Sport Edition Rims

Buy your vehicle and hold onto it for as long as possible. That's typically the best way to get the most out of your car and budget. Obviously, you'll need to maintain and take care of it as best you can.

If your vehicle originally came with chrome wheels and you live in snow country, one challenge you'll probably face is peeling chrome. Eventually this peeling chrome will prevent your wheels from properly sealing against the tire beads. One way of fixing this is by having an installer clean the wheel and use a bead sealant to reduce or eliminate the air loss.

If leaks persist to the point you're still adding air to your tires every morning, then it's time to replace your wheels. A great option to consider is a set of Sport Edition F7 wheels. This five-spoke wheel is available in both a 16" and 17" rim diameter. Sport Edition wheels combine quality, style and price to offer an exceptional value. Using the latest production standards, Sport Edition wheels complement the appearance of many popular vehicles.

Not only could new wheels fix your leaking problem, but your vehicle will look better, too!

If you're shopping for a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package, you'll notice that steel wheels are offered for many vehicles and are more economical than aluminum alloy wheels. Keep in mind that price only tells part of the story. While they may be the right choice for you, be sure to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using steel wheels versus alloy wheels.

Steel Wheels

• Meet the basic needs of drivers who want the convenience of a winter tire package without the additional cost of an alloy wheel
• Typically available in black or silver finish depending on the application
• Basic styling can often be updated with wheel covers
• Cost less than alloy wheels due to ease of manufacturing and lower material costs

Since steel wheels aren't the sportiest addition to your vehicle, wheel covers will hide the wheels while enhancing your vehicle's appearance. If a good look is especially important to you, alloy wheels may be the way to go! When creating a Winter Tire & Wheel Package, why should you consider an aftermarket alloy wheel? What are the benefits of alloy wheels over steel?

Alloy Wheels 

• Enhance the look of your vehicle
• Are manufactured to precise standards to meet exact fitment and performance needs
• Weigh less than steel wheels and have often have superior strength
• May be the preferred option for your vehicle based on fitment requirements
• Will allow for better brake clearance (depending on wheel style and brake components installed)
• Some may require proper maintenance as finish damage may result in the harshest winter climates where salt and sand are routinely used

Steel Wheels

Sport Edition A7

It's important to remember that alloy wheels may be the only option for your vehicle since steel wheels aren't made to fit every application. To learn more about the benefits of an alloy wheel, read "What is an Alloy Wheel?"

205/55-16 Michelin X-Ice Xi2

16x7.5 35mm offset Silver Painted Sport Edition A7

16x7.5 35mm offset Black Painted Sport Edition A7

225/45-17 Continental ExtremeWinterContact

17x7.5 32mm offset Silver Painted Sport Edition A7

17x7.5 32mm offset Black Painted Sport Edition A7

1. Will the Sport Edition A7 accept my O.E. BMW center cap? Yes.
2. If my vehicle is equipped with the Sport Package or the M Sport Package with wider tires in the back, is it okay to run the same tire size in the front and back? Yes. Since 225/45-17, 255/40-17, 225/40-18 and 255/35-18 are all 25" in overall diameter you'll be maintaining the same overall diameter, therefore this will have no effect on the vehicle's Dynamic Traction Control.
3. If I'm using my Sport Package or M Sport Package wheels, is it okay to run a narrower size tire on the wider rear rim? Yes, a 17x8.5 wheel will accept a 225/45-17 tire and a 18x8.5 wheel will accept a 225/40-18 tire. Just be more careful when parallel parking because you'll have less rubber protruding beyond the edge of the rim. So, it's easier to scrape a wheel against a curb.

The 350Z is an awesome car for precise street driving and on the track, but not very good in the snow. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of snow tire options to greatly improve the vehicle's winter driving performance.

Visit the winter section of our Upgrade Garage and easily switch between product categories to see a complete fitment guide for your vehicle. You can also create Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Packages that come with all necessary hardware such as lugs, center caps ,centering rings, etc. that will allow you to switch between your different Tire & Wheel Packages (race, snow, street). To gain a better understanding of which snow tire will work best for your vehicle, read "Which Snow Tire: Studless Ice and Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow or Performance Winter / Snow?

Given the vehicle's light weight and rear-wheel drive dynamics, I would recommend a Studless Ice and Snow tire. One of the best Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Packages for a 2005 Nissan 350Z would be the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 in 225/50-17 front tires and 225/55-17 for the rear on 17x8" Sport Edition KV5 wheels. 
 

Michelin X-Ice Xi2

Sport Edition KV5

225/55-17 rear sizing allows the driver to maintain a larger diameter in the rear so the traction control works properly. I like the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tire because it is designed to tackle some of the coldest winter driving conditions and the 225/55-17 is a low rolling resistance tire that confirms the tire's contribution to reducing vehicle fuel consumption and emissions of CO2 gases. The look of the tire with the Sport Edition KV5's painted silver finish sealed with a clear coat makes for a great winter combination. Sport Edition rims combine quality, style and price to offer an exceptional value. For more information on this environmentally friendly tire, read "Michelin Green X."

When installing wheels on the 350Z you may notice a steel pin protruding from the front hub mounting surface. This pin is designed to prevent erroneous rotation of the tires. You must remove it with a 12mm wrench so your new wheels will fit flush against the hub.

• Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3
• Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60

• Michelin X-Ice Xi2
• Continental ExtremeWinterContact
• Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

• General Altimax Arctic
• Firestone Winterforce
• Pirelli Winter Carving

• Enkei Performance Series LS-5 (Black Painted)
• Sport Edition KV5 (Silver)
• TRMotorsports MT1 (Matte Grey)

Use our Upgrade Garage to see what these and other Mustang wheels would look like on your vehicle. You'll also get access to Mustang tires, Mustang brake pads and Mustang suspension products, including Mustang shocks.