I have the money to buy either a new set of cheap wheels (the ones I want are pretty cheap) or new springs/shocks. I'd like to do both eventually, but I'm torn between the look of new wheels and the feel of a new suspension.

I'd be getting either TSW Thruxton wheels (I like the look) for ~$200 a piece, or maybe tokico d-spec adjustable shocks with tein h-tech springs... Would those be the best bang for the buck on shocks/springs?

I enjoy driving aggressively, and I plan to take the car to track days eventually. The stock suspension is leaps and bounds above my old car's. I have a 2004 with only 45K miles on it. Would it be a waste of money to get new suspension at this point in the car's life? Should I just wait until the stock suspension is close to shot and then upgrade?

A lot of you have both wheels and suspension, which do you feel gave you more enjoyment? If you could do it over, would you get one before the other?

Anyone have any input?

Thanks!

 

Go with suspension. If you drop it, it will add looks and performance at the same time. While some wheels don't look as good, heavy, and not to mention diminish performance. Save up for better wheels later!!

 

I say upgrade the suspension first. If you plan on tracking the car I would think that would be more beneficial. Which OEM rims do you have on there now anyways?

 

+2 get good suspension over cheap wheels

 

Running the stock 18's (2004 6mt coupe).

You guys think that suspension combo is the best?

 

+1 suspension before wheels.

 

absolutely! i can attest to that personally, I ran stock wheels with upgraded tires on my D-Specs and Cobb springs with Cobb sways and it was a blast over stock. Adding the larger wheels and tires only made it sweeter. I think just doing wheels isn't as rewarding, they'll just make you beg to lower it.

Also I noticed it looks like you are budgeting $800 based on your $200 per wheel? Are you getting properly sized wheels to upgrade to larger tires as well and are you adding that to your budget which should roughly be $1200 for wheels and tires installed?

If thats the case, you should be able to get the D-specs, lowering springs, sways (highly recommended) and a SPC rear camber/toe kit if your springs require it for about the same price, especially if you buy the sways and camber kit used (also recommended).

As for the wheels, I think you could find something better. The thruxton is just an odd spoke IMO. Hell I'd get the MB Battles in 18x9.5+15 all around $780 shipped from Discounttire.com because at least IMO its attractive.

Good Luck though, its your money, your car, your taste.

 

^ +1 to what he said. adding new wheels will just get you a bunch of comments to drop it, so unless you want to spend $XXXX soon, get the drop and wheels won't be "forced" on you as much a a drop would haha. Suspension will make your ride so much more exiting and give you an aggressive look without the "look at me coppers" type of look. Sways are definitely a great investment, and wheels should be light or else you'll lose performance and hate yourself for it.. (hmm this sounds familiar, damn sevas!)

 

Susp before rims!

 

Well it looks like I'm going to do suspension.

Will I need a camber kit if I drop it a little?

PM me if you know of any good deals on suspension parts plz!!

Thanks everyone for the input. It was pretty overwhelmingly one sided.

 

id go with suspension.

are you going with coilovers or just springs?
with any drop its recommend you get a front
and rear camber kit so your tires wont wear
unevenly

 

#1 rule of modding

drop BEFORE wheels!

 

1) Suspension before wheels
2) Yes you will need a camber kit
3) Save up for something better than TSW

 

+1 on the suspension first, a nice drop makes a huge difference. Make sure you get the 350z h-tech springs and not the g35 h-techs, the g35 h-techs are barely noticeable IMO.

Your spring/shock combo is actually the same exact combo I was going to do before I decided to just get coilovers, lol. I know a good place you can get your parts and have them installed for cheap.