17" wheel recommendations.

[WildCards]

Rota Slipstreams and Grids look good from RareRims.

IU thought RareRims made they're own wheels? So why can't they just paint one set silver instead of bronze?

[Beastlee]

I need in-stock stuff. I was surprised they didn't have Silver considering they say they have 10000 wheels in stock! Silver was the only colour missing but hey, bronze should be good against the Finesse Green.

[chewy121]

http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=ytv6...600&quality=70

i got myself a set of these depends o ntaste i suppose

[Beastlee]

Ah yes the Wolfrace Jap models. Not too shabby.

[Beastlee]

My wheels arrived this morning, along with spigot rings, alloy wheel nuts and a set of locking nuts. The rims come in a double walled box with a soft, elasticated edge cover on the outside face. A centre cap is also included inside each box.

I'm amazed at how deep the centre point is but it looks great. Will post up a pic of one in the flesh. Just awaiting my tyres, which are on their way, and then I can see about getting them fitted.

Can anyone confirm the spigot size I need, want ot make sure the ones in the box with be the right fitment.

[bradc]

you mean centre bore? You want 67.1mm

[Beastlee]

Thanks Brad, that's exactly what I have been sent.

[Beastlee]

Just called in to a local alloy wheel specialist. They will charge me 50€ (£40) to fit and balance all 4 wheels. They do alloy wheel repair etc so should be trustworthy with my new kit

Will look at getting the alignment checked once the wheels are on the car.

[Beastlee]

Ok so I went to the wheel guys earlier and they fitted and balanced the wheels, fantastic deal for 60€! I was offered a choice of valves and went for alloy ones as they recommended them. I know they aren't top choice here but see what you think....

Note they also fitted the tyres properly with the spot near the valve. To add to this they also supplied some black wheel weights which I think fit in perfectly with the wheels. I've never seen this offered in the UK.

Here's one of the wheel and tyre off the car.


The next two show the differences in size.


I have an issue with the width though, I think the fronts are too wide and I certainly couldn't have gone for 235s!


Finally the finished product:


Anyone think my car looks lower than standard? I tried to look for markings on the shocks or springs but nothing was forthcoming. I'm still undecided about how it looks but I'm positive.

I have to say I took it for a run to the petrol station, taking it very steady. on the way back I took it onto the autobahn for a single junction. The feel was good and the car picked up well but the most noticeable difference was once we got up to 80mph at which point the wheel was perfectly steady. I've had wobble for a while when up at that sort of speed and it got worse over 100mph. There was no such wobble at all, so I'm hoping the newly balanced wheels have solved some issues.

[stuey]

Look great. I noticed big difference when i went from original 205/55/16 to 225/40/18's...
that front sticking out is not too bad, my old 8.5" wide wheels were like that.

The problem with bigger wheels is it makes the gap between the tyre and arch look even bigger..

[esemte]

They look really good. What width and offset you go with?

[CANDEE]

Very nice Lee!

They are sitting right on the guard, which is where they should be

[bradc]

The front might be a little bit lower than stock, but 8G's seem to have varying ride height, especially at the front.

Looks great by the way

[Beastlee]

Thanks folks, I'm thinking it still sits a little high but I won't be lowering it as it's firm enough as it is!

esemte they are 17"x8.0" ET35 with 225/45/17 Eagle F1 Assymetrics, in this case they are the 94Y XL (Extra Load) ones. I think the XL tyres have stronger sidewalls which is always good on these buses LOL.

[Beastlee]

@CANDEE, Yeah I think they sit nicely but I'm not sure about the UK legalities for it. I know in Germany they like to have super wide rims and stetch the tyres out past the wings but I'm sure I'd need wheel arch mouldings if I want it to be UK legal.

[Throbbe]

@CANDEE, Yeah I think they sit nicely but I'm not sure about the UK legalities for it. I know in Germany they like to have super wide rims and stetch the tyres out past the wings but I'm sure I'd need wheel arch mouldings if I want it to be UK legal.

In the UK it's the tread that needs to be inside the arch.

So you can get away with silly stretches.

[Beastlee]

Yep I see loads of them on the roads here, mostly Polos, very few Saxos.

By the way in the UK it is illegal to have your tyres stretched like that. The Police will have you under a rule based around the fact the manufacturer would not gain a safety cert for the car with them fitted so they are therefore unsafe and not insurable, hence not legal.

[Turbo_Steve]

It's all based on the idea that the bodywork could touch the tyre at speed, which would be disasterous! It's also to try and reduce the amount of damage to a pedestrian if they roll over your bonnet (cos they ran out in front of you). The shape of the car is designed to roll them over the car, over the wing and deposit them on the ground with the minimum of internal injuries. Having the wheel sticking out tends to grab at the skin and tear them open, even at fairly low speeds.

I think they look absoloutely awesome, Lee, am really jealous, though I have to confess the sticky-outy-ness would annoy me. Facelift arch extensions when she comes home, then?

[Throbbe]

Yep I see loads of them on the roads here, mostly Polos, very few Saxos.

By the way in the UK it is illegal to have your tyres stretched like that. The Police will have you under a rule based around the fact the manufacturer would not gain a safety cert for the car with them fitted so they are therefore unsafe and not insurable, hence not legal.

Construction and Use regs? Never actually known anyone done for stretched tyres though, and it's very common on modded VW's. I got through several MoT's, albeit with a fairly mild stretch (first pic). I also briefly did the outside the arches thing, but it just wasn't sensible on a daily driver (and looked arse!).

[bradc]

Here you can stretch the tyres too as long as the tread is in the arches, just like on my car 235 on 9.5" is reasonably stretched, dunno if it would be legal or not in the UK