Buying new alloys - Few Questions

LeakingLava · 01-07-2023 9:17pm #1

Hi all,

Getting a Nissan Serena 2017 soon. Looking to get alloys for it as it has steelies on at the moment. I don't really want the new set to be too far off the usual OEM alloys option on the car in terms of spec and look. The only spec I wanted to change a bit is the offset, as I would like for the tires to come out a little towards the arches.

Found a set online that looks decent to me. The OEM alloys/tire specs are 195/60/16 ET45 6Jx16. The alloys/tires I'm looking to buy seems to be 205/55/16 ET32 6.5Jx16.

So a few things: for whatever reason, on the same tire make and model, 205/55/16 is €50 cheaper each. But question is, is this size change suitable? I just found the numbers online on tire websites so not really sure what should work and what won't.

Is ET32 also suitable? I understand this achieves what I want in terms of the wheels going out towards the arches, but is it too much of a difference from the ET45? Or is it really just a matter of physical testing and seeing if there are issues with catching around the wheel well?

I am no expert so I would like all information anyone can provide. Anything to look out for, to check before purchase, etc.

Thank you for your time!

colm_mcm · 01-07-2023 9:47pm

Ref sizes, 205/55R16 is a very common size used by most manufacturers in volume models and is a cheap size.

The 55 is a percentage of the tyre width and gives you the sidewall height.

So 195/60 is a bigger sidewall than 205/55 (117mm vs 113mm) but there’s not much in it.

If you’re changing to alloys, why not look at 225/45R17, another cheap size, and keep the original offset. That will probably make the car noisier and will be harder on the road so maybe not a fantastic idea!

Changing the offset drastically isn’t a good idea.

For reference, stud pattern is 5*114.3 centre bore is 66.1mm, and offset is 43-47mm

Nissan Murano or P12 Primera wheels would be the same specs as above.

LeakingLava · 01-07-2023 9:55pm

Thank you very much!

What should be the limit when changing the offset? Just not sure what drastic is or isn't.

I'll look into the 17inch alloys but I would imagine that they would be a bit more expensive.

To add to that, being completely honest, the reason why I didn't want to go off the OEM spec too much was so that I would have less guilt when saying "no mods" to insurance companies. Should I even bother worrying about this or does it not matter as I do not have OEM alloys either way?

colm_mcm · 01-07-2023 10:04pm

Insurers won’t know what’s factory on a JDM car, but thinking about it I’d stick with 16” wheels, the Serena looks weird in the wheel department already with tiny arches, and I don’t think 17s on lower profile tyres will actually improve it.

If you want the wheels to stick out, you need smaller offset. I wouldn’t go below 40mm, at 40mm offset that opens up Pulsar, Qashqai and Leaf wheels as OE options.

LeakingLava · 01-07-2023 10:12pm

Cool thanks again!

So the alloys that I was looking at actually comes in the spec that you are suggesting. Just to finalise, would you say that this is the most suitable choice?

6.5Jx16 ET40 CB66.10

Tires 205/55/R16 91H

Thanks!

PsychoPete · 01-07-2023 10:58pm

Use this site to compare the new and old wheel size, offset etc

http://www.willtheyfit.com

LeakingLava · 01-07-2023 11:26pm

Ill be honest with you, I've used it, but wasn't sure what the result numbers really mean. I just mean that I'm not really sure what the acceptable threshold is. For example it says 1.35% speedo error. I'm not quite sure if that's acceptable or godly awful.

Just in case someone is wondering why I don't just go into a professional instead, I have gone to a few shops, they don't really have much alloys options, and I am getting this a lot cheaper online + fitment than when bought locally. Around 300 euro cheaper for the design I like, and a premium tire brand compared to a brand I've never heard of before.