Wheels (Rims) for my '08 Altima Coupe?

[Schwartz]

I'm not sure whether this belongs in the member's rides section, as I'm not really showing off my car, just asking a question.

Hey guys,
I have an '08 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5s, and as you can see here, these wheels look absolutely atrocious with their plastic hubcaps.

I am looking for a new set of wheels, but however, unlike many my age, I want something that fits the car and aren't chrome 30" spinners. I do like the "premium" wheels that come on certain models of the car. Anyway, I'm on a pretty limited budget. What wheels would look good on my car that don't cost a fortune?

 

[DigitalBaka]

Best first step would be to research your sizes. Obviously first figure if you want 17s or 18s or what have you. Then find your bolt pattern, offset and hub size. Armed with that, look up what other manufacturers use the same pattern and same or larger hub size. A larger hub can be compensated for with hub centric rings, about 10 to 20 bucks at most. Offset is usually a little tricky to get right so make sure you understand what it is and how it works.

Then look at something like Craigslist if you are in the US. Lots of folks on there selling their old rims and tires cheap. Shipping costs a crap load so local pick up is best. That also allows you to roll in and test fit before you plunk down your cash. If you are looking for new chances are you won't get out under a grand...again, US. My dad managed to pick up some 6series BMW wheels and tires for his 7series this way and it was a pretty good deal.

 

[Schwartz]

Best first step would be to research your sizes. Obviously first figure if you want 17s or 18s or what have you. Then find your bolt pattern, offset and hub size.

Thanks. Here's what I have found in the manual:

Now this probably sounds like a nooby question, but how do I find bolt pattern? Here, I'll take a guess. Is it pentagonal?

Now for hub size, how do I find that?

 

[buickgnx88]

2008 ALTIMA COUPE 2.5S, 3.5SE
5X114.3mm
Center bore: 66.1mm

From http://adaptitusa.com/referencebook.htm

Basically you need a wheel that has a 5 lug by 114.3mm (4.5") bolt pattern, and a center bore (hole) diameter of larger than 66.1mm. Offset and backspace are proportional, and both measure off the mating surface (offset measures from mating surface to wheel centerline, backspacing is from M.S. to back edge of wheel). Best bet is to measure the offset if you plan on changing the wheel size. Easiest way to measure offset is measure the backspace, then subtract half the wheel width. With this info, go to a site such as Tire Rack or Discount Tire and see what's available.

Edit: just noticed that offset is listed, makes things a little easier.

Oh, and as for looks, first take a look and see what wheels you like personally. Then perhaps come back if you like more then one and see what people here think.

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

Most likely 5x114.3 but I could be wrong. google your car+lug nut pattern

 

[Schwartz]

Ah, so offset size is higher with a "deeper" rim?

 

[buickgnx88]

Nope, it would be higher with a shallower rim. Say you have a RWD car that has a 7" wide wheel, and a 4" backspacing. The offset would then be 0.5" (4"-(7"/2)) Now if you have a car like yours that has a backspacing of 5" on a 7" wide wheel, then the offset would be 1.5" (5"-(7"/2)), which is approximately what is listed in your manual.

A wheel that has a smaller backspacing would cause a negative offset (e.g. 2" backspacing on 8" wheel, like a race car wheel, would be -2", since 2"-(8"/2) = 2"-4"=-2")

 

[Schwartz]

Thanks. The OEM 62521 (Altima factory wheels) may be what I'm looking for. Now I need to find a good priced set.

Edit: So far, here is the best I can find. I don't want to pay $560 for them. :/ And that's before the tires. Any other suggestions?

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

Your not going to find anything nice for 560 dollars...

 

[Schwartz]

There is virtually nothing on Craigslist either, so maybe I'll just have to drop the idea.

 

[buickgnx88]

Probably. Aftermarket may be your best bet.

Edit: here you go.

 

[Schwartz]

If I get these, I'll be able to keep my tires. $360. Not bad. I think they look pretty good, although the 17's would look much better.

