Sourcing new 20" wheels in Europe...

S

sama156

Member
Location
Warsaw
Finding new wheels for our 2007 FX35 AWD has proved to be a little challenging. The car is not very well known and especially local wheel shops keep whining about wheels not being "certified" for this car. I guess it has to do with the fact that Infiniti has not been here for very long yet.

Our priority has been light weight and even getting weight info has been a little challenge. Based on my research, the OEM 20" are 31.5lbs = 14.3kg. I would like to ideally be below this marker.

I have now narrowed it down (hopefully) to two wheels:

Diamond Horizon:
http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/20_Inch_Diamond_Horizon_HS_Alloy_Wheels__2057
20_Inch_Diamond_Horizon_HS_Alloy_Wheels__PI_2057_134_142_962_962_600.jpg
(20x9, weight approx 13kg, et35)

Autec Veron:
http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/20_Inch_Autec_Veron_Silver_Alloy_Wheels__4834
20_Inch_Autec_Veron_Silver_Alloy_Wheels__PI_4834_120_120_979_979_600.jpg
(20x9, weight approx 12kg, et 38)

Both are available in 5x114.3 bolt pattern.

Now a couple of questions:

(1) What are your thoughts on these wheels? Like the look of Horizons but they are suspiciously cheap, under half the price of Verons. Autecs seem to be made in Germany, should be good quality. Has anybody any experiences from either of the two brands?

(2) There seems to be more choises available in 275/45/20 (incl Yokohama Advan ST or Toyo Proxes S/T) so was thinking of taking those instead of the OEM 265/50/20. There was an old thread here somewhere, but many of pics were no longer visible. When lowered, should look pretty ok still. Do many of you ride on 275/45 profile, how do you like it?


Sam
 

Attachments

  • 20_Inch_Diamond_Horizon_HS_Alloy_Wheels__PI_2057_134_142_962_962_600.jpg
    20_Inch_Diamond_Horizon_HS_Alloy_Wheels__PI_2057_134_142_962_962_600.jpg
    15.4 KB · Views: 55
  • 20_Inch_Autec_Veron_Silver_Alloy_Wheels__PI_4834_120_120_979_979_600.jpg
    20_Inch_Autec_Veron_Silver_Alloy_Wheels__PI_4834_120_120_979_979_600.jpg
    15.6 KB · Views: 52
Last edited:
I like the Diamond Horizon. I have not heard of the brand though. Not sure about Europe specifics, in the the US, there is no such thing of be "certified" aftermarket wheels. As long as the bolt pattern and hub fit (if not there all kind of hub centric rings) and the offset works, we put them on.
 
The vendor gave me more information re Diamonds. Apparently it is a completely new brand so they are pricing aggressively. Also, production is in far east, but they told me that "the factory is modern and the quality is very good. Again it is a growing brand."

Perhaps I have to become a product tester...
 
Hello. I would also choose the Diamond Horizon. You can check also here: www.alloywheels.com They have the Diamond's also and many other. They are based in UK (or Ireland) and they ship to Europe. Also you can check www.ebay.de if you have an account. I have found many nice wheels there with shipping to all Europe.
I would not buy 275/45R20 tires unless i would be lowered on coilovers. They would look too small. Stick with 265/50R20...
 
Last edited:
In my opinion, with the advanced in manufacturing process these days, I feel the quality is pretty good now with any brand. Of course, the comfort level will be higher with a well know popular brand. To me, if the specs and design good, I will go for it. Lets just take LED for example, when they first came out they flicker and die every few months or so. It didn't matter if it brand name or not. Today, I bought some off ebay from HK for like $1.25 a piece and I have been using them for about a year now without any issue. Remember those days that you drive the new car off the shown room floor and the dealer warn you not to drive over 50 mph on the first 300 miles (ie break-in period). I have not hear of that for last 10 years :smile (2):
 
Thanks for the pointers.

baias6230 said:
I would not buy 275/45R20 tires unless i would be lowered on coilovers. They would look too small. Stick with 265/50R20...
Click to expand...

In fact, I have BC Racing coilovers in order:)

However, I am just reminding myself that this is afterall my wife's DD, so some more rubber might be better. Now, if this would be my DD, it would be the lightest wheels and tires:tongue (2):

I will most likely stick to stock size for some additional protection from the pretty rough roads around here. Warming up more and more towards the Diamonds. If it goes sideways, then they might become my new winter wheels and then I will also have more room for the BBK compared to our current 18" stockers...eh?
 
Ok here is another vote for Diamond Horizon :wink (2): It getting hotter :hahaha:
Anyhow, from 18 to 20 is a nice upgrade :top:
 
20" Diamonds and 265/50R20 Yokohama Advan STs ordered:top:

Now I only have the BBK/disc&pad upgrade on my long shopping list remaining...for now.
 
I have a long list of things to be installed: plenum spacer, coils, brake lines, wheels&tires+brake upgrade...will surely post some pics once I am done. A little detailing service is planned too, should be as good as new soon:)
 
Ok, finally some pictures

I promised some pictures and finally had a chance to finish the very first stage of my installations. Eh, the car is dirty and in a serious need for some TLC at a local detailing shop...

Initial inspection:
IMG_1549.jpg
IMG_1547.jpg


NOTE. I also checked the weight of these, 13.9kg. So when the sales rep said "around 13kg" he was being truthful within a slim 0.1kg margin:) The 20" OEMs weight is 14.3kg (i.e. 31.5lbs) so these are still a little lighter.


After installation:
IMG_0525.jpg
IMG_0526.jpgIMG_0527.jpg


However, I noticed that the center cap was not black as suggested by the promo pictures. Fixed this today with a cheapo solution:

IMG_0530.jpg
IMG_1561.jpg


All in all pretty happy. The rims seem to be good quality, only did not like too much those cheap looking centre caps, but that is not fixed, well sort of.

Still to be done:
- Installing BC coilovers
- Installing FX50 Akebono front brakes (thanks sitrojan!!!:top:) , Goodridge brake lines & EBC Yellow Stuff pads all around

I will need minimum 20mm spacers with our 18" winter wheels to clear the Akebonos. What do you guys think based on the pics, would I be able to use those same spacers with these 20" wheels as well, or will they stick out too much? I think that there would be room at least for 10mm or so to make them flush...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1549.jpg
    IMG_1549.jpg
    80.5 KB · Views: 59
  • IMG_1547.jpg
    IMG_1547.jpg
    78.6 KB · Views: 62
  • IMG_0526.jpg
    IMG_0526.jpg
    111.3 KB · Views: 66
  • IMG_0525.jpg
    IMG_0525.jpg
    133.6 KB · Views: 57
  • IMG_0527.jpg
    IMG_0527.jpg
    90.7 KB · Views: 67
  • IMG_0530.jpg
    IMG_0530.jpg
    145.1 KB · Views: 397
  • IMG_1561.jpg
    IMG_1561.jpg
    97 KB · Views: 72
Last edited:
sirtrojan said:
heh Nice Samy :)
I bet that on 20mm spacers it will still look good :)


Regarding to your plans... why EBC if u got brand new OEMs ? :)
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure that rears will be fine with 20mm, fronts might just stick out a little. Will post some pics later...

I need to replace the rears so I thought that I will go for the EBCs all around and keep the new front OEMs as spares. On my previous cars pads made a huge difference on the braking feel so I thought that I would try these out while I am at it:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top