" than cosmetic/appearance mods.

Were you looking for this pic?

Falk - Sorry about all the hi-jacking.

Oh yes that's the pic I was looking for. But I totally understand that will cause a LOT, I mean a lot, of problems with tires, fenders, ride quality and such. Since I only own the Q for 2 weeks I am still debating myself on how to work on it cosmetically (as well as keep it mechanically in ok~great condition) I dont mind sacifrice a bit of ride quality for looks but for sure I dont want to deal with a lot suspension and tires problems (I have been in that situation before so I know how painful it is)

That's why I have been searching in this forum for more information before I make any decision. So any help from you guys will help a lot and I really thank y'all that put in your thoughts.

[maxnix]

My front wheel gap is less than 2 fingers.

Any lower and you're on the bump stops... You'll have virtually NO suspension travel.

Also, you will have diffculty maintaining a sufficient tire size to maintain adequate load rating at that height.

Aww...think how kewl it would look to have sparks flying up under your car as it grinds itself into the ground!

Greg's car is as far as you can go and still have soemthing drivable. One of the M45 guys did put 19" on, but he had to do a lot of fender rolling. He also bought a wheel designed for Infiniti, not a cheap knock-off with spacers and hub adapters.

Theoretically, AZhitman's 18"x8" OEM chromes are an option only on the 2005 Q45 Premium.

[Jesda]

I may be the last man on earth who's in love with the 15" piepans.

[Q45tech]

Still have the 94 polished 15" on my 3rd set of wheels........they all last about 5 years [70,000miles] before going out of spec..............inside lip roundness.

I'm running out of new wheels [only 1 left] and 3 spares out of spec.

Just realized I've had the 16 x 7.5 300zx wheels a year without mounting them.......never fixed the 2 that were out of spec.

As long as I can still get the 235/60/15 Pilot H4 tires no reason to change.

[louiegz]

I think the black Q and Greg's Q looks good lowered. 2in drop sounds like alot, but those Y33 Qs have way too much wheel gap. That other white Q just went too far. It doesn't even look good. I have a problem when there's no gap on top and a lot of gap on the front and back. It's got to look a little more even all around. That white Q looks like the springs have failed or something. Looks like one of those mid 80s FWD Chrysler draging arse, with the rear springs shot. If he would have gone with a setup like Greg's, with those rims, which are nice, that would look good.

[Falkdesigns]

I agree about the Y33's huge gap. I was at a light and a Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled along side, and I thought "my car has more fender gap than a 4x4 Jeep!" I hated that from day one, but I've seen enough VIP style Y33's from Japan that to me looked off the hook, so I knew I could deal with that later.

Every car I've ever had since my first car in 1986, and I mean EVERY car, has been a car that I modified. You could give me a Porsche 911 Turbo (my all time favorite car) and do you think I'd keep it stock? Heck no, I'd change wheels, exhausts, interior trim, etc.. I like to "Personalize" my rides and make them look how I think they should look, not like every other one on the road. I'm a hot rodder for life. I'll be 80 (God willing) and still modify every car I get, including my wifes (who drives a very clean, mildly modded Accord Wagon).

[maxnix]

In Texas, I am next to pickups with over a foot of wheel gap. So a couple of inches doesn't even faze me. Never noticed wheel gap while I am driving!

I am with Q45tech and Jesda on this one, function outweighs form. Realize that I will soon have to go to 17" (hopefully not 18") to get the proper Z rated tire with sufficient load capacity.

I think Q45tech's timed lap challenge is still open for those who think they can increase perfomance with heavy bling bling wheels.

[Falkdesigns]

I know you can't increase performance with heavy wheels but I'm not trying to race my car either, and the 18's I have are OZ's and relatively light. I also don't notice gap when I'm driving (unless I pass one of those shiney tanker trucks ), but I love to look at my cars as much as I love to drive them.

I used to have a F150 4x4, lifted, big wheels, etc, but that's a truck. I look at BMW and Mercedes for how a car should sit stock. Those cars stock have very little fender gap, if any. A four inch fender gap to me looks like sh/t, and a one inch or so gap looks like THE sh/t!! lol..

