what do think of these rims on the kizashi?

[sx4rocious]

if I'm not mistaken, power split to rear wheels is strictly on demand, and only to a maximum of 50% available torque. The car is primarily FWD and "bleeds" torque to the rears when needed. This is by no means a performance full-time AWD system.

[KuroNekko]

if I'm not mistaken, power split to rear wheels is strictly on demand, and only to a maximum of 50% available torque. The car is primarily FWD and "bleeds" torque to the rears when needed. This is by no means a performance full-time AWD system.

I'm quite sure this is correct. I've read from numerous sources that the Kizashi's AWD system is a Full-Time AWD system that is nearly entirely FWD until slip is detected.

The systems that deliver more power to all wheels at all times are Permanent AWD systems like Subaru and Audi's systems but they are more expensive and consume more fuel. However, given they distribute power across all wheels all the time instead of being 2WD until needed, there are advantages. Time and time again, many independent tests demonstrate the difference the AWD systems make in terms of traction performance.

[youtube][/youtube]

[Woodie]

The Kizashi needs a rear airflow diffuser I think. And not just for aesthetic reasons; the rear airflow diffuser would help increase down force on the rear tires in the AWD models. I believe power in the AWD Kizashi's is split 30/70(-ish) front to back, so a little extra down force would probably be good for them.

Aesthetic reasons are all you've got. No way that diffuser looking thing is having any aerodynamic effect below 100 mph, and I seriously doubt that it has any effect at all.

Looks nice though

[bootymac]

I believe power in the AWD Kizashi's is split 30/70(-ish) front to back

Where are you getting this from?

[Knightstruth]

The AWD on the Kiz is FWD based. It will only activate when it detects wheel spin. While not the best snow based AWD system, it adds to dry weather performance by coming on enhance regular driving (like when corning).

On a side note while the subaru I had was great going up the hill in snowy weather, it didn't perform nearly as well on regular slick roads at the e46 bmw I had.

[KansasKid]

I believe power in the AWD Kizashi's is split 30/70(-ish) front to back

Where are you getting this from?

Ball-park estimate based on driving in the snow last year. There was significantly more buildup in the rear wheel wells in my Kizashi after driving in snow/slush for about a week. I'm talking like 2+ inches of clearance between the front tires and the snow in the wheel wells versus < 1 inch of clearance between the rear tires and the snow in the rear wheel wells. (I realized first hand how INCREDIBLY unsafe that was, and promptly cleaned out all the snow built up in the wheel wells.) I was driving with the "AWD" mode engaged for the whole week, and I assumed that the excess build snow up around the rear tires was indicative that the rear tires were kicking up more snow because more power was being transferred to the rear axle.

I'll be the first to admit that this isn't the most scientific observation. It's entirely possible that other factors could have could have contributed to the amount of snow build up in the wheel wells such as the fact that the front wheels turn while the rears are fixed, or it could be indicative of nothing. I knew that the Kizashi can shift power between the front and rear axles dynamically, but I wasn't sure about how much power gets shifted to the rear though.

I didn't mean to hijack this thread with a big discussion about the AWD. I made a new thread here so we can discuss that some more. God knows I have a bazillion more questions about the Kizashi's AWD system.

[paininthenuts]

They're okay IMHO. They don't really grab my attention, but they're certainly not offensive either .

What are they 20" or bigger?

http://www.tirerack.com has a reasonable wheel selection and on car imaging on their site. It might give you some more ideas.

I don't find them offensive either, and they look OK. The thing that confuses me is the Kizi standard wheels are really nice, and I don't know why anyone would want to change them. Mine were flaking, and Suzuki replaced the whole set. If I were to buy the Kizi wheels in the UK they would cost about £470 ($700) each. My point is that the standard wheels are an expensive bit of kit, and people who replace them are only putting on cheaper ones. STRANGE

[KansasKid]

You got Suzuki to replace your rims? Were they covered under the warranty or something?

[paininthenuts]

You got Suzuki to replace your rims? Were they covered under the warranty or something?

The car was only a few months old

[Woodie]

Lots of people did. Up to three years and 30,000 miles.