Y34 Chrome wheel exchange ('03-'04 M45 rims)

[xxNite]

I've seen this topic mentioned before, but want to point out a few anomalies that are making the decision process crazy to go through with a chrome wheel exchange like the ones seen on e-bay.

The reason being... three different places offer two different rim sizes with different offsets that they claim fit the '03-'04 M45?

I know the factory rim is 18" x 7" with a +35 offset

the following links show:

18 x 8, with a 40mm offsethttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

18x7.5, with a 40mm offsethttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVWandhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

neither one of those sizes are a direct match and if i am correct, a +40 offset brings the wheels away from the fender lip, and sunk into the wheel wells even deeper than factory rims?

I wouldn't feel comfortable assuming this would fit when you have guys like Cakedaddy running an 8.5" wide rims with a +34 offset up front and that is a near perfect fit for the car.

Why can't these wheel exchange companies just get it right? anyone have luck with the two offsets I mentioned earlier?

Thanks in advance,

Matt'04 M45

[regtwelve]

The first link is for the 18" rims found on an fx35. They look different and are different than the M45 rim, which are seen in links 2 and 3. I would suspect the 2nd and 3rd link is for our car, and is identical in every way other than the chrome.

[szh]

I have a 2003 M45 with the stock 18 x 7.5 wheels and am running 245/45-18 tires (a teensy bit bigger than stock).

This morning, I was checking to see how to install tire chains if I needed it (am in Lake Tahoe right now) and noted that the clearance in the front tire to suspension components makes it impossible to put chains on the front (I wanted to do all four wheels if I needed it) - even the slim spring cable ones from SCC (model 1040). The back was fine!

In fact, with an offset of 40mm (for a 8.0 or 8.5" wheel), I think the tire might/will make contact with the suspension component that is in the way. I would definitely pick 35mm or a bit less - although too small would put the tire under the fender too much!

Like I have said before, the new 2006+ M wheels - Sport or otherwise (the offset is almost 50mm) are definitely not possible for sure without spacers and spacers are evil!

Frankly, with the current stock wheel and offset, and 245/45-18 tires, I think it fills out the well perfectly. No change needed for me!

Z

[xxNite]

I talked with the folks at L.A. Wheels and they have the stock M45 wheels listed as 18 x 7.5 with a 40mm offset....http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

That is NOT what is in the Specs section for the Wheels & Suspension PDF that is in NICOclub.com for '03-'04 M45.

It clearly states that the stock rim is 18 x 7 with a 35mm offset.

What's the deal... what is it really out here in the real world??? Anyone know for sure?

[szh]

That is NOT what is in the Specs section for the Wheels & Suspension PDF that is in NICOclub.com for '03-'04 M45.

It clearly states that the stock rim is 18 x 7 with a 35mm offset.

What's the deal... what is it really out here in the real world??? Anyone know for sure?

According to the Infiniti Owners Manuals (see the stickies in our forum here too), the value is 18x7.5" with 35mm offset for the 2003 M45 and the 2004 M45.

I have not pulled the wheel to look though ... the value is stamped on the inside of the wheel ... so you could do that to be absolutely certain.

Z

[szh]

I talked with the folks at L.A. Wheels and they have the stock M45 wheels listed as 18 x 7.5 with a 40mm offset....http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

That eBay page is wrong.

FWIW, they show the wheel as guaranteed to fit a 2008 M45 too. Well, if you do that, the wheel and rim will stick out under the fender, since the 2006+ M45 needs a 47mm to 50mm offset.

Z

[xxNite]

The easiest way is to pull out the full sized spare... I'll do that later this week

Thanks for inspiring the idea

[lfj2025]

I have gone through this, it is 18 x 7.5 35 offset. For 03/04.
Modified by lfj2025 at 4:17 PM 3/18/2008