For me, looks, performance and driveabliity are all pretty equal, and if I must sacrifice a touch of of performance or driveability in the name of looks, so be it. I want my car to make people stop and go "Damn! That car is bad-arse!". Plus I like to show my cars at local meets and the only stock cars that would get a second glance would have to be very, very old. :icesangel

[louiegz]

I look at BMW and Mercedes for how a car should sit stock. Those cars stock have very little fender gap, if any.

Ain’t that the truth, brotha. I don't really like customizing my car. I like stock. My old 94 Accord had a lot of wheel gap. Good thing it was an EX and no an LX with the 14in wheels. Those look like crap. I replaced the Accord with a 330i. It looks perfect. I'm surprised that with the Japanese trying to compete with the Germans, they don’t pay attention to that detail.

[AZhitman]

Falk and I may not agree on much, but I'm with him on one point:

I will NEVER own an un-modded car. They're not in my garage one week before I'm changing something, usually during the course of maintaining / replacing / upgrading worn parts.

Why replace sway bar bushings when you can upgrade? Why just replace tires when you can upgrade? Shocks? Transmission? It's in the blood - hot rodder for life.

[QE86]

Oh yes that's very true AZhitman, I am one of you guys also

[Falkdesigns]

I actually think we agree on quite alot of car things. And not to brown nose, but I do think your Q looks perfect.

One thing for sure: Hot rodder for life!! :ylsuper

[1qckser]

Whats with all of the complaining becuase some of us like to personalize the vehicles we own, its called not blending in, and when done correctly far exceeds the capabilities of any STOCK vehicle, I think as adults who have more knowledge than most forums on the net people here know what they are getting into and do not need to be treated like teenagers, just my .02

[maxnix]

I look at BMW and Mercedes for how a car should sit stock. Those cars stock have very little fender gap, if any.

Yeah they look real sharp as I go by them on the highway.

I just don't understand one thing, why are people with slack jaws attracted to Audi, BMW and MB?

[maxnix]

I will NEVER own an un-modded car. They're not in my garage one week before I'm changing something, usually during the course of maintaining / replacing / upgrading worn parts.

Absolutely! If there is a better quality part, use it.

Just don't think its functionality is enhanced because it is chromed and not OEM. The Nissan engineers are pretty smart and make good choices. Very few corners were even trimmed closely on a G50. Brakes and shock absorbers is all that comes to mind. However, the OEM specified tire is gone, and getting something as strong and well made in the necessary larger sizes still costs aobut the same, adjusted for inflation. Wheels, likewise. OEM wheels should be the lowest specification wheel members put on their cars, unless it is a parking lot queen.

[Falkdesigns]

Yeah they look real sharp as I go by them on the highway.

I just don't understand one thing, why are people with slack jaws attracted to Audi, BMW and MB?

Cause they look so good directly from the factory?? All you need is different wheels, and BMW has some of the nicest factory and factory option wheels of any car on the market.

I don't think its functionality is enhanced because it's chromed. I don't really like chrome that much anyhow, and my replacement wheels are not chrome.

One thing you can see is that when manufacturers show their cars as concepts, they ALWAYS have big rims, low pro tires, and sit very flush with the fenders/tires. But the engineers, in the name of average crap roads, and saving costs, alter the car for the average driver who doesn't slow down for pot-holes, speed bumps, etc.. The designers want the cars to look good, the engineers want them to last through the warranty. I am a designer, looks are equal to anything else for me, so therefore, for me, I must have my car look how I think it should look. End of story, it's my car, I want it to look good and go good.

IMO, a lowered car with upgraded shocks and better wheels and tires, is SAFER and more stable at high speed. It's less prone to lift from air going under a car that's a foot off the ground, it exhibits less body roll in turns and less squat under braking.

[SFBayQ45]

And not to brown nose, but I do think your Q looks perfect.

That being said, when is your car up for sale Hitman? Hehe

[AZhitman]

Thanks Falk for the kind compliment...

Quella will likely stick around for quite a while. Since we now have the 'vert, it'll see less miles. Warranty runs out in November, so after that I'm gonna try to split the miles between it and the 240.

That being said, if someone were to make a ridiculously high offer on it, I'd be game. But it ain't gonna happen.

[maxnix]

Cause they look so good directly from the factory??

Maybe, but I don't think so since they are always looking at the G50 I am driving, wondering what just dusted them so easily. I am sure AZhitman sees it often also. I call it the WTF look.