 

[TVC]

This always seems helpful when buying new wheels (PDF file):

http://www.wheelweights.net/wheel-weight-weight.pdf

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

When getting aftermarket wheels, never get the same size, or smaller than the stock tire.
Those wheels look really tiny on your car. I'd say go for a 18x8, or 19x9

 

[Doog]

When getting aftermarket wheels, never get the same size, or smaller than the stock tire.
Those wheels look really tiny on your car. I'd say go for a 18x8, or 19x9

Seconded. At least go up by an inch if the budget permits. A couple of years ago, my mom had a Toyota Highlander with the most atrocious 15" steel wheels. She swapped them for aftermarket wheels of the same size. The car looks marginally better, but the tiny wheels just look silly on it.

 

[Eric.]

I wouldn't go over 17". Go price 16", 17", and 18" tires and you'll see why.

Check out some junkyards to see if they have some factory Altima or maybe Maxima wheels.

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

Look how big his car is.
17s will look silly.
Either get factory Maxima/Altima wheels or stay stock.

 

[Schwartz]

The factory wheels are 17's, just not the factory ones I have on.

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

These look good on your car IMO

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Mini...w=1366&partNum=401884640B&vehicleColorIndex=0

18x8
156 per wheel seems reasonable and in your price range.
If not save up, their only around 60 bucks more per wheel.

Also, I hate Tirerack, they always tell me the biggest wheel I can get is a 18X8, when I'm currently running 18x9
Why would I go smaller?
19X10 and up baby!

 

[Joey D]

Don't get off brand name wheels and really don't look at anything that's a Tire Rack brand. All you'll do is end up with bent rims. A good rule of thumb is if they are gravity cast and made it China you probably don't want them. I ignored that rule once and end up with some horrid wheels. This is not to say all Chinese gravity cast wheels are bad, it is just that if they have no testing standards you'll have a bad time. I look for things like an ISO rating, TUV, JWL ratings.

For something relativity inexpensive look at Enkei, they are well known wheel company and have some decent styles. EDR9's and EKM3's are within your price range and can be found used all over the place. Sparco Assetto Gara's are another decent option for a budge wheel, they are made by OZ Racing and come in a million colors so you can find what you're looking for.

You have one of the most common bolt patterns out there, just go through Craigslist, Altima Forums, and eBay (lots of free shipping options).

I'll echo what other's have said too, 17" tires will be much cheaper than 18" tires. I paid a fortune for my tires because I went with 18's over 17's...but it was so worth it.

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

I was looking cheap since he said 500 was too expensive, in that case get a set of RPF01s.
Come in lots of sizes, around 200 a wheel.

 

[Eric.]

If you end up wanting Enkeis, shoot me a PM. I can get you a deal through a friend.

 

[Schwartz]

Once I get some money saved up, I'm getting OEM wheels. These, specifically. 👍 Maybe I could ask for a Christmas/birthday present.

 

[Joey D]

Why you replace OEM wheels with OEM wheels? If you're going to replace wheels you might as well get something lighter and stronger than what you current have.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Why you replace OEM wheels with OEM wheels? If you're going to replace wheels you might as well get something lighter and stronger than what you current have.

OEM wheels are generally pretty damn strong. In fact, they're usually stronger than most cheap aftermarket wheels (though usually heavy).

 

[CodeRedR51]

I really like the factory wheels that come on the 3.5 SR models. 👍

 

[Schwartz]

Why you replace OEM wheels with OEM wheels? If you're going to replace wheels you might as well get something lighter and stronger than what you current have.

It's not for performance, as I don't even have the 3.5 model. Purely aesthetics, if you read the OP.

I really like the factory wheels that come on the 3.5 SR models. 👍

I prefer these though (3.5 wheels from 2008), they are also cheaper:

 

[Joey D]

It's not for performance, as I don't even have the 3.5 model. Purely aesthetics, if you read the OP.

Rims can still look good and be performance oriented. My rims were for looks but also were better than OEM.

 

[Schwartz]

I don't think you quite understand my point. It's a 4 cylinder FF car. I don't care about performance whatsoever. Honestly, I think OEMs look much better than most anything else, considering they were made to match the car and they have the Nissan logo on it. Also you wont come across any sizing issues.

 

[Hei]

I work at a shop, and I noticed on my database that your car is 5x4.5" or 114.3mm with a high positive offset. You know what other cars use that? The 350z, the FD3's, and many GM applications. I would recommend getting a used set of the 17"'s on a 350z.