Hey guys (and gals),

I've been looking into updating my wheels recently and hope to do so relatively soon. The problem is, I've had a real rough time finding ones that will fit. I'd like to stay away from spacers, or modifying my stock suspension.

I'm currently running a set of old school 14" gold mesh Enkies. I'm planning on keeping them, but would like to update to at least 16, if not 17 inchers. No Watanabes because while I like the look, that's what everyone seems to do (or look-alikes). So I'm hoping you guys could give me some good ideas!

I think the wheels will need to have little to zero offset. And they need to have at least 5 spokes. Thanks for the help!

Revolution Wheels might look nice,

Hey guys (and gals),

I've been looking into updating my wheels recently and hope to do so relatively soon. The problem is, I've had a real rough time finding ones that will fit. I'd like to stay away from spacers, or modifying my stock suspension.

I'm currently running a set of old school 14" gold mesh Enkies. I'm planning on keeping them, but would like to update to at least 16, if not 17 inchers. No Watanabes because while I like the look, that's what everyone seems to do (or look-alikes). So I'm hoping you guys could give me some good ideas!

I think the wheels will need to have little to zero offset. And they need to have at least 5 spokes. Thanks for the help!

i think 16'' gold mesh enkeis would look great on your car. like this:

Are you running spacers on those wheels, because they look like they stick out beyond the fender.

Just a little clarification on "stiction"......short for static friction! And, I'm another person who thinks 17" on a S30 look great....of course, most any wheel/tire combo look great if well postioned in the wheel opening!

Yes, some 17's look good if the car is lowered enough to get that more aggressive look but simply shoving a set on can look a little out of sorts IMO.

As mentioned above, the proportions of the wheel, sidewall and wheel opening are important to looking right. I guess the biggest issue I have with 17" on an S30 is that the sidewalls are too short for the wheel opening in most cases. Either the car sits too high to look right with appropriate sized tires (such as 225/45-17 all around, or maybe 245/40-17 on the rear), or people lower their car and then put too small a tire on it (such as 205/40-17). The few acceptable 17" packages I've seen on S30s were the taller sizes (225/45 and/or 245/40) on lowered cars.

No, I'm not against 17" or other low profile sizes, just don't find most of them appropriate on a Z. Shoot, I have 17x8 with 225/45-17 on our four door family sedan. It didn't come with them, I picked that size on purpose, because it looks (and drives) right on that car.

Then again, all this is just my preference. Others will disagree, and that's OK.

I'm glad this thread has led to so much conversation!

I'd like to respond to your thoughts:

I agree with BRE-240Z on 17" wheels. They just don't look "right" to me. I went 15" panasports, but 16" looks fine as well.

I agree that 17's won't look right on my Z with it's stock suspension. That said, a few of you have pulled it off very well!

Larger diameter wheels with smaller sidewall tires results in a harsher ride.

This is a universal rule, and I was well prepared for the loss in ride quality, if I could find wheels that looked the part.

The selection of current production wheels that do not require spacers is very small. There are no cars in recent production that use our bolt pattern with minimal offset. The market for such wheels is limited, and so the incentive to tool up for such is also limited.

Of those few that are available, most will be either well-known semi-vintage-look wheels, or one of a few custom-built multi-piece (translate as expensive) wheels. Examples - Konig Rewinds (14, 15 & 16"), the very similar Fast-Forwards (15"), Panasports (14, 15 & 16"), the American Racing repro slot mags (15 & 17"), and a SportMax style or two (15" and maybe 16").

A sad reality I am now facing. They're good looking wheels, but I was hoping I could find something more contepmorary.

I think 17s look just perfect on an S30

That is a looker. But farther than I'd like to go.

I placed an order for my wheels 3 days ago and it was for the Work Equip 01.

Those are interesting, but I need a wheel with at least 5 spokes. Any less looks weird to me IMHO.

What about these:

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/WWC13/25-1088

Waaaaaaayyy to basic IMO.

15x7 Volk TE37's, 0 offset, with 225/50 tires.

That is a great looking wheel! A good deal above the price range I was hoping, but thats Volk!

Revolution Wheels might look nice,

Thanks, but again too basic/billet looking IMO.

i think 16'' gold mesh enkeis would look great on your car. like this:

Those wheels do look spaced out a bit much, but I love them!

I love my wheels, but decided to step up to a new size because of the lack of respectable tires in the 14" size. Anyone have any idea how I can get my hands on a set of these? I'm checking all CL's and ebay from now on.

So I've learned a lot about how the different sizes appear and whats available in our bolt pattern and compatible offset. The search continues!

The 16" Enkei's are style 92, and were available in the late '80s in 14, 15 and 16" sizes appropriate for a Z. They were commonly available in the gold-bronze color pictured, and also black. Occasionally the importer would bring over a few silver-painted sets, but those were rare.

In addition to cl and eBay watch some of the other JDM-type forums, such as http://forums.club4ag.com/zeroforum?id=22

Since I was having trouble finding a set of 16" mesh wheels, I am converting to 5 lug and using some 16x7 BBS mesh wheels. They came factory on 90-92 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. They are cheap, and only weigh 17.5 pounds. They have a about a 20mm offset, but the Z31 turbo hubs are about the same. I have 5 Lug Z31 rotors, with 4x4 toyota 4 piston calipers in the front. Im going to use a 1" spacer for the back and redrill my stock brakes. I will post some pictures after they are done and mounted. (Should be a couple weeks )

Here is a picture of the LSC wheel Im using...

lsc wheel.bmp

There's good info here

I've got some 17" with 215/45-17, tokico struts and lowering spring. The ride is very harch.

The overall look of the car is good but you lose the classic shape of the car with big wheels IMHO.

I also think:

Rims with chrome lip => 16"

Unicolor Rims => 15"

With a soft which can create gif files you can make pictures like this to know which wheels you like the most

I spent a lot of time and concluded the following. For balancing a comfortable ride and strong/aggressive responsiveness 15" or 16" rims are a good balance. I had Yokohoma 205/50/15's on my 7.5" wide rims and the car handled nice, but the tires did not fill the wheel and the car lacked comfort to my liking as well. See photo #1. I just installed BF Goodrich G-Force Sports, 205/60/15 on my 7.5" rims and was extremely pleased. See photo #2. Inflation was also important - the BF Goodrich g-Force tires for the Z-car (1000lb /tire Load capacity) would be 24psi -26psi Cold according to BFG - I keep them at 25psi cold. The ride has been excellent, my Speedometer is now accurate (60.5 MPH actual versus 60MPH on my speedo).

I welcome your feedback and thoughts.... many thanks.