Works in the FY33 too. I remember an incredulous MB430E driver in SLC who did not know what had passed him so easily while following a WRX STi, and we were loaded down.

I love these cars.

[Jesda]

Maybe, but I don't think so since they are always looking at the G50 I am driving, wondering what just dusted them so easily. I am sure AZhitman sees it often also. I call it the WTF look.

Works in the FY33 too. I remember an incredulous MB430E driver in SLC who did not know what had passed him so easily while following a WRX STi, and we were loaded down.

I love these cars.

Without a doubt. I remember recently weaving through a two-lane highway, playing tag with a stunning black Y33 for 120 miles from St Louis to Columbia MO (on my way to Iowa to have my chain guides done).

He was showing off his 99-01 and I was showing off my 92, and we both knew it.

The experience was one I wont forget.

[Jesda]

I am with Q45tech and Jesda on this one, function outweighs form. Realize that I will soon have to go to 17" (hopefully not 18") to get the proper Z rated tire with sufficient load capacity.

Ahh, but Dennis and I like the OEM wheels for different reasons! For me, its part style (yes style) and part economics.

Cheaper high quality tires are available in this size, and when the piepans are properly cleaned (or even better, chromed) they give off a radiance usually only seen on Cadillacs.

-Jesda

[louiegz]

Without a doubt. I remember recently weaving through a two-lane highway, playing tag with a stunning black Y33 for 120 miles from St Louis to Columbia MO (on my way to Iowa to have my chain guides done).

He was showing off his 99-01 and I was showing off my 92, and we both knew it.

The experience was one I wont forget.

Should you have been racing with this guy before you had your guides done. After yes but not before.

[Falkdesigns]

Well, I never said BMW or Benz are the best looking cars, I LOVE my Y33, I think it's lines are absolutely striking. However, I do think the way a BMW sits DIRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY is near perfect. My Y33 looked stock like you could go off-road with it. It now sits more like a stock BMW does. That's all I'm saying. I also think they learned their lesson somewhat, the new Q, M and G sit much lower (less fender-gap) than the Y33's did.

On the looks note, I haven't seen a BMW driver or a Benz driver pay any attention to my car. I was along side a Brabus S class yesterday, they paid no attention to me at all. But, that's L.A. and I think had I been in a Bentley, it would be no different. People here all have this "mightier than thou" attitude, but hey, screw them. They can think they're all precious driving the same cars as every other driver, while I'm rolling in something you don't see every day and I'll get the occasional nod from the knowing people

This thread is pretty off topic by now lol!! So here's more OT. I just gassed up with 311 miles on the tank!!! That's the highest I've ever gotten, and it took 18 gallons, the most I've ever filled, and the first time since I've owned the car I saw the gas lamp, a little orange dot in the fuel gauge.

[maxnix]

On the looks note, I haven't seen a BMW driver or a Benz driver pay any attention to my car. I was along side a Brabus S class yesterday, they paid no attention to me at all. But, that's L.A. and I think had I been in a Bentley, it would be no different. People here all have this "mightier than thou" attitude, but hey, screw them.

That's why you need to blow by them! :ylsuper

Pacing them doesn't do it. In LA, you have to look for the little sideways I'm not looking WTF was that glance. FY33 are the best as no one has any idea what they are. Most think they know the G50 is a Jaguar or a Lincoln.

[Falkdesigns]

Yeah man. Once I've got the wheels on (next month, no matter what I have to do!) and my exhaust, when I blow by, they'll be like damn!

When I show up at my Honda club meets (a good 3rd of us don't have Honda's any more, but we all still get together) alot of them had no idea what my car was. Exotic? I think so!!

[QE86]

Hey Falk, what exhaust u gonna get??

[Falkdesigns]

Not sure yet, but one like the Magnaflow AZ did on that custom exhaust a while back. Polished oval, 2 in, 2 out muffler. I want dual 3" tips with a slight angle. My boy's gonna send me pics of what he's got, and I'll choose one, but I told him that's more or less what I want.

[QE86]

I think I understand what u talkin about, I want those dual tips with slight angle up exhaust too. Keep me update on that I might be interested in something similar.

Where So Cal are u in? I am in San Gabriel Valley

[Falkdesigns]

West Lost Angels brotha! Moving to Torrance on Saturday.

What you're talking about is more the DTM style, I like those, but not for this car, I want one like this: