Wanted to commend you guys on a fantastic forum. I have read the wheel/tire fitment thread for the sedan and have a pretty good idea what Im going to do. Still would like some input from you sedan wheel guru's. I am looking to go 18 x 8 fr. 38 offset and 18 x 9 rear 38 offset in a wheel that I have picked out that fits in my budget range. This particular wheel does not come in any different offsets (ie. 40,42,etc). I also need to stay in the 18" size for budgetary reasons. I will also be getting Tein drop with either the H or the S. QUESTIONS
1. Will rear wheel/tire stay within the inside of the rear fender?
2. Am I OK going with this staggered set-up or should I go 18 x 8 all the way around?
3. What tire size works best performance and appearance-wise for this setup?

Thanks in advance for your help....I am envious of many of your rides.

2004 Diamond Graphite Sedan / 5AT

 

Cmon fellas...help a brother out

2004 Diamond Graphite Sedan / 5AT

 

Look up at the top of the this forum for the sedan wheel fitment chart made by THX723.

The rear fitment will not work. You'll need at least a +45 with a 9" wheel.

I'd suggest going with 8" all around and get the same size rubber that is not unidirectional. That way, you can rotate the hell out of them and save $$$.

 

I agree. With the sedan you can't go as wide on the back so the staggered look is not as dramatic. I ended up getting 19x8.5 +38mm front and back so I could rotate the tires.

 

There is several schools of thought on tire rotation....
1. Rotation saves $ by evening out treadwear
2. Cost of rotation is equal to or greater cost of replacing tires sooner. (Unless you are doing it yourself ofcourse)

g4ian



367819-G35 MINI.jpg

 

I went with 18x8.5 w/ a 40mm offset all around on my sedan. I found that a tire size of 245/40R18 gave me the widest selection to chose from. That wheel will be about 0.5" smaller in diameter versus the stock 17" sedan wheel. So your wheel well gap will grow, but you are planning on lowering your car anyways. I lowered mine using HKS Hipermax LS coilovers [1" front, 0.75" rear] and I have no rubbing issues at all for normal daily driving.

 

I will be lowering with the H-Tein (approx. drop 1.4" fr / .7" r.) so hopefully that will help the gap issue. I would look at a lower drop like the S-Tein but I dont want to have to mess with camber issues,etc. and with the H they can get it back to spec rather easy. Doing the Falken ZE-512 all season in the 245/40/18 because I get some nasty weather here in St. Louis, MO....

2004 Diamond Graphite Sedan / 5AT