Hey guys,

So, I've been reading around the forums for a while and I'm just looking for someone to help me wrap my head around all the terminology and advice I'm seeing getting thrown around. Definitely a complete noob on the topic, no hiding that.

So, I just purchased a 2004 G35 and I've decided I want to replace my stock rims with something else. I'm not fond of the look and a couple of them arent looking too great anyway. However, when it comes to switching them, I'm not sure what I should be looking for. A few questions I have are...

1. Will getting a different rim size mean a different tire diameter too, or will I be able to get thinner tires to offset the difference?

1a. Im assuming my stocks are 17", can I get 19 or 20" rims without affecting my speedometer, or if it does is there some way to modify the speedometer to account for it? (I dont want to do anything where my end result involves the speedometer being off)

2. What is this 'offset' number I keep seeing, and why should I care? I understand it has to do with maybe how far the wheels are pushed out, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for or why it matters.

3. Are there other possible non-apparent effects of aftermarket rims that I'm overlooking? (Suspension issues, scraping, etc.)


Again, I'm sure these questions don't have difficult answers, but I was just struggling to determine for sure what they were from the reading I've done. Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

 

1. Will getting a different rim size mean a different tire diameter too, or will I be able to get thinner tires to offset the difference?

Look right now at the tires on your car, there will be some numbers xxx/xx/BB - the number i labeled as BB tells you the actual rim size, depending on that you can stay at that size or go up some.

1a. Im assuming my stocks are 17", can I get 19 or 20" rims without affecting my speedometer, or if it does is there some way to modify the speedometer to account for it? (I dont want to do anything where my end result involves the speedometer being off)

Refer to the questions above, and to make it short, if you have a bigger wheel 19 vs 17, you will have thinner walled tires to make up for the wheel being bigger. This will help prevent speedometer from displaying wrong speed. Ultimately your juggling tire height and wheel size to balance the wheel diameter to your current one.

2. What is this 'offset' number I keep seeing, and why should I care? I understand it has to do with maybe how far the wheels are pushed out, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for or why it matters.

Why it matters? Gives you the look of wheels being sunk in, vs not. Aka closer to fender or not. The offset will also determine, on some wheels, lip width(smaller offset generates a larger lip on dip dish rims), lower offset on concave wheels also means more concave.

3. Are there other possible non-apparent effects of aftermarket rims that I'm overlooking? (Suspension issues, scraping, etc.)

Scraping, depends on tires you pick no so much on rims. Try to stay at 19 or below. 20 will compromise ride comfort.

Also don't cheap out on wheels, cheap wheels can be easily raped by a pothole.

 

deff stay with 19's being the most. I like 20s but you have to be extremely careful with them. if you hit a pot hole a little too hard. you will end up damaging the rim and costing yourself another few benjamins lol the sedan is more of a higher offsets. Read the above guys post on offsets. Basically the lower the offsets the more the wheels will stick out. The higher the offsets the less it will. (Depending on cars.) The coupe requires offsets around low 20's to be flush. Your (correct me if im wrong any1) looking for around 35-42 offsets. Remember the lower the offsets the more its out resulting you might have to roll your fenders to avoid scraping. You not really looking at suspension probs. The only time you have to wry about that is if your dropping the car in the future.

Good luck with your modding.

EDIT - Please post if you have an X model (AWD) because there are different procedures for those cars.

 

Mid teens to 20's will get your flush. But at that point you may require some fender rolling.

 

You must also specify what the width of the wheel is. A 19x9 +20 rear isn't going to be flush. A 19x10.5 +20 will be more along the lines of flush.

Also ride height has alot to do with whether you are flush or not. The lower your car is, a particular offset becomes less flush.

 

Hey thanks guys, I think I'm starting to understand. From what I can tell, my current rims are 18 in. My G35 is a coupe, forgot that there was a sedan too :P

So, I'm not planning on doing any suspension modding, but I would like for them to be staggered. What kinda size should I be looking for for front and back? I'd even be open to specific suggestions - I'm looking for something black.

 

Up to you, depends on what kind of wheels you end up getting and the budget your setting for this mod.

You could go with 1k wheels - varrstoen range, 2k ++ rays/volks/weds/works and up or some generic wheels.

Again up to you.

If you're going 19, look for some rims that are 9.5 fronts 10.5 rears and stick 245/35 or 40/19 front and 275/35/19 rears for the tire sizes and offsets at 20-25 so you get a good look.

Example of some decent rims in the 1k range as said is varrstoen, check em out.

http://varrstoen.com/blog/?p=544

the offsets you want are +22 all around at stock suspension.

Also do some reseach, and use the search. We can go back and forth on what wheels are cool, and what wheels are not but that's personal choice. You may like something totally different, like 26's on a g...we've seen it all LOL.

 

So assuming the rims I buy are less than +22 offset, how would I adjust for that? Spacers would only send me more in the negative direction, if im not mistaken(?)

Also, if I do decide I want some 20's, what kind of work am I looking at? Can I still keep my speedometer correct?

 

You can keep speedo fine with 20's honestly tho, if you have these questions and lack the basic understandng how to you can balance a diameter. You should either do some reading. Here's a simple example. If your wheel diameter is supposed to be 20inches tire+ wheel and right now your at 17 in wheel + 3 inch tire, then going to 18's you'd do a 2 inch tire. Again that's at the most basic level.

As said before tho, 20's isn't the smartest idea if you have potholes around, and you'd kill your ride comfort. I can feel the difference on stock suspension between 18's and 17's. 18's to 20's would destroy your back.

 

Nah I understand how the final tire size is calculated, I guess I was just wondering if theyre available in the right size to make it happen, but I take that as a yes.

Will I be alright buying just about any 19" rims and putting them on without lowering/rolling/spacers to begin with, and then be able to figure out where I want to go from there later while having a drivable car?

For ex.: Can I fit the VarrsToen the ES 1.1.2 19x9.5 front +22 & 19x11 +25 back without any rolling/spacers/etc?